An Innovative Method for Evaluating Strategic Goals in a Public Agency: Conservation Leadership in the U.S. Forest Service

David N. N. Bengston; David P. Fan

Treesearch

An Innovative Method for Evaluating Strategic Goals in a Public Agency: Conservation Leadership in the U.S. Forest Service

Informally Refereed

Authors:

David N. N. Bengston, David P. Fan

Year:

1999

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Northern Research Station

Source:

Evaluation Review. Vol. 23 no. 1.:p. 77-100. (1999)

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Abstract

This article presents an innovative methodology for evaluating strategic planning goals in a public agency. Computer-coded content analysis was used to evaluate attitudes expressed in about 28,000 on-line news media stories about the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and its strategic goal of conservation leadership. Three dimensions of conservation leadership were distinguished and evaluated separatety: stewardship and ethics, use of collaborative planning and decision making, and use of science-based management. Analysis of on-line news media text is a way to quickly and efficiently assess the views of a wide range of stakeholders captured in the news media.

Keywords

Strategic planning, media, Forest Service

Citation

Bengston, David N.; Fan, David P. 1999. An Innovative Method for Evaluating Strategic Goals in a Public Agency: Conservation Leadership in the U.S. Forest Service. Evaluation Review. Vol. 23 no. 1.:p. 77-100. (1999)