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questionnaire
... The evaluation project
“Evaluation of CIP EQUAL Transnational Cooperation Principle” commissioned
by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Czech Republic (MoLSA)
took place in the period from April to October 2008 in the territory
of the Czech Republic and ten European Union (EU) countries, to be specific,
in Austria, in Germany, in Poland, in Slovakia, in the Netherlands,
in the United Kingdom, in Portugal, in Spain, in Italy and in France.
The individual evaluation steps, i.e. analysis of documents, questionnaire
survey, evaluation visits and interviews, case studies, focus groups,
SWOT and process analysis took place in accordance with the stipulated
time schedule. The evaluation output was in total six reports (including
this Final Report), which, in accordance with the stipulated time schedule
and the contract, answered the individual evaluation tasks and questions. ...
... The comparison among
the Czech Republic and the other EU countries included in the evaluation
is interesting, above all because it has not been possible to trace
any considerable difference in the respondents’ reactions to the same
questions and themes; however, it is possible to trace the differences
in comparable extent of cases, namely the substantial ones. The individual
partial differences may be followed best in the results of the questionnaire
investigation; however, it may be stated in general that the differences
resulting from “maturity” and “immaturity” are concerned –
namely both in good and bad meaning. Maturity and self-confidence of
the senior EU Member States bring, on the one hand, well-established
procedures, beaten tracks, proved methods, rich experience with partnership,
well-established work culture that is not based on personal relations,
open communication with partners, namely including authorities and institutions,
etc. However, it may bring at the same time certain routinism, lack
of interest in the gist of the matter and endeavour to maintain the
status quo, excessively established character and commonplace conterminous
to becoming stale. Compared to that, the “immaturity” of the newer
Member States carries round immaturity and instability of the environment,
which almost is not ready to absorb the aid of similar extent, clientelism
or servility towards authorities and at the same time unprofessionality
of officials, unproven procedures, incomparable conditions, lack of
data, unreflected own tradition, etc. on the one hand, but on the other
hand it may be a source of unexpected innovation, unusual interest in
the matter and resolve to do something for it, great drive, willingness
to learn and absorb new things, endeavour to show oneself in front of
the others, innovative approaches and the like. ...
... This group is a secondary one, it is not mentioned at the majority of activities in the tables to the individual topics
and tasks as a target group, it was addressed by means of a questionnaire and above all, some recommendations for future management of the aid from the ESF are aimed at it. ...
... Questionnaire ...
... Two sets of questions
came into existence and the questions were identified, which complement
each other, verify each other mutually, and above all serve for comparison
between the individual groups. The comments to the questionnaire had
been made several times; the resulting form of the questions was then
translated from English into Czech, Polish, French, Portuguese, Italian,
Spanish and Dutch. The questionnaires were distributed in the electronic
form only, namely through a web application, which enables safe and
comfortable completion of the form and its anonymous sending on-line.
The data are stored directly into a database, which increases the efficiency
of their further processing significantly. The questionnaire was anonymous,
but in order to be able to distinguish the target groups addressed by
the questionnaire, two identification questions were mentioned in the
introductory part of the questionnaire (country of origin and the type
of the target group). The established target groups were addressed by
means of an e-mail and an information campaign with accompanying information,
which contained the www address, on which the questionnaire can be completed,
explained briefly the meaning of the questionnaire and of the whole
evaluation, further it contained the name of the contracting authority,
an authorizing letter from MoLSA and the contact data for case of inquiries.
Letters in the above-mentioned languages were sent to the contacts gathered.
Short before the expiration of the period for completion of the questionnaire
(15 June 2008), also reminders were sent on 8 June 2008, which increased
the rate of return of the questionnaire. A number of respondents
were sending inquiries both to the questionnaire investigation and to
the results of the evaluation. All the questions were answered, namely
in the language, in which the inquiry had been sent. A detailed description
of this method is mentioned in Chapter 4.2. ...
... Two sets of questions
came into existence and the questions were identified, which complement
each other, verify each other mutually, and above all serve for comparison
between the individual groups. The comments to the questionnaire had
been made several times; the resulting form of the questions was then
translated from English into Czech, Polish, French, Portuguese, Italian,
Spanish and Dutch. The questionnaires were distributed in the electronic
form only, namely through a web application, which enables safe and
comfortable completion of the form and its anonymous sending on-line.
The data are stored directly into a database, which increases the efficiency
of their further processing significantly. The questionnaire was anonymous,
but in order to be able to distinguish the target groups addressed by
the questionnaire, two identification questions were mentioned in the
introductory part of the questionnaire (country of origin and the type
of the target group). The established target groups were addressed by
means of an e-mail and an information campaign with accompanying information,
which contained the www address, on which the questionnaire can be completed,
explained briefly the meaning of the questionnaire and of the whole
evaluation, further it contained the name of the contracting authority,
an authorizing letter from MoLSA and the contact data for case of inquiries.
Letters in the above-mentioned languages were sent to the contacts gathered.
Short before the expiration of the period for completion of the questionnaire
(15 June 2008), also reminders were sent on 8 June 2008, which increased
the rate of return of the questionnaire. A number of respondents
were sending inquiries both to the questionnaire investigation and to
the results of the evaluation. All the questions were answered, namely
in the language, in which the inquiry had been sent. A detailed description
of this method is mentioned in Chapter 4.2. ...
... Two sets of questions
came into existence and the questions were identified, which complement
each other, verify each other mutually, and above all serve for comparison
between the individual groups. The comments to the questionnaire had
been made several times; the resulting form of the questions was then
translated from English into Czech, Polish, French, Portuguese, Italian,
Spanish and Dutch. The questionnaires were distributed in the electronic
form only, namely through a web application, which enables safe and
comfortable completion of the form and its anonymous sending on-line.
The data are stored directly into a database, which increases the efficiency
of their further processing significantly. The questionnaire was anonymous,
but in order to be able to distinguish the target groups addressed by
the questionnaire, two identification questions were mentioned in the
introductory part of the questionnaire (country of origin and the type
of the target group). The established target groups were addressed by
means of an e-mail and an information campaign with accompanying information,
which contained the www address, on which the questionnaire can be completed,
explained briefly the meaning of the questionnaire and of the whole
evaluation, further it contained the name of the contracting authority,
an authorizing letter from MoLSA and the contact data for case of inquiries.
Letters in the above-mentioned languages were sent to the contacts gathered.
Short before the expiration of the period for completion of the questionnaire
(15 June 2008), also reminders were sent on 8 June 2008, which increased
the rate of return of the questionnaire. A number of respondents
were sending inquiries both to the questionnaire investigation and to
the results of the evaluation. All the questions were answered, namely
in the language, in which the inquiry had been sent. A detailed description
of this method is mentioned in Chapter 4.2. ...
... Two sets of questions
came into existence and the questions were identified, which complement
each other, verify each other mutually, and above all serve for comparison
between the individual groups. The comments to the questionnaire had
been made several times; the resulting form of the questions was then
translated from English into Czech, Polish, French, Portuguese, Italian,
Spanish and Dutch. The questionnaires were distributed in the electronic
form only, namely through a web application, which enables safe and
comfortable completion of the form and its anonymous sending on-line.
The data are stored directly into a database, which increases the efficiency
of their further processing significantly. The questionnaire was anonymous,
but in order to be able to distinguish the target groups addressed by
the questionnaire, two identification questions were mentioned in the
introductory part of the questionnaire (country of origin and the type
of the target group). The established target groups were addressed by
means of an e-mail and an information campaign with accompanying information,
which contained the www address, on which the questionnaire can be completed,
explained briefly the meaning of the questionnaire and of the whole
evaluation, further it contained the name of the contracting authority,
an authorizing letter from MoLSA and the contact data for case of inquiries.
Letters in the above-mentioned languages were sent to the contacts gathered.
Short before the expiration of the period for completion of the questionnaire
(15 June 2008), also reminders were sent on 8 June 2008, which increased
the rate of return of the questionnaire. A number of respondents
were sending inquiries both to the questionnaire investigation and to
the results of the evaluation. All the questions were answered, namely
in the language, in which the inquiry had been sent. A detailed description
of this method is mentioned in Chapter 4.2. ...
... Two sets of questions
came into existence and the questions were identified, which complement
each other, verify each other mutually, and above all serve for comparison
between the individual groups. The comments to the questionnaire had
been made several times; the resulting form of the questions was then
translated from English into Czech, Polish, French, Portuguese, Italian,
Spanish and Dutch. The questionnaires were distributed in the electronic
form only, namely through a web application, which enables safe and
comfortable completion of the form and its anonymous sending on-line.
The data are stored directly into a database, which increases the efficiency
of their further processing significantly. The questionnaire was anonymous,
but in order to be able to distinguish the target groups addressed by
the questionnaire, two identification questions were mentioned in the
introductory part of the questionnaire (country of origin and the type
of the target group). The established target groups were addressed by
means of an e-mail and an information campaign with accompanying information,
which contained the www address, on which the questionnaire can be completed,
explained briefly the meaning of the questionnaire and of the whole
evaluation, further it contained the name of the contracting authority,
an authorizing letter from MoLSA and the contact data for case of inquiries.
Letters in the above-mentioned languages were sent to the contacts gathered.
Short before the expiration of the period for completion of the questionnaire
(15 June 2008), also reminders were sent on 8 June 2008, which increased
the rate of return of the questionnaire. A number of respondents
were sending inquiries both to the questionnaire investigation and to
the results of the evaluation. All the questions were answered, namely
in the language, in which the inquiry had been sent. A detailed description
of this method is mentioned in Chapter 4.2. ...
... Two sets of questions
came into existence and the questions were identified, which complement
each other, verify each other mutually, and above all serve for comparison
between the individual groups. The comments to the questionnaire had
been made several times; the resulting form of the questions was then
translated from English into Czech, Polish, French, Portuguese, Italian,
Spanish and Dutch. The questionnaires were distributed in the electronic
form only, namely through a web application, which enables safe and
comfortable completion of the form and its anonymous sending on-line.
The data are stored directly into a database, which increases the efficiency
of their further processing significantly. The questionnaire was anonymous,
but in order to be able to distinguish the target groups addressed by
the questionnaire, two identification questions were mentioned in the
introductory part of the questionnaire (country of origin and the type
of the target group). The established target groups were addressed by
means of an e-mail and an information campaign with accompanying information,
which contained the www address, on which the questionnaire can be completed,
explained briefly the meaning of the questionnaire and of the whole
evaluation, further it contained the name of the contracting authority,
an authorizing letter from MoLSA and the contact data for case of inquiries.
Letters in the above-mentioned languages were sent to the contacts gathered.
Short before the expiration of the period for completion of the questionnaire
(15 June 2008), also reminders were sent on 8 June 2008, which increased
the rate of return of the questionnaire. A number of respondents
were sending inquiries both to the questionnaire investigation and to
the results of the evaluation. All the questions were answered, namely
in the language, in which the inquiry had been sent. A detailed description
of this method is mentioned in Chapter 4.2. ...
... Two sets of questions
came into existence and the questions were identified, which complement
each other, verify each other mutually, and above all serve for comparison
between the individual groups. The comments to the questionnaire had
been made several times; the resulting form of the questions was then
translated from English into Czech, Polish, French, Portuguese, Italian,
Spanish and Dutch. The questionnaires were distributed in the electronic
form only, namely through a web application, which enables safe and
comfortable completion of the form and its anonymous sending on-line.
The data are stored directly into a database, which increases the efficiency
of their further processing significantly. The questionnaire was anonymous,
but in order to be able to distinguish the target groups addressed by
the questionnaire, two identification questions were mentioned in the
introductory part of the questionnaire (country of origin and the type
of the target group). The established target groups were addressed by
means of an e-mail and an information campaign with accompanying information,
which contained the www address, on which the questionnaire can be completed,
explained briefly the meaning of the questionnaire and of the whole
evaluation, further it contained the name of the contracting authority,
an authorizing letter from MoLSA and the contact data for case of inquiries.
Letters in the above-mentioned languages were sent to the contacts gathered.
Short before the expiration of the period for completion of the questionnaire
(15 June 2008), also reminders were sent on 8 June 2008, which increased
the rate of return of the questionnaire. A number of respondents
were sending inquiries both to the questionnaire investigation and to
the results of the evaluation. All the questions were answered, namely
in the language, in which the inquiry had been sent. A detailed description
of this method is mentioned in Chapter 4.2. ...
... Two sets of questions
came into existence and the questions were identified, which complement
each other, verify each other mutually, and above all serve for comparison
between the individual groups. The comments to the questionnaire had
been made several times; the resulting form of the questions was then
translated from English into Czech, Polish, French, Portuguese, Italian,
Spanish and Dutch. The questionnaires were distributed in the electronic
form only, namely through a web application, which enables safe and
comfortable completion of the form and its anonymous sending on-line.
The data are stored directly into a database, which increases the efficiency
of their further processing significantly. The questionnaire was anonymous,
but in order to be able to distinguish the target groups addressed by
the questionnaire, two identification questions were mentioned in the
introductory part of the questionnaire (country of origin and the type
of the target group). The established target groups were addressed by
means of an e-mail and an information campaign with accompanying information,
which contained the www address, on which the questionnaire can be completed,
explained briefly the meaning of the questionnaire and of the whole
evaluation, further it contained the name of the contracting authority,
an authorizing letter from MoLSA and the contact data for case of inquiries.
Letters in the above-mentioned languages were sent to the contacts gathered.
Short before the expiration of the period for completion of the questionnaire
(15 June 2008), also reminders were sent on 8 June 2008, which increased
the rate of return of the questionnaire. A number of respondents
were sending inquiries both to the questionnaire investigation and to
the results of the evaluation. All the questions were answered, namely
in the language, in which the inquiry had been sent. A detailed description
of this method is mentioned in Chapter 4.2. ...
... Two sets of questions
came into existence and the questions were identified, which complement
each other, verify each other mutually, and above all serve for comparison
between the individual groups. The comments to the questionnaire had
been made several times; the resulting form of the questions was then
translated from English into Czech, Polish, French, Portuguese, Italian,
Spanish and Dutch. The questionnaires were distributed in the electronic
form only, namely through a web application, which enables safe and
comfortable completion of the form and its anonymous sending on-line.
The data are stored directly into a database, which increases the efficiency
of their further processing significantly. The questionnaire was anonymous,
but in order to be able to distinguish the target groups addressed by
the questionnaire, two identification questions were mentioned in the
introductory part of the questionnaire (country of origin and the type
of the target group). The established target groups were addressed by
means of an e-mail and an information campaign with accompanying information,
which contained the www address, on which the questionnaire can be completed,
explained briefly the meaning of the questionnaire and of the whole
evaluation, further it contained the name of the contracting authority,
an authorizing letter from MoLSA and the contact data for case of inquiries.
Letters in the above-mentioned languages were sent to the contacts gathered.
Short before the expiration of the period for completion of the questionnaire
(15 June 2008), also reminders were sent on 8 June 2008, which increased
the rate of return of the questionnaire. A number of respondents
were sending inquiries both to the questionnaire investigation and to
the results of the evaluation. All the questions were answered, namely
in the language, in which the inquiry had been sent. A detailed description
of this method is mentioned in Chapter 4.2. ...
... Questionnaire survey ...
... The link to the electronic
questionnaire was sent to 1,786 e-mail addresses(5) while 69
of them returned as undelivered (i.e. 1,717 addresses were addressed
successfully); 254 received questionnaires represent the
response rate 14.8 %. Of this number, 219 questionnaires contained
a set of questions focused on the representatives of the development
partnerships, clients of the services created within the framework of
the EQUAL projects (the target groups of the projects), members of the
National Thematic Networks, independent experts and potential applicants;
the set contained 21 questions. The remaining 35 questionnaires were
filled in by the representatives of MA, NSS, the Payment Authority,
the European Commission, the Monitoring Committee and the politicians
and strategy makers in the area of HRD and the ESF; the set contained
thirteen questions in total. None of the questions – with the exception
of the inquiry about the country of the origin and the respondent type
with respect to CIP EQUAL – was obligatory. Duplicities were removed
from the obtained set of questionnaires, the questionnaires were deleted,
in which less than 20 % of answers were filled in, and further corrections
were carried out, on the basis of which the number of the answers being
analysed reduced further by eight to the resulting 212 questionnaires
focused on particular projects or recipients and 34 questionnaires,
which were filled in by the management structure members, i.e. to 246
in total. A detailed outline of the work with the questionnaires and
the results of the questionnaire investigation are mentioned in Annex
8.3. ...
... The link to the electronic
questionnaire was sent to 1,786 e-mail addresses(5) while 69
of them returned as undelivered (i.e. 1,717 addresses were addressed
successfully); 254 received questionnaires represent the
response rate 14.8 %. Of this number, 219 questionnaires contained
a set of questions focused on the representatives of the development
partnerships, clients of the services created within the framework of
the EQUAL projects (the target groups of the projects), members of the
National Thematic Networks, independent experts and potential applicants;
the set contained 21 questions. The remaining 35 questionnaires were
filled in by the representatives of MA, NSS, the Payment Authority,
the European Commission, the Monitoring Committee and the politicians
and strategy makers in the area of HRD and the ESF; the set contained
thirteen questions in total. None of the questions – with the exception
of the inquiry about the country of the origin and the respondent type
with respect to CIP EQUAL – was obligatory. Duplicities were removed
from the obtained set of questionnaires, the questionnaires were deleted,
in which less than 20 % of answers were filled in, and further corrections
were carried out, on the basis of which the number of the answers being
analysed reduced further by eight to the resulting 212 questionnaires
focused on particular projects or recipients and 34 questionnaires,
which were filled in by the management structure members, i.e. to 246
in total. A detailed outline of the work with the questionnaires and
the results of the questionnaire investigation are mentioned in Annex
8.3. ...
... The quality of the particular support provided
was high while this status has not been unchanging, but instead it is
indicative of rather positive development of the relations between NSS
and the recipients. To the planning of the project itself a question
is related, what influence the transnational cooperation has on the
length of the project, respectively if it requires higher time investment.
The original hypothesis was confirmed that there existed a certain influence
for sure, however, it should not be extreme - the respondents most frequently
concurred that the transnational cooperation extended the project by
one fifth of its length. When answering the question, which stages of
the transnational project require more time, the respondents mentioned
most frequently the very stage of preparation and then the overall coordination
of the transnational co-operation. If the respondents of the questionnaire
investigation mentioned that the teams implementing the transnational
partnership needed support, than it was above all in the area of search
for partners. ...
... The focus groups were
always designed so that they might balance the findings from the questionnaire
investigation and from the evaluation visits and interviews. Above all
the visits and interviews were conducted, with some exceptions (interviews
with the representatives of the European Commission and CIP EQUAL agencies
in the Netherlands, France, Germany, Austria, Portugal, Spain and the
United Kingdom) with the representatives of the development partnerships
and the transnational cooperation coordinators. Thus the observations
mentioned in the previous chapter are based on this sample very clearly
and the very focus groups should bring another view of the matter. For
this reason two groups were suggested, one with the NSS representatives
and one with the MA representatives. A scenario was established for
each group, i.e. the questions that were asked during the discussion
and the sense of which was to observe how the transnational cooperation
management and implementation proceeded, how the monitoring and the evaluation
were used, what kind of support was provided to the implementing bodies.
A supplement to the focus groups was then the evaluation of processes,
in this case above all of the information and communication flows among
the mentioned bodies, i.e. the managing authority, PricewaterhouseCoopers
and representatives of the development partnerships. Moreover, this
picture of the flows becomes somewhat complicated by the fact that,
within the framework of the transnational cooperation, it is necessary
to negotiate also with the bodies outside the national field, thus with
the representatives of the foreign development partnerships and even
with the representatives of the foreign managing authorities (e.g. in
case of TCA modification) and ministries (e.g. in case of proposals
of international coordination of search for partners and gathering information
to the transnational cooperation). ...
... The issues of eligibility
of expenses do not play, according to the findings of the evaluation,
a significant role. Its importance is more psychological. In the questionnaire
investigation the respondents answered most often to the question, if
the project implementing entities and their foreign partners understood
the eligible expenditures differently, whether this fact influenced
the project implementation, that they had encountered such problems
admittedly, but these had not influenced the project implementation,
or they had not encountered such problems at all. The situation of the
foreign project implementing entities is contrary, these most often
mentioned they had not encountered the problems at all, as the case
may be that these had not influenced the project implementation. Thus
we mean by the psychological level of the problem the fact the Czech
implementing entities often “complain” that the conditions for the
implementation were set more “kindly” for their foreign partners.
However, partially the fact might probably play a significant role here
that for the majority of their partners it was not that principal problem
if some expenditure connected e.g. with business meetings, workshops
or conferences “was not acknowledged” because these organisations
have their own reserves, from which they may cover such minor disproportions.
More generally, this hypothesis may be formulated that in the implementation
of the projects across various countries the stability of companies
and organisations, culture in the non-profit sector and long-term experience
with the partnership itself play the major role. The differences in
development, equipment and all-society support are perceived then for
example in such marginalities, to which the host customs, financial
possibilities or principles of the management of the partners belong. ...
... However, in general
there is, according the hitherto findings, a significant difference
in the required administrative procedures themselves. Some activities
are so difficult “to be planned well” that these sometimes are not
worthwhile for the Czech partners and they prefer not to implement them
or these activities are taken over by the foreign partners. Also some
specific expenses related to the transnational cooperation are problematic
(e.g. international phone calls and the like). Thus distortion of some
project’s expenses occurs and the organisation then tries to “compensate”
for such unclassified costs within the existing structure of costs in
a different way. Therefore neither in the interviews nor in the questionnaire
investigation the precise sums expended for the transnational cooperation
were required, but the estimations and relative expressions compared
to the original plan of the project budget. ...
... Each of the mentioned
types of cooperation brings different effects. It resulted from the
results of the questionnaire investigation that the recipients had classified
in particular the transfer of practices and know-how, the development
of the partnership, joint development of methods and new tools and the
planning and management of the project itself as the key activities
for the project’s success. However, the complex results of the evaluation
have proved that the activities relating to the transnational cooperation
used most often in CZ do not have to belong necessarily to the most
suitable ones. ...
... From the simplified
questionnaire investigation and the evaluation visits and interviews
a simplified classification of the activities and the tools of cooperation
used according to the reached target groups has resulted: ...
...
Benchmarking, development
and support of networks or associations; building of capacities; twinning;
students’ or clients’ placement and mobility of employees and supervisors:
According to the results of the questionnaire investigation, utilisation
of these tools was minimal. The evaluation team does not have sufficient
amount of documents to be able to deduce qualified conclusions. ...
6.5 Topic 5: Analysis of interesting approaches and specific areas of HRD in other EU countries [go to this article ]
... The First Interim Report
(30 June 2008), i.e. output No. 2 of the project, and the Study Focused
on Support in Preparation of the Calls of OP LZZ Transnational Cooperation
Priority Axis, (8 July 2008), i.e. the special, additionally requested
output No. 4, and complete results of the questionnaire investigation
mentioned in the Second Interim Report (5 August 2008) ...
... The notes from the evaluation
visits and interviews of the Czech (topic 2) and foreign (topic 3) evaluators,
further then the knowledge from the transnational and regional comparison
and from the study of documents were used. The questionnaire investigation
that took place in all eleven countries involved in the evaluation was
then a very substantial source; the team drew the conclusions for processing
of topics 2 to 4 from this investigation. ...
6.6 Topic 6: Part of the study focused on the synthesis of the findings from previous parts of the study (part 1) [go to this article ]
... In order to be able
to identify the factors of success and failure and to formulate consequent
recommendations, the evaluation differentiates the component of management
and the component of the project implementation itself, namely in all
stages of the course of the project; further it construes the individual
types of activities in context of the target groups. In general, it
is possible to state that the preparatory stage is essential for success
of the project; the investigation has not shown this stage would be
short in setting of the conditions and that there would be provable
chain of causation of failure of a concrete project with a short preparatory
period. However, effective utilisation of this period and quality of
support are concerned. The support from the part of managing and support
structures plays indisputably an important role in implementation of
the projects with transnational participation. It results both from
the questionnaire investigation and the interviews that the support
is essential at preparation of the projects and further when solving
operative problems connected with administration of the projects. Most
of the project implementing entities found their partners through the
ECDB database and in the implementation they inspired themselves by
various EQUAL manuals. The requirement towards MA to become involved
in mainstreaming and to help the projects to present their outputs at
the national and transnational levels seems as very significant. ...
... Questionnaire Survey ...