Network performance measures for the new Scottish Enterprise Strategy: final report

The Scottish Enterprise Network Strategy was introduced during the period 1998-2001 and aimed to move from the previous eight strategic objectives (and 24 activity categories below them) to four strategic goals (and 18 key results below them). This evaluation aimed to develop estimates of the performance of the Scottish Enterprise Network in terms of gross and net jobs and value added. It was designed to take into account the new SE Strategy and more recent evaluation evidence from across the SE Network.

The evaluation methodology consisted of a collation of the available evaluation evidence into the respective Key Result Areas (KRAs). Includes an annex of evaluation evidence parameters.

It has proved possible to use the evaluation evidence available in the Network to provide evidence of impacts from the new SE Strategy. Results demonstrate that the Network makes a relatively small but significant contribution to the Scottish economy. Indicates that between 1998 and 1999, employment in Scotland grew by 22,000 and by 26,000 between 1999 and 2000. Estimates of gross employment vary between 86,134 and 98,446 on annual LEC/SEO spend of between £339.8m to £356.5m. Costs per net impact have increased over time, reflecting the shift in activity towards initiatives which generate similar numbers of gross jobs but far fewer net jobs. Includes annexes of SE Performance Impact Targets and SE Expenditure Allocations, 1998-2001.

Questions whether the current Network measures in terms of employment and value added are sufficient to capture the full performance of the Network. Suggests it will take time for Network evaluation studies of 'enabling' activity to build up into a body of evidence. Notes there are some difficult methodological issues to be tackled and the interactions between inputs and impacts are likely to be more involved.