Study “Indicator-based decision-making systems”

Introduction

What does “indicator-based decision-making systems” mean?
In today’s complex societies, based on the division of labour, politicians and administrators are increasingly relying on measured values and statistics to guide developments within society. Data that allow selected processes to be observed, and which are focussed on indicators, are used here as a basis for justifying, planning, implementing and evaluating social, political or economic interventions.

Opportunities and risks of “Indicator-based decision-making systems”
Public authorities, organisations and other agencies believe that their credibility is enhanced if they refer to indicators; the effect of indicator-based decision-making is to provide objective substantiation and sound reasoning. Indicators are used to justify measures, and can make it easier to understand why decisions are taken. They should therefore guarantee transparency and increase the efficiency of administrative, governmental and business activity. They therefore encourage politicians, economists and administrators to adopt a scientific approach. Nevertheless, little is known about whether the transparency and objectivity that are associated with indicators come at a price, in the form of negative consequences. For instance, critical voices are likely to be raised if decisions based on indicators become nothing more than a purely administrative act or even automated. There is therefore an urgent need for a debate on the advantages and disadvantages of indicator-based decision-making.

Why a TA-SWISS study on “Indicator-based decision-making systems”?
Arguments substantiated by figures and measured values are becoming increasingly important for political, economic and cultural decision-making. There is therefore an urgent need for an investigation to consider the opportunities and risks of decision-making systems that are based on indicators.

Aims of the study
The study should provide information on a series of questions dealing with the definition, assessment and use of indicators – e.g. which social needs lead to the assessing of ever more data, and what (social and technical) conditions such assessments actually make possible. In addition, the investigation should explore which social actors are arguing (for or against) the development of indicators, and what arguments are put forward in justification of their particular views. The study also aims to look at practical issues, such as the measurement methods used, and the samples on which they are based. Also of interest is the implementation, or the application of the assessed indicators: what measures will be undertaken on the basis of the measured data; what should be done about the possibility of unintentional (or possibly unrecorded) side effects of such measures?

Finally, in its conclusions, the study should formulate recommendations on how the positive effects of indicator-based decision-making systems can be enhanced and the risks mitigated.

Results

Results of the study
Messen, werten, steuern
Indikatoren – Entstehung und Nutzung in der Politik
Ruth Feller-Länzlinger, Ueli Haefeli, Stefan Rieder, Martin Biebricher, Karl Weber, TA-SWISS, Bern, 2010, 152 pages. Available in German only.

Recommendations
Available in German or in French

Procedure

Method

The subject will be investigated using the two thematic examples of sustainability and the education system.
The specialist literature will be analysed to formulate the corresponding basic principles, and surveys will be conducted among experts and stakeholders from the areas of sustainability and education.
Conclusions and recommendations will be formulated on the basis of the empirical analyses.

Timetable
Project begins: December 2008 | completion: Spring 2010

Downloads

Media information
TA-SWISS presents the final report of the study "Indicator-based decision-making systems"
Available in German and French

Newsletter
Available in German and French

Summary
All sized up - Counting, calculating and controlling in the knowledge-based society
Abridged version of the TA-SWISS study «Messen, werten, steuern. Indikatoren – Entstehung und Nutzung in der Politik», TA-SWISS, Bern, 2010, 11p.

Study
Messen, werten, steuern
Indikatoren – Entstehung und Nutzung in der Politik
Ruth Feller-Länzlinger, Ueli Haefeli, Stefan Rieder, Martin Biebricher, Karl Weber, TA-SWISS, Bern, 2010, 152 pages. Available in German only.

Previous publications on the subject
not yet available

Events

10th of June 2010
Total vermessen - Zählen, berechnen, steuern in der Wissensgesellschaft
Presentation and Discussion of the Results of the TA-SWISS' Study
«Messen, werten, steuern. Indikatoren – Entstehung und Nutzung in der Politik»
Bern

15th of June 2010
Indikatoren und Statistik: Erwartungen und Anforderungen - Messen, Werten Steuern
Meeting FEDESTAT / REGIOSTAT in collaboration with TA-SWISS
Federal Statistical Office (FSO), Neuchâtel

Contacts

Sponsoring organisations

Centre for Technology Assessment TA-SWISS
Federal Statistical Office FSO
Swiss Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences SAHS
Federal Territory development Office ARE

Participants

TA-SWISS Project Supervisor

Dr. Lucienne Rey, external collaborator of TA-SWISS. e-mail

Persons tasked with the project

Ruth Feller-Länzlinger, lic.phil.I, INTERFACE, Institute for Policy Studies (Project Leader)
Corine Mauch, dipl. Ing. Agr. FIT and MPA (INTERFACE)
Stefan Rieder, Dr. Rer. Pol (INTERFACE)
Karl Weber, Prof. Dr. (Central Office for Continuing Education at the University of Bern)

Support Group

Rosmarie Waldner, Dr. phil., science journalist (chair of the support group)
Baechler Söderström Ariane, Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology OPET
De Montmollin André, Dr. Phil., Federal Statistical Office FSO
Huber Maja, Dr. phil., Federal Statistical Office FSO
Kammermann Michel, Vice Director, Federal Statistical Office
Miriam Kull, educational economist (Master), Swiss Coordination Centre for Research in Education SCCRE/SKBF/CSRE
Longet René, Equiterre
Maasen Sabine, Dr. phil., University of Basel
Rhyn Heinz, Dr. phil., Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education EDK
Wachter Daniel, Prof. Dr., Federal Office for Spatial Development ARE
Zürcher Markus, Dr. phil., Swiss Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences SAHS

Publicity

Susanne Brenner, TA-SWISS. e-mail