A critical, integrative review on evaluating systems change and transformation, Part One
2011–2021
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12567375 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Emily Gates (0000-0003-2352-5064, Boston College), Pablo Vidueira (0000-0003-0348-8825, Universidad Pontificia Comillas), Maya Komakhidze (Boston College), Christina Aldrich (Boston College), Charlotte Aldrich (Boston College), Clara Shim (0000-0002-3522-9687, Boston College) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 31 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 482-506 |
| Publication date | 2025-08-31 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Evaluation (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1356-3890 • E-ISSN: 1461-7153 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/13563890251363232 |
| OpenAlex | W4413862362 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 66 |
Calls for evaluating systems change and transformation in multiple fields present an opportunity to explore cross-field patterns. This article reports on part one of a critical, integrative review of academic and gray literature published between 2011 and 2021 (n = 102) within five areas: evaluation, health, organizational change, sustainability, and philanthropy. Questions address key definitions, how a systemic approach differs from traditional social problem-solving, leverage points to influence change, and implications for evaluation. Four findings include (1) limited normative debate about change and transformation; (2) conventional and systemic approaches contrasted as binary paths; (3) 10 shared leverage areas with the least attention on power and resources; and (4) an expanded role for evaluation that presents challenges and opportunities. Review results provide support for shifts underway within the evaluation field, including funders working in deeper collaborations, evaluators expanding their skill sets, and intermediary agencies facilitating transdisciplinary exchanges
Biology · Epistemology · Transformation (genetics · Evaluation and Performance Assessment · Health Systems, Economic Evaluations, Quality of Life · Healthcare Policy and Management · Philosophy
Making Social Science Matter
Triggering transformative change
When complexity science meets implementation science
Large‐System Transformation in Health Care
Sustainability Transitions Research
The integrative review
A typology of reviews
How Transformation Catalysts Take Catalytic Action
A Philanthropic Theory of Systems Transformation for Advancing Equity in the Polycrisis
Assessing nature-based solutions for transformative change
Comparing and Contrasting a Program versus System Approach to Evaluation
A new agri-food systems sustainability approach to identify shared transformation pathways towards sustainability
Raising the Bar
Passing in the Dark
How do we know where there is potential to intervene and leverage impact in a changing system? The practitioners perspective
Systems thinking for transformational change in health
Future-oriented impact assessment
Opalesence
Dealing with complexity through actor-focused planning, monitoring and evaluation (PME)
Policy evaluation for a complex world
Using contribution analysis to evaluate large-scale, transformation change processes
Evaluators in the Anthropocene
Methodological Considerations in Evaluating Long-Term Systems Change
Reflecting on Our Times
American Journal of Evaluation Section on International Developments in Evaluation
Evaluation Criteria for Evaluating Transformation
Toward Valuing With Critical Systems Heuristics
Social Transformation and Evaluation
Reflexive monitoring in New Zealand
Leverage points for sustainability transformation
Tipping Toward Sustainability
The social structural foundations of adaptation and transformation in social-ecological systems
Understanding social-ecological change and transformation through community perceptions of system identity
The role of the organizational champion in achieving health system change
The concept of the Anthropocene as a game-changer
Exploring the neglected and hidden dimensions of large-scale healthcare change
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |