The missing link: An evaluation of the utilization of the monitor studies in the Netherlands

This article presents the results of an investigation that has been conducted at the Eindhoven University of Technology. Investigated is whether Monitor studies (second framework programme of the European Commission) are utilized in the Netherlands. For this purpose, potential users have been interviewed and Monitor studies have been analyzed. The results of this investigation point out that Monitor studies are poorly used in the Netherlands. The reasons for this relate to the tuning (both content and form) of the Monitor studies with respect to the needs of the potential users and the dissemination of the research results. To improve the utilization of European policy research, more attention should be paid to the needs of potential users and to the dissemination and exploitation of the research results in the Netherlands.