This article shows that process tracing developed in social science research can be used in evaluations of complex structural and technology policy programmes to overcome deficits in the methodological instruments used to date. Cluster policies are a well-suited example because they are characterized by complex impact patterns like many other current structural and innovation policy programmes. The origin and characteristics of the methodological approach of process tracing are discussed and weaknesses of impact evaluations of cluster programmes highlighted. Subsequently, we look at the potentials of process tracing in impact evaluations of cluster programmes within the framework of mixed-method designs. Our analysis shows that process tracing can enrich the applied methodological repertoire. It allows the evaluators to test the accuracy of the theoretical assumptions underlying the analysed programme and to identify causal mechanisms.

本文表明，在社会科学研究中开发的过程追踪可用于评估复杂的结构和技术政策计划，以克服迄今为止使用的方法论工具的缺陷。集群政策是一个非常合适的例子，因为它们与许多其他当前的结构和创新政策计划一样，具有复杂的影响模式。讨论了过程追踪方法论的起源和特点，并强调了集群计划影响评估的弱点。随后，我们研究了在混合方法设计框架内的集群程序影响评估中过程跟踪的潜力。我们的分析表明，过程跟踪可以丰富应用的方法论库。