A literature review on the Economic and Social Council’s effectiveness and evaluation

Abstract Despite its widespread trajectory and global presence, studies on Economic and Social Councils (ESCs) are not frequent. Thus, this study aims to review the existing scientific literature on this institution to identify the main thematic nuclei, agreements, and discrepancies, and detect research gaps and outline future research lines. Based on the application of the PRISMA Protocol, three emerging thematic nuclei on ESCs have been detected: the factors that explain their creation; the factors that influence their effectiveness (and condition their success), and the criteria used to evaluate their effectiveness (related to these institutions’ success or failure). In short, this is the first qualitative synthesis of the international literature on ESCs, focusing on their effectiveness and evaluation. It offers elements for future intervention and studies on these institutions, especially those newly created.

摘要 尽管经济及社会理事会（Economic and Social Councils，ESCs）的发展覆盖全球、影响力遍及世界，但针对该类机构的学术研究却相对匮乏。因此，本研究旨在系统梳理针对该类机构的现有科学文献，以识别核心研究主题、学界共识与学术分歧，挖掘现有研究缺口，并勾勒未来研究方向。本研究基于PRISMA声明（PRISMA Protocol）的应用流程，共识别出三类围绕经济及社会理事会的新兴研究主题：解释其设立动因的相关研究、影响其运行效能（及决定其成败）的因素研究，以及用于评估其运行效能（与该类机构的成败直接相关）的评价标准研究。简言之，本研究是首篇聚焦经济及社会理事会运行效能与评价的国际文献定性综合综述，可为该类机构（尤其是新设立的机构）的后续干预实践与相关学术研究提供参考依据。