Delphi method as a learning instrument: Bank employees discussing an automation project

The article reports on a combined substantive and methodological investigation for the potential transformation of the (Policy) Delphi method into an instrument to control technological change by employees. For that purpose it had to be designed as a valid instrument of both research and learning at the same time. An educational function was made explicit. It was examined whether the implicit existence of learning effects, which is assumed by many Delphi researchers, can be revealed. A large number of indicators and methods was used. They show that learning effects are very likely to have appeared. Panel members (n=100) who were female, those with low and medium previous education and jobs, and those with non-trained union membership took more advantage of participation than panel members who were male, with high previous education and jobs and with union membership. The characteristics of the instrument that are likely to have produced the effects are indicated.