Journal article
Understanding the complex power dynamics that shape collaboration and social learning in multi-stakeholder water governance
Ecology and society, Vol.29(3), pp.1-25
01/09/2024
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Abstract
The relationship between power dynamics and decision making in natural resource management is central to explaining governance outcomes. Contemporary catchment governance is increasingly characterized by the interaction of multiple stakeholder groups, which has shifted processes like collaboration and social learning into the focus of water governance research and related fields. Because collaboration and social learning are effective tools for resilience building through, for example, strengthening social capital and network relationships, there is need to better understand how power dynamics influence processes of collaboration and learning and consequential decision making. A three-dimensional power theory was applied to elucidate how instrumental, structural, and discursive power dynamics shape collaboration and social learning in catchment governance, and their effects on governance outcomes. The development process of the Lockyer Valley Catchment Action Plan (Australia) in 2015–2016 was used as a case study. Twenty-five interviews with three diverse stakeholders were conducted and thematically analyzed to extract power evidence from this example of a real-world multi-stakeholder governance process. We identified three main hubs of power, namely: (1) power of facilitation; (2) power of trust; and (3) power of politics. These hubs were characterized by a multitude of strongly interlinked instrumental, structural, and discursive power dynamics. Understanding these hubs of power allow the identification of intervention points to strengthen water governance effectiveness in times of water crisis.
Details
- Title
- Understanding the complex power dynamics that shape collaboration and social learning in multi-stakeholder water governance
- Creators
- Lisa McIlwain - University of the Sunshine CoastJulia Baird - Brock UniversityClaudia L. Baldwin - University of the Sunshine CoastGary J. Pickering - Brock UniversityCatherine Manathunga - University of the Sunshine CoastTimothy F. Smith - University of the Sunshine Coast
- Publication Details
- Ecology and society, Vol.29(3), pp.1-25
- Publisher
- Resilience Alliance Publications
- Grant note
- This work has been supported by the University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia and the Brock University, Canada.
- Identifiers
- 991013386526002368
- Copyright
- © 2024 by the author(s).
- Academic Unit
- Office of Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article