Empirical Findings Research Articles

Untapped transformative potential in decentralised groundwater systems that improve households' resilience in India's water-scarce urban environments

Off-grid, decentralised water infrastructures are increasingly being promoted to help cities meet their water delivery targets and build resilient water systems in the face of changing water availability. Against this background, this paper examines how integrating off-grid, decentralised groundwater systems with centralized piped supply helps water utilities and urbanites achieve transformative resilience under conditions of chronic water scarcity in the secondary city of Tiruppur, India. Empirical findings on users' water access practices from off-grid systems like municipal or private borewells to remain resilient, their role in the everyday governance of these systems, and the costs of building resilience through borewells—obtained through a participatory action research project where 94 households recorded month-long water access using a ‘water and waste calendar’—reveal that Tiruppur's public borewells are an affordable and mostly inclusive resilience building measure but are far from being transformative. Moreover, diverse arrangements for their everyday governance unevenly enable user participation, impose invisible costs on female members of borewell-reliant households, and create differentiation in service quality across the city. The paper argues that the potential to achieve transformative resilience through off-grid sources like borewells remains untapped in Tiruppur and concludes with some reflections to pursue just and inclusive resilience.

Analysis of key influencing factors on the financial performance of Jakarta Islamic Index 30 industrial firms

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of size, asset quality, asset management, financial risk, gross domestic product and inflation rate on the financial performance of companies listed on the Jakarta Islamic Index of 30 industrial firms. Design/methodology/approach Based on the selected criteria, this study analysed an unbalanced panel of data from 30 industrial companies on the Indonesian capital market that are members of the Jakarta Islamic index. Profitability is measured using the dependent variables return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE) and stock prices. The influence of explanatory variables of internal factors, namely, size, asset quality, asset management, financial risk, gross domestic product and inflation is investigated using pooled OLS, fixed and random effect estimation. Findings The empirical findings indicate that the scale of a company has a significant impact on its performance, asset quality, asset management and financial risk. GDP has a substantial impact on financial performance, particularly as measured by ROA and ROE. This study’s ramifications have substantial effects on a broad spectrum of stakeholders. The results of this study provide the general public and investors with a greater understanding of the factors that influence a company’s performance on the Jakarta Islamic Index 30. Research limitations/implications The implication of this research is that a deeper comprehension of the factors that influence the financial performance of companies within industrial sectors that follow Islamic finance principles can help design more effective strategies and policies. Practical implications This research has significant practical implications in a number of crucial areas. First, it provides a comprehensive comprehension of the company’s financial performance in the industrial sector in accordance with Islamic finance principles. Second, the research findings provide more precise guidance on how company size, asset quality and macroeconomic variables influence the performance of Indonesia's financial market. Originality/value The study’s authenticity and value hold considerable importance. This study introduces novel perspectives on the assessment of corporate financial performance within industrial sectors through the lens of Islamic finance principles. It offers valuable insights that have not yet been extensively investigated by scholars in the field.

Asymmetric Impact of Economic, And Structural Factors on the Development of the Non-Oil Export Sector in GCC Economies 1992-2022: Structural Reform Priorities to Sustainable Economic Growth

The current study empirically investigates to explore the links between economic and structural variables of non-oil export industry development in GCC economies. The research spans the years 1992 to 2022. It is understandable to wonder why some oil-producing countries have been able to diversify and build their economy while others have not. We postulate that disparities in the diversification and development patterns of oil producers are related to differences in their economic and structural characteristics. Divergence in diversification and development trends may result from such discrepancies. We measure the role of economic and structural elements to test this idea. The findings indicate that economic and structural factors play a critical role in the process of diversification and development. Countries have the higher-quality infrastructure, in particular. The findings imply that GCC authorities should improve robust macroeconomic conditions to support their non-oil export sector and boost institutional quality drivers to accelerate non-oil export sector development in their nations. The empirical findings can assist GCC policymakers in better designing the economic policies required to accomplish the GCC countries' comprehensive and sustainable economic development. Asymmetric mechanisms in non-oil export responses to economic and structural factor changes are likely to differ across economic sectors in GCC countries. A sectoral examination of this link could provide further information and supplement our analysis. New capital and infrastructure must be accommodated to support domestic and export manufacturing.

Factors affecting ecological footprint in Saudi Arabia: a panel data analysis

The global environment has witnessed an increase in environmental risks over the last few decades due to the rising demand for energy to support economic development and urbanization. These environmental risks are exacerbated by the escalating human activity that depletes natural resources. Therefore, analyzing factors affecting Ecological Footprint (EFP), which include many variables such as urbanization, energy consumption, natural resources, economic growth, and technological innovation, is essential to achieve sustainable development. Urbanization is a key driver of economic growth. Achieving economic development requires the utilization of natural resources and energy which increase the EFP. Therefore, the focus on technological innovation is essential to reduce the EFP. Despite the critical environmental and economic implications of factors affecting EFP, studies on this area are lacking, especially across Middle Eastern countries, and present contradictory findings. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to investigate the effect of urbanization, energy consumption, natural resources, economic growth, and technological innovation on the EFP in Saudi Arabia. To this end, the study utilizes an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model, which is considered the most suitable econometric approach when variables are stationary at I (0) or integrated of order I (1), based on data collected from various international sources for the period spanning from 1990 to 2022. In both the long run and the short run, empirical findings show that urbanization, natural resources, and technological innovation decrease the EFP, while energy consumption and economic growth increase the EFP. These results reveal that energy policies need to be addressed, and economic growth is unable to lower the EFP due to a lack of connection between economic policies and environmental goals. On the other hand, the study shows that urban policies and the management of natural resources are effectively linked to environmental goals. These findings have several significant policy implications for reducing the EFP. Suggestions include effectively linking economic policies to environmental goals by electrifying the economy. Additionally, several procedures should be considered, including replacing current carbon-based energy with renewable sources, reevaluating the pricing of the energy system, increasing taxes on carbon-based energy, and reassessing current energy laws and regulations.

The trade potential of grain crops in the countries along the Belt and Road: evidence from a stochastic frontier model

This study employs the stochastic frontier model (SFM) to analyze trade potential and efficiency in wheat and maize among Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries from 2002 to 2021, encompassing 45 countries for wheat trade and 55 for maize trade. The empirical findings reveal that economic development level, population growth, government efficiency, political stability, and regulatory quality are critical determinants of trade efficiency. Notably, World Trade Organization (WTO) membership exhibits a negative correlation with trade efficiency, potentially reflecting challenges in rule implementation and opportunity utilization among member states. In the context of maize trade, increased arable land area is inversely associated with efficiency, suggesting potential issues in managing large-scale agricultural regions or optimizing land use. The BRI’s impact on trade efficiency varies across countries, with Turkey and Hungary showing improved wheat trade efficiency, while Ethiopia and Georgia experienced declines. During the COVID-19 pandemic, effective disease management strategies and diversified trade mechanisms significantly influenced trade efficiency. Furthermore, the study reveals that larger economies do not necessarily outperform small and medium-sized economies in terms of trade potential. These findings contribute significantly to the literature on agricultural trade and offer valuable insights for policymakers, emphasizing the importance of enhancing government efficiency, political stability, and regulatory quality in the context of regional economic development initiatives such as the BRI. This research underscores the need for tailored approaches to trade policy and agricultural management, considering the unique characteristics and challenges faced by different economies along BRI.

Digitalization in Logistics for Competitive Excellence

Logistics is presently undergoing a transformative phase driven by rapid digitalization. This trend has spurred an in-depth exploration of the industry's theoretical potential and practical challenges. This comprehensive review focuses on practical applications, delving deeply into the increasing interest in digital technologies within logistics. The primary objective of this study is to conduct a bibliometric analysis to unravel the growth and academic development of the concept of logistic digitalization. The investigation examines academic literature from the Web of Science database spanning 2020-2024. Using VOS Viewer, an intellectual structure and bibliographic analysis are performed on selected articles. The cluster that concentrates on articles about the Internet of Things (IoT) technology and its impact on the logistics economy (the fourth cluster) is most closely related to the digital theme. The study combines theoretical framework, including Michael Porter's and the Resource-Based View, to illustrate the connections that improve business competitiveness. The examination of investments in digital technology sheds light on the logistics sector's experiences during the years when these investments impact labor productivity. Descriptive analysis results suggest that companies implementing technology can achieve a workforce productivity increase of up to 20%, underscoring the significance of technology investments for enhancing business competitiveness. These findings shed light on how various logistics sub-sectors respond to investments in software and computers and the rate at which these technologies influence labor productivity metrics. These empirical findings substantially reinforce the theoretical framework, providing practical implications and emphasizing the critical necessity for logistics firms to integrate digital technologies into their operational frameworks seamlessly. In conclusion, as the logistics landscape hovers on the brink of a digital revolution, businesses must adeptly navigate and wholeheartedly embrace digital solutions to ensure competitiveness.

Analysis of the Causal Relationship between Money Supply, Foreign Reserves and Bank Credit in Oil Countries: Evidence from Iraq

This study investigates the causal relationships among money supply, foreign reserves, and bank credit in Iraq, a major oil-producing economy. Understanding these interconnected variables is crucial for effective monetary policy formulation and macroeconomic stability. this study employs the Toda-Yamamoto approach to Granger causality testing and quarterly data spanning from 2004 to 2022 to capture the dynamics following the Iraq War and explore the post-conflict economic landscape. Granger causality tests are conducted to determine the direction of causality among the variables. Impulse response functions and variance decompositions provide insights into the magnitude and persistence of shocks, shedding light on the relative importance of each variable in influencing the others. The empirical findings reveal a bidirectional causal relationship between money supply and foreign reserves, indicating that changes in one variable significantly influence the other. Additionally, a unidirectional causality is observed, running from foreign reserves to bank credit, highlighting the significance of foreign exchange reserves in facilitating bank lending. However, no causal link is detected between money supply and bank credit, suggesting that monetary policy may have limited direct impact on credit expansion in Iraq’s banking sector. These results have important policy implications for the Central Bank of Iraq in managing monetary policy tools and navigating the challenges of an oil-dependent economy. The study contributes to the literature on monetary economics in resource-rich countries and provides valuable insights for policymakers and researchers alike.

Energy deprivation to financial prosperity: Unveiling multidimensional energy Poverty's influence

The purpose of this research is to assess how energy poverty affects an individual's social wellbeing and financial constraints. The present research examines the effects of energy deprivation on a family's well-being, educational attainment, and economic advancement using survey data from PSLM (Pakistan Social and Living Standard Measurement). The investigation's empirical findings imply that a household's needs for energy are directly correlated with the fuel type they use and how little or expensively they rely on renewable energy. The consequent implications of energy dependence on family prosperity are significant. Energy-poor households have been shown to be more prone to experience respiratory illnesses, pay more for health care, drop out of school, and have less employment opportunities.

Unveiling the complex U‐shaped relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and exploratory/exploitative innovations: strategic planning as a moderator

Grounded in agency and stewardship theories, this study investigates the U‐shaped relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and exploratory/exploitative innovations and the moderating effects of strategic planning. Empirical data is collected from 396 A‐share listed public companies in China. Entrepreneurial orientation is assessed via internal R&D and external investment data, while content analysis captures exploitative, exploratory innovation, and strategic planning. The empirical findings yield two core conclusions: (1) This study finds the presence of U‐shaped relationships between entrepreneurial orientation and exploratory/exploitative innovations. As entrepreneurial orientation increases to an inflection point, it exhibits negative effects due to managerial agency behavior; however, beyond this point, it yields positive outcomes due to stewardship. (2) Strategic planning positively moderates the U‐shaped relationships, countering agency impact at low orientation levels while enhancing stewardship at higher levels. These insights advance entrepreneurial orientation research, agency vs. stewardship literature, and provide a roadmap for fostering exploratory and exploitative innovations through strategic integration of entrepreneurial orientation and leveraging of strategic planning.

Why is immigration important to you? A revisit to public issue salience and elite cues

AbstractExtensive media coverage of immigration, that is, media salience, has been thought to heighten anti‐immigrant attitudes among native‐born citizens by creating an information environment that portrays immigration as society's greatest problem. However, past empirical findings on the relationship between media salience and anti‐immigrant attitudes have been mixed. Some studies have observed that media salience increases hostility towards immigrants, while others have found it has no significant influence. This study investigates the underlying reasons for these inconsistent findings and demonstrates the need to revisit the meaning of issue importance. It employs the concept of public issue salience, the perception that immigration is the most important problem or concern about immigration, to find evidence. It argues that when the immigrant issue is a pivotal point of political competition, the immigration issue signals conflicts, connoting negativity so public issue salience and anti‐immigrant attitudes are closely related. On the other hand, in an environment where political elites reach a consensus, the immigration issue remains neutral so that they can be disentangled. The scope of media salience changes accordingly as well. This study chooses the United Kingdom and Germany for comparative research due to their similarities in immigration histories and the success of far‐right parties as well as differences in their major political parties' reactions to the issue. I match individual‐level longitudinal survey data to media article data and find clear country differences. In the United Kingdom, where political parties are polarized over the issue, public issue salience and anti‐immigrant attitudes are closely related so that media salience heightens them. In Germany, where political elites across different ideologies hold welcoming stances, their relationship is moderate. Media salience merely increases the perceived importance and does not increase anti‐immigrant attitudes. Contributions and implications are discussed with respect to political elites' role.

Stressors for bus commuters and ways of improving bus journeys

Based on the people-environment conceptual framework, this paper measures the level of transport stress experienced by bus commuters and examines its relationship with a wide range of environmental and personal stressors, as well as different stress responses. A total of 28 environmental stressors, 9 personal stressors, 4 time-related stressors and 6 stated stress responses are examined. The data were collected through a large-scale online questionnaire survey among bus commuters of a major franchised bus company in Hong Kong (n = 5,908). A factor analysis and a structural equation model (SEM) are conducted to unveil the interlinkages among bus-related environmental stressors, personal stressors, travel characteristics, perceived transport stress and stated stress responses. Results indicate that bus commuters reported an average stress level of 47.10 out of 100 (SD = 29.50). The average transport stress level is lower than money, work and family stress but higher than relationship stress. Spatially, there are great variations within the city, with notably higher stress levels for some new towns in Northwest New Territories and the central business district during evening commutes. Based on the SEM results, the number of bus transfers (β = 0.05) and travel time (β = 0.06) are strongly associated with transport stress. Poor bus stop environment (β = 0.14), crowding at bus stops and compartments (β = 0.13), hostile attitudes of passengers and drivers (β = 0.08), and unreliable waiting and travel time (β = 0.08) are important environmental stressors. Many of these factors have not been closely examined in previous studies. In relation to health, transport stress is positively associated with negative physical (β = 0.43) and emotional (β = 0.48) responses. Feeling exhausted, irritated and anxiety were the most commonly reported responses to transport stress. To enhance bus commutes, priorities should be given to improving the bus stop environment, reducing crowding throughout the bus journeys, and alleviating road congestion. Overall, the empirical findings from this large-scale study on transport stress can help governments to formulate targeted measures to enhance the quality of public transit services and to support sustainable urban transport.

Does climate policy uncertainty drive the extreme spillovers of carbon-energy-shipping markets?

In addressing the ramifications of climate change, the shipping industry, reliant on energy, has been integrated into the Emissions Trading System (ETS). This study utilizes the quantile connectedness model to investigate the information spillover mechanisms and extreme time-varying interconnections among carbon, energy, and shipping markets. Whether climate policy uncertainty drives the extreme interconnections is also discussed during both pre- and post-Paris Agreement periods, by using GARCH-MIDAS model. The empirical findings underscore the following key points: (i) the systemic connectedness is highly sensitive to market conditions and major events, increasing significantly under extreme market conditions; (ii) following the implementation of the Paris Agreement, an elevated level of informational interdependence has manifested between the carbon market and the energy and shipping sectors; (iii) the information transfer mechanism between carbon and shipping sectors creates direct and indirect spillover paths, with crude oil market mediating the indirect path; (iv) climate policy uncertainty greatly affects the extreme time-varying interconnections, and this impact has decreased after the Paris Agreement came into effect. These results offer valuable insights for market policymakers and shipping companies in achieving a balance between carbon emission reduction and shipping business, particularly amidst heightened climate policy uncertainty.

Unveiling the role of natural resources, energy transition and environmental policy stringency for sustainable environmental development: Evidence from BRIC +1

This study investigates the impacts of economic growth, energy transition, mineral market, traditional energy, environmental policy stringency, and load capacity factor on natural resource and sustainable environment management in BRIC +1 countries from 1993 to 2020. The CS-ARDL model is adopted to demonstrate the nexus between the abovementioned constructs. Empirical findings suggest that the mineral market and energy transition positively impact environmental sustainability. Additionally, environmental policy stringency and effective management of natural resources are equally important for developing a sustainable environment in BRIC +1 countries. Overall, there is a significant association between all the examined variables, and they are all equally important in facilitating environmental sustainability in the BRIC +1 countries. The empirical outcomes of the present study help policymakers establish ecological sustainability and guide them toward sustainable development.

The impact of social media marketing on brand awareness, brand engagement and purchase intention in emerging economies

PurposePurpose. Based on the Uses and Gratifications Theory (UGT), theory of consumer brand engagement (CBE), and empirical findings, we examine the impact of social media marketing (SMM) on brand awareness (BA), consumer brand engagement (CBE), and purchase intention in emerging economies.Design/methodology/approachData were collected in North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, Romania, and Ukraine from 1808 social media users, through a self-administered online survey. Partial least square structural equation modeling was used to assess the theoretical model, and a multi-group analysis to explore the differences between countries.FindingsSocial media marketing has a positive impact on brand awareness, brand engagement, and purchase intention, while country moderates the relationship between brand engagement and purchase intention. We reveal differences among countries regarding SMM's impact on brand engagement and purchase intention.Practical implicationsThe study promotes SM's impact on brand communications, providing consumer insights that help companies design effective SMM strategies, using similarities and differences in emerging economies. The different levels of CBE and their different influences on purchase intention require a focus on the motivations for brand engagement in social media and the type of content preferred by consumers in each country. The originality of our research lies in our examination of the impact of social media marketing on consumer behavior in five emerging countries. Additionally, we are investigating how the country of origin influences the relationship between social media marketing, brand awareness, consumer behavior, and purchase intention in different countries.Originality/valueThe originality of our research lies in our examination of the impact of social media marketing on consumer behavior in five emerging countries. Additionally, we are investigating how the country of origin influences the relationship between social media marketing, brand awareness, consumer behavior, and purchase intention in different countries.

Financial reporting quality dynamics in India: the role of IFRS convergence and corporate governance

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the impact of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) convergence on value relevance and earnings management for Indian listed firms while also exploring whether the relationship is moderated by the firms’ corporate governance structures. Design/methodology/approach Corporate governance (CG) scores of 573 listed firms were calculated by using a self-constructed index for a period of 7 years (2014–2015 to 2020–2021). Static and dynamic panel models with generalized method of moments (GMM) estimators were used to test the conditional hypothesis that the impact of the Indian IFRS converged standards (Indian Accounting Standards [IndAS]) on information quality is affected by the firm’s corporate governance strength. Findings The estimates reveal that the positive effect of corporate governance scores on the value relevance of earnings reduces in the presence of IFRS, whereas the interaction of both the variables on book values remains insignificant. Secondly, the use of IndAS reduces discretionary accruals, but corporate governance does not have a significant moderating effect within the equation. Practical implications The results offer an interesting perspective into the debate on IFRS consequences and the role of internal institutional frameworks. It provides preliminary evidence suggesting that although corporate governance improves the value relevance of earnings, it may not be entirely effective in reducing the management of earnings. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first study in India to provide empirical findings on the role played by corporate governance mechanisms in explaining the relationship between IFRS convergence and accounting information quality. The analysis accounts for modelling issues such as endogeneity and autocorrelation by using dynamic panel models and instrumental variables.

Financial reporting quality dynamics in India: the role of IFRS convergence and corporate governance

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the impact of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) convergence on value relevance and earnings management for Indian listed firms while also exploring whether the relationship is moderated by the firms’ corporate governance structures. Design/methodology/approach Corporate governance (CG) scores of 573 listed firms were calculated by using a self-constructed index for a period of 7 years (2014–2015 to 2020–2021). Static and dynamic panel models with generalized method of moments (GMM) estimators were used to test the conditional hypothesis that the impact of the Indian IFRS converged standards (Indian Accounting Standards [IndAS]) on information quality is affected by the firm’s corporate governance strength. Findings The estimates reveal that the positive effect of corporate governance scores on the value relevance of earnings reduces in the presence of IFRS, whereas the interaction of both the variables on book values remains insignificant. Secondly, the use of IndAS reduces discretionary accruals, but corporate governance does not have a significant moderating effect within the equation. Practical implications The results offer an interesting perspective into the debate on IFRS consequences and the role of internal institutional frameworks. It provides preliminary evidence suggesting that although corporate governance improves the value relevance of earnings, it may not be entirely effective in reducing the management of earnings. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first study in India to provide empirical findings on the role played by corporate governance mechanisms in explaining the relationship between IFRS convergence and accounting information quality. The analysis accounts for modelling issues such as endogeneity and autocorrelation by using dynamic panel models and instrumental variables.

The Proof Dilemma of Porter’s Hypothesis: Analysis of Its Verification Difficulties

The Porter Hypothesis, proposed by Michael E. Porter, suggests that stringent environmental regulations can enhance corporate innovation and competitiveness, challenging the traditional view that regulations increase business costs. It argues that regulations motivate firms to innovate, leading to improved productivity, cost reductions, and new market opportunities. However, there are proponents and critics in academia regarding the hypothesis. Supporters claim regulations change corporate behavior, reducing agency costs and boosting research and development. Critics argue that if win-win situations exist, businesses would naturally pursue them without regulatory incentives. Key challenges in proving or refuting the hypothesis include its various versions, the difficulty in quantifying innovation and competitiveness, the complex interplay between regulation, innovation, and competitiveness, and the varying impacts across industries and regions. Additionally, the effects may require a long time to manifest, and the hypothesis’s applicability is influenced by evolving environmental policies and market environments. Despite mixed empirical findings, the Porter Hypothesis provides a valuable framework for understanding the relationships among environmental regulation, innovation, and competitiveness, but its validation requires a more comprehensive assessment.

The taxonomy of tail risk

AbstractWe use tail events at different levels of severity to define an asset's tail risk and to decompose the latter into a systematic and an idiosyncratic component. The systematic component captures an asset's tendency to experience joint tail losses with the market and generalizes a classic tail dependence coefficient. However, the idiosyncratic component consists of two parts: idiosyncratic tail risk that leads to asset‐specific tail losses and tail risk cushioning that dampens the tail losses emanating from the market. Tail risk cushioning is a novel concept that arises naturally in our framework, is consistent with the previous two and completes the taxonomy of tail risk. We examine the performance of our tail risk decomposition on a large dataset, confirming some previous results on tail risk and uncovering new theoretical and empirical findings.

Effect of Grain Corridor Agreement on Grain Prices

This study investigates the impact of the Grain Corridor Agreement (GCA), particularly in the aftermath of the Russia–Ukraine conflict, on the prices of major grains (wheat, maize, and barley), pivotal for global sustenance. By delineating three significant shocks: the initiation of the conflict, the enforcement of the GCA, and Russia's subsequent withdrawal from it, we employ an Integrated GARCH (IGARCH) model to investigate the impact of the Russia–Ukraine conflict on grain prices. Our empirical findings reveal that all grain prices surged at the onset of the conflict, with barley experiencing the most pronounced increase. Additionally, volatility escalated across all grain prices during the conflict's inception, albeit subsiding upon the implementation of the GCA. Price volatility spiked initially but decreased with the GCA's enforcement. The evidence suggests that the conflict is driving up world grain prices and causing global vulnerability, and that conciliatory policies such as the GCA offer a short-term solution. However, long-term strategies should focus on reducing external dependence by reviewing agricultural policies and promoting domestic production. Moreover, policymakers are advised to consider both domestic and global market vulnerabilities when designing sound policies. Highlights International grain prices (wheat, maize and barley) spiked during the onset of the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict. The conflict triggered an international response to resume safe maritime humanitarian transportation of agricultural grains via GCA. We develop an empirical framework to assess the impact of the Russia–Ukraine conflict on grain prices. Empirical findings indicate that Russia–Ukraine conflict increased all grain prices.

Shaping shores: An exploration of the interplay between law, spatial ontologies and the power to plan at Milnerton, Cape Town

The landscape of coastal planning is being transformed by the emergence of new scales of informal planning both alongside and between established statutory planning frameworks. As informal planning arrangements seldom operate within an institutional vacuum, they are frequently confronted by the path-dependent influence of pre-existing statutory planning institutions. However, there remains a marked dearth of knowledge surrounding the interplay between formal legal planning frameworks and informal planning arrangements at the coast. In response to this lacuna, the current paper endeavours to expand the existing comprehension of the influence of formal legal planning frameworks on informal planning processes at the coast by amalgamating legal geographical insights with the expanding discourse surrounding the function of actors' ontological understandings of space in structuring power relations and discursive interaction within planning processes. These insights are applied to a focussed case study of the operation of an informal planning process, the Milnerton Erosion Forum, at Milnerton, a coastal suburb of Cape Town, South Africa. The empirical findings presented in this article demonstrate the involvement of legal planning frameworks in constituting space and structuring power dynamics among actors at Milnerton, as well as the ways in which spatialised legal power is mobilised to influence socio-spatial decision-making within informal planning processes through actors’ ontological understandings and representations of places-to-be-planned. Through visibilisng the dialectical relationship between law, space and the power to plan at Milnerton, this article offers nuanced insights into the complex interplay between legal planning frameworks and informal planning practices at the coast.