Collaborative Governance Research Articles

Reassessing Governance Models for Effective Heavy Metal Pollution Control

ABSTRACTHeavy metal pollution in aquatic environments is a critical global challenge, posing severe risks to human health and ecosystems. This study identifies a key disparity: while industrial pollution is concentrated in developing countries, advanced remediation technologies are primarily available in developed nations. Quantitative analysis reveals that heavily polluted regions often lack effective treatment solutions. Existing pollution control efforts rely on state‐centric governance models, which, despite their importance, face limitations such as regulatory inefficiencies and geopolitical barriers. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a voluntary governance model supplemented by collaborative governance. This approach encourages industries to adopt best practices while fostering cooperation between governments and stakeholders, thereby improving pollution control measures. The findings suggest that integrating voluntary and collaborative governance can significantly mitigate heavy metal pollution, enhance sustainable water management, and improve public health. This model offers a viable pathway towards more effective and globally coordinated environmental governance.

Perspective of Ambidextrous Leadership and Collaboration Capability Towards Bank Performance Sustainability

Banks often partner with fintech to provide comprehensive solutions for customers, but these collaborations are often unsuccessful. This study explored how a bank's collaboration capability (CC), ambidextrous leadership (AL), and government policy (GP), affect bank performance sustainability (BS). Quantitative survey method was used to collect data from senior executives at 105 commercial banks in 20 Indonesian cities. The proposed model was identified by structural equation modeling-partial least squares, with SmartPLS 4. Results indicate that CC has a positive effect on BS and is moderated by GP. AL has a positive effect on BS and CC, and CC can act as mediator. This research contributes to the development and validation of a new model and offers an initial idea about how leaders can create a culture of collaboration while the government carries out its responsibility in regulating and fostering collaboration. Future studies should explore different types of banks, e.g. Islamic banks.

China’s land-sea environmental regulatory system: reforms and impacts

The updated “Marine Environment Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China,” effective from January 1, 2024, emphasizes enhanced land and marine development in a coordinated way. The revised law has been amended from the original ten chapters comprising 97 articles to nine chapters comprising 124 articles, with an addition of 27 clauses. In particular, the original law had only 3 clauses related to regulatory bodies, which increased to 8 after the revision. Chapter II Supervision and Control over the Marine Environment has added 4 clauses and revised 4 clauses to pursue coordinated land and marine development and regional linkage. As for marine ecological protection, there are 3 new clauses in Chapter III. Through specifying authorities’ responsibilities, fostering a coherent approach to land-sea environmental governance, and bolstering ecological safeguards, these amendments fill a gap in regulations concerning land and marine development in a coordinated way. On this basis, the implementation of the new law will promote a positive interaction between the marine economy and the land-based economy, and facilitate the collaborative governance of ecological environments in both terrestrial and marine areas.

Collaborative Governance in Port Management in Indonesia: A Literature Review

Given the necessity of distributed decision-making and robust coordination among diverse actors for effective maritime operations, collaborative governance has gained increasing prominence as a key strategy in port management, particularly for island nations like Indonesia. This literature review seeks to clarify the degree to which collaborative governance frameworks have been adopted in Indonesian ports, while simultaneously pinpointing the existing difficulties and potential advantages related to putting policies into practice. By thoroughly examining scholarly articles, government publications, and illustrative examples, this study investigates the theoretical foundations of collaborative governance, its specific application within Indonesia's port industry, and the ongoing shortcomings that prevent its complete and successful implementation. The review's findings indicate that although Indonesia has made headway in incorporating public-private partnerships and promoting the involvement of local stakeholders, persistent systemic obstacles—such as fragmented regulations, inherent disparities in power among stakeholders, and limitations in institutional capabilities at various levels—continue to impede the achievement of effective collaborative governance. Ultimately, this review proposes a set of evidence-based recommendations intended to enhance collaborative governance structures within Indonesia's port management system.

Collaborative Governance in Developing a Sustainable Tin Trading Model

The purpose of this study is to analyze the current condition of the tin trade system, analyze the sustainable tin trade model in Indonesia, and provide recommendations related to sustainable tin trade. This study uses samples in the Bangka Belitung Islands region. This study uses a descriptive qualitative research method. The sample used was 34 people from collaborative governance and pentahelix. The findings of this study include the need for harmonization, synchronization, and innovation of various policies, so as to be able to create a new sustainable tin trade system that is driven by collaborative governance; the importance of the pentahelix model in the process of implementing collaborative governance as a more neutral party or has no direct interest in tin mining; there is a strategic plan in the form of a policy formulation of four aspirations for sustainable tin trade, namely the community who get a living, the rules are enforced, the state gets non-tax state revenue, and the environment is maintained; revising tin legislation into policies that must be carried out by referring to nine instruments for developing a new sustainable tin trade system; and implementing policies with three types of activities that need to be considered, namely organization, interpretation, and application.

Action Research for the Simultaneous Transformation of Governments and their Territorial Governance

Given the complex eco-social challenges humanity faces, deep transformations in policy and politics are needed to support necessary transitions. A key aspect is reshaping how governments interact with territorial actors when addressing complex challenges —an outward change that also requires inward transformation within governments. While action research (AR) offers frameworks for organisational change (e.g., Coghlan and Brannick 2001; Greenwood and Levin 2007), the Action Research for Territorial Development (ARTD) approach focuses on transforming inter-organisational relationships within a territory. However, all these contributions often overlook the need to integrate both inward and outward transformations. This paper draws on the case of Bilbao Next Lab— a policy laboratory to foster urban competitiveness through ARTD—to contribute to the AR literature and propose a new framework for simultaneously addressing government and territorial transformation. The analysis is focused on a year-long process involving seven reflection–action cycles within two dialogue spaces with policymakers from Bilbao Ekintza, the economic development agency of Bilbao City Council. These spaces involved both technical staff and senior policymakers. The findings highlight the importance of addressing both territorial and organisational complexity in action research processes aimed at fostering inward and outward transformations. More open, horizontal, and participatory forms of interaction within governments can promote the joint participation of members of higher and lower positions in collaborative governance spaces, thereby strengthening territorial praxis by bridging reflection and decision-making with action. Furthermore, when these different profiles engage in territorial spaces, the effectiveness of collaborative governance tends to increase.

Research on the Evolutionary Game of Rural River Governance Under the River Chief System

The river chief system (RCS) has been progressively integrated into rural river governance, resulting in notable improvements in river environments. However, the governance involves multiple stakeholders with conflicting interests and challenges, including low efficiency in collaborative governance. Based on evolutionary game theory, this paper explores the strategy evolution mechanism of multiple stakeholders in rural river governance under the RCS. A four-party evolutionary game model is constructed, involving the government, rural river chiefs, functional organizations, and villagers. By employing phase diagrams, Jacobian matrices, and Lyapunov’s first method, we investigate the evolutionary process of the four-party game and analyze its asymptotic stability. The study identifies the following two evolutionary stable strategies: lenient supervision, no patrol, governance, and participation and lenient supervision, no patrol, governance, and non-participation. Then, numerical simulation analysis is conducted using MATLAB 2024b to validate the scientific rigor and effectiveness of the evolutionary game model and analyze the impact of key parameters’ changes on the strategy choices of each stakeholder. The findings provide guidance for improving the efficiency of multi-stakeholder collaboration in rural river governance and the smooth implementation of the RCS in rural areas.

Crisis-driven governance reforms: An analytical framework of institutional capacity, leadership, and collaboration in global governance

This research explores how public management analytical perspectives—institutional capacity, crisis leadership and cross-sector collaboration–influence the effectiveness of global governance systems in responding to transnational crises. Through comparative analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2008 financial crisis and the Russia–Ukraine conflict, the research develops an integrated, comprehensive framework (ICC) to explore the dynamic interplay of these dimensions. The findings suggest that institutional capacity forms the structural foundation for crisis response but is constrained by inadequate resources and implementation gaps. Crisis leadership is critical for rapid decision-making and stakeholder coordination but is contingent on institutional frameworks and political responsiveness. Cross-sector collaboration can enhance resilience but faces challenges of fragmented governance structures and conflicting interests.

Integrating Stakeholder Knowledge Through a Participatory Approach and Semi-Quantitative Analysis for Local Watershed Management

Watersheds are threatened by numerous issues, such as climate change, population growth, urban expansion, and industrial development. These issues are complex and interconnected, and effectively addressing them requires integrating the values, knowledge, and expertise of various governing bodies, local organizations, and community members, all of whom have their own viewpoints and priorities. The current study employs a participatory approach and systems lens to engage different stakeholders in the complexity of watershed issues and management approaches. Using participatory modeling and semi-quantitative scenario analysis techniques, the study identifies relationships among watershed values, challenges, and strategies as well as the dynamics of these relationships. A fuzzy cognitive map was developed, which consists of 53 nodes (i.e., 13 values, 12 challenges, and 28 strategies) and 113 connections. Biodiversity, mental health, and sense of place emerged as key values, as they exhibited high centrality values when analyzing the system, and challenges like invasive species and urban sprawl were found to exert considerable impacts on these values. Strategies such as establishing and expanding greenspace, community stewardship, and governance-based interventions were identified as critical for addressing watershed challenges and enhancing watershed values. The study identified a series of governance-based strategies that focus on resource allocation, participatory governance, and institutional collaboration to address watershed management challenges as well as a set of engagement-based strategies that focus on environmental communication and public awareness. The study demonstrates the potential that participatory modeling and semi-quantitative analysis techniques can have for integrating both tangible, measurable values and intangible, difficult-to-measure values into planning and policymaking. The research reinforces the idea that local governments play a critical role in fostering inclusive and collaborative watershed management strategies.

Public-private partnerships (PPP) in infrastructure financing: A comparative study of developed and developing economies

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) facilitate risk-sharing and asset financing to encourage private sector involvement in infrastructure development, particularly in developing countries facing growing infrastructure needs. This research compares PPP frameworks in developed and developing nations, focusing on risk management, financial structures, and sustainability practices. Developed countries benefit from stable legal systems, robust financial instruments, and effective risk-sharing mechanisms that attract private investment. In contrast, developing economies often struggle with weak regulations, market instability, and limited institutional capacity. Multilateral institutions like the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and International Finance Corporation support PPPs by offering risk mitigation tools and sustainable financing. The study emphasizes that sustainability, through ESG assessments, green finance, and climate-resilient infrastructure, is crucial to long-term PPP success. Findings reveal that generic PPP models often fall short without tailored strategies. Effective partnerships require strong institutional frameworks, collaborative governance, and innovative financing. Ultimately, PPPs must adopt transparent, adaptable, and climate-responsive approaches to overcome regulatory, financial, and environmental challenges, positioning them as vital mechanisms for sustainable infrastructure development.

From Climate Risks to Resilient Energy Systems: Addressing the Implications of Climate Change on Indonesia’s Energy Policy

Climate change has presented significant challenges to Indonesia’s energy sector, increasing vulnerabilities in power generation, infrastructure resilience, and energy security. Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and increasing temperatures disrupt energy systems, highlighting the urgent need to build resilient energy systems. To support Indonesia’s energy transition, this study addresses a critical gap by providing an integrated analysis of climate resilience, renewable energy policies, and Indonesia’s socio-economic and environmental goals, emphasizing the importance of enabling policies and financial mechanisms. The recommendations mentioned in this study include increasing renewable energy capacity through solar and geothermal projects, modernizing infrastructure to enhance resilience, and adopting decentralized energy systems to reduce dependency on centralized networks. Strengthened governance and stakeholder collaboration are also essential for the successful implementation of energy policies. This study underscores the importance of having comprehensive energy policies to address climate change, promote sustainable development, and help Indonesia achieve its renewable energy targets and long-term goal of net-zero emissions.

Can Carbon Neutrality Promote Green and Sustainable Urban Development from an Environmental Sociology Perspective? Evidence from China

Against the backdrop of global climate change and rapid urbanisation, carbon-neutral urban governance and sustainable urban development have become core issues of concern to the international community. As the world’s largest carbon emitter, Chinese cities shoulder the significant responsibility of achieving the “dual-carbon” goal. This study utilised a unique panel dataset of 300 cities in China from 2015 to 2022 and proposed a multi-dimensional analytical framework from the perspective of environmental sociology. This paper empirically examines the impact mechanism of carbon-neutral governance on urban sustainable development and its regional heterogeneity by using this framework. The research findings are as follows: First, carbon-neutral governance has a significant promoting effect on the sustainable development of cities. Secondly, technological input (the number of scientific researchers) plays a significant mediating role between carbon-neutral governance and sustainable development, indicating that technology diffusion is an important way for the transmission of policy effects. Thirdly, the analysis of regional heterogeneity indicates that due to policy inclination and resource concentration, western cities contribute the most to sustainable development, followed by eastern cities, and central cities contribute the least to sustainable development. The eastern region was identified as the second weakest and the central region as the weakest. This research provides theoretical and empirical basis for differentiated formulation of carbon neutrality policies, strengthening scientific and technological support, and optimising regional collaborative governance.

Coupled coordination relationship and enhancement path between digital economy and essential public health services in China

IntroductionThe coordinated development of the digital economy and essential public health services is a critical issue for advancing the Healthy China initiative and promoting health equity. However, existing policy frameworks exhibit significant shortcomings in the design of cross-system collaborative governance tools and regional adaptability, thereby constraining the implementation effectiveness of the “digital health” strategy.MethodsThis study constructs an evaluation index system for the digital economy and essential public health services based on panel data from 30 Chinese provinces from 2012 to 2021. By employing a coupling coordination model and dynamic fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), this study systematically reveals the interaction mechanisms and optimization pathways between the two systems.ResultsThe key findings are as follows: (1) Temporal Trends: The degree of coupling coordination has undergone a phased transition from “on the verge of disorder” to “primary coordination.” However, the overall growth remains limited, indicating an urgent need to shift from a “scale expansion” model to a “quality-driven” approach. (2) Spatial Patterns: A distinct regional disparity is observed, characterized by an “eastern leading, central catching up, and western lagging behind” pattern. Notably, 80% of provinces in central and western China remain constrained by digital economy-induced maladaptation. (3) Spatial Correlation: The coupling coordination degree exhibits significant positive spatial clustering characteristics. Provinces such as Anhui and Hubei in central China have achieved leapfrog development by leveraging technological spillovers. (4) Driving Mechanisms: The fsQCA results identify three distinct high-coordination configurations: the “digital infrastructure-driven” model in eastern China, the “government–human capital dual-driven” model in central China, and the “government–institutional environment synergy-driven” model in western China.DiscussionThese findings underscore the necessity for region-specific development strategies that align with local resource endowments and contextual factors. By adopting differentiated policy pathways, provinces can effectively promote the coupling and coordinated development of essential public health services and the digital economy, ultimately fostering a high-quality and sustainable integration of the two systems.

A Conceptual Framework for Smart Governance Systems Implementation

Knowledge-based decision-making open to citizens holds little significance in governments. One reason is that so far, no reference frameworks are available to implement smart governance systems in the full public policy cycle, resulting in most of the existing tools not being knowledge-based. Thus, there is a risk that decisions are ineffective or misaligned with the different interests of civil society. Moreover, existing proposals do not cover most of the key features needed in smart governance and do not provide sufficient elements to facilitate its implementation. Based on the existing literature and tools, as well as on a survey of local government practitioners, the authors propose a conceptual framework for implementing smart governance systems, which manages both knowledge internal and external to the organization, and the one provided by stakeholders; thus, improving consensus and group decision-making. To this end, the framework considers available data and information technologies, and its components make it easier for institutions and information technology providers to develop solutions with a knowledge-based collaborative governance model.

Examining the Collaboration Framework for Achieving Government Performance: A Qualitative Case Study on Digital Transformation.

Government organizations must embrace collaboration to enhance public value and address inefficiencies caused by fragmented processes and duplicated efforts. This study develops a collaboration framework based on collaborative governance theory and digital transformation capability. Using qualitative methods, 15 in-depth interviews with government employees, 22 official documents, and one focus group video were analyzed through thematic coding. This study highlights several approaches to collaborative digital government transformation. First, it emphasizes breaking organisational silos and leveraging shared goals by reviewing the digital transformation plans to identify common projects, reduce duplication and address IT resources imbalance. Second, it advocates neutrality in leadership to harmonize inter-agency regulations. Third, it promotes agile organizational structures and dynamic capabilities to enhance adaptability and the ability to respond to rapid changes. Fourth, it recommends ideally modelling collaborative government services using an integrated business model in a unified digital platform, alternatively using data exchange and information sharing. Finally, it stresses user-centric design and inclusiveness to accelerate service delivery, ensure accountability, and improve efficiency, effectiveness, and seamless government operations. This study extends digital transformation capability and introduces new modes of engagement through digital collaboration within the discussion on initial barriers and drivers, technological capabilities, dynamic capability, and co-creation.

Collaborative Governance in the Development of Salatiga as a Creative City of Gastronomy

Gastronomy is not only related to food, but also encompasses cultural values, history, local identity, and community creativity. In the context of creative city development, gastronomy is considered a strategic sector as it can stimulate local economic growth, strengthen regional identity, and support sustainable tourism. Salatiga, a small city known as a "mini city," has a diverse range of legendary culinary traditions, including ten locally recognized culinary heritage items. This research aims to analyze the processes and mechanisms of collaborative governance in promoting Salatiga’s culinary sector as a sustainable tourist attraction. The research method used is qualitative with a descriptive approach. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and literature studies related to creative city development policies and programs. The results indicate that the development of the gastronomic sector in Salatiga is supported by collaboration among government bodies, academics, business actors, communities, and the private sector. Several strategic policies have been implemented, such as the recognition of local culinary specialties as intangible cultural heritage, culinary innovation training for business actors, and the integration of gastronomy into the basic education curriculum. However, the implementation of collaborative governance faces several challenges, including suboptimal cross-sector coordination and a limited public understanding of gastronomy. This study concludes that collaborative governance plays a key role in the development of Salatiga as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. The success of this approach is reflected in the ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Award 2024 and the formal recognition of culinary heritage, which enhances Salatiga’s global competitiveness.

Multiple Logics in Performance Management of Collaborations for Sustainability: An Integrative Review

ABSTRACTGoverning arrangements involving public, private, and third‐sector actors are increasingly initiated to tackle sustainability challenges. Their value creation relies on the collective efforts of diverse stakeholders, but actors adhering to different institutional logics have divergent opinions on what collaborative value creation should encompass and how it should be measured and managed. This integrative literature review explores the performance measurement and management (PMM) of collaborative governance initiatives for sustainable development, focusing on how multiple institutional logics are integrated into PMM. By reviewing 104 research articles and book chapters from various disciplines and policy domains, the review highlights the omission of hybridity in PMM of collaborations and proposes multi‐logic PMM approaches to enhance the integration of multiple logics into PMM research and practice. The review concludes with propositions for further theorization and development of performance governance that enhances understanding of institutional hybridity and diversity in collaborative governance.

Collaborative governance in light rail transit services in Palembang city: A multi-helix perspective

This study examines the application of collaborative governance in the management of Light Rail Transit (LRT) services in Palembang City, Indonesia. Using Emerson and Nabatchi's collaborative governance framework integrated with a multi-helix approach, this research analyzes the dynamics of collaboration between various stakeholders in the provision of LRT services. Through qualitative analysis of interviews with key stakeholders, this study identified significant challenges in collaborative processes, including uncontrolled uncertainty, inadequate interdependence, limited consequential incentives, and inadequate initiative leadership. Research findings reveal that weak principal engagement, limited shared motivation, and uneven capacity for joint action have hindered effective collaboration. This research contributes to the literature on collaborative governance in public transport management and provides practical recommendations for improving LRT services through increased stakeholder collaboration.

Hubungan efikasi diri dengan kesiapan kerja mahasiswa peserta magang dan studi independen bersertifikat

The advent of the Industrial Revolution 4.0 has precipitated significant transformations in the global landscape of employment. In response to this shift, the government has introduced the Certified Internship \& Independent Study (MSIB) program with the objective of enhancing student preparedness for the workforce. It is of significant importance for students who will be participating in the internship program to develop both soft and mental skills in addition to their technical competencies. The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between Self-efficacy and work readiness in students participating in the MSIB program. The research method employed is quantitative, utilizing a correlational approach. The sample consisted of 223 students participating in MSIB Batch 6 for the period between February 16 and June 30, 2024, who were selected through accidental sampling. The instruments utilized were the General Self-efficacy Scale and the Work Readiness Scale. The results demonstrated a statistically significant positive correlation between self-efficacy and work readiness among MSIB Batch 6 students (r = 0.175; p $<$ 0.01). The higher the level of self-efficacy exhibited by students, the more prepared them are to navigate the professional world of work. These findings suggest that fostering self-efficacy through training or practical experience, such as that provided by the government in collaboration with industry partners and academic institutions through the MSIB program, can enhance students' overall work readiness.

Transformative Federal Leadership: A Revolutionary Integrated Framework Redefining Governance Excellence in Complex Federal Systems

This paper introduces a revolutionary theoretical breakthrough—the Transformative Federal Leadership (TFL) framework—that fundamentally reconceptualizes how we understand leadership excellence in complex federal systems. This paradigm-shifting model transcends existing theoretical limitations by systematically integrating seven previously disconnected theoretical traditions: transformational leadership theory, adaptive leadership, policy entrepreneurship, institutional analysis, collaborative governance, capability approach, and conflict transformation literature. The TFL framework represents a quantum leap beyond conventional leadership models by conceptualizing federal leadership as a dynamic, multidimensional system of interconnected competencies that collectively enable institutional transformation, policy innovation, and sustainable development across diverse regional contexts. We demonstrate that this revolutionary framework dramatically surpasses the analytical power of conventional single-theory approaches, which inevitably capture only fragmented dimensions of the federal leadership challenge. Through sophisticated theoretical integration, we establish a comprehensive measurement taxonomy with 35 distinct indicators across the seven framework dimensions, demonstrate their complex interactive effects through systems modeling, and illustrate transformative applications through detailed case scenarios. The TFL framework initiates a fundamental paradigm shift in leadership theory by bridging previously insurmountable disciplinary boundaries and creating an entirely new analytical architecture for understanding governance excellence. We conclude by proposing a comprehensive research agenda for empirical validation and theoretical elaboration of this revolutionary framework, establishing a new foundation for evaluating and developing transformative leadership capacity in federal democracies worldwide.