Interactive Governance Theory Research Articles

DETERMINANTS OF THE MORTALITY OF PATIN FISH IN TEMERLOH, PAHANG, MALAYSIA

This study explores the factors influencing Patin fish mortality in Malaysia's expanding aquaculture industry, which is crucial for meeting the rising global demand for fish and seafood. Analysing data from 135 fish farmers through SPSS Software, it finds significant correlations between mortality rates and variables like fish species, time until sale, and fish quantity per cage. At the same time, factors such as partnership numbers and feeding frequency have minimal impact. These results highlight the critical role of water quality management in fish health and production costs. The findings are vital for developing strategies to improve fish farming and water quality control in Malaysia, addressing the need to consider various factors to reduce fish mortality. Despite the significance of certain variables, the low adjusted R-squared value points to other yet unidentified factors affecting fish deaths, suggesting ongoing data collection and model refinement for stakeholders. This research contributes to understanding aquaculture costs and fish health, informing theories such as Interactive Governance Theory, Stress Response Theory, and Disease Ecology Theory and underscoring the importance of comprehensive strategies for sustainable aquaculture practices.

To Approve or not to Approve? A Comparative Analysis of State-Company-Indigenous Community Interactions in Mining in Canada and Sweden.

This Special Section explores the interplay between Indigenous peoples, industry, and the state in five proposed and active mining projects in Canada and Sweden. The overall aim is to identify factors shaping the quality of Indigenous community-industry-state interactions in mining and mine development. An ambition underlying the research is to develop knowledge to help manage mining related land-use conflicts in Sweden by drawing on Canadian comparisons and experience. This paper synthesizes the comparative research that has been conducted across jurisdictions in three Canadian provinces and Sweden. It focuses on the interplay between the properties of the governance system, the quality of interaction and governance outcomes. We combine institutional and interactive governance theory and use the concept of governability to assess how and why specific outcomes, such as mutually beneficial interaction, collaboration, or opposition, occurred. The analysis suggests there are measures that can be taken by the Swedish Government to improve the governability of mining related issues, by developing alternative, and more effective, avenues to recognize, and protect, Sámi rights and culture, to broaden the scope and increase the legitimacy and transparency of the EIAs, to raise the quality of interaction and consultation, and to develop tools to actively stimulate and support collaboration and partnerships on equal terms. Generally, we argue that Indigenous community responses to mining must be understood within a larger framework of Indigenous self-determination, in particular the communities' own assessments of their opportunities to achieve their long-term objectives using alternative governing modes and types of interactions.

Perspectives on persistent flooding of the Msimbazi Valley in Dar es Salaam viewed through a governance lens

ABSTRACT This article follows the line of scholarship that treats urban flooding as the object of governance and uses a governance lens to analyse reported evidence of how and why detrimental flooding has persisted in the Msimbazi Valley in urban Dar es Salaam. Guided by the governmentality framework and interactive governance theory, an analysis of primary and secondary data was conducted. The analysis revealed the low motivation and commitment of capable staff and well-resourced administrative departments and units of Ilala and Kinondoni Municipal Councils involved in implementing relevant and appropriate measures to control, prevent and end floods. Since organizational values and principles that are well understood and have been embraced have the potential to reignite and revive individual and group commitment, it is recommended that staff and management teams of Ilala and Kinondoni Municipal Councils relearn their organizational values and/or retool themselves with values and principles that strongly inspire flood-prevention actions.

Ecosystem-based governance according to the Malawi principles: a test for the southern Lake Malawi

This paper examines what may happen when the internationally renowned Malawi principles for ecosystem-based fisheries management are implemented in real-life situations. To explore this, an ecosystem-based fisheries management plan for the southern part of the Lake Malawi is used as a case study. However, the lessons learned are relevant for the global implementation of these principles. Drawing on ‘interactive governance theory’, we argue that implementation involves all three ‘governance-orders’, (1) where the governance principles are formulated, (2) where the institutions are designed to operationalise and implement these principles, and (3) where implementation and enforcement actually take place and become routine operation. The Malawi principles must be institutionalised and, subsequently, find their concretisation in the way the southern Lake Malawi ecosystem is actually managed by, and according to, the Malawi Principles and the institutions of which management is a function. Our case study portrays the need to build capacity to address the implementation challenges as they appear at all three governance-orders. We suggest that ecosystem-based governance is a more appropriate term, for what the Malawi principles aim to achieve, than management, which we associate with the more technical elements of this approach.

Technological entropy and its implications to fisheries governability

The interactive governance theory postulates that the governability of a fishery system depends on the governing capacity, and the overall quality of the system to be governed. The elements making the fisheries more or less governable correspond to the diversity, complexity, dynamics, and scale of the natural and social systems that are being governed and the governing system. To date, the extent to which technological development affects these properties, and the fisheries governability, has not been evaluated. This paper presents a novel conceptualization of “technological entropy”, linking the concept of entropy with technological innovation happening across fisheries. It further discusses the relationship between technological entropy and governability of fishery systems and illustrates it using examples from Newfoundland fisheries. The paper argues that technological entropy creates new challenges for fisheries governance by influencing fishers' decisions and adding demands on the governing capacity. Assessing how technologies fit into the fisheries governability framework can, therefore, help inform governing actions towards securing sustainable fisheries.

Facing an uncertain future: A prospective analysis of trade policy on coastal communities in northwest Newfoundland

The Great Northern Peninsula (GNP) of Newfoundland has undergone much social and economic change since the downturn in the groundfish fishery in the early 1990s. The Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) has been promoted as one area of opportunity for revitalizing the GNP but the short and long-term effects of the agreement are not yet known. Assessing the impact of CETA on domestic fishery policy and coastal communities requires a comprehensive examination of the region's governance, as well as an understanding of the entire fisheries system. Following interactive governance theory, this study examines how CETA, as a transnational economic institution, interacts with the existing governing systems at the national, provincial, and regional levels. It further explores the effects that this trade agreement might have on the viability of coastal communities in the GNP, given the natural and social characteristics of the fisheries systems. The research reveals that although the principles and policies of CETA do not directly influence fisheries management, it has implications for the governing system of the region. Specifically, CETA affects the function and structure of the governing system through increased market access and domestic policy changes, with the latter contributing to modifying the interactions between the governing system and coastal communities. Further attention is needed on how local and regional governance systems can build capacity to leverage benefits and minimize potential negative impacts from new modern economic institutional arrangements, like CETA.

Co-Management of Fisheries Through a Negotiation Lens: The Case of Prud’homies

While the European Union’s fishing policy is mainly based on maximum sustainable yield, at the local fishing community level, fishers’ main incentive to sustain fish stocks appears to be maintenance of social relationships. Divergence of the stakeholders’ objectives on the management of marine resources creates conflicts of interest that can be overcome through a process of negotiation. The formulation of the solution is embedded in the perspective of the stakeholders. In this paper we analyze the negotiation mechanisms between the French Mediterranean local fishing communities and the European Union common fishery policy. Inspired by interactive governance theory, the performance of Prud’homies, a local governance entity in the French Mediterranean, has been analyzed through their capacity to cooperate and represent the fishers’ voice in formal institutes. We are witnessing a declining representation of this local institute among the official decision-makers of the marine resource governance.

Unveiling the genesis of a marine spatial planning arena in Brazil

A novel blue planning discourse has been elevated through marine spatial planning (MSP) discussions in Brazil since 2011, following the evolution of international ocean governance policy innovation in the past decades. This paper investigates the early evolution stages of a socio-political arena around MSP in Brazil using as reference the IOC-UNESCO's step-by-step approach. It also employs the interactive governance theory to describe and analyze the challenges and opportunities in four phases in the evolution of a MSP policy arena at the Brazil's Blue Amazon level; and discuss it in terms of five major functional governability narratives this trajectory evoke to actors in this new interactive governance playing field. The evolution of Brazilian MSP arena was triggered by discussions at the international level (Phase I – 2011 to 2012), which encountered some resistance until it was reframed under a new formal intra-governmental institutional building process (Phase II – 2012 to 2013). Following a rapid surge and apparent early advances in MSP discussions (Phase III - 2014), the final (current) Phase IV can be characterized by the quiescence of the innovation process led by federal government, and the rise in numbers and diversity of agents in the MSP policy arena. It is noted with this analysis that Brazil is behind the international schedule on MSP, as it is still struggling in the ‘articulation and framing phase’. The analysis of thirty-four challenges and opportunities identified in this trajectory shows that improving functional capacities to govern (governability) the ocean in Brazil will require all actors to: (1) streamline cross-network knowledge-exchange to improve the nascent MSP arena; (2) further understand institutional dynamics impeding policy integration; (3) foster a more symmetrically responsive ocean governance arena; (4) promote coordinated scaling through principle-based policy-building and; (5) strengthening critical but proactive civil society participation at multiple, interrelated area-based ocean governance innovation frontlines. The accumulated capacities shared by existing knowledge-to-action networks in Brazil may render the emerging arena a dynamic, creative, and regional ocean learning experiment.

Governance interactions in small‐scale fisheries market chains: Examples from the Asia‐Pacific

AbstractSmall‐scale fisheries are subject to various governing institutions operating at different levels with different objectives. At the same time, small‐scale fisheries increasingly form part of domestic and international market chains, with consequent effects for marine environments and livelihoods of the fishery‐dependent. Yet there remains a need to better understand how small‐scale fisheries market chains interact with the range of governance institutions that influence them. In this paper, we examine how multiple governance systems function along market chains, in order to identify opportunities for improved multiscale governance. We use three small‐scale fisheries with varying local to global market chains operating in the Asia‐Pacific region to develop a framework for analysis. Drawing from Interactive Governance theory we identify governing systems that have come to operate at particular sections in each market chain. We recognize four institutions that shape the governance over the length of the chain; namely those centred on (a) government, (b) private sector and pricing, (c) decentralized multistakeholder management and (d) culture and social relations. The framework shows how diverse arrangements of these governing institutions emerge and take effect along market chains. In doing so, we seek to move away from prescribed “ideals” of universal governing arrangements for fisheries and their market chains, and instead illuminate how governing systems function interactively across multiple scales.

Too big to fail: An essay about Svein Jentoft’s engagement in small-scale fisheries research and development of the interactive governance theory

The Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF Guidelines) adopted in 2014 marked a special moment for small-scale fisheries worldwide. It is the first global instrument that is designed “by” and “for” small-scale fisheries. The emphasis on food security and poverty alleviation may be interpreted to mean that the SSF Guidelines aim only at developing countries. However, as argued by Prof. Svein Jentoft, who has been instrumental in the drafting of the Guidelines’ text as well as in the official adoption process, the SSF Guidelines are relevant for small-scale fisheries in the north in the same way that small-scale fisheries are important to many developed countries. A fundamental question is how to make use of the SSF Guidelines in enabling the sustainability of small-scale fisheries. This essay presents some of the arguments made by Prof. Jentoft’s work on small-scale fisheries and fisheries governance, that the implementation of the SSF Guidelines requires changes in all governing orders. Specifically, multiple case studies research is necessary at the first order to illuminate the diversity and complexity of small-scale fisheries and the multifaceted issues and challenges they face. This is imperative for the new design and re-arrangement of institutions in the second-order to allow for flexibility and adaptation to deal with the dynamics in small-scale fisheries and the changing environment. Finally, at the meta-order, new images for small-scale fisheries governance are required. The essay concludes with some discussion about moving forward, reflecting on the influence of Prof. Jentoft’s work in shaping research and governance for small-scale fisheries sustainability.

Qualities of self-governance and wellbeing in the fishing communities of northern Tamil Nadu, India - the role of Pattinavar ur panchayats

Despite non-recognition by state authorities, informal councils (Tamil: ur panchayats) are known to comprehensively govern the fishing villages of the Coromandel Coast, Tamil Nadu, India. These councils take charge of an amalgam of village affairs, including the management of fisheries in adjacent sea territories, the resolution of disputes, and interlocution with outside parties. In summary, their duty is to ensure the wellbeing of the fisher population. Arguing that ur panchayats constitute an institutionalized form of collective action, this article investigates their contemporary role in the districts of Nagapattinam and Karaikal. It makes use of interactive governance theory and the concept of self-governance. The article is based on ethnographic field research carried out in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Examining governability of Mexico’s natural gas transmission pipelines under the energy reform

Mexico’s energy reform reshaped the governing system of the natural gas sector with the objective to attract substantial private investment in infrastructure and to guarantee security of supply. This article examines governability of gas transmission pipelines under interactive governance theory. The analysis demonstrates that Mexico’s transmission pipelines system is especially difficult to govern due to its high complexity and can be expected to be less governable after the energy reform. Governability can be improved by implementing the steering mechanisms available to the governing system to prevent the risk of capture of the regulatory agencies, by fostering consistency among institutions, by strengthening judicial independence and by creating collaborative capacity at a regional level.

Situating Arab-Israeli Artisanal Fishermen's Perceptions of Marine Litter in a Socio-Institutional and Socio-Cultural Context

Understanding the mental constructs underlying people’s social responses, decisions and behaviors is crucial to defining the governance challenges faced in dealing with marine anthropogenic litter. Using interactive governance theory, this study provides qualitative insights into how a small group of Arab-Israeli artisanal fishermen perceive marine litter and its impact (system to be governed) in the context of the socio-institutional structures (governing system) which manage waste and aim to protect the surrounding environment. It demonstrates that, until the relationships between local people and the various governing institutions are transformed, there is little hope for citizen cooperation in reducing marine litter long-term in the case-study site. More generally, underlying narratives and politics playing out at a local level need to be understood in order to identify which interventions are likely to be effective and which are not. An intervention checklist to assess the potential effectiveness of a marine litter intervention is proposed.

Situating Arab-Israeli artisanal fishermen's perceptions of marine litter in a socio-institutional and socio-cultural context

Understanding the mental constructs underlying people's social responses, decisions and behaviors is crucial to defining the governance challenges faced in dealing with marine anthropogenic litter. Using interactive governance theory, this study provides qualitative insights into how a small group of Arab-Israeli artisanal fishermen perceive marine litter and its impact (system to be governed) in the context of the socio-institutional structures (governing system) which manage waste and aim to protect the surrounding environment. It demonstrates that, until the relationships between local people and the various governing institutions are transformed, there is little hope for citizen cooperation in reducing marine litter long-term in the case-study site. More generally, underlying narratives and politics playing out at a local level need to be understood in order to identify which interventions are likely to be effective and which are not. An intervention checklist to assess the potential effectiveness of a marine litter intervention is proposed.

A Bottom-Up Understanding of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing in Lake Victoria

Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing is a major concern in fisheries management around the world. Several measures have been taken to address the problem. In Lake Victoria, the alleviation of IUU fishing is implemented through the Regional Plan of Action (RPOA-IUU), which restricts use of certain fishing gear, as well as prohibits fishing in closed areas and during closed seasons. Despite the long-term efforts to monitor and control what goes on in the fisheries, IUU fishing has persisted in Lake Victoria. Inspired by interactive governance theory, this paper argues that the persistence of IUU fishing could be due to different images that stakeholders have about the situation, rather than the lack of management competency. Through structured interviews with 150 fisheries stakeholders on Ijinga Island in the southeastern part of Lake Victoria, Tanzania, using paired comparison questionnaires, the study elicits stakeholders’ perspective about the severity of different locally-pertinent fishing-related activities. The results show that while fisheries stakeholder groups agree on their judgments about certain fishing gears, some differences are also apparent. For instance, fisheries managers and scientists do not always agree with fishing people about what activities cause the most damage to fisheries resources and ecosystem. Further, they tend to consider some IUU fishing-related activities less damaging than some non-IUU fishing. Such disparity creates governability challenges, pointing to the need to revisit relevant regulatory measures and to make them consistent with the knowledge and judgments of all stakeholders. Based on these findings, we discuss governing interventions that may contribute to addressing IUU fishing in Lake Victoria and elsewhere.

Contesting Inclusiveness: The Anxieties of Mechanised Fishers Over Social Boundaries in Chennai, South India

As fisheries generally take place in a common pool resource in which exclusion is by definition difficult, they are a unique entry point to investigating the inclusive development concept. This article discusses the debates and interactions between owners of mechanized fishing boats in Chennai, India, over entry into their ocean fisheries. For the time period under consideration (1995-2014), we demonstrate that the discussion over social boundaries to the profession continued unabated, with moderate and more extreme views alternating and poorer owners standing opposed to the boat-owning elite. Interactive governance theory provides the framework of analysis. We conclude that governors – whether of the state or of the fishing population – need to balance between different policy objectives and between the imperatives of inclusion and exclusion to improve governability.

Too difficult to govern? An assessment of the governability of transport biofuels in the EU

Transport biofuels are currently the subject of heated debate in the EU. In the past decade the deployment of these technologies has been justified by claims of attractive environmental, geopolitical and rural development benefits. However, expectations have rapidly turned into deep criticism regarding the sustainability of these technologies and the desirability of pursuing the biofuel path. This situation has generated an on-going controversy and policy deadlock at EU level. This study explores these issues from a governance perspective. Employing the concept of system governability, derived from interactive governance theory, it attempts to shed some light on the problems facing the governance of biofuels and on how the quality of the governance system could be improved. The analysis showed that the governability of the system decreased substantially in the period 2003–2012 due to increasing governing needs and decreasing governing capacity. The quality of the governance system can be improved by (i) improving governing capacity by reducing conflicts among governing actors, advancing consistency among institutions and creating capacity at international and global level; and (ii) promoting advanced technologies and adjusting societal ambitions and expectations regarding biofuels.

Governability Framework for the Evaluation and Implementation of Complex Public Health Functions

The dominant theoretical basis of our public health practice originates from a positivist or reductionist paradigm. It fails to take into account the complexity emerging out of public health's multiple influences originating from biological and social worlds. A deeper understanding of the interaction of elements that characterize the implementation of public health functions will enhance our ability to generate evidence and learn further. The "interactive governance theory" by Jan Kooiman introduced here offers an analytical framework that uses the concept of "governability." It is a measure of how governable a particular social system is that takes care of a public function. Assessment is facilitated by breaking down and describing the social system into constituent parts and by exploring the properties, qualities, and the way in which they interact with each other. Further, by deliberating a complex public health function such as immunization services in the context of developing countries, we explore the application of the interactive governance theory and governability. The theory offers new insights into how interactive and holistic approaches can be integrated into public health practice. The advantage of the concept of "governability" is that it enables us to explore why some governance systems deliver what they are expected to, while others do not. This might help us to identify areas where governance can be improved.

Legal Pluralism and the Governability of Fisheries and Coastal Systems

Conditions for, and limits of, governability of fisheries and coastal systems cannot be properly understood without an examination of legal pluralism. Governing systems that do not take legal pluralism into account are likely to fail. This article discusses how interactive governance theory and legal pluralism may benefit from each other and how legal pluralism can be assessed from a governability perspective. Interactive governance theory offers a conceptual framework for investigating legal pluralism and how it contributes to governability, whereas the legal pluralism literature provides perspectives on normative orders that interactive governance theory should emphasize and for which governance actions should account.

Institutional adaptation as a governability problem in fisheries: patron–client relations in the Junagadh fishery, India

AbstractInteractive governance theory proposes that fisheries can be compared according to their governability, or their overall capacity for governance. Central to governance capacity in fisheries is institutional adaptability, the ability of humans to modify their organizations and reflect on the rules and values that guide them in response to change. In this paper, I suggest a preliminary synthesis of interactive governance theory, resilience thinking and adaptive co‐management in order to refine the understanding of institutional adaptation as a key component of fisheries governability. I use the case of patron–client relationships in the Junagadh fishery to show how governability analysis is a valuable perspective from which to understand institutional characteristics that have contradictory implications for adaptation in fisheries.