Inclusion Of Stakeholders Research Articles

Governance Options for a Canadian Northern Corridor

Governance issues deserve to be considered at an early stage of CNC development in order to facilitate decision-making processes on substantive questions, such as corridor routing, Indigenous consultation and oversight. Since CNC implementation will include a large stakeholder network, developing different governance scenarios is essential to creating a broad consensus on key policy issues. In this paper, the governance process is divided into four main stages: i) Developing the initial policy framework; ii) Deciding on a corridor route; iii) Reviewing and implementing project proposals; and iv) Managing ongoing operations and oversight. For each stage, different governance options are outlined and then critically examined. The analytical lens throughout the paper concentrates on the broad stakeholder network which informs the policy options, thus considering several scenarios with a significant focus on the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples and communities. In order to ground the discussion, the paper develops five operating principles which also serve as best governance practices in the context of the CNC. These principles are based on the policy implementation conditions presented by Sabatier and Mazmanian (1979); namely, a sound initial policy framework; unambiguous implementation processes and transparent policy directives; an inclusive stakeholder network recognizing different interests; awareness of time-frames in the sense that CNC development will transcend electoral cycles; and project implementation is not undermined by changing political or socio-economic circumstances.

Governing dual objectives within single policy mixes: an empirical analysis of large carnivore policies in six European countries

ABSTRACT Policy mixes (i.e. the total structure of policy processes, strategies, and instruments) are complex constructs that can quickly become incoherent, inconsistent, and incomprehensive. This is amplified when the policy mix strives to meet multiple objectives simultaneously, such as in the case of large carnivore policy mixes. Building on Rogge and Reichardt's analytical framework for the analysis of policy mixes, we compare the policy mixes of Norway, Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, Germany (specifically Saxony and Bavaria), and Spain (specifically Castilla y León). The study shows that the large carnivore policy mixes in the case countries show signs of lacking vertical and horizontal coherence in the design of policy processes, weak consistency between objectives and designated policy instruments, and, as a consequence, lacking comprehensiveness. We conclude that creating consistent, coherent, and comprehensive policy mixes that build on multiple objectives requires stepping away from sectorized policy development, toward a holistic, systemic approach, strong collaborative structures across policy boundaries and regions, the inclusion of diverse stakeholders, and constant care and attention to address all objectives simultaneously rather than in isolation.

An agenda for ontological cybernetics and social responsibility

PurposeThis paper aims to offer an integration of Vladimir Lepskiy’s third-order cybernetics and Raul Espejo’s Viplan methodology. Key ideas are mechanisms for social responsibility and a methodology to improve them through self-developing reflexive-active environments.Design/methodology/approachThe authors propose a methodology based on modern philosophy of science, which sets the foundation of ontological cybernetics, constructed by subjects with different epistemological stances. This methodology includes considerations for social values, worldview principles, multiple viewpoints and subject-oriented information and communication platforms.FindingsCurrent negative trends in socio-economic and environmental developments are associated with weaker social responsibilities of those holding power in society. To increase their social responsibility, the authors argue it is necessary for them to have more effective governance and development mechanisms. The proposed methodology ensures more effective interactions of stakeholders toward creating, regulating and implementing societal problem-solving.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper offers an initial theoretical conceptualization and illustration of social responsibility, which would benefit from further conceptual developments and practical applications.Social implicationsThe methodology helps increasing the level of social responsibility of all participants in control and development processes in social systems. The proposed approach allows ensuring the inclusion of stakeholders in societal problem solving through participatory methods and democratic approaches.Originality/valueThe conceptual and methodological ideas of this paper are based on the authors’ original research. The methodology and model of ontological cybernetics proposed in this paper are based on organizational cybernetics and modern views of philosophy of science. The methodology and model include basic ontological values and principles.

Introduction to the symposium and presentation of the European Union HERA project on research priorities

Background: Environmental degradation and pollution, climate change and disruption of ecosystems services damage health and quality of life, and differentially affect socially disadvantaged and vulnerable population groups. The HERA project, funded by the EU Horizon2020 research framework programme, set priorities for an environment and health research agenda in the EU for 2020-2030, closely connected to policy needs. Methods. HERA consists of 24 partners from environment, climate and health centres. Following a review of evidence and policies, a methodology was devised to identify and consult scientific communities and relevant stakeholder groups (policy makers, local authorities, NGOs, industry and others) across Europe to identify the knowledge gaps in environment, climate and health research. Web-based surveys were carried out along with online and face-to-face consultation meetings. Results. Research priorities relate to environmental exposures, sector-based and holistic approaches, methodologies and infrastructures, and higher-level transformational research. The consultation resulted in 6 main Research Goals and within each goal specific objectives: (i) Reduce the effects of climate change and ecological degradation on health; (ii) Eliminate environmental exposures harmful to health; (iii) Promote healthy lives in sustainable and inclusive societies; (iv) Improve health impact assessment of environmental factors and promote intervention research; (v) Develop infrastructures, technologies and human resources for sustainable research on environmental and health; (vi) Support transformational change approaches in environment and health research. A separate section refers to research priorities in relation to Covid-19 and the environment. Research goals are closely linked to several SDGS. Conclusion. This large systematic initiative involved hundreds of researchers and stakeholders to set priorities for environmental health research for policies in Europe. The inclusion of both researchers and community stakeholders significantly enriched the procedure. Methodologies for defining priorities need to be further developed. Further work will adapt the report to capture research needs at a global scale. Keywords: Research Needs, Environment, Climate Change, Europe, Planetary Health, COVID-19

Setting priorities in environment, climate and health research in Europe

Background. Environmental degradation and pollution, climate change and disruption of ecosystems services damage health and quality of life, and differentially affect socially disadvantaged and vulnerable population groups. The HERA project, funded by the EU Horizon2020 research framework programme, set priorities for an environment and health research agenda in the EU for 2020-2030, closely connected to policy needs. Methods. HERA consists of 24 partners from environment, climate and health centres. Following a review of evidence and policies, a methodology was devised to identify and consult scientific communities and relevant stakeholder groups (policy makers, local authorities, NGOs, industry and others) across Europe to identify the knowledge gaps in environment, climate and health research. Web-based surveys were carried out along with online and face-to-face consultation meetings. Results. Research priorities relate to environmental exposures, sector-based and holistic approaches, methodologies and infrastructures, and higher-level transformational research. The consultation resulted in 6 main Research Goals and within each goal specific objectives: (i) Reduce the effects of climate change and ecological degradation on health; (ii) Eliminate environmental exposures harmful to health; (iii) Promote healthy lives in sustainable and inclusive societies; (iv) Improve health impact assessment of environmental factors and promote intervention research; (v) Develop infrastructures, technologies and human resources for sustainable research on environmental and health; (vi) Support transformational change approaches in environment and health research. Research goals are closely linked to several SDGS. Europe-wide consultations will be continued to refine the priority assessment and to develop regional research agendas. Conclusion. This large systematic initiative involved hundreds of researchers and stakeholders to set priorities for environmental health research for policies in Europe. The inclusion of both researchers and community stakeholders significantly enriched the procedure. Methodologies for defining priorities need to be further developed. Further work will adapt the report to capture research needs at a global scale.

Explicating firm international corporate social responsibility initiatives

PurposeThe growth of the international business is a new global reality of emerging economy firms. The increasing international footprint of business firms is transpiring into firms being embedded in the nest of the international business landscape. corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives cater to stakeholders. Given this, it is imperative that International CSR (ICSR) initiatives are undertaken for meeting the expectations of international stakeholders. It is important that ICSR is both efficient and effective. The purpose of this paper is to explicate the concept of ICSR in this study.Design/methodology/approachThis is an exploratory study and for this, a qualitative research approach is applied. Based upon the inputs from the literature a semi-structured open-ended questionnaire is prepared. Non-probabilistic purposive snowball sampling is used to identify experts on ICSR. Qualitative in-depth personal interviews are conducted. The qualitative data is collected by in-depth personal interviews with 31 Indian ICSR experts by using a semi-structured open-ended questionnaire. Data collection was stopped after reaching thematic saturation post 31 interviews. The data is thematic and relational content analysed for seeking an answer to the research questions posed.FindingsThe author for explicating ICSR developed a moderated mediation model. The developed moderated mediation model on ICSR is having nine factors, namely – firm ICSR perspective (FICSRP), ICSR practice (ICSRP), CSR planning function (ICSRPF), organisational ICSR commitment (OICSRC), organisational stakeholder inclusivity orientation (OSIO), firm international exposure (FIE), bounded rationality of ICSR practitioners (BRICSRP), ICSR management bounded reliability (ICSRMBR) and nature of ICSR footprint (NICSRF). The author found that “firm outlook”, “CSR planning plus implementation” and “CSR commitment” are the independent variables. While firm “international exposure” and “stakeholder inclusivity orientation” are the mediating variables. CSR bounded “reliability” and “rationality” are moderating variables. The “nature of ICSR” (classified as an island or mixed or extension) is the dependent variable.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is set in the context of internationalisation of the emerging economy firms of India. This qualitative empirical research study developed a moderated mediation model on ICSR. There are nine factors in the model, namely, “firm outlook”, “CSR planning plus implementation” and “CSR commitment” as independent variables, firm “international exposure” and “stakeholder inclusivity orientation” as the mediating variables, CSR bounded “reliability” and “rationality” as moderating variables and the “nature of ICSR” as the dependent variable.Practical implicationsManagers engaging in planning and implementation of ICSR initiatives in various foreign countries could best upon this study findings improve the ICSR delivery. Managers in their firms could improve the “firm outlook” to enhance ICSR, undertake increased “CSR planning plus implementation” and “CSR commitment”. Managers could base upon this study results to improve the moderating conditions of ICSR that is CSR bounded “reliability” and “rationality”. Better firm managers “international exposure” and “stakeholder inclusivity orientation” will better mediate ICSR action. All these would finally help the ICSR managers to better deliver the more effective “nature of ICSR”.Social implicationsA better understanding of ICSR will help foreign managers to develop more efficient and effective foreign CSR initiatives. This will help a better quality of CSR work done in foreign countries. This will help the host country communities and society in general.Originality/valueThis study is one of the first set of studies in the context of ICSR. This qualitative empirical study is also one of the first studies to explicate ICSR through a moderated mediation model consisting of organisational variables such as “firm outlook”, “CSR planning plus implementation” and “CSR commitment” as the independent variables. The ICSR model is composed of the firm “international exposure” and “stakeholder inclusivity orientation” as the mediating variables, CSR bounded “reliability” and “rationality” as moderating variables and the “nature of ICSR” as the dependent variable.

Solar Greenhouse as an Energy Alternative Solution for Growing Vegetable in High Altitude Region: A Case of Baragaon, Mustang

In cold and dry high desert climate such as in Mustang, Manang or Dolpa growing green vegetables is a challenging task despite solar radiation throughout the whole year. Harsh and snowy winter, turbulent wind, limited availability of arable lands and water impedes plant growth. Solar greenhouse (SGH) is a renewable energy-based alternative for growing vegetables in these zones round the year in surplus quantity. At present, a large quantity of vegetables is purchased from nearby market towns (Pokhara and Beni) at double the price. Promotion of greenhouse vegetable farming has not only potential to relieve local people from such financial burden but can even create new business opportunities. As vegetables produced at these altitudes use only organic manure, their quality is desirable for a market where demand for organic products is constantly increasing.
 From a literature study of SGH cases in Ladakh, Humla and Khumbu region it was found that varieties of vegetables could be grown even during winter when temperatures drop to -25°C. For instance, owners of specially designed SGHs in Ladakh ate eight times the volume of vegetables they had eaten prior to acquiring these SGHs and have seen their incomes rise by 30%.
 The following article presents a study on SGH possibilities for vegetable farming in the Baragaon rural municipality of Mustang district, applying methods such as observations, informal interviews and stakeholder inclusion. Currently, there exists only rudimentary samples of plastic greenhouses in most villages, where only green leafy vegetables grow during winter. During summer, vegetable growth is conducted in open fields rather than inside the greenhouses. This is mainly due to their overheating caused by lack of ventilation. In Chhengor, one of the villages in Baragaon, organic farming is already taking a promising leap towards organic vegetable business. After discussion with farmers and other stakeholders appropriate design of SGH seems a good solution for durability of SGH structure and to ensure that varieties of vegetables grow in surplus quantity round the year. The article presents possibilities for SGH design and discuses factors for SGH establishment such as affordability, monitoring and maintenance. Additionally, it pinpoints infrastructural support such as agriculture policy at local level, for example in forms of subsidies and training of farmers to grant successful implementation of SGH approaches for high altitude settlements.

Artificial intelligence to design collaborative strategy: An application to urban destinations

Organisations currently compete within contexts that require collaboration with other players (suppliers, customers, competitors), which is central to achieving sustainable competitive advantages. This new perspective, which is centred on relationships, has changed the way companies design and implement their competitive strategies, while also challenging traditional tools of strategy analysis. Artificial intelligence, particularly artificial neural networks, can help address these challenges. This paper proposes an innovative application of the Auto-Contractive Map method, which is a deep non-supervised Artificial Neural Network algorithm that has already been widely applied to bio-medical, security, insurance, and financial studies, but has not yet been used in the domains of tourism and strategy. Our study demonstrates the effectiveness of this method, compared to other methods that have been applied to tourism studies. This method successfully addresses issues in the complex and dynamic competitive settings of tourism destinations, which are characterised by the inclusion of many stakeholders. Specifically, the Auto-Contractive Map method allows both scholars and practitioners to significantly advance formulations of collaborative strategies in a destination, at three levels: (i) defining priority areas of action, (ii) identifying relevant stakeholders and governance levels that have control over these areas, and (iii) profiling key features of the destination’s positioning, compared with its competitors.

Transitioning from child to adult mental health services: what role for social services? Insights from a European survey

PurposeYoung people transitioning from child to adult mental health services are frequently also known to social services, but the role of such services in this study and their interplay with mental healthcare system lacks evidence in the European panorama. This study aims to gather information on the characteristics and the involvement of social services supporting young people approaching transition.Design/methodology/approachA survey of 16 European Union countries was conducted. Country respondents, representing social services’ point of view, completed an ad hoc questionnaire. Information sought included details on social service availability and the characteristics of their interplay with mental health services.FindingsService availability ranges from a low of 3/100,000 social workers working with young people of transition age in Spain to a high 500/100,000 social workers in Poland, with heterogeneous involvement in youth health care. Community-based residential facilities and services for youth under custodial measures were the most commonly type of social service involved. In 80% of the surveyed countries, youth protection from abuse/neglect is overall regulated by national protocols or written agreements between mental health and social services, with the exception of Czech Republic and Greece, where poor or no protocols apply. Lack of connection between child and adult mental health services has been identified as the major obstacles to transition (93.8%), together with insufficient involvement of stakeholders throughout the process.Research limitations/implicationsMarked heterogeneity across countries may suggest weaknesses in youth mental health policy-making at the European level. Greater inclusion of relevant stakeholders is needed to inform the development and implementation of person-centered health-care models. Disconnection between child and adult mental health services is widely recognized in the social services arena as the major barrier faced by young service users in transition; this “outside” perspective provides further support for an urgent re-configuration of services and the need to address unaligned working practices and service cultures.Originality/valueThis is the first survey gathering information on social service provision at the time of mental health services transition at a European level; its findings may help to inform services to offer a better coordinated social health care for young people with mental health disorders.

Integrating stakeholder theory and sustainability accounting: A conceptual synthesis

This paper aims at integrating the bodies of literature on stakeholder theory and sustainability accounting. Using the conceptual methodological approach of theory synthesis, stakeholder theory is employed as a method theory to advance sustainability accounting as a domain theory. On this basis the concept of ‘Accounting for Sustainability and Stakeholders’ is developed. This concept highlights which sustainability topics and which stakeholders to consider in accounting for a given organization and how the inclusion of additional stakeholders and topics can contribute to creating value for stakeholders. In conclusion, this paper highlights that an overly broad inclusion of stakeholder groups and sustainability topics can be replaced by a purposeful selection of stakeholders and topics of particular relevance for the specific organization. As an additional advantage, the concept prevents disconnecting sustainability accounting from conventional accounting.

Grassroots Resistance to Digital Platforms and Relational Business Model Design to Overcome It: A Conceptual Framework

Although extant research has studied incumbent resistance to digital platforms, it provides little understanding about when grassroots collective action by other ecosystem stakeholders against the digital platform is likely. In this paper, we identify the scope conditions detailing when local stakeholders can initiate grassroots collective action against the digital platform, a unique context characterized by fast growth, distributed innovation, role flexibility, and direct local connectivity, and propose viable solutions. Our conceptual framework suggests that grassroots collective action against the digital platform is most likely when the digital platform operates with localized scarce assets or localized precarious labor and when actors express their grievances through formalized channels. We combine business model design and stakeholder management perspectives to develop design-based solutions that involve a multisided business model structure, an inclusive stakeholder value proposition, and an ecosystem-centered governance. We call the combination of such design efforts relational business model design. To the incipient theory of digital platforms, we contribute a stakeholder-centered view of platform business models operating within local ecosystems, bridging research on collective action and stakeholder management with strategic management of platforms.

Institutional Engagement Practices as Barriers to Public Health Capacity in Climate Change Policy Discourse: Lessons from the Canadian Province of Ontario.

Public health engagement in the communication, discussion, and development of climate change policies is essential for climate change policy decisions and discourse. This study examines how the existing governance approaches impact, enable, or constrain the inclusion, participation, and deliberation of public health stakeholders in the climate change policy discourse. Using the case study of the Canadian Province of Ontario, we conducted semi-structured, key informant interviews of public health (11) and non-public health (13) participants engaged in climate change policies in the province. The study results reveal that engagement and partnerships on climate change policies occurred within and across public health and non-public health organizations in Ontario. These engagements impacted public health’s roles, decisions, mandate, and capacities beyond the climate change discourse; enabled access to funds, expertise, and new stakeholders; built relationships for future engagements; supported knowledge sharing, generation, and creation; and advanced public health interests in political platforms and decision making. However, public health’s participation and deliberation were constrained by a fragmented sectoral approach, a lack of holistic inter-organizational structures and process, political and bureaucratic influences, irregular and unestablished communication channels for public health integration, and identities and culture focused on functions, mandates, biased ideologies, and a lack of clear commitment to engage public health. We conclude by providing practical approaches for integrating public health into climate change discourse and policymaking processes and advancing public health partnerships and collaborative opportunities.

Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning in the Northern Gulf of California, Mexico: Consolidating stewardship, property rights, and enforcement for ecosystem-based fisheries management

Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning (CMSP) serves as a tool for ecosystem-based management, where human activities are allocated in space and time to meet ecological, economic and social objectives. In this study, we describe the implementation of a CMSP process in Sonora, Mexico, where a multi-tiered governance structure was built with transparent and inclusive stakeholder engagement in decision making processes to address growing conflicts and management problems. In its first phase, the process focused on artisanal fishing activities, the main economic driver in the region. The planning process was driven by CEDO Intercultural, a non-profit focused on environmental conservation and fisheries management. The governance structure included an Intercommunity Fisher Group (IFG), a base technical team, a technical advisory committee and a core group of government authorities relevant to fisheries management. Together, these actors developed different fisheries management tools to organize the spatial use of eleven species exploited by artisanal fisheries. Fishers were elected to represent their communities in the IFG and engaged through workshops to analyze information. Capacity building activities and extensive communication helped ensure broad coverage and understanding of the goals of the coastal corridor and the proposed management tools. These management tools included a network of fisheries refuges, areas for local management, catch quotas, and proposals for regulating fishing effort. They were designed using a variety of modeling approaches that combined the best available science with Local Ecological Knowledge. Management tools were modified based on feedback from the different actors; the final integrated management plan was assessed for impacts on fisheries and ecosystem services and function and a formal proposal was submitted to government agencies. In addition to meeting minutes demonstrating agreement with proposals, local actors wrote letters in support of the Integrated Plan and the Proposal for Fisheries Refuges. We are now defining indicators to measure management effectiveness. If this proposal is legally implemented, it will engage stakeholders in decision making and the spatial planning for the Coastal Corridor while enhancing fishers livelihoods and preserving ecosystem services.

Public Perceptions of Collaborative Governance in Transportation Policy

Despite the widespread use and extensive studies of collaborative governance in the United States, we still know too little about how the public at large evaluates the formal inclusion of private stakeholders in collaborative decision making. We examine this question by conducting a series of survey experiments about the function, composition, and power of a proposed regional transportation board. The survey results reveal that while our respondents generally favored collaborative governance (i.e., public officials with private stakeholders) over collaborative government (i.e., public officials only), it was largely due to the inclusion of private citizens, not the stakeholder group representatives. This finding is consistent with a populist framework that presumes that interest group influences tend to impede or distort the will of the electoral majority and that favors functionally delimited mandates and limited power for non-elected decision-making bodies. This has important implications for the design and public acceptance of future collaborative government arrangements.

Coping with the Inclusiveness-Efficiency Paradox in Cross-Sector Partnerships

This paper discusses how cross-sector partnerships (CSPs) for sustainability manage the paradoxical tension between stakeholder inclusiveness and administrative efficiency. Drawing on evidence from a case study of a CSP focused on urban sustainability, we show how the inclusiveness-efficiency paradox unfolded throughout the studied collaboration. We uncover three practices of paradox management that occurred, “customized inviting” (during the formation phase), “sequential including” (during the preparation phase), and “tailored instructing” (during the implementation phase) and theorize these practices as instances of boundary work. Based on these findings, we argue that: (1) practices of boundary work provide a powerful response to paradoxes in CSPs and (2) that there is a reciprocal relationship between paradox and boundary work practices, providing illustration of how this relationship unfolded over time.

Leadership for evaluations responsive to disability and culture

PurposeThe intent of this article is to broaden one’s understanding of program evaluation methods that are responsive to disability and take into account various approaches to leadership within a special education context. Program evaluations for special education have often been relegated to compliance reviews and results-driven accountability measures. By promoting approaches to leadership that embrace responsive evaluation approaches and are inclusive of stakeholders from often disenfranchised groups, findings may emerge that otherwise might not be visible with traditional approaches.Design/methodology/approachA synthesis of the evaluation literature from leading journals, books and edited volumes is used to capture salient concepts necessary for understanding the degree to which evaluation and approaches respond to disability and culture. Additionally, the literature on leadership approaches is summarized and presented for the purpose of demonstrating how situational and transitional approaches to leadership may enhance the selection and use of evaluation approaches that are inclusive of and responsive to disability and culture.FindingsFrom this analysis emerged four over-arching approaches to evaluation, each varying in degree of responsiveness to disability and culture. Further, when examining how evaluation interfaces with leadership, some approaches were found to be better aligned with particular evaluation processes and differed in responsiveness to disability and culture.Research limitations/implicationsTo date, little research has been conducted on the interface between leadership and evaluation approaches or on the degree to which leaders' implementation of responsive evaluation approaches results in improved outcomes for students with disabilities and those from underrepresented backgrounds. This article provides a conceptual framework for future research examining the degree to which one’s assumptions about the interface between leadership and responsive evaluation approaches can be demonstrated empirically.Practical implicationsFour recommendations are provided for leaders: the need to employ multiple evaluation methods that align their purposes, questions and methods; the need to recognize the possibilities and limits of evaluation approaches in light of their responsiveness to disability and culture; the utility of situational and transitional approaches to leadership in the evaluation process; and the critical importance of including stakeholders from diverse backgrounds in the evaluation process.Originality/valueVaried approaches to evaluation in educational settings have been extensively studied and discussed. However, few articles have examined the responsiveness of evaluations to the unique conditions that disability and cultural differences represent. The contribution of this article offers a situated synthesis of approaches to evaluation, specifically contextualized within a leadership framework, to better understand how evaluation approaches impact those with disabilities and cultural differences and the inclusion of broad groups of stakeholders. As such, this article lays the foundation for a comparative international conversation exploring how evaluation and leadership approaches responsively interface with disability and culture through inclusion and enfranchisement of stakeholders.

Designing and Implementing a Quality Physical Education Policy: Successes, Setbacks, and Lessons Learned From the Quality Physical Education Policy Project in Mexico.

Quality physical education (QPE) is part of a whole-of-school approach for school-based physical activity promotion. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization QPE Policy Project supported 4 countries to develop QPE policies. The authors summarize the process, progress, successes, setbacks, and lessons learned during the implementation of the project in Mexico. The project was developed from August 2016 to April 2018 following the methodology proposed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Adaptations to the methodology were made to meet local needs. The project successfully implemented the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization methodology and prepared a national strategy for the provision of QPE in Mexico. The national strategy progressed despite the change in presidential administration. Successes included the use of a QPE policy evaluation framework, the inclusion of stakeholders representing extreme PE views and from all regions in the country, and the presence of international agencies in the national team. Setbacks included difficulties in engaging key organizations and a weak communication campaign. Lessons learned are discussed. The QPE project in Mexico served as a pilot project to test the feasibility of implementing a QPE policy revision process. The experience and lessons learned in Mexico can be drawn on to inform the work of other stakeholders interested in advocating for a national QPE policy.

Legal Determinants of Participation of Residents of a Commune in Protection of Historical Monuments and Buildings

Protection of historical monuments and buildings is a government’s and local-government’s task. Participation of local government units in its implementation is crucial. At the level of a basic local government unit, protection of historical monuments and buildings is carried out by means of the possibility of establishing a cultural park which is one of the forms of protection of historical monuments and buildings. The legislator determined the process of establishment of a cultural park in detail and vested the activities initiating this process in the commune council. At the same time, it adopted regulations enabling inclusion of stakeholders in the works on establishing a cultural park. This study aims to analyse legal solutions guaranteeing commune residents real participation in the process of establishing a cultural park. On this basis an attempt will be made to answer the question whether applicable regulations, in the investigated scope, encourage members of self-governing communities to get involved in public affairs or whether they refer to the model of a resolution-making procedure in which the legislator unilaterally imposes obligations on and grants powers to entities under the law.

Using Structured Decision-Making Tools With Marginalised Fishers to Promote System-Based Fisheries Management Approaches in South Africa

Fishers, and the communities they support face a range of challenges brought on by complexity and uncertainty in their social-ecological systems (SESs). This undermines their ability to achieve sustainability whilst hampering proactive planning and decision-making. To capacitate fishers to apply risk aversion strategies at smaller scales of operation and for managers to apply inclusive management approaches such as the ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAF), a better understanding of the relationships and interactions in marine SES must be developed. At the same time, the EAF requires the inclusion of multiple stakeholders, disciplines and objectives into decision-making processes. Previous work in the southern Cape with fishers, identified drivers of change. Building on this previous research, and using causal mapping, fishers mapped out drivers of change in an iterative process in a problem framing exercise which also highlighted hidden drivers of change and feedback loops. To explore the relative importance of key drivers of change with participants, weighted hierarchies as well as a Bayesian Belief Network (BBN) were developed. By identifying and highlighting these hidden system interactions a more integrated systems view has been facilitated, adding to the understanding of this fishery system. Drivers identified in the weighted hierarchy were consistent with those identified in the causal maps and previous research, of interest is the relative weighting attributed to these drivers. Whereas the weighted hierarchies emphasised the political dimensions, group work already indicated the range of perceptions, reflecting the considerable uncertainties in this SES. While methodologically challenging at first, the individual approach behind the BBN construction yielded a better reflection of the diversity of views and a better balance of political, economic and climate dimensions of drivers of change. We show how, by using SDMTs, the most disenfranchised community members can engage meaningfully in a structured process. As structure is crucial to management processes, the research shows that where the appropriate groundwork, capacity building and resourcing takes place, disenfranchised stakeholders can be integrated into formal management processes; fulfilling a key requirement of an EAF.

Standardization Procedure for Data Exchange

Common specification of data promotes data exchange among many and unspecified individuals and organizations. However, standardization itself tends to discourage innovation that can create new uses of data. To overcome this dilemma of innovation and standardization, this paper analyzes and proposes hypotheses regarding the process through which the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has realized innovations such as web applications by updating the standard. I hypothesize the following changes in standardization process management at the W3C as key factors supporting innovation through standardization among stakeholders with conflicting interests: (1) defining the scope of the specifications to be developed according to functions instead of technical structures; (2) design of a development management policy based on feedback from implementations, referred to as an “implementation-oriented policy”; (3) inclusion of diversified stakeholders in open standardization processes that facilitate consensus formation and the diffusion of developed standards; and (4) adopting a royalty-free to encourage third-party developers to implement proposed specifications and advance update of proposals. This single case analysis leads to the development and diffusion of common technological data specifications, which are the driving factors for innovation utilizing big data generated by exchanging data of various origins.