Stakeholder Network Analysis Research Articles

Integrated Area Development: A New Social Forestry Landscape Approach in Indonesia

The area of Social Forestry in Indonesia until July 2023 has reached 5,625,137 ha with 8,317 location units. Nearly 80% of the area of each unit isless than 500 ha, and only 3 to 4 business units can have an impact on increasing community welfare, social cohesion, and regional ecological protection. This condition can still be improved so as to have an impact on regional economic development and product-added value. This study aims to examine the new concept of the social forestry landscape approach, such as integrated area development (IAD), and its implementations. The study was carried out in Lumajang Regency, East Java Province targeting, key stakeholders with the highest values of Indegree, Outdegree, Incloseness, Outcloseness and Betweenness as the main respondents. Determining key stakeholders using stakeholder network analysis with the UCINET (social network analysis) application. The results of the study show that the IAD approach provides added value in regional development, added product value, and expanding marketing economic coverage. IAD program in Lumajang shows that the Government (central and regional) is the key stakeholder in implementing activities. The IAD master plan, which was prepared by practitioner multi-stakeholders, resulted in an agrosilvopastural network, agro-industry, tourism interconnection, and environment-based restoration. The IAD Lumajang, especially Senduro village in the agrosilvopatural and agro-industry sectors, per capita income has managed to cross the poverty line (IDR 3.7 million per month/household), increased employment, and increased contribution of various sectors. This can be used as a role model for other social forestry areas in the context of poverty alleviation.

Evaluating stakeholder influences on the land use application process in South Africa – Results from an analysis of the legal framework

The fact that geospatial data is a vital international and national resource is gaining increased acceptance worldwide. However, proper management of fundamental geospatial datasets, like land use, determines how well this resource can serve the goals of sustainable development, e.g. achieving inclusive and sustainable urbanization through informed decisions based on up-to-date land use data. Land use data describes the rights to utilize land in accordance with the legal zoning thereof. Allocation of land use rights must align with and give effect to national, provincial and local spatial plans, which means multiple stakeholders are involved in land use regulation. The purpose of this study was to identify and classify the network of stakeholders involved in the land use application process, which results in allocated land use rights. This was done by analysing the South African legal framework for spatial planning and land use management, and to evaluate their a priori influence on this process and on land use data. The results of the stakeholder network analysis can guide the identification of (a) suitable custodian(s) for this fundamental geospatial dataset in the context of the South African Spatial Data Infrastructure (SASDI). Within the SASDI, custodianship is used to ensure availability of good quality geospatial data to empower governments in their planning and decision-making. The average influence of each stakeholder, and as a result their impact on the land use data, was determined based on a classification of roles and responsibilities in the land use application process. The average influence was computed for each sphere of government. The provincial sphere had the highest influence, even though the local sphere has the mandate to allocate land use rights. The national sphere is mainly responsible for strategic direction and implementation support and thus had a significantly lower influence. Based on the results, shared custodianship of land use data in South Africa is recommended among a legislative custodian, coordinating custodians and data custodians. Further research will involve stakeholder representatives to verify the results and to establish multi-stakeholder custodianship roles and responsibilities.

Analysis of Stakeholder Networks to Strengthen the Prevention of Childhood Obesity and the Caring for Children With Obesity in Brazil

ObjectivesIn Brazil, there have been different strategies for preventing childhood obesity and caring for children with obesity. However, scaling up the impact of these strategies to effectively reduce this condition is challenging. We aimed to map and describe the influence level (i.e., power) of key actors at the federal and local levels to implement strategies to address this issue. MethodsThis is a participatory study using the Net-Map method. Two virtual workshops composed of 8 to 13 stakeholders were held to map key actors involved with the agenda at the federal and local (state/municipal) level and to connect their network according to four domains of influence (command, funding, support for the development of technical capacity, and dissemination). Stakeholders have completed a power mapping worksheet asynchronously and identified leaders in each domain of influence. Preliminary descriptive analysis was carried out. ResultsPreliminary data show a total of 188 key actors at the federal (FED) level and 68 key actors at the local (LOC) level shaping the agenda through four domains of influence: command (FED = 89; LOC = 44), funding (FED = 37; LOC = 24), support for the development of technical capacity (DTC) (FED = 47; LOC = 28) and dissemination (FED = 13; LOC = 15). The executive authority group emerged as the most involved in commanding childhood obesity policy and programming decisions at federal and local levels. The executive authority group was the most cited in all domains at the local level. In the funding domain at the federal level, academia, civil society, private sector, and international organizations had a balanced presence with executive authority groups, while civil society key actors were the most cited in the DTC domain. The dissemination network at the federal level focused on the private sector due to the time limit of the workshop. ConclusionsFederal and local levels have different key actors and networks shaping strategies to prevent childhood obesity and care for children with obesity. While there is a more diverse group at the federal level across domains of influence, the local level relies on the executive authority group to implement the agenda. Funding SourcesPanamerican Health Association/Ministry of Health, University of Nevada Las Vegas.

Stakeholder Network Analysis for Front-of-Pack Labeling in China.

BackgroundFront-of-pack (FoP) labeling on packaged foods is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to reduce diet-related non-communicable diseases, but it has not yet been implemented in China. The introduction of FoP labeling is driven by multiple institutions and stakeholders. This study aimed to identify key institutional actors involved in FoP labeling and describe links between actors to support future FoP labeling policies and programmes in China.MethodsThe Net-Map method was adopted. We conducted Net-map activities with eight participants using face-to-face interviews between November 2020 and May 2021. Participants were asked to identify actors involved in the development and implementation of FoP labeling in China, describe networks among actors according to pre-defined link types (command, dissemination, funding, and technical assistance), and estimate influence of each actor within the FoP labeling landscape. Social network analysis measures of cohesion and centrality were used to describe each network. Gephi software was used for social network analysis and network visualization.ResultsForty-one unique actors were identified across seven actor categories including government agencies (n = 14), technical support agencies (n = 7), professional associations (n = 10), food industry groups (n = 2), media groups (n = 4), international organizations (n = 3), and a consumer group (n = 1). Weighted influence scores among actors ranged from 0.13 to 3.13. The Department of Food Safety Standards, Risk Surveillance and Assessment of the National Health Commission (DFSSRSA of NHC) was the actor with the highest weighted influence score, followed by the Bureau of Disease Prevention and Control of National Health Commission, Chinese Nutrition Society, and the National Institute for Nutrition and Health of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. DFSSRSA of NHC played a central role in both command and technical assistance networks. State-owned media had the greatest betweenness and outdegree centrality in the dissemination network. The Chinese Nutrition Society was in the central position and provided funding to diverse actors in the funding network.ConclusionsA variety of multisectoral actors have an interest in the introduction of FoP labeling policies and programmes. Effectively engaging key actors identified in this study can generate a multisectoral commitment to advance FoP labeling policies and programmes in China.

Defining and Valuing the Relationship Pattern of Actors’ Involvement on Cattle Farming Systems using Stakeholder Network Analysis in West New Guinea, Indonesia

Abstrak
 Sapi merupakan salah satu peternakan prioritas utama di Indonesia. Ternak sapi telah memainkan peran penting dalam aspek ekonomi dari total pendapatan. Sebagai peternakan prioritas karena berbagai keterlibatan dan peran pemangku kepentingan. Studi dilakukan di Manokwari pada bulan April-Juni 2019 dengan menggunakan focus group discussion terhadap dua puluh individu, kelompok dan lembaga massa yang diwakili. Pertanyaan yang dibahas mengenai latar belakang, pengiriman sumber daya, interkonektivitas antar aktor, intervensi dan inovasi. Temuan utama adalah bahwa aktor yang dikelompokkan mendominasi, diikuti oleh aktor hukum, lembaga swasta, peran pemangku kepentingan dan memiliki efek positif karena kepentingan. Namun, ancaman eksis baik secara langsung tetapi tanpa efek balik. Tiga sumber daya bersama teratas adalah akses, kepuasan, dan waktu yang dihabiskan. Aktor dapat memiliki program jangka panjang dengan keberlanjutan menggunakan sumber daya netral hingga kuat. Hubungan aktor ditemukan dalam tiga kelompok, yaitu positif, negatif dan tidak ada hubungan. Intervensi sangat dibutuhkan, yaitu waktu yang dihabiskan, kepuasan, kebijakan, pengetahuan dan akses. Prioritas inovasi akan keterampilan, kebijakan, dan pengetahuan.
 Kata kunci: Analisis jaringan pemangku kepentingan; Intervensi dan inovasi; Pelaku; Sumber daya bersama; Usaha peternakan sapi. .
 
 Abstract
 Cattle is one of the top priority animal agriculture in Indonesia. It has played significant roles in economical aspect of Total revenues. Those are due to stakeholders’ involvement. Study was done in Manokwari from April to June 2019 by using focus group discussion towards twenty various represented individuals, groups and mass institutions. The queries discussed concerning background, resources delivery, interconnectivity amongst actors, intervention and innovation. The primarily finding is that grouped actors dominated, followed by laws actors, private types institutions, stakeholder role and having positive effect due to importance. However, threat existed directly without turn-back effect. The three top shared resources were access, satisfaction, and time spent. Actors can have long term period program with sustainability using neutral to strong power resource. Relationship of actors found in three groups, i.e. positive, negative and no relationship. Intervention was urgently needed, i.e. time spent, satisfaction, policy, knowledge and access. Priority of innovation will be skills, policy, and knowledge.
 Keywords: Actors; Cattle farming business; Intervention and innovation; Shared resources; Stakeholder network analysis.

A performance measurement system for public–private partnerships: integrating stakeholder influence and process trans-period effect

PurposeThe purpose of this study is for examining the evolution of stakeholder influence and the trans-period effect (TPE) of process performance of public–private partnerships (PPPs). TPE refers to the ripple effect of project performance across different phases of a PPP.Design/methodology/approachSocial network analysis is used to analyze each stakeholder’s influence on PPP performance. For examining the TPE, partial least squares structural equation modelling is conducted.FindingsThe performance in the five phases (e.g. initiation and planning, procurement, construction, operation and transition) of PPPs exhibits significant TPE. The stakeholder network varies in different phases. The most influential stakeholder is a public authority, followed by a public initiator and a private consortium.Research limitations/implicationsThe project type of PPPs is not considered in the stakeholder network analysis. Future work should focus on developing a multidimensional stakeholder network by considering the typology of the project. Moreover, the TPE cannot reflect the relationships between the KPIs in the different phases, and thus, further study is required.Practical implicationsThis research provides a useful tool for measuring the life cycle outputs and outcomes of PPPs through enhanced process-oriented performance measurement. The developed PMS enable practitioners to have a better understanding of the process performance of the projects and then ensure informed decision-making about actions to be required and taken to improve future performance.Originality/valueThis study contributes to knowledge of performance management by simultaneously addressing the process and stakeholder management theories within the context of PPPs. The proposed PMS provides an insight into managing stakeholders’ influences to enhance the life cycle performance of PPPs.

A social network analysis of collaborative governance for the food-energy-water nexus in Phoenix, AZ, USA

Despite the known benefits of integrated policy and planning, traditional governance decisions in the food-energy-water (FEW) nexus are often made without cross-sector collaboration, potentially leading to unintended consequences and decreased resource security. Applying collaborative governance approaches to the FEW nexus provides an opportunity to shift towards integrated policy of food, energy, and water governance; doing so first requires an understanding of the limitations of current governance structures and the opportunities for change. We conduct a social network analysis of stakeholders in Phoenix, AZ using secondary data sources to construct the social network of collaboration and to analyze the ability of the governance landscape to facilitate or hinder collaborative governance. The social network measures indicate potential challenges to collaborative governance of FEW nexus stakeholders, such as limited trust between actors. However, leveraging bridging actors provides opportunities to increase collaborative governance between sectors. This research is important for implementing collaborative FEW nexus governance in practice.

Human-Large Carnivores Co-existence in Europe – A Comparative Stakeholder Network Analysis

Improving human co-existence with large carnivores (LC) is considered necessary for reaching one of the goals of the EU Council Directive on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (1992). This study is part of the EU LIFE project EuroLargeCarnivores, providing a scientific analysis of current stakeholder networks of the project partners (mainly WWF offices), a necessary foundation for “Improving human co-existence with large carnivores in Europe through communication and transboundary cooperation”. We conducted systematic participatory and transdisciplinary primary research in 14 European countries. The transdisciplinary research design consists of three phases: stakeholder identification (Phase 1), participatory stakeholder-mapping (Phase 2a), a comparative network analysis (Phase 2b), and an Individual Stakeholders’ Perception Survey (Phase 3). We use the realistic method based on perceptions of the stakeholders involved. Phase 1 identifies 10 relevant Stakeholder Categories and specific agents. Phase 2a provides distinct comprehensive regional stakeholder maps with a special focus on the quality of multilateral relationships and stakeholders which are not yet actively involved in the networks. Phase 2b concludes with a comparative network analysis. The composition, density and quality of stakeholder networks as well as the interconnectivity of the project partners differ substantially. We reveal common denominators across Europe, varying relationships between stakeholder categories, and the potential positive role of foresters and veterinarians, for example. The results indicate the need for a more comparable implementation of EU regulations at national level, and for regional adaptations of support strategies for distinct stakeholders and networks. Phase 3 provides complementary insights into the involvement of the 10 Stakeholder Categories and their attitudes to large carnivore management. It also tests the institutional representation of membership in formal organizations. We challenge the perception of distinct stakeholder categories and whether involving institutional representatives in networking activities is sufficient. Based on current conflict constellations and best practice examples, we conclude with recommendations for strategic stakeholder engagement to: a) broaden and strengthen the stakeholder networks to b) improve human-human conflict management in the context of expanding large carnivore populations and their management.

Mapping Strategic and Sustainable Relevant Actors of Poultry Production and Business Using Stakeholder Network Analysis

ABSTRACT. Stakeholders and their network place top rank of value chain business and ruled prominent roles in the livestock development sector particularly poultry commodity. The involvement of many stakeholders and other parties is questionable because they perform and shape the market and business chain. The study was done in Manokwari using focus group discussion towards twenty-four various represented individuals, groups and mass organizations. The key queries discussed concerning the introduced background of the organization, shared resources, inter-connectivity amongst actors, intervention and innovation preferences and shared by actors. Stakeholder Network Analysis was employed to run the network and relationship between actors using the Pearson Correlation Coefficient and Hierarchical Clustering Analysis. The finding is that the stakeholders in the poultry farming systems are dominated by private group actors who are working in groups to manage the farms and its value chain process and officially have been under laws. These actors commonly act like positive important stakeholders, who ruled the farms. The threats are real and exist and should be lowering as much as possible to mitigate the turn-back effect. The top five shared resources are access, spaces, time, policy, knowledge and skills. Those resources will stay longer to sustain the strong needs of poultry farms. The relationship of actors is dominated by the ranges of correlation are varying in between negative, neutral to positive. Actors are not delivering the intervention and innovation yet. Actors with low interest and low power should then be promoted to high interest and high power by using aids, guidance, and services from each actor from its value chain and cooperation and farming business. (Pemetaan Pemangku Produksi dan Bisnis Unggas Strategis dan Berkelanjutan Dengan Aplikasi Analisis Jaringan Stakeholder) ABSTRAK. Pemangku kepentingan dan jaringannya menempati peringkat teratas dalam bisnis rantai nilai dan memegang peran penting dalam sektor pengembangan peternakan khususnya komoditas unggas. Keterlibatan banyak pemangku kepentingan dan pihak lain patut dipertanyakan. Penelitian dilakukan di Manokwari dengan menggunakan FGD terhadap dua puluh empat perwakilan individu, kelompok dan ormas. Pertanyaan utama membahas tentang latar belakang organisasi yang diperkenalkan, sumber daya bersama, interkoneksi antar aktor, preferensi intervensi dan inovasi dan dibagikan oleh aktor. Analisis Jaringan Pemangku Kepentingan digunakan untuk menjalankan jaringan dan hubungan dengan menggunakan Koefisien Korelasi Pearson dan Analisis Pengelompokan Hirarkis. Temuannya adalah bahwa para pemangku kepentingan dalam sistem peternakan unggas didominasi oleh pelaku kelompok swasta yang bekerja dalam kelompok untuk mengelola peternakan dan proses rantai nilainya dan secara resmi berada di bawah undang-undang. Aktor ini biasanya bertindak seperti pemangku kepentingan penting yang positif, yang mengatur pertanian. Ancaman itu nyata dan ada dan harus diturunkan sebanyak mungkin untuk mengurangi efek balik. Lima sumber daya bersama teratas adalah akses, ruang, waktu, kebijakan, pengetahuan, dan keterampilan. Sumber daya tersebut akan bertahan lebih lama untuk menopang kebutuhan kuat peternakan unggas. Hubungan antar aktor didominasi oleh rentang korelasi yang bervariasi antara negatif, netral hingga positif. Para pelaku belum melakukan intervensi dan inovasi. Pelaku dengan kepentingan rendah dan kekuasaan rendah kemudian harus dipromosikan menjadi kepentingan tinggi dan kekuasaan tinggi dengan menggunakan bantuan, bimbingan, dan layanan dari masing-masing pelaku dari rantai nilai dan koperasi dan usaha tani.

Analysis of stakeholder networks for breastfeeding policies and programs in Ghana

BackgroundSuboptimal breastfeeding practices are driven by multiple factors. Thus, a multi-sectoral approach is necessary to design and implement appropriate policies and programs that protect, promote, and support breastfeeding.MethodsThis study used Net-Map, an interactive social network interviewing and mapping technique, to: a) identify key institutional actors involved in breastfeeding policy/programs in Ghana, b) identify and describe links between actors (i.e., command, dissemination, funding, and technical assistance (TA)), and c) document actors influence to initiate or modify breastfeeding policy/programs. Ten experts were purposively selected from relevant institutions and were individually interviewed. Interview data was analysed using social networking mapping software, Gephi (version 0.9.2).ResultsForty-six unique actors were identified across six actor categories (government, United Nations agencies, civil society, academia, media, others), with one-third being from government agencies. Dissemination and TA links accounted for two-thirds of the identified links between actors (85/261 links for dissemination; 85/261 for TA). Command links were mainly limited to government agencies, while other link types were observed across all actor groups. Ghana Health Service (GHS) had the greatest in-degree centrality for TA and funding links, primarily from United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and development partners. The World Health Organization, UNICEF, Ministry of Health, and GHS had the highest weighted average relative influence scores.ConclusionsAlthough diverse actors are involved in breastfeeding policy and programming in Ghana, GHS plays a central role. United Nations and donor agencies are crucial supporters of GHS providing breastfeeding technical and financial assistance in Ghana.

Social network analysis reveals a lack of support for greenspace conservation

Retaining urban greenspaces is essential to ensure that cities remain liveable and resilient. However, greenspaces are usually given a low priority by many stakeholders. This means that greenspaces are often converted to other land-uses. Using social networks to understand how stakeholders interact, and influence one another, is increasingly acknowledged as a key tool in conservation and sustainable land management. Nevertheless, social networks are rarely studied in the context of urban greenspace conservation. We carry out a social network analysis of stakeholders affecting greenspace conservation in two fast growing cities in sub-Saharan Africa. We applied the Netmap method, which mixes visual networks with qualitative interviews, and carried out 23 interviews with stakeholders involved in urban planning and/or greenspace management. Although stakeholders such as non-governmental organisations were supportive of greenspace conservation, analyses revealed that no stakeholders actively protect greenspaces while having sufficient influence to change the plans or decision-making of others. Stakeholders thought that government and traditional leaders had negative, or at best, mixed impact on greenspace conservation. Even though some of these stakeholders recognised the multiple benefits that greenspaces provided, they were strongly influenced by economic pressures to develop land. A lack of support amongst influential stakeholders is undermining the conservation of greenspaces in African cities. To redress this, a better understanding of ways to change perceptions of greenspaces is needed. Additionally, governance structures that support collaboration and coordination should be promoted. Co-developing and communicating a context-specific evidence-base which emphasises the full economic benefits of greenspaces for multiple groups will also be essential to gain the support of influential stakeholders, and thus ensure that rapidly expanding cities in sub-Saharan African conserve greenspaces.

The Complex Pathway towards Farm-Level Sustainable Intensification: An Exploratory Network Analysis of Stakeholders’ Knowledge and Perception

Farm-level sustainable intensification of agriculture (SIA) has become an important concept to ensuring food security while minimising negative externalities. However, progress towards its achievement is often constrained by the different perceptions and goals of various stakeholders that affect farm management decisions. This study examines farm-level SIA as a dynamic system with interactive components that are determined by the interests of the stakeholders involved. A systems thinking approach was used to identify and describe the pathways towards farm-level SIA across the three main pillars of sustainability. An explanatory network analysis of fuzzy cognitive maps (FCMs) that were collectively created by representative groups of farmers, farm advisors and policy makers was performed. The study shows that SIA is a complex dynamic system, affected by cognitive beliefs and particular knowledge within stakeholder groups. The study concludes that, although farm-level SIA is a complex process, common goals can be identified in collective decision making.

Application of Systems Thinking to Dent Child Malnutrition: A Palghar District, India Case Study

Child malnutrition is an important low-and middle-income country (LMIC) issue influenced by biological and socio-economic factors. The solution is dependent on the stakeholders and interactions between them. The multidimensionality and context-dependency of causative factors make system thinking-based approach, namely network analysis, an effective tool to map the decision-making on countering child malnutrition. The study used Palghar district, India, as a case study to perform the stakeholder network analysis for identifying the various stakeholders who were targeted by actions and initiatives of district administration. The network analysis was performed for three temporal phases, namely Phase I (pre-2014), Phase II (years 2014–2017) and Phase III (2017 onwards). The study found that both network density of the system and child nutrition status have increased temporally. The study found an increase in network density due to an increase in the number of stakeholder groups targeted, implementation of new actions/initiatives and expansion of existing actions/initiatives to other stakeholders. A significant increase in focus towards the stakeholders influencing the socio-economic environment of the child is found in Phase III as compared to Phase II. Further, the study found that family and elite group have started featuring as prominent stakeholder targets for various actions. The study concludes that a greater incorporation of system-thinking approach in decision-making could help in effectively addressing child malnutrition and similar healthcare issues.

An analysis of stakeholder networks to support the breastfeeding scale-up environment in Mexico.

Little information exists on how to garner political commitment to strengthen large-scale breastfeeding policies and programmes by targeting key decision makers. The present study aims to map and describe the influence of stakeholders involved in breastfeeding policy and programming and identify opportunities to strengthen the breastfeeding-friendly environment in Mexico. A total of nine key informants from seventeen stakeholder organisations were selected based on their in-depth knowledge of the breastfeeding environment in Mexico and were individually interviewed using Net-Map methodology. This participatory interview technique combines stakeholder mapping, social network analysis and influence mapping to identify relevant stakeholders. Participants identified a total of fifty-five stakeholders shaping breastfeeding programmes and policies through four domains of influence: commands (n 32 stakeholders), dissemination (n 40), funding (n 35) and technical assistance (n 37). The Federal Ministry of Health emerged as the most influential stakeholder of breastfeeding policy and programming decisions in Mexico among all domains of influence. The Ministry of Finance and Public Credit as well as the National Institute of Public Health were identified as additional key stakeholders providing funding and technical assistance to the Federal Ministry of Health, respectively. Engaging identified key stakeholders can generate a multisectoral commitment to breastfeeding and strengthen the breastfeeding-friendly environment in Mexico.

Network analysis of a stakeholder community combatting illegal wildlife trade.

The illegal wildlife trade has emerged as a growing and urgent environmental issue. Stakeholders involved in the efforts to curb wildlife trafficking include nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), academia, and state government and enforcement bodies. The extent to which these stakeholders work and communicate among each other is fundamental to effectively combatting illicit trade. Using the United Kingdom as a case study, we used a social network analysis and semistructured interviews of stakeholders to assess communication relationships in the counter wildlife trafficking community. The NGOs consistently occupied 4 of the 5 most central positions in the generated networks, whereas academic institutions routinely occupied 4 of the 5 most peripheral positions. However, NGOs were the least diverse in their communication practices compared with the other stakeholder groups. Stakeholders identified personal relationships as the most important aspect of functioning communication. Participant insights also showed that stakeholder-specific variables (e.g., ethical and confidentiality concerns), competition, and fundraising can have a confounding effect on intercommunication. Evaluating communication networks and intrastakeholder communication trends is essential to creating cohesive, productive, and efficient responses to the challenges of combatting illegal wildlife trade. Article impact statement: Communication among those combatting illegal wildlife trade is confounded by stakeholder variables (ethics, confidentiality), competition, and fundraising.

EU Nitrates Directive, from theory to practice: Environmental effectiveness and influence of regional governance on its performance

Despite the European Nitrate Directive (ND) being issued almost 30 years ago, groundwater nitrate contamination is still a serious threat to ecosystems and human health. In one of the areas most affected by nitrates, the Lombardy Plain (Italy), the effectiveness of the ND and the capacity of governance to support its application correctly was assessed using a socio-hydrogeological approach. Nitrate trends over 11 years show that most regions present steady or increasing concentrations, highlighting how contamination can affect previously impaired situations and supposedly resistant and resilient aquifers. Stakeholder network analysis reveals that the governance framework does not support knowledge dissemination and changes in farmers’ attitudes, hindering water quality improvements. Nitrogen input needs to be reduced and manure relocation monitored. The local governance scale has a key role in enhancing ND dissemination. Reports to the EU Commission should integrate multi- or interdisciplinary evaluation of trends, including governance dynamics, alongside hydrochemical information.

Conceptual framework for spatio-temporal analysis of territorial projects

System innovation for sustainability requires a systemic and interdisciplinary approach. To support these complex and long-term transitions, decision support tools are required but nowadays, assessment tools are disciplinary and consider mainly material flows with environmental or economical perspectives. These tools provide helpful quantitative information for system (re)-design but often miss the temporal or spatial dimensions of a project and do not sufficiently consider the value creation system they propose to evaluate. This communication presents a conceptual framework for territorial project analysis. It enables the spatio-temporal analysis of stakeholder networks during a project. This framework considers tangible and intangible resources flows between the project's stakeholders and their territory to examine how an initiative can emerge , mobilise territorial assets and create sustainable values in return. This process takes place at the meso level (territory) and create dynamic interactions with the micro-level (organisations and individuals) and the macro-level (regulations and institutions). This analytical framework aims at supporting decision thanks to a comprehensive vision of the value constellation implied in a territorial project. It was developed on a theoretical basis and partially tested on various projects (territorial bioraffinery, PSS, territorial repair network) that were presented in previous communications. Future work will integrate sustainability principles to this framework to assist both economic, political and civic actors in taking decisions whom contribute to system transition to sustainability during their territorial projects.

Muddy Waters: Refining the Way forward for the “Sustainability Science” of Socio-Hydrogeology

The trouble with groundwater is that despite its critical importance to global water supplies, it frequently attracts insufficient management attention relative to more visible surface water sources, irrespective of regional climate, socioeconomic profile, and regulatory environment. To this end, the recently defined sub-discipline of “socio-hydrogeology”, an extension of socio-hydrology, seeks to translate and exchange knowledge with and between non-expert end-users, in addition to involving non-expert opinion and experience in hydrogeological investigations, thus emphasising a “bottom-up” methodology. It is widely acknowledged that issues pertaining to groundwater quality, groundwater quantity, climate change, and a poor general awareness and understanding of groundwater occurrence and movement are global in their scope. Moreover, while effective communication and engagement represent the key tenet of socio-hydrogeology, the authors consider that multiple actors should be identified and incorporated using stakeholder network analysis and may include policymakers, media and communications experts, mobile technology developers, and social scientists, to appropriately convey demographically focused bi-directional information, with the hydrogeological community representing the communication keystone. Accordingly, this article aims to highlight past and current work, elucidate key areas of development within socio-hydrogeology, and offer recommendations to ensure global efficacy of this increasingly important and growing field going forward. The authors seek to assist in protecting our global groundwater resource for future generations via an improved framework for understanding the interaction between communities and hydrogeological systems.

Social network analysis of stakeholder networks from two community-based obesity prevention interventions.

IntroductionStudies of community-based obesity prevention interventions have hypothesized that stakeholder networks are a critical element of effective implementation. This paper presents a quantitative analysis of the interpersonal network structures within a sub-sample of stakeholders from two past successful childhood obesity prevention interventions.MethodsParticipants were recruited from the stakeholder groups (steering committees) of two completed community-based intervention studies, Romp & Chomp (R&C), Australia (2004-2008) and Shape Up Somerville (SUS), USA (2003-2005). Both studies demonstrated significant reductions of overweight and obesity among children. Members of the steering committees were asked to complete a retrospective social network questionnaire using a roster of other committee members and free recall. Each participant was asked to recall the people with whom they discussed issues related to childhood obesity throughout the intervention period, along with providing the closeness and level of influence of each relationship.ResultsNetworks were reported by 13 participants from the SUS steering committee and 8 participants from the R&C steering committee. On average, participants nominated 16 contacts with whom they discussed issues related to childhood obesity through the intervention, with approximately half of the relationships described as ‘close’ and 30% as ‘influential’. The ‘discussion’ and ‘close’ networks had high clustering and reciprocity, with ties directed to other steering committee members, and to individuals external to the committee. In contrast, influential ties were more prominently directed internal to the steering committee, with higher network centralization, lower reciprocity and lower clustering.Discussion and conclusionSocial network analysis provides a method to evaluate the ties within steering committees of community-based obesity prevention interventions. In this study, the network characteristics between a sub-set of stakeholders appeared to be supportive of diffused communication. Future work should prospectively examine stakeholder network structures in a heterogeneous sample of community-based interventions to identify elements most strongly associated with intervention effectiveness.

Policy content and stakeholder network analysis for infant and young child feeding in Nepal

BackgroundDespite concerted effort from government and partners, Nepal continues to have a high burden of under nutrition among children. Identifying opportunities to strengthen policy support for infant and young child feeding (IYCF) is a key component to improve child survival, growth and development. This study aims to explore policy support for IYCF and to identify the influential stakeholders for IYCF for effective future policy development and programmatic action.MethodsPolicies relevant to IYCF were identified through web searches and direct approaches to relevant government ministries. Policy content was analysed based on four key domains focussed on mothers, using a qualitative synthesis approach. Three group interviews were conducted using the participatory tool “Net-Map”, to identify the influential stakeholders in IYCF policy and programming processes.ResultsTwenty-six relevant policy documents were analysed for content relating to IYCF. General support for IYCF was found in most of the development plans and high-level health sector policies. Most implementation level documents included support for provision of correct information to mothers. Capacity building of frontline workers for IYCN and system strengthening were well supported through sectoral plans and policies. However, gaps were identified regarding maternity protection, support for monitoring and evaluation, and translation of high-level policy directives into implementation level guidelines, resulting in a lack of clarity over roles and responsibilities.Both government and non-governmental stakeholders, particularly donors, emerged as influential drivers of IYCF policy decisions in Nepal, through technical assistance and funding. The Nutrition Technical Committee under the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, Suaahara, USAID and WHO were identified as key actors providing technical assistance. Key funding agencies were identified as UNICEF and USAID.ConclusionsThis study reveals strong policy support for key dimensions of IYCF, supported by a highly networked stakeholder environment. Opportunities to further strengthen IYCF policy in Nepal include: further support for training of frontline workers and complementary feeding interventions; extending maternity leave provisions; and clarifying roles and responsibilities of actors, particularly non-governmental actors. Engaging technical and funding agencies and developing partnerships with other relevant actors will be crucial for ensuring effective policy translates into effective practice.