Sustainable Outcomes Research Articles

Unlocking sustainable development: Evaluating the impact of monetary and fiscal policies on ecological footprint in India

India's rapid economic growth underscores the increased necessity of pursuing the paradigms of sustainable development. However, concerns over environmental sustainability have risen in tandem with the country's aspirational goals for economic progress. Therefore, a crucial aspect of managing this is to create a balance between economic prosperity and environmental quality, wherein comprehending how fiscal and monetary policies affect India's ecological footprint becomes an utmost priority. In this vein, this study evaluates the impact of fiscal and monetary policies on India's ecological footprint while controlling for economic growth, squared economic growth, and renewable energy consumption between 1990 and 2022. Given the complexity of these links and well-suitability for examining both short-term dynamics and long-term relationships, this study employs the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model as its methodology for the empirical analysis. Thus, the findings indicate a significant long-term relationship between India's ecological footprint, fiscal policy, monetary policy, economic growth, squared economic growth, and renewable energy consumption while considering the ecological footprint as the dependent variable. Surprisingly, fiscal policy demonstrates insignificat negligible impacts on the ecological footprint in both the short and long run. Conversely, the result underscores that monetary policy effectively curbs the ecological footprint in both the short and long run. Furthermore, the study validates the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis in the long run. However, no evidence supports the EKC hypothesis in the short run. Besides, the outcome unveils that renewable energy consumption reduces the ecological footprint with no temporal differences. Hence, the policy implications derived from these findings emphasize the crucial role of monetary policy and integrating renewable energy strategies into policy frameworks for achieving sustainable development outcomes, in addition to the other policy interventions that prioritize ecological conservation alongside economic development, ensuring a balanced approach to solve environmental and economic challenges in India.

8Rs for circular water and sanitation systems: Leveraging circular economy thinking for safe, resilient and inclusive services

To achieve their normative health, environmental and social objectives, water and sanitation services must be safely managed, inclusive and climate resilient. Meeting these imperatives presents a need and opportunity for innovative thinking about water and sanitation service systems. Circular economy concepts are being applied across a multitude of product and service sectors with the aim to facilitate regenerative flows of resources. Given the dependence on water resources, associated climate risks, and the generation of reusable waste products in water and sanitation service delivery, circular economy concepts can be usefully leveraged to drive sustainability outcomes. This article contributes a heuristic in the form of a conceptual framework for applying circular economy concepts in the design and delivery of water and sanitation services in diverse Global South contexts. The framework seeks to drive multiple outcomes relevant to water and sanitation initiatives: safely managed services, social inclusion, and climate resilience. Co-developed by an international research team applying a theoretical multiplicity approach and collaborative sensemaking, the heuristic takes the form of a suite of eight adapted circular economy ‘R strategies’ for water and sanitation. The R strategies were selected and articulated to reflect theory-based principles of circular economy, climate resilience and inclusion. They are intended to prompt thinking and action in pursuit of safely managed, climate resilient, inclusive water and sanitation services that align with the broader sustainability directions that circular economy narratives aspire to. The heuristic offers a conceptually rigorous, practical tool that can support collaborative, deliberative processes to realise the potential benefits of circularity in water and sanitation service systems.

Balancing Stakeholder Interests in Sustainable Project Management: A Circular Economy Approach

Balancing stakeholder interests in sustainable project management presents a critical challenge, particularly when adopting a circular economy (CE) approach. This review explores the integration of circular economy principles such as reducing waste, reusing materials, and promoting recycling into project management while addressing the diverse and often competing interests of stakeholders. Sustainable project management aims to harmonize economic, environmental, and social objectives, making the alignment of stakeholder goals a complex yet essential task. Stakeholders, including investors, customers, regulators, local communities, and internal project teams, often have varying priorities, ranging from maximizing profitability to minimizing environmental impact and ensuring social responsibility. This study reviews key strategies for managing these competing interests through collaborative decision-making, transparency, and stakeholder engagement. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), closed-loop supply chains, and sustainable procurement are examined as practical tools for integrating CE principles throughout the project lifecycle. Additionally, the review emphasizes the importance of education and communication in fostering stakeholder buy-in, enhancing long-term sustainability outcomes, and improving resource efficiency. Case studies from industries such as construction and renewable energy demonstrate how stakeholder collaboration in adopting CE practices leads to both environmental benefits and project success. The findings suggest that balancing stakeholder interests in a circular economy framework not only enhances sustainability but also drives innovation and competitiveness. This research underscores the need for continual engagement and adaptive strategies in project management, ensuring that stakeholder alignment with circular economy goals results in more resilient and sustainable project outcomes. Ultimately, adopting a circular economy approach within project management offers a viable pathway to achieving long-term sustainability and creating shared value among stakeholders.

Comparative analysis of lowland rice (Oryza sativa L. var. PSB Rc18) performance across different farming systems

Organic farming is gaining recognition as a viable alternative to conventional methods, promising soil health preservation and sustained crop productivity with economic benefits. This study evaluated the physiological, growth, and yield responses of the PSB Rc18 rice variety and appraised its economic feasibility under different production systems. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications and three treatments: T1-best bet organic production system, T2-farmers’ organic production system in Leyte, and T3-farmers’ conventional production system in Leyte. The crop growth rate (CGR) of PSB Rc18 remained consistent across the different systems. However, the Net Assimilation Rate (NAR) peaked significantly between 42-56 days after transplanting (DAT) in the T2. Additionally, the Leaf Area Index (LAI) in T1 was comparable to that of T3. Rice grown under T1 reached heading and maturation earlier than T3. Although T3 produced the highest fresh straw, most productive tillers, and heaviest total biomass, the grain yield was similar across all production systems. Economically, T2 outperformed with a superior benefit-cost ratio of $0.55 and $0.94 per USD invested, considering both regular and premium prices for organic palay. These findings highlight organic farming practices' economic and agronomic viability, suggesting that promoting organic farming can be a beneficial alternative to conventional methods in Leyte. This study underscores the potential for integrating organic practices to enhance sustainability and economic outcomes in rice production, making both T1 and T2 significant options for farmers in Eastern Visayas.

Adopting integrated project delivery (IPD) in oil and gas construction projects

This review explores the adoption of Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) in oil and gas construction projects, focusing on the potential benefits, challenges, and strategies for successful implementation. IPD is a collaborative project delivery method that brings together the owner, designer, contractor, and other key stakeholders early in the project lifecycle to optimize efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance communication. In the oil and gas sector, where projects are often complex, capital-intensive, and high-risk, adopting IPD can lead to significant improvements in project outcomes. The review highlights the core principles of IPD, including shared risk and reward, early involvement of key stakeholders, and the use of collaborative tools and technologies, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM). These elements of IPD can help to streamline decision-making processes, improve cost management, and reduce the likelihood of disputes. Furthermore, the integration of IPD with advanced technologies, such as digital twins and AI-driven analytics, can enhance real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance, leading to better project performance. However, the review also discusses the challenges of adopting IPD in the oil and gas industry, including resistance to change, the need for cultural shifts within organizations, and the complexity of aligning multiple parties with differing interests. It suggests strategies for overcoming these challenges, such as providing training on IPD principles, fostering a culture of collaboration, and developing clear contractual frameworks that support IPD objectives. The review concludes by emphasizing the potential of IPD to transform oil and gas construction projects, leading to more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable project outcomes. It calls for industry-wide efforts to embrace IPD as a standard practice, supported by appropriate policies and guidelines that facilitate its adoption and implementation.

The impact of ICT goods exports and environmental technology innovation on mineral rents: Evidence from OECD countries.

This study investigates the effects of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) goods exports and environmental technology innovation (ETI) on mineral rents using a panel dataset of 23 OECD countries from 2000 to 2020. Employing a fixed-effects regression and several robustness checks (FGLS, PCSE, and DKSE), we find that ICT goods exports are positively associated with mineral rents, while ETI exerts a negative impact. Notably, the positive effect of ICT goods exports was more pronounced in countries with higher levels of ICT goods exports. Our findings underscore the complex interplay among technological advancements, environmental sustainability, and economic outcomes in resource-dependent economies, emphasizing the need for tailored policy interventions to navigate these multifaceted dynamics.

Promoting Employee Green Values Beyond the Office Walls Through Green HRM Utilizing Employee Environmental Knowledge as a Mediator

Organizations are adopting green initiatives in response to global environmental crises and climate shifts. While previous research has examined how green HRM affects employees' in role and extra-role working behaviors, less is known about how it influences employees' behavior outside of work due to their green values (GV) that develop because of implementing organizational green actions. The study addresses the issue, while also considering employees’ environmental knowledge (EK) as a mediating factor, utilizing social learning theory and psychological contract theory. Data were collected using the convenience sampling method, where the sample size was 320, from ten selected large-sized ceramic companies operating in Bangladesh. The structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the data. Results infer that green HRM effectively enhances EK among employees and redirects their GV beyond the workplace. Additionally, EK substantially and positively mediates between the green HRM and GV relationship. The conclusions correspond to the recommendations are indicated in the relational psychological contract theory and the social learning theory. The findings have imperative theoretical and managerial ramifications since they address the knowledge gap in the literature and outline knowledge enhancing green HRM practices that organizations may adopt to improve their green performance. The study also outlines actions for adopting green HRM activities in organizations, aligning the scope for improving employees’ EK and giving them the opportunities to practice green actions for sustainable social outcomes through their increased sense of GV.

Effect of Sound Absorption on Noise Reduction in the Automotive Industry

Industrial noise is one of the most common physical factors that cause annoyance and damage to workers' health in the long term. Precautions should be taken to reduce noise and to improve acoustic performance in industrial working environments. This paper aims to analyze the acoustic performance of the automotive industry contributes to the global outcomes of sustainability and develop strategies for improving the quality of the working environment through improvement scenarios. For this purpose, the automotive industry in Türkiye was examined as a case study. In-situ acoustic measurements were made in the seat manufacturing unit of an automotive factory, and the current situation was transferred to the simulation program. The effects of acoustic improvements on A-weighted sound pressure level and reverberation time at mid-frequencies (500, 1000, 2000 Hz) were investigated through three scenarios. In the investigations, noise distributions were carried out through noise mapping. The A-weighted sound pressure levels in the automotive industry were reduced by approximately 15 dB. As a result of the study, suggestions for noise control precautions and their effects on the automotive industry seat manufacturing unit are presented.

Driving circular economy in project management: Effective stakeholder management for sustainable outcome

Driving circular economy in project management: Effective stakeholder management for sustainable outcome

The Impact of Logistics Integration on Supply Chain Performance: The Moderating Role of Information Sharing

Purpose: The study aims to assess the influence of logistics integration on supply chain performance, as well as the function of information sharing plays in that connection among supply chain partners in a vital section of Ghana's economy (the Energy Sector). Methodology: The study employed quantitative approach and adopted the explanatory research designs in the investigation. The research population targets senior management staff of energy firms operating within the Greater Accra Region. The study used convenience sampling approach to select a total of 111 employees from the population. Structured survey questionnaire was used as a data collection instrument to gather primary data from respondents. Data technique used were descriptive and inferential analysis and structural equation modelling using IBM SPSS (version 26) and Amos version 23. Findings: The study found that: a) logistics integration has a significant and positive effect on supply chain performance; b) information sharing correlates positively and significantly with supply chain performance; c) information sharing does not have any influence of the relationship between supply chain performance and logistics integration. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy, and Practice: The study recommends that, supply chain managers to utilize technology as part of the strategic objectives to attain supply chain performance across their operations and lastly, managers are encouraged to promote successful information flow across the chain using design for disassembly principles, source effective communication, and supplier need-to-know policies. The study concludes that future studies are urged to create a research model that takes into account the comprehensive definition of sustainability, including its economic, social, and environmental elements, in order to fill in gaps in the literature and fill them. Future research is also urged to take into account how industrial innovation mediates the link between sustainability and other important outcome variables including sustainability performance, cost performance, customer happiness, and environmental performance.

Characteristics of people with type 1 diabetes influence the educational process for starting insulin pump therapy: an observational study.

Limited data exist on educational programs for people using insulin pump (IP) therapy or those considering its initiation, and the influence of individual characteristics on their educational pathway remains unclear. Our aim was to analyze the characteristics of people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) referred for IP therapy and how these characteristics may influence their educational process. A retrospective descriptive observational study was carried out on people with T1D referred for participation in a structured pre-IP educational program in a hospital setting. Educational, sociodemographic and clinical variables were collected and analyzed. Participants were followed up 5 years after IP placement. Seventy-one people finalized the educational program, of whom 10 experienced major barriers to completing it. People with lower educational level required more sessions and weeks to complete it compared to those with higher educational levels. People referred due to suboptimal metabolic control and hypoglycemia also required more time to complete the process. It is essential for diabetes educators to recognize the diversity of characteristics, needs and challenges among the participants in an educational program. Based on this, they must adapt strategies to provide more effective, person-centered diabetes education and support, fostering positive and sustained outcomes and engagement for participants.

The impact of health and environmental messaging with and without product filtering in complex retail markets: the case of pulses.

Multiple barriers exist to healthy and environmentally sustainable food choices. Limited consumer understanding of the health and environmental implications of food choices complicates their abilities to make choices that lead to desired outcomes. The complexity of the retail environment itself may crowd out less immediate motivations to address health or environment. Even if consumers understand general impacts of food choices on health and environmental outcomes, there may be non-negligible time and search costs to identifying the products that meet consumers' needs. In many food categories, the foods containing attributes that help achieve health and sustainability outcomes may represent a small percentage of available products. In this research, we examine the case of pulses-beans, chickpeas, lentils, and dry peas. Pulses are nutritious and have a low environmental impact. However, consumption of pulses in the US is quite low, which may be attributable to low consumer knowledge of pulse benefits, as well as difficulty of identifying pulse products in retail environments. In this research, we examine the choice of pulse-based foods in three conditions: (1) a control condition, (2) a messaging condition communicating the health and environmental benefits of pulse products, and (3) a paired messaging condition with a choice environment intervention that allows respondents to choose to filter products to those that contain pulses. Participants selected a food item from each of six food categories. We find slight, but significant, increases in pulse choice in the messaging only condition relative to the control condition, but dramatic and highly significant increases when participants can filter the products to easily view pulse products. We also find evidence for knowledge being a barrier to healthy/sustainable food choice. Participants exposed to the messaging were more likely to view pulses as environmentally beneficial, and less likely to report that they did not know the health or environmental impacts of pulse foods. We find that paired messaging and filtering interventions significantly increase the choice of pulse-based foods, which offer both human health and sustainability benefits.

Social perspectives on the sustainability challenges within the desalination sector: a Q-method study

Desalination offers options to augment water supplies for growing urban and industrial demand. Yet these facilities and related infrastructure projects have significant impacts on environmental, economic, and social sustainability. However, few studies examine how key actors in the sector understand or incorporate sustainability ideas and practices into the design, construction, and operation of desalination facilities. This study fills this gap by examining stakeholder perspectives on sustainability in the desalination sector using Q-method. We identified three dominant social perspectives on these topics. Factor 1 views desalination as important for the long-term sustainability of water supply. Factor 2 sees the social and environmental impacts of desalination as too big of a sustainability risk when there are other water resources to consider. Factor 3 indicates that the parties pursuing desalination have the responsibility of addressing sustainability concerns through their proposals and project specifications. These perspectives reveal how desalination stakeholders understand sustainability, key challenges, and responsibility for ensuring sustainable desalination projects. The findings provide insight into how desalination stakeholders can improve sustainability processes and outcomes.

Multi-tier captive relations in the global value chain of tuna: The case of Fair Trade certification of small-scale tuna fishery in Indonesia

Voluntary sustainability standards have been used as a governance mechanism to ensure the sustainability of fisheries products traded from developing countries. Different standards have become market forces that actors along the value chain are expected to follow to access markets and remain competitive. Recent attention is also being paid to small-scale fisheries, but there is relatively little information about the efficacy of the translation of standards by all actors in the value chain. This study examines how a voluntary sustainability standard is translated from an international buyer down to the producer and the effectiveness of this on social and environmental sustainability. The global value chain (GVC) modular framework is applied to assess the implementation of and compliance with the standard. The analysis is done at the micro, meso, and macro levels. We use the first-ever Fair Trade USA certification for handline small-scale tuna fishery in Maluku, Indonesia, as our case study. The findings indicate that the captive forms of governance prevailing at the micro and meso levels of the value chain vary considerably. This adds a layer of complexity to the extent to which a sustainability standard changes the structure and governance of the value chain. The efficacy of such changes in promoting social and environmental sustainability is constrained by the unequal power dynamics among the various actors operating at the different levels. The findings from this study may contribute to optimizing the value chain for greater sustainability outcomes by involving local actors and accommodating various governance mechanisms to organize the value chain.

Forging Sustainable Development: Exploring the Impact of Green Initiatives and Corporate Social Responsibility

In today's industrial landscape, businesses are increasingly recognizing the importance of integrating environmentally sustainable strategies to maintain competitiveness considering escalating environmental concerns. This study investigates the relationship between green practices, corporate social responsibility (CSR), managerial support, and sustainable business performance within Pakistan's service sector. Grounded in the resource-based view and stakeholder theory, the research employs a quantitative approach, surveying 506 participants across managerial levels from service sector. The findings underscore a positive correlation between green practices, CSR adherence, and sustainable performance. Notably, managerial support plays a pivotal role in translating green initiatives and CSR commitments into tangible sustainable outcomes. The widespread adoption of eco-friendly technologies within the service sector signifies a broader industry-wide shift towards sustainability. This study contributes valuable insights for academia, policymakers, industry professionals, and organizational leaders, shedding light on effective strategies for sustainable business practices. By aligning green initiatives with CSR objectives and leveraging managerial support, enterprises can position themselves as leaders in sustainable performance, thereby fostering value creation while addressing environmental challenges.

Governmental Policies and Sustainable Outcomes in EU: How Innovations Change the Game?

Environmental degradation is one of the main challenges in today's world. Impact on the environment can be reduced through the introduction of clean and more efficient technologies. And innovation plays a crucial role in this process by replacing old equipment and methods. There are different ways how researchers understand sustainable innovations and sustainable innovation ecosystems. The terms "sustainable" and "sustainable development" have become very widely used in recent years. Sustainability is crucially important for the development of regions and national economies. Existing literature on the topic of sustainable innovation ecosystems includes vague and ambiguous definitions of sustainable innovation, as well as ways to measure it. A number of studies analyse the impact of different factors on conventional innovations and eco-innovations. However, not enough research has been done on the effects of innovations on all three dimensions of sustainable innovations, which are economic, environmental, and social. The aim of the article is to define whether governmental policies that promote innovation and sustainable development lead to environmental, social, and economic improvements in the EU countries. Our study uses the Eurostat data for 27 European Union countries. The literature review will include studies on sustainable innovation ecosystems. In the second chapter, we will describe the sustainable innovation ecosystems and ways to measure the sustainable outcomes of innovations. We study sustainable innovation ecosystems on a national level. We use partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to determine the influence of governmental policies on sustainable outcomes, with product and process innovation as mediating variables. Under sustainable outcomes, we mean the economic, social, and environmental improvements on a national scale. The analysis is based on applying a quantitative method with empirical data using SmartPLS software. The results demonstrated a significant direct impact of governmental policies on innovation, as well as on environmental and social outcomes. However, they showed no indirect impacts connected to innovations. The results contribute to the current state of knowledge on sustainable innovation ecosystems and give policymakers valuable insights on factors that influence such ecosystems.

Global value chain participation, globalisation-Energy Nexus and sustainable development in ASEAN

Achieving net zero carbon emissions necessitates a systemic reorganization of global value chains, particularly in the ASEAN region, due to its growing role as a manufacturing hub. This study explores the interaction between global value chains (GVCs), globalization and sustainable development in ASEAN countries from 2014 to 2022. Using data from sources like the World Development Indicators, Human Development Index, Eora Global Value Chain Database, and others, the study employs a system-generalized method of moments to address endogeneity. The findings reveal that GVC participation significantly impacts sustainable development, with a 1 % increase in GVC involvement leading to a 0.11 % rise in sustainable development. Additionally, globalization metrics such as trade openness and merchandise trade, excluding foreign direct investment, also positively influence sustainable development. When combined with GVCs, these factors further enhance sustainable outcomes. The study also highlights the positive impact of trading in low-carbon goods on sustainable development. Based on these findings, the study recommends policies that promote sustainable production practices within GVCs, sustainable urban planning, good governance, and investment in green infrastructure. Additionally, increased investment in renewable energy technologies and infrastructure is essential to ensure equitable access to clean energy. Governments should prioritize transitioning to low-carbon energy sources to mitigate the negative effects of greenhouse gas emissions.

The Role of Social Inclusion in Restoring Communal Rangelands in Southern Africa: A Systematic Review of Approaches, Challenges, and Outcomes

Rangeland restoration in southern Africa faces complex challenges that require the involvement of diverse social groups to ensure both ecological and social sustainability. This systematic review focuses on the role of social inclusion in rangeland restoration across multiple countries in the region, specifically examining the engagement of marginalized groups such as women, youth, and indigenous communities. We conducted a comprehensive search using the PRISMA approach, utilizing Scopus and other literature sources. Initially, we found 853 articles published between 2000 and 2024, which were subsequently screened down to 20 studies that met stringent inclusion criteria. This review identifies key strategies and outcomes associated with social inclusion in restoration efforts. Our findings reveal that participatory planning, gender-inclusive strategies, indigenous engagement, and capacity building are crucial for gaining community support, promoting social equity, and enhancing ecological resilience. However, challenges such as power dynamics, cultural norms, and resource constraints often impede the full realization of these inclusive practices. Despite these barriers, integrating local and indigenous knowledge and empowering marginalized groups significantly strengthens governance structures and leads to more sustainable restoration outcomes. Our review highlights the necessity of adopting holistic and inclusive approaches in rangeland restoration where social inclusion is not just a component but a central pillar of successful ecological management. It emphasizes the importance of social inclusion in the restoration of communal rangelands in southern Africa and provides insights into the approaches used, challenges faced, and outcomes achieved in incorporating social inclusion in rangeland restoration efforts. Our findings underscore the significance of collaborative efforts and social inclusion among local communities, policymakers, and stakeholders to achieve the sustainable restoration of communal rangelands in southern Africa.

Bank financial sustainability evaluation: Data envelopment analysis with random forest and Shapley additive explanations

Ensuring financial sustainability is imperative for a financial institution's overall stability. To mitigate the risk of bank failure amid financial crises, effective management of financial sustainability performance becomes paramount. This study introduces a comprehensive framework for the accurate and efficient quantification, indexing, and evaluation of financial sustainability within the American banking industry. Our approach begins by conceptualizing financial sustainability as a multi-stage, multifactor structure. We construct a composite index through a three-stage network data envelopment analysis (DEA) and subsequently develop a random forest classification model to predict financial sustainability outcomes. The classification model attains an average testing recall rate of 84.34 %. Additionally, we employ SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) to scrutinize the impacts of contextual variables on financial sustainability performance across various substages and the overall banking process, as well as to improve the interpretability and transparency of the classification results. SHAP results reveal the significance and effects of contextual variables, and noteworthy differences in contextual impacts emerge among different banking substages. Specifically, loans and leases, interest income, total liabilities, total assets, and market capitalization positively contribute to the deposit stage; revenue to assets positively influences the loan stage; and revenue per share positively affects the profitability stage. This study serves the managerial objective of assisting banks in capturing financial sustainability and identifying potential sources of unsustainability. By unveiling the “black box” of financial sustainability and deciphering its internal dynamics and interactions, banks can enhance their ability to monitor and control financial sustainability performance more effectively.

Operationalizing the social capital of collaborative environmental governance with network metrics

Abstract Background
Social capital is frequently invoked as a reason for engaging in collaborative environmental governance. Yet we have a limited understanding of how collaborative environmental governance mobilizes different types of social capital and how the advantages and costs of social capital accrue for different groups of people. Explicit measures of social capital, such as through social network methods, will help build an understanding of how social capital facilitates collective processes and for whom.
Methods
We reviewed highly cited articles in Web of Science and Scopus using “social capital” as the search term to identify foundational and emergent social capital concepts. In the context of collaborative environmental governance, we operationalized these social capital concepts with network measures drawn from our expertise and highlighted existing empirical relationships between such network measures and collaborative outcomes.
Review results
We identified two different camps of social capital concepts - one based on social relations that could be readily operationalized with social network measures and the other based on actor characteristics that can further contextualize network data. Relational social capital concepts included social relations among actors; the collective social setting in which relations are embedded; and the advantages and costs that social capital confers to individuals and the collective. Social capital concepts based on actor characteristics included socio-cognitions (e.g., trust, norms, identification with a group, shared meanings) and community engagement (e.g., group membership, civic participation, volunteerism). Empirical evidence using social network approaches to measure social capital reveals patterns in relationship building that influence collaborative and other sustainability outcomes.
Discussion
Social network approaches described here may help define and quantify the social capital mobilized by collaborative governance. Additional research is necessary to track the social capital of collaboratives over time, link it to outcomes, and better understand the social justice implications of collaborative governance.