Volume 20, Issue 2 (3-2027)
مرتع 2027, 20(2): 0-0 |
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Islami I, Khabazi F, Asadifard E, Kargar M. Investigating organizational coherence and interactions in the governance of natural resources in Fars Province. مرتع 2027; 20 (2)
URL: http://rangelandsrm.ir/article-1-1310-en.html
URL: http://rangelandsrm.ir/article-1-1310-en.html
Tarbiat Modares University
Abstract: (78 Views)
Background and Objective: The governance of natural resources is confronted with multifaceted challenges arising from the intricate interactions between natural and social systems. Critical issues such as conflicting stakeholder interests and the impacts of climate change significantly influence the quality and effectiveness of management practices. This study aims to identify and analyze the participatory behaviors of organizational stakeholders in the governance of natural resources in Fars Province. It seeks to delineate the roles and influence of various organizations in collaborative efforts and to assess their cohesion within the governance framework. By examining these dynamics, the study proposes strategies to enhance the governance and promote the sustainable management of natural resources in the region.
Materials and Methods: This research employed Social Network Analysis as its primary analytical method. Data were collected through snowball sampling and a network analysis questionnaire. The study population comprised 25 key governmental and public organizations active in natural resource governance in Fars Province. From these, 17 actors with the most central communicative roles were selected as the final sample for network analysis. This sample included key institutions such as the Department of Natural Resources and Watershed Management, the Provincial Government, the Justice Department, the Agricultural Jihad Organization, and the Department of Environmental Protection. Following the identification and mapping of relationships among these actors, the analysis was conducted at two levels: micro-level centrality indices (Degree, Betweenness, and Eigenvector) were used to evaluate individual actor performance, while macro-level indicators (Density, Centralization, and Compactness) were employed to assess the overall cohesion of the network.
Results: The analysis revealed a compactness index of 0.466, indicating relatively suitable communicative connectivity within the management network. The density index of 0.497 demonstrated a moderate level of cohesion in the participatory governance network. Regarding micro-level indicators, the highest values for degree, closeness, betweenness, and eigenvector centrality were predominantly allocated to three key organizations: the Department of Natural Resources and Watershed Management (ranked first), the Provincial Government (ranked second), and the Justice Department (ranked a close third). Consequently, these three governmental organizations play a pivotal role within the organizational network at the provincial level, maintaining the most extensive connections with other stakeholders. However, the moderate level of network centralization underscores the need to activate key institutional elements to facilitate integrated management across different segments of the governance network.
Conclusion: A detailed analysis of the natural resource governance network in Fars Province reveals an organizational network characterized by high capacity, moderate cohesion (Density: 0.497), and relatively suitable communicative connectivity (Compactness: 0.466). The findings confirm the crucial role of key actors in facilitating cooperation and fostering participatory governance, with power concentrated around three core institutions: the Department of Natural Resources and Watershed Management, the Provincial Government, and the Justice Department. These three entities recorded the highest values in degree centrality (100 for all three), betweenness centrality (22.881 and 22.412, respectively), and eigenvector centrality (27.627 and 27.593, respectively). However, despite their importance in implementing natural resource management programs, their role has been insufficient to render the network fully capable of effectively addressing the socio-ecological crises and complexities in the province. The moderate density index (below 0/5) suggests that these key actors have not adequately facilitated direct cooperation among other network members. This centralized structure diminishes the network's flexibility and resilience when confronting complex socio-ecological challenges. Given the moderate centralization level and the unequal distribution of relational weight—which is concentrated around a limited number of key players—a structural change in the existing governance framework is imperative. To this end, establishing a joint coordination taskforce centered on the three key institutions, with active membership from NGOs and other relevant executive agencies, is proposed. Such a mechanism could decentralize information flow and decision-making, ultimately leading to improved integrated management of natural resources in Fars Province.
Materials and Methods: This research employed Social Network Analysis as its primary analytical method. Data were collected through snowball sampling and a network analysis questionnaire. The study population comprised 25 key governmental and public organizations active in natural resource governance in Fars Province. From these, 17 actors with the most central communicative roles were selected as the final sample for network analysis. This sample included key institutions such as the Department of Natural Resources and Watershed Management, the Provincial Government, the Justice Department, the Agricultural Jihad Organization, and the Department of Environmental Protection. Following the identification and mapping of relationships among these actors, the analysis was conducted at two levels: micro-level centrality indices (Degree, Betweenness, and Eigenvector) were used to evaluate individual actor performance, while macro-level indicators (Density, Centralization, and Compactness) were employed to assess the overall cohesion of the network.
Results: The analysis revealed a compactness index of 0.466, indicating relatively suitable communicative connectivity within the management network. The density index of 0.497 demonstrated a moderate level of cohesion in the participatory governance network. Regarding micro-level indicators, the highest values for degree, closeness, betweenness, and eigenvector centrality were predominantly allocated to three key organizations: the Department of Natural Resources and Watershed Management (ranked first), the Provincial Government (ranked second), and the Justice Department (ranked a close third). Consequently, these three governmental organizations play a pivotal role within the organizational network at the provincial level, maintaining the most extensive connections with other stakeholders. However, the moderate level of network centralization underscores the need to activate key institutional elements to facilitate integrated management across different segments of the governance network.
Conclusion: A detailed analysis of the natural resource governance network in Fars Province reveals an organizational network characterized by high capacity, moderate cohesion (Density: 0.497), and relatively suitable communicative connectivity (Compactness: 0.466). The findings confirm the crucial role of key actors in facilitating cooperation and fostering participatory governance, with power concentrated around three core institutions: the Department of Natural Resources and Watershed Management, the Provincial Government, and the Justice Department. These three entities recorded the highest values in degree centrality (100 for all three), betweenness centrality (22.881 and 22.412, respectively), and eigenvector centrality (27.627 and 27.593, respectively). However, despite their importance in implementing natural resource management programs, their role has been insufficient to render the network fully capable of effectively addressing the socio-ecological crises and complexities in the province. The moderate density index (below 0/5) suggests that these key actors have not adequately facilitated direct cooperation among other network members. This centralized structure diminishes the network's flexibility and resilience when confronting complex socio-ecological challenges. Given the moderate centralization level and the unequal distribution of relational weight—which is concentrated around a limited number of key players—a structural change in the existing governance framework is imperative. To this end, establishing a joint coordination taskforce centered on the three key institutions, with active membership from NGOs and other relevant executive agencies, is proposed. Such a mechanism could decentralize information flow and decision-making, ultimately leading to improved integrated management of natural resources in Fars Province.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/03/4 | Accepted: 2027/03/1 | Published: 2027/03/1
Received: 2025/03/4 | Accepted: 2027/03/1 | Published: 2027/03/1
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