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Collective capability and collective agency for sustainability: A case study

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  • Pelenc, Jérôme
  • Bazile, Didier
  • Ceruti, Cristian

Abstract

If the Capability Approach is to be a suitable framework for assessing sustainability, as is currently being discussed in Ecological Economics, it is crucial to grasp how the individual and collective levels are linked. The aim of this article is to investigate how individuals interact to create a collective actor. Thus, the article analyzes the process of setting up a grassroots organization that aims to make an active contribution to sustainability implementation in a given locality. The article specifically examines the process involved in the development of collective agency and collective capabilities and identifies the tensions between the individual and collective levels. The empirical analysis along with the theoretical discussion enables us to put the concepts of collective capability and agency in the context of Ecological Economics. Finally, this article opens up new areas of research to further our understanding of how the individual and collective levels can be linked with a view to sustainability implementation at the local scale.

Suggested Citation

  • Pelenc, Jérôme & Bazile, Didier & Ceruti, Cristian, 2015. "Collective capability and collective agency for sustainability: A case study," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 226-239.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:118:y:2015:i:c:p:226-239
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2015.07.001
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    2. Marco Setti & Matteo Garuti, 2018. "Identity, Commons and Sustainability: An Economic Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-12, February.
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    4. Ballet, Jérôme & Bazin, Damien Jérôme Albert & Komena, Boniface K., 2020. "Unequal capabilities and natural resource management: The case of Côte d’Ivoire," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    5. Till, Maike & Abu-Omar, Karim & Ferschl, Susanne & Abel, Thomas & Pfeifer, Klaus & Gelius, Peter, 2022. "Implementing the capability approach in health promotion projects: Recommendations for implementation based on empirical evidence," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    6. Shepherd, Philippa M. & Dissart, Jean-Christophe, 2022. "Reframing vulnerability and resilience to climate change through the lens of capability generation," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 201(C).
    7. Marco Ricardo Téllez Cabrera, 2018. "Giving arguments to operationalize health capabilities in economic evaluations of health interventions," Journal of Social and Economic Development, Springer;Institute for Social and Economic Change, vol. 20(2), pages 240-255, October.
    8. F. Fagandini Ruiz & D. Bazile & A. G. Drucker & M. Tapia & E. Chura, 2021. "Geographical distribution of quinoa crop wild relatives in the Peruvian Andes: a participatory mapping initiative," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(4), pages 6337-6358, April.
    9. Zaga-Mendez, Alejandra & Bissonnette, Jean-François & Kolinjivadi, Vijay & Cleaver, Frances & Dupras, Jérôme, 2021. "Towards collective action in ecosystem services governance: The recognition of social interdependencies in three collective agri-environmental initiatives in Quebec," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 51(C).
    10. Kolinjivadi, Vijay, 2019. "Avoiding dualisms in ecological economics: Towards a dialectically-informed understanding of co-produced socionatures," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 32-41.
    11. Farrell, Katharine N. & Silva-Macher, Jose Carlos, 2017. "Exploring Futures for Amazonia's Sierra del Divisor: An Environmental Valuation Triadics Approach to Analyzing Ecological Economic Decision Choices in the Context of Major Shifts in Boundary Condition," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 166-179.
    12. Beling, Adrián E. & Vanhulst, Julien & Demaria, Federico & Rabi, Violeta & Carballo, Ana E. & Pelenc, Jérôme, 2018. "Discursive Synergies for a ‘Great Transformation’ Towards Sustainability: Pragmatic Contributions to a Necessary Dialogue Between Human Development, Degrowth, and Buen Vivir," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 304-313.
    13. Anna Jęczmyk & Jarosław Uglis & Jan Zawadka & Joanna Pietrzak-Zawadka & Monika Małgorzata Wojcieszak-Zbierska & Magdalena Kozera-Kowalska, 2023. "Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Tourist Travel Risk Perception and Travel Behaviour: A Case Study of Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(8), pages 1-20, April.
    14. A. Wren Montgomery & Kimberly S. Wolske & Thomas P. Lyon, 2021. "The Millennial ‘Meh’: Correlated Groups as Collective Agents in the Automobile Field," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(3), pages 673-717, May.
    15. Jerome Pelenc, 2017. "Combining Capabilities and Fundamental Human Needs: A Case Study with Vulnerable Teenagers in France," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 133(3), pages 879-906, September.

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