IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/envsyd/v40y2020i1d10.1007_s10669-019-09744-0.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Assessing improvements in socio-ecological system governance using mixed methods and the quality governance framework and its diagnostic capacity tool

Author

Listed:
  • Patricia A. McKay

    (Michigan State University)

  • Laura Schmitt Olabisi

    (Michigan State University)

  • Christine A. Vogt

    (Arizona State University)

Abstract

We face extreme and unprecedented socio-ecological systems (SES) governance challenges given advances in technology, global biophysical change, human behavior, and our abilities to seek resilience through policy decisions. The associated demands to rapidly adapt and shift our trajectories for improved SES outcomes provide a great impetus for humans to improve upon complex SES governance quality. Building on theories derived from polycentric, participatory, network-based practices, structured deliberative decision processes, and capacities that align with resilient systems thinking, a Quality Governance Framework (QGF) and Diagnostic Capacity Tool (DCT) were developed to diagnose SES governance quality that could improve outcomes for a cleanup and redevelopment program in Michigan. The QGF and its DCT were found to be reliable and valid. Using a subset of the DCT measurements and other respondent data, this research uses a mixed methods approach to further test and validate the QGF and DCT. The cleanup program was in its third year of transitioning from a more hierarchical form of governance to one that is more participatory. The results indicate further convergence in ratings between previously disparate practitioner populations and increases in the perceptions of improved governance quality and resilient SES outcomes. Respondents’ open-ended feedback and program metrics correlate with the DCT findings and provide further validity for the QGF and competencies associated with quality governance measured with the DCT. This research contributes to the growing body of empirical evidence that can assess governance quality and illuminates how governance quality can be diagnosed to treat and improve SES outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Patricia A. McKay & Laura Schmitt Olabisi & Christine A. Vogt, 2020. "Assessing improvements in socio-ecological system governance using mixed methods and the quality governance framework and its diagnostic capacity tool," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 40(1), pages 41-66, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:envsyd:v:40:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1007_s10669-019-09744-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s10669-019-09744-0
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10669-019-09744-0
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10669-019-09744-0?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Senge, Peter M. & Sterman, John D., 1992. "Systems thinking and organizational learning: Acting locally and thinking globally in the organization of the future," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 59(1), pages 137-150, May.
    2. Tversky, Amos & Kahneman, Daniel, 1992. "Advances in Prospect Theory: Cumulative Representation of Uncertainty," Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Springer, vol. 5(4), pages 297-323, October.
    3. Tom R. Tyler, 1997. "Procedural Fairness and Compliance with the Law," Swiss Journal of Economics and Statistics (SJES), Swiss Society of Economics and Statistics (SSES), vol. 133(II), pages 219-240, June.
    4. Dryzek, John S. & Stevenson, Hayley, 2011. "Global democracy and earth system governance," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 70(11), pages 1865-1874, September.
    5. Paola Criscuolo & Rajneesh Narula, 2008. "A novel approach to national technological accumulation and absorptive capacity: aggregating Cohen and Levinthal," The European Journal of Development Research, Taylor and Francis Journals, vol. 20(1), pages 56-73.
    6. Leach, William D. & Sabatier, Paul A., 2005. "To Trust an Adversary: Integrating Rational and Psychological Models of Collaborative Policymaking," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 99(4), pages 491-503, November.
    7. Cohen, Wesley M & Levinthal, Daniel A, 1989. "Innovation and Learning: The Two Faces of R&D," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 99(397), pages 569-596, September.
    8. Patricia Ann McKay & Christine A. Vogt & Laura Schmitt Olabisi, 2017. "Development and testing a diagnostic capacity tool for improving socio-ecological system governance," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 37(2), pages 156-183, June.
    9. Jay W. Forrester, 2016. "Learning through System Dynamics as Preparation for the 21st Century," System Dynamics Review, System Dynamics Society, vol. 32(3-4), pages 187-203, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Zachary A. Collier & James H. Lambert & Igor Linkov, 2020. "Interdisciplinary mathematical methods for societal decision-making and resilience," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 40(1), pages 1-2, March.
    2. Samia Sediri & Michel Trommetter & Nathalie Frascaria-Lacoste & Juan Fernandez-Manjarrés, 2020. "Transformability as a Wicked Problem: A Cautionary Tale?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-19, July.
    3. Kristan Cockerill & Pierre Glynn & Estefania Santamaria Cerrutti & John C. Little, 2024. "Knowledge sources, narratives, and living in social-ecological systems," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 29(6), pages 1-23, August.
    4. Samia Sediri & Michel Trommetter & Nathalie Frascaria-Lacoste & Juan Fernández-Manjarrés, 2020. "Transformability as a Wicked Problem: A Cautionary Tale?," Post-Print hal-02907306, HAL.
    5. Evan Mallen & Heather A. Joseph & Megan McLaughlin & Dorette Quintana English & Carmen Olmedo & Matt Roach & Carmen Tirdea & Jason Vargo & Matt Wolff & Emily York, 2022. "Overcoming Barriers to Successful Climate and Health Adaptation Practice: Notes from the Field," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-19, June.
    6. Alejandro Huertas Herrera & Mónica D. R. Toro-Manríquez & Cristian Lorenzo & María Vanessa Lencinas & Guillermo Martínez Pastur, 2023. "Perspectives on socio-ecological studies in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-14, December.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Patricia Ann McKay & Christine A. Vogt & Laura Schmitt Olabisi, 2017. "Development and testing a diagnostic capacity tool for improving socio-ecological system governance," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 37(2), pages 156-183, June.
    2. Arie Y Lewin & Silvia Massini & Carine Peeters, 2020. "Absorptive capacity, socially enabling mechanisms, and the role of learning from trial and error experiments: A tribute to Dan Levinthal’s contribution to international business research," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 51(9), pages 1568-1579, December.
    3. Rajneesh Narula, 2004. "Understanding absorptive capacities in an "innovation systems" context consequences for economic and employment growth," DRUID Working Papers 04-02, DRUID, Copenhagen Business School, Department of Industrial Economics and Strategy/Aalborg University, Department of Business Studies.
    4. Hella Bani Baghdadi & Sami Aouadi, 2018. "Does Patent Performance Promote Relative Technological Performance in Countries Bordering the Mediterranean?," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 9(4), pages 1246-1269, December.
    5. Rajneesh Narula, 2015. "The Importance of Domestic Capabilities for FDI-assisted Development: Lessons from Asia and Latin America," John H Dunning Centre for International Business Discussion Papers jhd-dp2015-05, Henley Business School, University of Reading.
    6. Narula, Rajneesh. & Marín, Anabel., 2005. "Foreign direct investment spillovers, absorptive capacities and human capital development : evidence from Argentina," ILO Working Papers 993782123402676, International Labour Organization.
    7. Rajneesh Narula & André Pineli, 2017. "Multinational Enterprises and Economic Development in Host Countries: What We Know and What We Don’t Know," Palgrave Studies in Impact Finance, in: Gianluigi Giorgioni (ed.), Development Finance, chapter 6, pages 147-188, Palgrave Macmillan.
    8. Lorentzen, Jochen, 2005. "The absorptive capacities of South African automotive component suppliers," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 33(7), pages 1153-1182, July.
    9. Fagerberg, Jan & Srholec, Martin & Verspagen, Bart, 2010. "Innovation and Economic Development," Handbook of the Economics of Innovation, in: Bronwyn H. Hall & Nathan Rosenberg (ed.), Handbook of the Economics of Innovation, edition 1, volume 2, chapter 0, pages 833-872, Elsevier.
    10. Uwe Cantner, 2017. "Foundations of Economic Change: An Extended Schumpeterian Approach," Economic Complexity and Evolution, in: Andreas Pyka & Uwe Cantner (ed.), Foundations of Economic Change, pages 9-49, Springer.
    11. Rajneesh Narula & André Pineli, 2019. "Improving the developmental impact of multinational enterprises: policy and research challenges," Economia e Politica Industriale: Journal of Industrial and Business Economics, Springer;Associazione Amici di Economia e Politica Industriale, vol. 46(1), pages 1-24, March.
    12. Andrea Coveri & Elena Paglialunga & Antoenllo Zanfei, 2024. "Functional specialization and upgrading in European regions:new insights from FDI data," Working Papers 2401, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Department of Economics, Society & Politics - Scientific Committee - L. Stefanini & G. Travaglini, revised 2024.
    13. Seonyeong Lim & Minseo Kim & Yeong-wha Sawng, 2022. "Design Thinking for Public R&D: Focus on R&D Performance at Public Research Institutes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-20, June.
    14. Tim Swift, 2016. "The perilous leap between exploration and exploitation," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(8), pages 1688-1698, August.
    15. Narula, Rajneesh & Marin, Anabel, 2003. "FDI spillovers, absorptive capacities and human capital development: evidence from Argentina," Research Memorandum 018, Maastricht University, Maastricht Economic Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    16. Anja Schmiele, 2012. "Drivers for international innovation activities in developed and emerging countries," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 37(1), pages 98-123, February.
    17. Edsand, Hans-Erik, 2019. "Technological innovation system and the wider context: A framework for developing countries," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 58(C).
    18. Szalavetz, Andrea, 2003. "Az információs technológiai forradalom és a világgazdaság centrumán kívüli országok technológiai felzárkózása [The information-technology revolution and technological catching up by countries outsi," Közgazdasági Szemle (Economic Review - monthly of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences), Közgazdasági Szemle Alapítvány (Economic Review Foundation), vol. 0(1), pages 22-34.
    19. Bart Verspagen, 2010. "The spatial hierarchy of technological change and economic development in Europe," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 45(1), pages 109-132, August.
    20. Kleoniki Kalapouti & Konstantinos Petridis & Chrisovalantis Malesios & Prasanta Kumar Dey, 2020. "Measuring efficiency of innovation using combined Data Envelopment Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling: empirical study in EU regions," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 294(1), pages 297-320, November.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:envsyd:v:40:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1007_s10669-019-09744-0. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.