Chapter 5: Institutional complexity in linked socio-ecological systems – an approach to studying multi-level, cross-scalar contexts

ABSTRACT Complex socio-ecological systems (CSESs) include cross scalar, multi-level, hierarchically ordered, interdependent complexes of institutions, organizations and diverse people. Discordant structuration processes involving latent and manifest institutional and organizational structures and processes and the activities of people with differential capacities across varied socio-natural contexts increase the difficulties of studying CSESs. This chapter proposes a complex adaptive governance systems framework (CAGS-F) and explains how to use it to study CSESs. CAGS-F synthesizes Gunderson and Holling’s panarchy heuristic and Ostrom and colleagues institutional levels with compatible organizational and human practice theories. The framework helps to define the general parameters of the research process and provides guidance, organization and basic conceptualizations of social scientific concepts and terms for diagnostic, descriptive and prescriptive inquiry into CSESs. Analytic dualism is built into the framework to provide a way to identify at what level and scale and at which point in discrete adaptive cycles across institutional practices pressures for change, tension and constraints exist. This information optimizes assessment, design and implementation of programs and policies, or evaluation of unintended and unforeseen, less than successful, inequitable, and/or undesirable outcomes to facilitate work toward socio-ecological justice.

Impact/Purpose

The aim of this book is to bring together an overview of, and reflection on, different data collection methods that have been used to identify and analyze institutions associated with natural resource management and livelihoods. There is no volume available that explains which methods have been used to identify and analyze institutions in the context of natural resources or that includes details and reflections on the application of those methods in different parts of the world. Students and early career researchers can find it challenging to understand how institutions can be identified and researched, particularly institutions that are not tangible or readily spoken about, such as gender norms and kinship rules. Yet informal, or socially-embedded, institutions as well as formal institutions, such as policies and legislation, are known to influence access to and benefits from natural resources, as well as to decision-making regarding how natural resources, such as forests and fisheries, are managed. The rationale for this being an edited book is to draw on the knowledge and experience of researchers on different methods and their application in different contexts and parts of the world. Drawing on the fieldwork experience of researchers will be particularly valuable as this will enable the identification of lessons on how different methods can be applied in practice as well as other research-related insights, such as gaining trust and interpretation of data. Research methods that have been used reflect the different theoretical approach taken in research as well as the preferences of the researcher, and include both quantitative and qualitative methods, from experimental methods and modeling to ethnography and participatory research. A concluding chapter will identify lessons from across the contributions and identify key areas that researchers should give consideration to in selecting methods and researching institutions in the context of natural resource management and livelihoods.

Citation

May, Candace K. Chapter 5: Institutional complexity in linked socio-ecological systems – an approach to studying multi-level, cross-scalar contexts. Chapter 5, Fiona Nunan Researching Institutions in Natural Resource Governance: Methods and Frameworks. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, New York, NY77-96, (2024). [DOI: 10.4324/9781032624679]

• https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781032624679-5/institutional-complexity-linked-socio-ecological-systems-approach-studying-multi-level-cross-scalar-contexts-candace-may?context=ubx&refId=26e5c543-1d2e-4336-9b3d-f054863ab

DOI: Chapter 5: Institutional complexity in linked socio-ecological systems – an approach to studying multi-level, cross-scalar contexts