Working together for environmental management: the role of information sharing and collaborative learning

A dissertation presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Massey University, New Zealand

[Reference as: Allen, W.J. (2001) Working together for environmental management: the role of information sharing and collaborative learning. PhD (Development Studies), Massey University.]

This thesis represents an inquiry into how an adaptive management ethic and practice that supports the concept of sustainable development can be initiated and implemented in complex, regional or large-scale contexts. An action research inquiry process is used to find improved ways of managing collaborative or multi-stakeholder approaches to environmental management, and to develop an integrated information framework to underpin subsequent decision making.

The thesis itself reviews research undertaken between 1994 and 2000. First time readers should begin with the introduction to gain some idea of the research context, and to understand the thesis structure. The dissertation includes a number of previously published or submitted papers. Where these are available on-line they will open in a new browser window. (Note: Where previously submitted papers have been accepted, they are provided in their final published form).

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Abstract
1. Introduction Research context Methodology Thesis structure and outline
2: The role of adaptive management within sustainable development Sustainable development as a policy concept Linking information, integration and participation Changing models of involving people in research and development Empowerment Promise of adaptive management
3. The role of action research in improving the realisation of adaptive and people-centred environmental management Action research outlined Differences between action research and mainstream science Practising action research The process of reflection in action research Challenging people to change Using action research for environmental change
4. Getting started: a case study in community-based adaptive management or ‘learning by doing’ Allen, W.J., Bosch, O.J.H., Gibson, R.G. & Jopp, A.J. (1995) Co-learning our way to sustainability: Integrating local and scientific knowledge through an evolutionary research approach to support land management decision-making. Paper presented at Malama Aina 95, 1st International Conference on Multiple Objective Decision Support Systems (MODSS) for Land, Water and Environmental Management, Honolulu, Hawaii, 23-27 July 1995.
5. Sharing experiences and developing useful knowledge Allen, W.J. & Bosch, O.J.H. (1996) Shared experiences: the basis for a cooperative approach to identifying and implementing more sustainable land management practices. Pp. 1-10 in Proceedings of Symposium “Resource management: Issues, visions, practice” Lincoln University, New Zealand, 5-8 July 1996.
6. Evaluating multi-stakeholder research and development programmes Allen, W.J. (1997) Towards improving the role of evaluation within natural resource management R&D programmes: The case for ‘learning by doing’. Canadian Journal of Development Studies XVIII, Special Issue on Results-Based Monitoring, pp. 625-638.
7. Addressing conflict in multi-stakeholder situations Allen, W., Brown, K., Gloag, T., Morris, J., Simpson, K., Thomas, J. & Young, R. (1998). Building partnerships for conservation in the Waitaki/Mackenzie basins. Landcare Research Contract Report LC9899/033, Lincoln, New Zealand.
8. Social and organizational issues with adaptive management for environmental management Allen, W.J., Bosch, O.J.H., Kilvington, M.J., Harley, D.G. & Brown I. Monitoring and adaptive management: resolving social and organisational issues to improve information sharing. (Submitted: Natural Resources Forum, 2000).
9. Helping groups to learn enthusiastically — roles for information, the Internet, and agency support Allen, W., Bosch, O., Kilvington, M., Oliver, J.& Gilbert, M. (2000a) Benefits of collaborative learning for environmental management: Applying the Integrated Systems for Knowledge Management approach to support animal pest control. Journal of Environmental Management (In press).
10. Developing an Internet presence and the value of networkingAllen, W. (2000) NRM-changelinks: Improving Community Participation in Environment & Development. This site has now been replaced by this Learninbg for Sustainability site. More about this can be found from the about page for this site..
11. The need to link ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ research activities within multi-disciplinary science teams Allen, W.J. & Kilvington, M.J. (1999) Why involving people is important: The forgotten part of environmental information system management. Paper presented at 2nd International Conference on Multiple Objective Decision Support Systems for Land, Water and Environmental Management (MODSS ’99) Brisbane, Australia, 1-6 August 1999.
12. Concluding reflections and planning the next research cycle Research aims and activities Action outcomes Emerging research directions A collaborative approach to managing information Information management and learning as linked social activities Building capacity for change Measuring success in collaborative ventures Need for analysis across-case studies Future challenges
Postscript (September 2001): Some final reflections The role of the Internet in ISKM Developing a supportive environment for wider learning
References
Glossary
Acknowledgements
Appendix I Bosch, O.J.H., Allen, W.J., Williams, J.M. & Ensor, A (1996) An integrated system for maximising community knowledge: Integrating community-based monitoring into the adaptive management process in the New Zealand high country. The Rangeland Journal 18(1) 23-32.
Appendix II Kilvington, M., Allen, W. & Kravchenko, C. (1999) Improving Farmer Motivation Within Tb Vector Control. Landcare Research contract report. LC9899/110.