Defining Success in the Commons: Addressing Problem Orientations, Multidimensionality, Norms, and Tradeoffs
Commons and social-ecological systems research examines institutional arrangements for governing natural resources to improve social and ecological outcomes. However, no universal definition of success exists. We examine the CPR and SES synthesis literature to identify trends, gaps and challenges fo...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Utrecht University Library Open Access Journals (Publishing Services)
2020-08-01
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| Series: | International Journal of the Commons |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.thecommonsjournal.org/articles/994 |
| _version_ | 1828488823231741952 |
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| author | Allain J. Barnett Stefan Partelow Ulrich Frey Alejandro García-Lozano Maria del Mar Mancha-Cisneros Christoph Oberlack Elicia Ratajczyk Hillary Smith Sergio Villamayor-Tomás Charlotte K. Whitney |
| author_facet | Allain J. Barnett Stefan Partelow Ulrich Frey Alejandro García-Lozano Maria del Mar Mancha-Cisneros Christoph Oberlack Elicia Ratajczyk Hillary Smith Sergio Villamayor-Tomás Charlotte K. Whitney |
| author_sort | Allain J. Barnett |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Commons and social-ecological systems research examines institutional arrangements for governing natural resources to improve social and ecological outcomes. However, no universal definition of success exists. We examine the CPR and SES synthesis literature to identify trends, gaps and challenges for examining success. We address: (1) gaps in the literature, (2) multidimensionality and tradeoffs, and (3) and the link between problem orientation and definitions of success. To do this we conduct a comprehensive review of Large-N studies, meta-analyses and systematic reviews of CPR and SES governance (n = 45). We found seven dimensions of success, corresponding to collective choice, constitutional and operational levels, temporal dimensions, and socio-economic outcomes. Most studies did not address power and tradeoffs, or specify the social groups to whom success would apply. The majority of studies defined success in one dimension, most often demand-side provisioning (e.g., productivity or biodiversity). A regression analysis suggests that studies on rangelands or grasslands, correlative studies, and/or studies of state property systems (i.e., protected areas) were more likely to use fewer dimensions of success. Problem orientations often did not correlate with dimensions of success considered in a study, suggesting that measures of success often cannot adequately address the full suite of problems recognized in synthesis research. This presents a significant challenge for collective action among scholars who aim to develop general knowledge on SES and CPR governance. We discuss exemplary studies that measure success as multidimensional, address power and tradeoffs, and conclude with four recommendations for advancing the analysis of success. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T10:15:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6794f3ea4a724a2d99214b2bc7163f48 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1875-0281 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T10:15:35Z |
| publishDate | 2020-08-01 |
| publisher | Utrecht University Library Open Access Journals (Publishing Services) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of the Commons |
| spelling | doaj.art-6794f3ea4a724a2d99214b2bc7163f482022-12-22T01:11:38ZengUtrecht University Library Open Access Journals (Publishing Services)International Journal of the Commons1875-02812020-08-0114110.5334/ijc.994472Defining Success in the Commons: Addressing Problem Orientations, Multidimensionality, Norms, and TradeoffsAllain J. Barnett0Stefan Partelow1Ulrich Frey2Alejandro García-Lozano3Maria del Mar Mancha-Cisneros4Christoph Oberlack5Elicia Ratajczyk6Hillary Smith7Sergio Villamayor-Tomás8Charlotte K. Whitney9School of International and Public Affairs, Florida International University, Miami, FLLeibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT), BremenJustus-Liebig-University, GiessenDuke University Marine Laboratory, Beaufort, NCNicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NCInstitute of Geography, University of Bern; Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), University of BernInstitute for the Built Environment, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CODuke University Marine Laboratory, Beaufort, NCInstituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Ambientales (ICTA-UAB), BarcelonaSchool of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria, Victoria, BCCommons and social-ecological systems research examines institutional arrangements for governing natural resources to improve social and ecological outcomes. However, no universal definition of success exists. We examine the CPR and SES synthesis literature to identify trends, gaps and challenges for examining success. We address: (1) gaps in the literature, (2) multidimensionality and tradeoffs, and (3) and the link between problem orientation and definitions of success. To do this we conduct a comprehensive review of Large-N studies, meta-analyses and systematic reviews of CPR and SES governance (n = 45). We found seven dimensions of success, corresponding to collective choice, constitutional and operational levels, temporal dimensions, and socio-economic outcomes. Most studies did not address power and tradeoffs, or specify the social groups to whom success would apply. The majority of studies defined success in one dimension, most often demand-side provisioning (e.g., productivity or biodiversity). A regression analysis suggests that studies on rangelands or grasslands, correlative studies, and/or studies of state property systems (i.e., protected areas) were more likely to use fewer dimensions of success. Problem orientations often did not correlate with dimensions of success considered in a study, suggesting that measures of success often cannot adequately address the full suite of problems recognized in synthesis research. This presents a significant challenge for collective action among scholars who aim to develop general knowledge on SES and CPR governance. We discuss exemplary studies that measure success as multidimensional, address power and tradeoffs, and conclude with four recommendations for advancing the analysis of success.https://www.thecommonsjournal.org/articles/994problem framingpowercollective actionsuccessnormstradeoffsmulti-dimensionality |
| spellingShingle | Allain J. Barnett Stefan Partelow Ulrich Frey Alejandro García-Lozano Maria del Mar Mancha-Cisneros Christoph Oberlack Elicia Ratajczyk Hillary Smith Sergio Villamayor-Tomás Charlotte K. Whitney Defining Success in the Commons: Addressing Problem Orientations, Multidimensionality, Norms, and Tradeoffs International Journal of the Commons problem framing power collective action success norms tradeoffs multi-dimensionality |
| title | Defining Success in the Commons: Addressing Problem Orientations, Multidimensionality, Norms, and Tradeoffs |
| title_full | Defining Success in the Commons: Addressing Problem Orientations, Multidimensionality, Norms, and Tradeoffs |
| title_fullStr | Defining Success in the Commons: Addressing Problem Orientations, Multidimensionality, Norms, and Tradeoffs |
| title_full_unstemmed | Defining Success in the Commons: Addressing Problem Orientations, Multidimensionality, Norms, and Tradeoffs |
| title_short | Defining Success in the Commons: Addressing Problem Orientations, Multidimensionality, Norms, and Tradeoffs |
| title_sort | defining success in the commons addressing problem orientations multidimensionality norms and tradeoffs |
| topic | problem framing power collective action success norms tradeoffs multi-dimensionality |
| url | https://www.thecommonsjournal.org/articles/994 |
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