1. Analyzing who is relevant to engage in environmental decision-making processes by interests, influence and impact: The 3i framework.
- Author
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Reed MS, Jensen EA, Noles S, Conneely D, Kendall H, Raley M, Tarrant A, Oakley N, Hinson C, Hoare V, Marshall K, and Pugliese L
- Abstract
Outcomes in participatory environmental processes are strongly affected by choices about who is engaged. Inclusive engagement diversifies the range of interests and perspectives represented, including those from vulnerable and marginalized groups, ultimately contributing to more socially and environmentally sustainable and equitable outcomes. However, existing "stakeholder analysis" methods often bias participant identification away from disenfranchised groups with limited pre-existing interest or influence, instead favoring the most easily accessed and influential stakeholders. This paper draws on research impact theory and practice to propose a new, more inclusive approach, adding impact to the existing interest and influence criteria (which each begin with the letter "i", hence the 3i framework) that are typically used to identify, categorize and prioritize those who are relevant to be included or excluded from engagement processes. As part of this proposed 3i analysis approach, we articulate a new typology of relevant parties to engage in environmental decision-making processes, including: uninterested; uninterested and impacted; uninterested influencers; disinterested, influential and impacted; only interested; interested and impacted; interested influencers; and interested, influential and impacted. Except for the first group, all types of relevant parties should be considered for engagement wherever possible, with participation strategies tailored to their specific 3i profile. The approach was developed and refined through a series of workshops before developing it into a survey instrument that was piloted to gather 3i data efficiently across several national contexts. Survey findings are presented for a case study identifying those relevant to wetland and peatland restoration in a Scottish catchment. If widely adopted, the 3i framework would be the most consequential change in stakeholder analysis methods since the introduction of interest-influence matrices in the 1980s., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests:Mark Reed reports financial support was provided by Scottish GovernmentRural and Environment Science and Analytical Services Division. Mark Reed reports financial support was provided by UK Research and Innovation. Mark Reed reports financial support was provided by Horizon Europe. Mark Reed reports a relationship with Institute for Methods Innovation that includes: speaking and lecture fees. Eric Jensen reports a relationship with Institute for Methods Innovation that includes: Employee; board membership. Corresponding author was previously CEO of Fast Track Impact Ltd If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2024
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