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Managing Uncertainty in Collaborative Governance: Multi-Method Evidence

Authors :
Emerson, Kirk
Smith, Craig R.
Jo, Suyeon
Ahn, Minwoo
Emerson, Kirk
Smith, Craig R.
Jo, Suyeon
Ahn, Minwoo
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

Scholars have recognized the importance of uncertainty as institutional context in collaborative water management, but the relationship between uncertainty and collaborative performance is mixed. On the one hand, increased uncertainty will positively enhance the performance of collaborative governance through new ties and innovations. On the other hand, certain types of uncertainties are negatively associated with collaborative performance. To understand the puzzle of uncertainty and collaborative performance, I take the problem of groundwater management for theory development and empirical testing. Aquifers are being depleted faster than they can recharge, leaving municipalities, irrigators, and ranchers vulnerable to ever-reducing water availability over time, but the management of groundwater problems is wicked because it involves complex social, ecological, scientific, administrative, and political issues. The effectiveness of collaborative governance depends in large part on the way in which stakeholders perceive, interpret, and use uncertain information.This dissertation fills the theoretical and empirical gap by using multi method research design. The first research question is: What are the nature and characteristics of uncertainty in collaborative governance? This question is addressed based on the in-depth case study of Upper San Pedro Watershed Partnership in Arizona, U.S. Based on the various sources of empirical data, including 22 in-depth interviews, policy reports, and local news articles, conceptual typology and theoretical propositions are proposed to develop theories of collaborative governance under uncertainties. Results suggest that scientific and managerial uncertainty are significant and tend to have negative effects on the performance of groundwater management, but the relationship between uncertainty and collaborative performance can be positively or negatively moderated by the quality of relation management including integrative leadership

Details

Database :
OAIster
Publication Type :
Electronic Resource
Accession number :
edsoai.on1373211737
Document Type :
Electronic Resource