Formalised and Non-Formalised Methods in Resource Management-Knowledge and Social Learning in Participatory Processes: An Introduction

Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

Authors

  • Jens Newig
  • Helmut Haberl
  • Claudia Pahl-Wostl
  • Dale S. Rothman
The participation of non-state actors in public decision-making and transdisciplinary research is increasingly regarded as an effective means to cope with growing uncertainties and complexities in human-nature interactions. The management of natural resources is expected to profit from a broader knowledge base and processes of social learning, thus allowing for potentially more informed and creative decision-making. Communication is a key element of transmitting knowledge and fostering social learning. This article introduces the special issue, which assembles contributions that discuss different methods, instruments, tools, and models that have been developed in order to facilitate the transmission of information as well its selection and aggregation. Each of the contributions is briefly reviewed. The approaches discussed here and in the individual papers aim to foster learning in participatory processes. We argue that a key aspect is the degree to which methods are formalised. Formalisation refers to the extent to which information is channelled in a certain way, leaving more or less scope for open communication. Depending on the goals and context, more or less formalised methods can be employed. We conclude by highlighting the context-dependency of participatory processes in natural resource management and indicate some directions for future research. © 2008 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.
Original languageEnglish
JournalSystemic Practice and Action Research
Volume21
Issue number6
Pages (from-to)381-387
Number of pages7
ISSN1094-429X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01.12.2008
Externally publishedYes

    Research areas

  • Sustainability sciences, Communication - Collective learning, Communication, Complexity, Conflicts of interest, Information, Land-use planning, Modelling, Public and stakeholder involvement, System dynamics, Transdisciplinary research, Uncertainty, Water management

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