A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
More than spatial coordination – How Dutch agricultural collectives foster social capital for effective governance of agri-environmental measures
Abstract Collective approaches for agri-environmental measures are known for aiming at spatial coordination of measures to enhance ecological effectiveness. In the Netherlands, governance networks for agri-environmental measures are centered around agricultural collectives that function as intermediaries between individual farmers and governmental as well as non-governmental actors. Against the background that some agricultural collectives are bottom-up and other top-down initiated, we analyzed in how far they can build up social capital through formal and informal relations. We used the Net-Map method to collect qualitative and quantitative data for a Social Network Analysis to uncover the network characteristics that contribute to a certain level of social capital. The results revealed that the umbrella organization links the collectives to the national governmental level and to other collectives. This is especially important for top-down initiated collectives. The facilitation of internal meetings within the collectives is important for social learning. Furthermore, a formalization of the exchange between collectives and stakeholders of nature conservation could strengthen cooperation where traditionally conflicts dominate. By analyzing interaction in detail, the social reasoning to promote collective agri-environmental measures was highlighted. They enable collaboration of different stakeholders at multiple levels to the end that knowledge and resources are bundled.
Highlights There is a social reasoning to promote collective agri-environmental measures, next to spatial coordination. Collective agri-environmental measures enable collaboration of different stakeholders. Agricultural collectives build up social capital through formal and informal relations at multiple levels.
More than spatial coordination – How Dutch agricultural collectives foster social capital for effective governance of agri-environmental measures
Abstract Collective approaches for agri-environmental measures are known for aiming at spatial coordination of measures to enhance ecological effectiveness. In the Netherlands, governance networks for agri-environmental measures are centered around agricultural collectives that function as intermediaries between individual farmers and governmental as well as non-governmental actors. Against the background that some agricultural collectives are bottom-up and other top-down initiated, we analyzed in how far they can build up social capital through formal and informal relations. We used the Net-Map method to collect qualitative and quantitative data for a Social Network Analysis to uncover the network characteristics that contribute to a certain level of social capital. The results revealed that the umbrella organization links the collectives to the national governmental level and to other collectives. This is especially important for top-down initiated collectives. The facilitation of internal meetings within the collectives is important for social learning. Furthermore, a formalization of the exchange between collectives and stakeholders of nature conservation could strengthen cooperation where traditionally conflicts dominate. By analyzing interaction in detail, the social reasoning to promote collective agri-environmental measures was highlighted. They enable collaboration of different stakeholders at multiple levels to the end that knowledge and resources are bundled.
Highlights There is a social reasoning to promote collective agri-environmental measures, next to spatial coordination. Collective agri-environmental measures enable collaboration of different stakeholders. Agricultural collectives build up social capital through formal and informal relations at multiple levels.
More than spatial coordination – How Dutch agricultural collectives foster social capital for effective governance of agri-environmental measures
Barghusen, Rena (author) / Sattler, Claudia (author) / Berner, Richard (author) / Matzdorf, Bettina (author)
Journal of Rural Studies ; 96 ; 246-258
2022-10-28
13 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English