The Environmental Performance of Participatory and Collaborative Governance: A Framework of Causal Mechanisms

Jens Newig; Edward Challies; Nicolas W. Jager; Elisa Kochskaemper; Ana Adzersen

doi:10.1111/psj.12209

journal article Open Access Aug 26, 2017

The Environmental Performance of Participatory and Collaborative Governance: A Framework of Causal Mechanisms

Jens Newig

Edward Challies

Nicolas W. Jager Elisa Kochskaemper Ana Adzersen

Policy Studies Journal Vol. 46 No. 2 pp. 269-297 · Wiley

View at Publisher Save 10.1111/psj.12209

Abstract

Many have advocated for collaborative governance and the participation of citizens and stakeholders on the basis that it can improve the environmental outcomes of public decision making, as compared to traditional, top‐down decision making. Others, however, point to the potential negative effects of participation and collaboration on environmental outcomes. This article draws on several literatures to identify five clusters of causal mechanisms describing the relationship between participation and environmental outcomes. We distinguish (i) mechanisms that describe how participation impacts on the environmental standard of outputs, from (ii) mechanisms relating to the implementation of outputs. Three mechanism clusters focus on the role of representation of environmental concerns, participants' environmental knowledge, and dialogical interaction in decision making. Two further clusters elaborate on the role of acceptance, conflict resolution, and collaborative networks for the implementation of decisions. In addition to the mechanisms, linking independent with dependent variables, we identify the conditions under which participation may lead to better (or worse) environmental outcomes. This helps to resolve apparent contradictions in the literature. We conclude by outlining avenues for research that builds on this framework for analysis.

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Metrics

299

Citations

102

References

Details

Published: Aug 26, 2017
Vol/Issue: 46(2)
Pages: 269-297
License: View

Authors

Funding

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Award: NE 1207/2‐1

European Research Council Award: 263859

Cite This Article

Jens Newig, Edward Challies, Nicolas W. Jager, et al. (2017). The Environmental Performance of Participatory and Collaborative Governance: A Framework of Causal Mechanisms. Policy Studies Journal, 46(2), 269-297. https://doi.org/10.1111/psj.12209

The Environmental Performance of Participatory and Collaborative Governance: A Framework of Causal Mechanisms

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