Information brokerage in Caribbean coral reef governance networks

Turner, Rachel A., Forster, Johanna ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6729-9965, Peterson, Angelie M., Mahon, Robin and Fitzsimmons, Clare (2020) Information brokerage in Caribbean coral reef governance networks. Environmental Conservation, 47 (4). pp. 284-294. ISSN 0376-8929

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Abstract

Poor connectivity between diverse resource users and complex wider governance networks is a challenge in environmental governance. Organizations that ‘broker’ interactions among these relationships are expected to improve governance outcomes. Here, we used semi-structured interviews and social network analysis to identify actors in positions to broker coral reef-related information to and from resource users and to assess the performance of these brokers. Representatives (n = 262) of actor groups were interviewed, including local and national government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community organizations and resource user groups from 12 communities across four Caribbean countries, to map information-sharing networks and to identify brokers. Broker performance was assessed through separate interviews with coral reef resource users (n = 545). The findings show that marine NGOs were the highest-functioning brokers. Where such local-level organizations were absent, government agencies in reef management roles acted as brokers, but their performance was lower. Actors in brokerage positions did not always effectively share information, with broker performance being positively correlated with network brokerage scores. The results further our understanding of the roles of brokers in different governance contexts. Identifying those in brokerage positions and supporting their roles in connecting local resource users to wider governance networks could encourage functional brokerage and enhance reef management outcomes. View full metadata

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: caribbean,keywords:,brokerage,coral reefs,governance,information sharing,natural resource management,social network analysis,water science and technology,pollution,nature and landscape conservation,management, monitoring, policy and law,health, toxicology and mutagenesis,sdg 14 - life below water ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2300/2312
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Global Development (formerly School of International Development)
UEA Research Groups: University of East Anglia Schools > Faculty of Science > Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research
Faculty of Science > Research Centres > Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research
Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Global Environmental Justice
Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Collaborative Centre for Sustainable Use of the Seas
Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Centres > Water Security Research Centre
Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Marine Knowledge Exchange Network
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Depositing User: LivePure Connector
Date Deposited: 05 Nov 2020 01:09
Last Modified: 20 Oct 2023 01:16
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/77540
DOI: 10.1017/S0376892920000351

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