Annemarie van Paassen

Room for the River: Room for Research? The case of depoldering De Noordwaard, the Netherlands

This paper explores the role of research in the context of the Dutch spatial planning procedure ‘Room for the River’. We start from the idea that research is strategically used to create space in negotiation processes, where stakeholders often have competing claims on natural resources. Multiple data collection techniques allow us to reconstruct and understand the critical events that led to the decision to depolder De Noordwaard. Within each critical event we describe and analyse how research and other resources were mobilized by policy-makers and other stakeholders to open up or close down negotiation space. By doing so, this paper contributes insights into the factors that influence the effective mobilization and contribution of research towards exploring sustainable solutions to complex environmental problems. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.

Knowledge and innovation management in the policy debate on biofuel sustainability in Mozambique: what roles for researchers?

This paper explores the relationship between knowledge management (KM) and innovation management (IM) in policy processes. By describing and analysing the roles of researchers as knowledge and innovation managers in policy processes we also contribute to the debate on how researchers can enhance their effective contribution to policy processes. Empirical data for the paper were gathered between December 2008 and November 2010. During that period, two of this papers authors conducted participatory action research whilst supporting the Mozambican inter-ministerial Subgroup Sustainability Criteria in developing a sustainability framework for biofuel production in Mozambique. We conclude that KM and IM are mutually reinforcing and inextricably bound: KM can provide the basis for engaging in IM activities or roles, which may -- consequently -- create an enabling environment for more effective KM in policy processes. The active embedding of researchers in policy processes an action-oriented research approach and systematic reflection can enable researchers to continuously determine what (combination of) KM and IM strategies or roles can enhance the actionability of research in, and the quality of the policy process. To do so successfully, a process-based research approach and strategic management of the boundary between research and policy are key.

Smallholder Marketing Cooperatives and Smallholders’ Market Access: Lessons Learned from the Actors Involved

Abstract Purpose: This article explores the views of Smallholder Marketing Cooperatives’ (SMCs) leaders and staff, to gain insight about the particular roles SMCs play in facilitating smallholders’ market access. Design/methodology/approach: The authors conceptualized and executed two international workshops in which participants from 42 SMCs from 24 countries deliberated their lessons learned from real-life experiences. Findings: Participants defined three core issues to be tackled by SMCs to play their role related to facilitating their members’ market access: good FO governance and management; access to capital and networking. They highlighted that smallholders’ market access improves not only as a result of SMCs networking and negotiation with key actors in the public and private sectors, but also due to improved interrelationships among SMCs and other types of Farmers’ Organizations (FOs). Peer-to-peer relationships with other SMCs are critical for mutual learning, collaboration and collective action...Abstract Purpose: This article explores the views of Smallholder Marketing Cooperatives’ (SMCs) leaders and staff, to gain insight about the particular roles SMCs play in facilitating smallholders’ market access. Design/methodology/approach: The authors conceptualized and executed two international workshops in which participants from 42 SMCs from 24 countries deliberated their lessons learned from real-life experiences. Findings: Participants defined three core issues to be tackled by SMCs to play their role related to facilitating their members’ market access: good FO governance and management; access to capital and networking. They highlighted that smallholders’ market access improves not only as a result of SMCs networking and negotiation with key actors in the public and private sectors, but also due to improved interrelationships among SMCs and other types of Farmers’ Organizations (FOs). Peer-to-peer relationships with other SMCs are critical for mutual learning, collaboration and collective action. Practical implications: Peer-to-peer relationships among SMCs are crucial for them to overcome the internal and external social dilemmas SMCs are bound to face while improving smallholders’ market access. This goes beyond the three kinds of relationships that scholars have pointed out thus far needed for effective FO development (relationships with members; the public sector and civil society; and with market players). This can be promoted and supported by development programmes. Originality/value: Most SMC studies concentrate primarily on their efficiency in production and marketing activities. This research proposes looking beyond this perspective, using a qualitative approach to explore the real-life experiences and views of actors involved.

Assessment and Monitoring of the Effects of the ComMod Approach

The assessment of the effects of companion modelling is currently still a theoretical and methodological field under investigation. However, neighbouring fields of research provide relevant elements of reflection. For example, research on integrated assessments aims to provide public policy decision-makers with relevant information for decision-making.

Learning About Interdependencies and Dynamics

As mentioned in previous chapters, the companion modelling approach is based on principles laid down in the ComMod Charter (Collectif ComMod 2005). In this founding document, two fields of application were identified: to produce knowledge on the social and ecological systems under study and to facilitate cooperation between different stakeholders involved in a participatory process.

Landscape science and societal action

This book takes up the challenge of contemporary landscape research. Continued poverty and progressing environmental degradation and climate change show us that landscape development is complex and unpredictable. Landscapes consist of nested biophysical and social systems, which are multi-dimensional and highly dynamic, and simultaneously interact at various system levels. This leads to complex, non-linear, divergent processes and the emergence of new landscape arrangements. Scientists have to acknowledge that they cannot predict or control landscape dynamics but need the local specific knowledge and experimentation of local stakeholders. Collaborative research-for-action and research-in-action together with societal stakeholders are needed. Many scientists accept this challenge. Based on different types of system thinking, they develop theoretical frameworks and methodologies to integrate scientific and local knowledge and/or enhance learning between them and societal stakeholders for sustainable landscape development and governance. Landscape researchers, inspired by these theoretical frameworks and the perceived issue-at-stake, start defining the orientation of the research and change process in interaction with policy makers and stakeholders. The question is whether and how the different types of research contribute to ecologically sustainable, socially equitable development and governance, valued by or at least acceptable for the variety of stakeholders, organisations and institutions involved.

Conclusion: from knowledge for action to knowledge in action

Sustainable landscape development means researchers have to engage in collaborative research to find an informed, ethical and locally-valued balance between ecological resilience and societal pursuits, and build the capacity for co-ordinated adaptive management of the involved stakeholders and governance institutions. In this last chapter we analyse the collaborative research processes, or so-called boundary-spanning-processes, of the case chapters. The timing and the type of boundary objects and methods used more or less define the level of participation of social stakeholders and the role and function of the researcher in the ongoing societal learning, negotiation and innovation process. The cases show the variety of functions and knowledge broker strategies pursued. From the chapters it is not clear whether all research efforts led to concrete impacts; several authors highlighted dilemma’s and bottlenecks that they found hard to deal with. We note that each type of problem and context setting requires a specific type of inquiry (theoretical system perspective), researcher role and boundary process, and to be effective the latter should evolve in line with the iterative societal learning, negotiation and innovation process. To be effective, collaborative researchers cannot limit themselves to ‘knowledge production for action’, but need to engage in ‘knowledge production in action’. They have to analyse the situation and embed their research in the ongoing change process; to opt for a multiple-dimensional, flexible research approach, and to wisely combine various types of system thinking and the respective paradigmatic assumptions. With enough background knowledge on various system approaches, continuous monitoring and reflection, collaborative researchers may become competent performers, but at the end of the day collaborative research is an art. Experts have a holistic perspective, ‘a feel’ for nuances and apply creative thinking in action.

ComMod: Engaged Research’s Contribution to Sustainable Development

The question of how to conciliate ecology, economy and society was first raised in the 1970s with UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme. The term, ‘sustainable development’, a product of the growing awareness that ensued, was defined in 1987 as: ‘development that responds to the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’ (Brundtland 1988).

What is collaborative landscape research about

Many different landscape research approaches involve some form of collaboration between researchers with different disciplinary backgrounds or between these researchers and societal actors. Often, however, the underlying theoretical assumptions behind these approaches and corresponding research goals and intended societal outcomes are not made explicit. These goals and intended outcomes do however require different forms of stakeholder participation, representing various degrees of sharing responsibilities and powers concerning the collaborative research process between researchers and societal stakeholders. Taking the theoretical perspectives, aims and goals and types of stakeholder participation into account, we distinguish between four general types of collaborative research approaches in landscape research. These types reflect the increasing engagement of researchers in processes of societal and institutional change. The case chapters in this book reflect this gamut of collaborative research types. In each of them, the authors describe and reflect on the theories and methods they used, the contribution to societal development they intended to achieve, the challenges or difficulties they encountered, the actual outcomes they achieved and the lessons they learned. The cases thus provide a valuable knowledge base for a comparative analysis of the collaborative practices and research roles employed and of the adequacy of the theories and methodologies practiced. The insights derived are used in the last chapter for the formulation of practical recommendations for those who want to engage in collaborative research for landscape development and governance.