An Actor-Interest-Power (AIP) governance indicator framework for operationalising the Actor-Centred Power approach

Systematic analysis of complex social relations in environmental governance requires clear identification of
actors, their interests, power distribution, and interactions. While the Actor-Centred Power (ACP) approach provides a theoretical foundation for analysing governance processes, its application has remained predominantly qualitative, limiting transparency, comparability, and reproducibility across governance contexts. This study develops a structured Actor-Interest-Power (AIP) analytical framework that operationalises the ACP approach by integrating actor interests and power distribution within a transparent and comparable analytical
procedure. The framework combines structured actor-interest scoring, power assessment, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to enable systematic exploration and comparison of governance configurations. 
Drawing on empirical data from mangrove forest management in Thailand, a subset of actors and interests is reanalysed to demonstrate the application of the framework. To further illustrate its analytical utility, six conceptually constructed AIP typologies representing contrasting governance configurations are developed, ranging from aligned high-power structures to fragmented and asymmetric arrangements. Together, the empirical application and conceptual typologies demonstrate how different Actor-Interest-Power (AIP) configurations can be systematically represented and compared within a consistent analytical framework. By operationalising Actor-Interest-Power relationships into a structured analytical framework, this study advances the practical application of the ACP approach and contributes to the development of transparent, reproducible, and configuration-based governance indicators for comparative sustainability assessment and planning.