Analysing resource management outcomes : an actor-centred power approach.

Abstract

This paper presents an adapted methodological Interest-Power-Outcome (IPO) framework for analysing environmental resource management outcomes by integrating the Actor-Centred Power (ACP) framework with Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA). The framework aims to analyse how actors involved in resource management use their power in pursuit of specific interests, and how their interventions on the ground can either align with or diverge from intended policy outcomes in a resource system. The QCA is applied to the analytical features of actors, interests, power resources, and power application in a given resource management context, regardless of sample size, to provide data-informed outcome analysis for sustainable resource management. The method was pretested through an empirical case study of the mangrove reforestation program, in which 13 local-level cases were comparatively analysed. The results show that 77 % of actors' interest-oriented cases aligned with the policy goal of improving mangrove forest cover; however, the remaining cases are unlikely to achieve the intended outcomes. The analysis further identifies the causes of failed outcomes and provides clear pathways for improving future strategies. The analytical framework is intended to apply to the content-specific cases within broader environmental resource management.