Social Networks and Local Collaboration in Natural Resources Management in Developing Countries: A Review of the Theoretical and Empirical Literature

Abstract

While there has been a growth of literature in the area of social networks and natural
resources management (NRM), the theoretical and empirical literature on social
network dynamics of local collaboration in NRM in developing countries, and Africa
in particular, remains underdeveloped. This paper reviews the theoretical and
empirical literature of social networks and local collaboration in NRM, and develops
a conceptual framework for examining social network dynamics of local collaboration
in NRM. Its discussion centres on considerations for applying a stochastic actor-based
modelling approach of network dynamics, which offers one of the several noteworthy
approaches to social network analysis. The paper concludes that understanding the
mechanisms that underpin the dynamic nature of social networks and local
collaboration in NRM helps in developing appropriate policies that encourage
collaborative efforts, and foster local commitment to sustainable NRM.

Key words: social networks, natural resources management, local collaboration, network
dynamics, stochastic actor-based modelling