Co-participation in the Swiss water forum network*. Issue 3 (4th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fischer, Manuel; Angst, Mario; Maag, Simon
• Is Part Of: International journal of water resources development. Volume 35:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 446
• Page End: 464
• Publication Date: 2019-05-04
• Subjects: Water governance -- polycentric governance -- forums -- participation -- actors -- networks; Water resources development -- Periodicals; Water-supply, Agricultural -- Periodicals; 333.91005
• DOI: 10.1080/07900627.2017.1374929
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0790-0627

Abstract

Abstract: In polycentric governance systems, actors interact in different venues, such as forums which foster cross-sectoral interaction. This analysis centres on water forums in Switzerland and on actors with multiple forum memberships, creating interactions throughout the entire forum network. Findings show that the central actors in the entire water forum network are predominantly from the public administration sector, even though members from the private sector are most numerous. Despite an emphasis on the bottom-up and self-organizing character of polycentric governance systems in the literature, this analysis shows that public administration actors still play a crucial role as network managers and brokers.