Research on existing actor-networks has focused traditionally on outcomes, achievements and success at the expense of a detailed consideration of their formation and ability to function. In recognition of this lacuna, this study examined the formation and functioning of tourism-related actor-networks involved in environmental protection and the management of tourism in the coastal city of Hurghada, Egypt. More specifically, it applied the actor-network theory (ANT). In particular, the study applied its four moments of translation – problematization, interessement, enrolment and mobilization – and used Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to analyse the influencing factors, whether positively or negatively, and the degree to which the creation and operations of such collaborations were successful. This study employed a sequential, explanatory mixed-methods design, integrating both quantitative and qualitative data. A questionnaire was used to collect data from 510 employees of tourism-related organizations involved in managing tourism’s environmental impacts on Hurghada. Also, the researcher conducted fourteen semi-structured interviews with the managers and assistant managers of tourism-related organizations involved in environmental protection and the management of tourism. The SEM’s findings revealed the existence of a number of tourism-related actor-networks which were attempting to safeguard local community livelihoods through environmental protection, and of four key factors – trust, coordination, commitment, and communication – which were damaging their formation, functioning and outcomes. This study contributed to theory since it enhanced our knowledge and understanding of the relationships between four previously unconnected bodies of literature. These were, namely, ANT, tourism-related organizations, environmental governance, collaboration, and environmental protection. The study highlighted, also, the factors, both positive and negative, which influenced the formation and functioning of tourism actor-networks involved in managing tourism’s environmental impacts on Hurghada. In practical terms, this study analysed the role of tourism-related organizations in order to identify their main strengths and weaknesses In addition, the researcher considered how partnership networks could consolidate the strengths and overcome the weaknesses of the tourism-related organizations involved in environmental protection and the management of tourism in Hurghada. Also, this study will help these tourism-related organizations, through such networks, to adopt suitable activities, policies, strategies and laws for protecting the assets relating to the local community’s livelihoods. Therefore, knowing the key success factors of collaborative networks and good governance will help these networks of tourism-related organizations to improve their performance in terms of assisting Hurghada’s local community and the poor people in particular.

Prevention, mitigation and response to large scale disasters is complex. It is widely argued that collaboration is a necessary component of successful disaster risk reduction (DRR). However, there are also significant challenges associated with collaboration for DRR. In this paper I carry out a descriptive, empirical case study of collaboration within disaster prevention and preparation in Sweden at the municipal level. The aim of the study is to identify potentially interesting patterns regarding collaboration and obstacles to collaboration in local disaster risk reduction. The study answers the question: to what extent do Sweden’s municipalities collaborate with other stakeholders on disaster risk reduction? Interesting patterns regarding the stability versus volatility of collaboration are identified. This study lays the foundation for further research on the potential and limitations of collaborative forms of governance for tackling complex societal phenomena that have a high degree of interdependency and uncertainty.

This thesis considers conditions for collaboration between two actors during the extensive fire-fighting effort in the Gävleborg region (Sweden) in summer 2018. The main purpose of the study is to explore how Länsstyrelsen and Försvarsmakten respectively identify the conditions for collaboration, and to what extent this image responds to a defined ideal type of collaboration. Material is collected through interviews with professionals from Länsstyrelsen Gävleborg and Försvarsmakten, and the responses are analysed through selected parts of the theoretical framework presented in the model An Integrative Framework for Collaborative Governance, which as a sub-purpose of this thesis is applied, as well as evaluated in relation to, a case study of crisis management. The results of the study indicate that the conditions for successful collaboration between Länsstyrelsen and Försvarsmakten are perceived as mainly positive: The desire to collaborate and cooperate is by both actors expressed as high, trust between the actors is mutually defined as strong, and respective actor identifies and recognises the other’s contribution of valuable resources to the collected effort. However, the analysis also shows that there is room for improvement within the working processes in samverkansstaben, as well as within the actors’ communication. The evaluation of the application of the theoretical framework indicates conceivable difficulties in distinguishing between the model’s terms and elements, as well as their varying potential operationalization, yet it confirms that the theoretical framework is to a high degree applicable to this case study of crisis management.

This thesis considers conditions for collaboration between two actors during the extensive fire-fighting effort in the Gävleborg region (Sweden) in summer 2018. The main purpose of the study is to explore how Länsstyrelsen and Försvarsmakten respectively identify the conditions for collaboration, and to what extent this image responds to a defined ideal type of collaboration. Material is collected through interviews with professionals from Länsstyrelsen Gävleborg and Försvarsmakten, and the responses are analysed through selected parts of the theoretical framework presented in the model An Integrative Framework for Collaborative Governance, which as a sub-purpose of this thesis is applied, as well as evaluated in relation to, a case study of crisis management. The results of the study indicate that the conditions for successful collaboration between Länsstyrelsen and Försvarsmakten are perceived as mainly positive: The desire to collaborate and cooperate is by both actors expressed as high, trust between the actors is mutually defined as strong, and respective actor identifies and recognises the other’s contribution of valuable resources to the collected effort. However, the analysis also shows that there is room for improvement within the working processes in samverkansstaben, as well as within the actors’ communication. The evaluation of the application of the theoretical framework indicates conceivable difficulties in distinguishing between the model’s terms and elements, as well as their varying potential operationalization, yet it confirms that the theoretical framework is to a high degree applicable to this case study of crisis management.

O Programa Nacional de Educação Ambiental (ProNEA) baseado na Política Nacional de Educação Ambiental (PNEA) estimula estados e municípios a desenvolverem suas políticas de Educação Ambiental (EA) com a formação de Comissões de Educação Ambiental. O intuito desta estratégia é promover nos territórios o diálogo entre os diversos setores da sociedade para efetivar a implantação das políticas públicas de EA, considerando a EA como atividade fundamental de formação de pessoas para o exercício da cidadania responsável e consciente, capazes de construírem e prosperarem sociedades sustentáveis. Imbuído deste desafio o município de Suzano, SP, criou em 2011 sua Comissão Interinstitucional Municipal de Educação Ambiental (CIMEA-Suzano), responsável pela Política e pelo Sistema de Educação Ambiental do município. A CIMEA-Suzano é considerada referência de política de EA no Brasil, inspirando a criação de outras comissões em diversos municípios brasileiros. Seu processo de desenvolvimento está alicerçado no ProNEA e seu modelo de atuação configura um arranjo colaborativo ao integrar atores públicos, privados e pessoas no provimento de políticas públicas de EA. O presente trabalho buscou interpretar a CIMEA-Suzano sob a perspectiva da governança colaborativa com o objetivo de reconhecer nos seus processos de implementação e atuação, os mecanismos de colaboração que a permitiram alcançar as diretrizes e os princípios postulados pelo ProNEA. O desenvolvimento desta pesquisa se baseia no aprofundamento dos temas da Governança e da Educação Ambiental enquanto política pública, para identificar e contextualizar o regime de governança colaborativa nos processos de implementação e atuação da CIMEA-Suzano. A metodologia de trabalho baseia-se numa análise de conteúdo do período 2009 2012 e inclui entrevistas abertas com pessoas chaves integrantes da CIMEA-Suzano / The Environmental Education National Program (ProNEA) based on National Policy of Environmental Education (PNEA) stimulates estates and municipalities to develop environmental education policies through formation of Environmental Educations Commission. The aim of this strategy is to promote on the territories the dialogue among different social sectors to effect the environment education public policies, considering the environmental education (EE) as the fundamental activity to form people to the citizenship responsibly and conscious, able to build and thrive sustainable society. With this challenge the municipality of Suzano creates in 2011 its Inter-institutional Municipal of Environmental Education Commission (CIMEA), responsibly for the Municipal Policy and System of Environmental Education of the city. The CIMEA is considered reference of EE policy in Brazil, inspiring the creation of others commissions in many Brazilian cities. Its development process is sustained on ProNEA and its action model comprehends a collaborative design that integrates people, public and private actors on the EE public policy development. This work sought to interpret the CIMEA as a collaborative governance regime and the goal was recognize in its actions and implementation process the collaborative mechanisms that allowed reach the ProNEA principles and guidelines. This research development is based on deepen study of Collaborative Governance theme and Environmental Education Policy to identify and contextualize the Collaborative Governance Regime on the actions and implementation process of CIMEA. The methodology is based on a content analysis of the period 2009 - 2012 and includes open interviews with key personnel members of CIMEA

O Programa Nacional de Educação Ambiental (ProNEA) baseado na Política Nacional de Educação Ambiental (PNEA) estimula estados e municípios a desenvolverem suas políticas de Educação Ambiental (EA) com a formação de Comissões de Educação Ambiental. O intuito desta estratégia é promover nos territórios o diálogo entre os diversos setores da sociedade para efetivar a implantação das políticas públicas de EA, considerando a EA como atividade fundamental de formação de pessoas para o exercício da cidadania responsável e consciente, capazes de construírem e prosperarem sociedades sustentáveis. Imbuído deste desafio o município de Suzano, SP, criou em 2011 sua Comissão Interinstitucional Municipal de Educação Ambiental (CIMEA-Suzano), responsável pela Política e pelo Sistema de Educação Ambiental do município. A CIMEA-Suzano é considerada referência de política de EA no Brasil, inspirando a criação de outras comissões em diversos municípios brasileiros. Seu processo de desenvolvimento está alicerçado no ProNEA e seu modelo de atuação configura um arranjo colaborativo ao integrar atores públicos, privados e pessoas no provimento de políticas públicas de EA. O presente trabalho buscou interpretar a CIMEA-Suzano sob a perspectiva da governança colaborativa com o objetivo de reconhecer nos seus processos de implementação e atuação, os mecanismos de colaboração que a permitiram alcançar as diretrizes e os princípios postulados pelo ProNEA. O desenvolvimento desta pesquisa se baseia no aprofundamento dos temas da Governança e da Educação Ambiental enquanto política pública, para identificar e contextualizar o regime de governança colaborativa nos processos de implementação e atuação da CIMEA-Suzano. A metodologia de trabalho baseia-se numa análise de conteúdo do período 2009 2012 e inclui entrevistas abertas com pessoas chaves integrantes da CIMEA-Suzano / The Environmental Education National Program (ProNEA) based on National Policy of Environmental Education (PNEA) stimulates estates and municipalities to develop environmental education policies through formation of Environmental Educations Commission. The aim of this strategy is to promote on the territories the dialogue among different social sectors to effect the environment education public policies, considering the environmental education (EE) as the fundamental activity to form people to the citizenship responsibly and conscious, able to build and thrive sustainable society. With this challenge the municipality of Suzano creates in 2011 its Inter-institutional Municipal of Environmental Education Commission (CIMEA), responsibly for the Municipal Policy and System of Environmental Education of the city. The CIMEA is considered reference of EE policy in Brazil, inspiring the creation of others commissions in many Brazilian cities. Its development process is sustained on ProNEA and its action model comprehends a collaborative design that integrates people, public and private actors on the EE public policy development. This work sought to interpret the CIMEA as a collaborative governance regime and the goal was recognize in its actions and implementation process the collaborative mechanisms that allowed reach the ProNEA principles and guidelines. This research development is based on deepen study of Collaborative Governance theme and Environmental Education Policy to identify and contextualize the Collaborative Governance Regime on the actions and implementation process of CIMEA. The methodology is based on a content analysis of the period 2009 - 2012 and includes open interviews with key personnel members of CIMEA

While communities in the United States are already experiencing the effects of climate change, scientists project that sea level rise, increased precipitation, and record-breaking extreme weather events will devastate vulnerable regions in the following decades. The absence of federal strategies for climate change adaptation leaves state and city governments with broad discretion to undertake climate change adaptation measures. Yet cities may be unable to adapt to climate change without external assistance, particularly in states where the state leadership has not recognized the need to provide political and financial support to local governments. Collaboration allows cities to pool resources and work across boundaries to ameliorate significant problems such as climate change. Scholars of public administration have extensively researched collaboration. However, we still know little about what factors facilitate horizontal collaboration and why and how collaborative governance may lead to improved policy outputs and outcomes. Using the case of sea level rise preparedness in US cities, this dissertation contributes to better understanding of horizontal collaboration and its effects on public service provision. The analysis draws on quantitative data from surveys, administered to US municipal governments, and qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with city officials. This research has several principal findings. First, organizational propensity to collaborate on sea level rise preparedness is driven by leadership that recognizes the value and need for collaboration, and internal organizational characteristics. Second, horizontal collaboration helps cities advance plans for sea level rise adaptation, particularly when partnering with institutions of higher learning and businesses. Third, the findings show that collaboration with other municipalities and businesses is a positive contributing factor toward better preparedness for sea level rise in US cities. By shedding more light on horizontal collaboration as a tool to help cities adapt to changes in climate, the study contributes to two bodies of literature, including research on climate change policy and collaborative governance. The study also provides a number of recommendations to local policy makers and public administrators on how to facilitate horizontal collaboration to utilize local resources in public problem-solving.

Authoritative, top-down forms of environmental governance are presently giving way to more collaborative approaches in which decision making is an ongoing negotiation between government and non-government actors. There is growing consensus that critical environmental concerns—such as contamination of drinking water—relate as much to political, economic and social issues, as to technical and scientific issues. As the trend toward collaborative environmental governance continues, and as science-based knowledge increasingly shares a role in decision-making processes with more “local”, non-scientific knowledge, questions arise concerning how diverse knowledge contributions are understood and engaged in these governance processes. This research explored the relationships between knowledge and collaborative environmental governance processes. The purpose of the research was to identify (1) types of knowledge that individual actors bring into collaborative governance pertaining to water resource protection, (2) uses of that knowledge, and (3) features of collaborative processes that affect the engagement of actor knowledge. Collaborative water governance in New Brunswick provided the context for the research. Most actors did not see a definitive distinction between “expert”, scientific and “local”, non-scientific knowledge; they considered both to be important contributions. Nonetheless, science-based knowledge, especially natural science, was found to be a predominant knowledge type among actors involved in collaborative water governance. Science-based, expert knowledge was more readily used than local knowledge types in the various stages of collaborative governance. Leadership and the definition of actor roles were considered paramount for engaging a wide range of knowledge types in collaborative governance processes.

Authoritative, top-down forms of environmental governance are presently giving way to more collaborative approaches in which decision making is an ongoing negotiation between government and non-government actors. There is growing consensus that critical environmental concerns—such as contamination of drinking water—relate as much to political, economic and social issues, as to technical and scientific issues. As the trend toward collaborative environmental governance continues, and as science-based knowledge increasingly shares a role in decision-making processes with more “local”, non-scientific knowledge, questions arise concerning how diverse knowledge contributions are understood and engaged in these governance processes. This research explored the relationships between knowledge and collaborative environmental governance processes. The purpose of the research was to identify (1) types of knowledge that individual actors bring into collaborative governance pertaining to water resource protection, (2) uses of that knowledge, and (3) features of collaborative processes that affect the engagement of actor knowledge. Collaborative water governance in New Brunswick provided the context for the research. Most actors did not see a definitive distinction between “expert”, scientific and “local”, non-scientific knowledge; they considered both to be important contributions. Nonetheless, science-based knowledge, especially natural science, was found to be a predominant knowledge type among actors involved in collaborative water governance. Science-based, expert knowledge was more readily used than local knowledge types in the various stages of collaborative governance. Leadership and the definition of actor roles were considered paramount for engaging a wide range of knowledge types in collaborative governance processes.

abstract: Traditionally, emergency response is in large part the role and responsibility of formal organizations. Advances in information technology enable amateurs or concerned publics to play a meaningful role in emergency response. Indeed, in recent catastrophic disasters or crises such as the 2010 Haiti earthquake and the 2011 Japan earthquake and nuclear crisis, participatory online groups of the general public from both across the globe and the affected areas made significant contributions to the effective response through crowdsourcing vital information and assisting with the allocation of needed resources. Thus, a more integrative lens is needed to understand the responses of various actors to catastrophic crises or disasters by taking into account not only formal organizations with legal responsibilities, but also volunteer-based, participatory groups who actively participate in emergency response. In this dissertation, I first developed an “event-driven” lens for integrating both formal and volunteer-based, participatory emergency responses on the basis of a comprehensive literature review (chapter 1). Then I conducted a deeper analysis of one aspect of the event-driven lens: relationships between participatory online groups and formal organizations in crisis or disaster situations. Specifically, I explored organizational and technical determinants and outcomes of forming such relationships (chapter 2). As a consequence, I found out three determinants (resource dependence, shared understanding, and information technology) and two outcomes (inter-organizational alignment and the effectiveness of coordinated emergency response) of the relationship between participatory online groups and formal organizations and suggested seven hypotheses. Furthermore, I empirically tested these hypotheses, focusing on the 2015 Nepal earthquake case (chapter 3). As a result, I found empirical evidence that supports that shared understanding and information technology improve the development of the relationship between participatory online groups and formal organizations. Moreover, research findings support that the development of the relationship enhances inter-organizational coordination. Lastly, I provide implications for future research (chapter 4). This dissertation is expected to contribute to bridging the disconnect between the emergency management literature and the crisis informatics literature. The theoretical insight from inter-organizational relations (IOR) theory provides another contribution. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Public Administration 2016