O objetivo desta pesquisa é avaliar o papel das estratégias partidárias no desempenho do Legislativo em Cabo Verde, em dois pares de legislaturas: de 1991 a 2001 e de 2001 a 2011. As hipóteses centrais são as de que em regimes semipresidenciais a delegação de poderes do Legislativo (mandante) ao Executivo (agente) não limita o controle do Parlamento sobre os atos do Governo, sobretudo em matéria da produção legislativa. Sendo assim, o padrão do desempenho do Legislativo reflete as preferências da maioria e a sua estratégia de decisão em transferir os custos do Legislativo para o Executivo. O quadro teórico utilizado suporta-se em elementos do neoinstitucionalismo e a sua vertente de Rational Choice, e visam compreender, a partir dos arranjos institucionais cabo-verdianos, as estratégias partidárias utilizadas por partidos políticos e parlamentares que vêm tornando ineficiente o desempenho do Legislativo. / The objective of this research is to evaluate the role of party strategies in the Legislature's performance in Cape Verde in two legislatures pairs: from 1991 to 2001 and from 2001 to 2011. The key assumptions are that semi-presidential regimes in the legislature's powers of delegation (principal) Executive (agent) does not limit the control of Parliament over the acts of the Government, especially as regards the legislative process. Thus, the pattern of legislative performance reflects the preferences of the majority and the decision strategy to transfer the Legislative costs for the Executive. The theoretical framework supports in neoinstitutionalism elements and its aspects of Rational Choice , and seek to understand, from the Cape Verdean institutional arrangements , partisan strategies used by political parties and parliamentarians who come making inefficient the Legislature 's performance.

O histórico de criação das unidades de conservação de proteção integral no Estado de São Paulo, a exemplo dos parques estaduais, é marcado pela imposição de áreas protegidas em muitos locais ocupados por comunidades tradicionais, causando inúmeros conflitos pela posse de terra. A gestão de tais áreas apresenta grandes desafios, tanto no que se refere à conservação da natureza quanto ao desenvolvimento e sobrevivência das comunidades. Se por um lado, de acordo com a lei, as comunidades devem ter seu modo de vida assegurados (BRASIL, 2000), ao menos enquanto não sejam realocados, por outro lado, essas comunidades em geral possuem poucos direitos reconhecidos. Estudos realizados no mundo todo têm comprovado as possibilidades de se aliar natureza e comunidades e, sobretudo, as possibilidades de inserção das comunidades na gestão destes espaços naturais. O Parque Estadual da Ilha do Cardoso apresenta um histórico de referência no Estado quando se trata de gestão participativa. No entanto, ainda hoje, as comunidades lutam para garantir seus direitos, principalmente em relação à terra. O presente estudo lança luz ao conselho gestor do Parque Estadual da Ilha do Cardoso como importante ferramenta de inserção das comunidades locais na gestão do parque e debruça-se na análise da participação de quatro comunidades caiçaras inseridas no seu interior: Marujá, Enseada da Baleia, Pereirinha e Itacuruçá. Através do modelo de análise Institutional Analysis and Development Framework - IAD, desenvolvido por Ostrom (1990), foi possível compreender o funcionamento do conselho gestor, bem como a influência dos arranjos institucionais das comunidades nos acordos formais e informais desenvolvidos entre comunidades e gestão em anos de relacionamento. Ainda que, legalmente, seja apenas consultivo, o conselho apresenta-se hoje como importante espaço de interação entre os atores e de inclusão das comunidades em alguns aspectos que envolvem a gestão do parque / The creation of strict-use protected areas in São Paulo State, for instance state parks, is marked by the imposition of protected areas in places that were once occupied by traditional communities, causing lots of conflicts for land possession. The management of these areas is a great challenge for the conservation of nature and also for the development and survival of the communities. According to the Brazilian law (BRASIL, 2000) the way of life of these communities must be guaranteed, at least while they are not reallocated. However, at the same time, these communities have only few recognized rights. Research conducted all over the world has proven that the possibilities of combining nature and communities and above all the possibilities of including the communities in the management of those protected areas. The Ilha do Cardoso State Park presents a historic reference concerning participative management. However, nowadays, communities still fight to ensure their rights, especially concerning land possession. The present study focuses on the managing council as an important way of including the local communities in the parks management. It also includes the analysis of the participation of four traditional communities located inside the parks area: Marujá, Enseada da Baleia, Pereirinha and Itacuruçá. Based on the framework developed by Ostrom (1990), Institutional Analysis and Development Framework - IAD, it was possible to comprehend how the managing council works, and the influence of the institutional arrangements of the communities on formal and informal arrangements developed between managers and communities through years of relations. Although the council is legally only advisory, it represents an important place of interaction between the actors involved and the inclusion of communities in some aspects that involve the management of the park

A presente dissertação de mestrado consiste em um estudo de caso das contratações das parcerias público-privadas (PPPs) das Linhas 4 e 6 de metrô em São Paulo. A partir do estudo indutivo realizado, buscou-se compreender como os instrumentos jurídicos são efetivamente utilizados para viabilizar o provimento de uma atividade de interesse público para a população; a evolução institucional ocorrida no processo de aprendizagem de utilização dessas ferramentas; e o papel desempenhado pelas empresas estatais nesse novo cenário. Para tanto, o texto constrói a evolução das formas de concessão de serviços públicos e situa no plano histórico o surgimento e a adoção das PPPs como indicativos de uma nova forma de atuação estatal na economia. O estudo de caso foi elaborado a partir de análise documental e construção de narrativas, por entrevistas semiestruturadas, dos atores envolvidos nos processos de contratação das Linhas 4 e 6. A observação empírica revelou que as empresas estatais cumprem um papel fundamental na criação de arranjos institucionais funcionais para a viabilização dos empreendimentos conjuntos, exercendo uma função coordenação público-privada e promovendo aprendizado institucional. Também observou-se que complexos arranjos contratuais são utilizados como forma de separar as obrigações contratuais de demandas políticas, insulando os direitos do concessionário de alterações posteriores. Isso ficou evidente, especialmente, no tocante à diferenciação entre tarifa política e tarifa contratual, às garantias de pagamento de contraprestação e aporte e ao sistema de pagamentos de tarifas. Os resultados obtidos a longo dessa pesquisa acrescem ao conjunto de estudos que apontam para a inadequação de medidas institucionais de tamanho único para o desenvolvimento (teoria das dotações institucionais). A experiência indica que as PPPs estudadas foram bem-sucedidas justamente porque foram construídas a partir de soluções e arranjos institucionais específicos ao contexto em que estavam inseridas, levando em consideração as limitações e as potencialidades do direito local. Desse modo, a pesquisa conclui pela existência de um modelo brasileiro de PPPs que envolve, necessariamente, intermediação de empresas estatais na construção de arranjos institucionais cooperativos entre os atores públicos e privados. / This thesis is the written product of a case study of São Paulos Metro Lines 4 and 6 public-private partnerships contracts. The objectives of this empirical study were to fully understand how: the legal tools are handled in order to provide a public service to the people; the institutional development in the process of learning the use of these tools; and the role played by state-owned enterprises in this new context. In order to do so, the text builds on the historical evolution of state concessions and the emergence of PPPs as indicators of a new way of State intervention in the economy. The case study was made using documental analysis and the building of narratives, through interviews with the main actors in the processes of contracting out the services of metro. The empirical observation revealed that state-owned enterprises play a significant role in the making of functional institutional arrangements necessary to the existence and function of joint enterprises, working as a coordinator of the public-private relationship and promoting institutional learning. Also, it was noted that complex contractual arrangements are used as a way of detaching contractual obligations from political demands, insulating concessionarys rights from ulterior changes. This was evidenced, specially, by the description of the contractual differentiation of tariffs (political vs contractual), also by the structure of the counterparts warrantees, and by the payment system that was created. The results from this research add to the growing literature that points out the inadequacy of one size fits all institutional changes in order to promote development. The reported experience indicates that the PPP contracts were well succeeded precisely because they were built on context-specific solution and institutional arrangements, that took into account the limitations and potentialities of the local legal system. In this sense, the research shows the existence of a Brazilian model of PPP contracts that involves, necessarily, the intermediation of state-owned enterprises in the formation of cooperative institutional arrangements between public and private actors.

O meio ambiente se apresenta como um dos desafios da governança global no que se refere às abordagens de Relações Internacionais e Ciência Política. Isso se deve ao fato de que os recursos naturais não se submetem à soberania direta do Estado e/ou das organizações internacionais formais como fonte de autoridade devido à transnacionalidade que o tema enseja. Neste sentido, os diferentes atores das relações internacionais, estatais e não estatais, precisam construir arenas de atuação, criar regulamentações onde os Estados (eventualmente) não estão presentes, e criar instrumentos de enforcement e compliance. No entanto, a centralidade das questões ambientais é colocada em xeque por teorias racionalistas de relações internacionais baseadas na autoridade do Estado e de sua capacidade de enforcement top-down. O meio ambiente é um assunto melhor considerado por arenas transnacionais em um contexto multinível e policêntrico. Neste sentido, a análise em nível local e a capacidade de organização de grupos sociais na constituição dos arranjos institucionais através da ação coletiva para solucionar a possível \"tragédia dos comuns\" tem atraído estudiosos que procuram demonstrar a sua efetividade e, consequentemente, a sua contribuição para a resolução das contendas ambientais globais. Desta forma, o objetivo deste trabalho é demonstrar como a relação entre a governança dos recursos de uso comum em âmbito local vincula-se aos instrumentos de governança global definidos por governos e organizações internacionais formais para o uso da biodiversidade. Inicialmente, realiza-se revisão bibliográfica da literatura de Relações Internacionais e Ciência Política para articular as questões ambientais entre o local e o global para, posteriormente, revelar como a governança ambiental multinível e policêntrica é estabelecida para o caso do uso da biodiversidade em comunidades locais na Amazônia brasileira, como apresentado no trabalho empírico. / The environment is presented as one of the challenges of global governance with regard to the approaches of International Relations and Political Science. This is due to the fact that natural resources are not subjected to the direct sovereignty of the State and/or formal international organizations as a source of authority because of the transnationality that the subject entails. In this sense, the different actors of International Relations, State and non-State, need to build action arenas, create regulations where States (eventually) are not present, and create instruments of enforcement and compliance. However, the centrality of environmental issues is kept in check by rationalist theories of International Relations based on States\' authority and ability to top-down enforcement. The environment is a subject better considered in transnational arenas in a multilevel and polycentric context. In this sense, the analysis at the local level and the organizational ability of social groups in the constitution of institutional arrangements through collective action to address the possible \"tragedy of the commons\" has attracted scholars seeking to demonstrate its effectiveness and, consequently, their contribution for the resolution of global environmental issues. Thus, the aim of this study is to demonstrate how the relationship between the governance of the common-pool resources at the local level is linked to the global governance instruments set by governments and formal international organizations for the use of biodiversity. Initially, a literature review of International Relations and Political Science literature is carried out to articulate environmental issues between the local and the global to reveal how the multilevel and polycentric environmental governance is established in the case of the use of biodiversity in local communities in the Brazilian Amazon, as shown in the empirical work.

Submitted by Jean Medeiros (jeanletras@uepb.edu.br) on 2016-09-02T12:34:23Z No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF - Elis Regina Neves Barreiro.pdf: 2476413 bytes, checksum: 33807cdee5e3afc042d03b0d8a06e5c8 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Secta BC (secta.csu.bc@uepb.edu.br) on 2016-09-05T17:36:26Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF - Elis Regina Neves Barreiro.pdf: 2476413 bytes, checksum: 33807cdee5e3afc042d03b0d8a06e5c8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-05T17:36:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PDF - Elis Regina Neves Barreiro.pdf: 2476413 bytes, checksum: 33807cdee5e3afc042d03b0d8a06e5c8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-10-14 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Innovation environment deployed in already developed and developing countries to boost regional and national economies, the Scientific and Technological Parks, through the relation Government-University-Industry can play the role of catalyst of scientific development and technological local and territorial, making localities more competitive, creating quality jobs and social welfare. The aim of this article is to analyze how the Paraiba Technology Park in the fabric of institutional arrangements have configured the local and territorial development. The methodology used was the exploratory and descriptive with approach of quantitative and qualitative data. For data collection was used the bibliographic research, documentary and field. The main results reveal the importance of this institution, which in cooperation and partnership with other institutions, promotes increased visibility of technological innovation in local and state level, as well as have a positive impact on the formation of human capital. Consideration of the inter hybridization (cooperation, collaboration and coordination with various partners) is rooted in the evolutionary concept of the Triple Helix - government, business, university, favoring the construction of institutional arrangements (agreements, contracts, agreements) that create synergies between actors institutional involved in the local - territorial development. In a general context, it is emphasized that the institution has become an important part in fostering science and technology in the state and for creating innovative businesses. Supported by the synergy of the relationship between the Government, the University and Company, is a viable alternative for promoting scientific and technological development local and territorial, point is, therefore, natural and outstanding contributions in their surroundings. / Ambientes de inovação implantados em países desenvolvidos e em desenvolvimento para dinamizar economias regionais e nacionais, os Parques Científicos e Tecnológicos (PCTs), através da relação Governo-Universidade-Empresa, podem desempenhar o papel de impulsionador do desenvolvimento cientifico e tecnológico local e territorial, tornando as localidades mais competitivas, gerando empregos de qualidade e bem-estar social. O objetivo geral deste artigo é analisar como o Parque Tecnológico da Paraíba na tessitura dos arranjos institucionais tem configurado o desenvolvimento local e territorial. A metodologia utilizada foi do tipo exploratório-descritivo, com abordagem dos dados quanti-qualitativa. Para coleta de dados utilizou-se a pesquisas bibliográfica, documental e de campo. Os principais resultados revelam a importância dessa instituição, que em cooperação e parceria com outras instituições, promove o aumento da visibilidade da inovação tecnológica em nível local e estadual, além de causar impactos positivos sobre a formação de capital humano. A análise da sua hibridização interorganizacional (cooperação, colaboração e articulação com vários parceiros) está enraizada no conceito evolutivo da Hélice Tríplice – governo, empresa, universidade, favorecendo a construção de arranjos institucionais (convênios, contratos, acordos) que criam sinergias entre os atores institucionais envolvidos no processo de desenvolvimento local-territorial. Em um contexto geral, destaca-se que a instituição tornou- se uma peça importante no fomento à Ciência e Tecnologia no Estado e para a criação de empresas inovadoras. Apoiada nas sinergias das relações entre o Governo, a Universidade e Empresa, constitui uma alternativa viável para promoção do desenvolvimento científico e tecnológico local e territorial, apontam-se, assim, contribuições singulares e relevantes em seu entorno.

<p>Beginning in the 1990s, sustainability indicators have rapidly been developed in different political contexts to measure progress towards reaching sustainable development. Previous research has largely focused on developing models and criteria for defining indicators in order to identify scientifically sound systems. However, sustainability indicators represent more than pure aggregated data; they represent values. This thesis takes its departure in seeing indicators as socially constructed, and aims to explore the role(s) indicators play in governance for local sustainable development. The traditional environmental policy discourse characterised by rationality and efficiency became challenged in the 1990s by the Agenda 21 discourse, emphasizing the need for citizen participation for environmental governance. Notions of efficiency and participation are, however, often in conflict since achieving participation is time consuming and efficiency requires results within short time frames. Thus, a tension in governance is created which is especially apparent at the local level and in politics relating to sustinable development.</p><p>In this study, Sweden is seen as an extreme case in terms of implementing sustainable development policies. Swedish local authorities have been at the international forefront in developing sustainability indicators. Here, the work surrounding seven different sustainability indicator systems in three Swedish municipalities is analysed. The overall research question relates to the tension in governance: Are the sustinability indicators driven primarily by efficiency or participatory claims? The analytical framework combines two different, yet linked theoretical approaches: an institutional approach, which captures the organizational arrangements of the indicator systems; and a discourse inspired approach, shedding light on underlying notions and ‘problem’ representations embedded in the indicator systems. Interviews with politicians and local officers and written material serve as the main empirical sources.</p><p>The analysis shows that local sustainability indicators vary to a great extent regarding their scope, which implies that sustainable development is interpreted differently depending on the local context. In general, goals linked to ‘soft’ issues like democracy, awareness raising and learning tend to be less indicated than ‘hard’ issues such as pure natural scientific measures. Oftenmost, participation is interpreted in its ‘weak’ form, that is stakeholders and citizens are being informed about political decisions taken or are invitated to attend meetings. Many politicians express concern abut participatory methods that aim for empowering citizens, claiming that this is in conflict with the idea of representative democracy. Surprisingly, the more participatory driven indicator systems have not become established in the municipal organisation despite the involvement of many different stakeholders in the developing process. In contrast, the more efficiency driven systems, have been internally anchored but involved very few external stakeholdes in the process. These latter systems are therefore most likely to be used and implemented. In general, politicians’ trust in expert knowledge in policy making is high and it is difficult to involve citizens in that process. Also, because work with sustainable development issues in general, and indicators in particular, is largely seen as projects rather than processes, the efficiency ideal prevails in local policy making – maybe not in rhetoric, but certainly in practice.</p>

Beginning in the 1990s, sustainability indicators have rapidly been developed in different political contexts to measure progress towards reaching sustainable development. Previous research has largely focused on developing models and criteria for defining indicators in order to identify scientifically sound systems. However, sustainability indicators represent more than pure aggregated data; they represent values. This thesis takes its departure in seeing indicators as socially constructed, and aims to explore the role(s) indicators play in governance for local sustainable development. The traditional environmental policy discourse characterised by rationality and efficiency became challenged in the 1990s by the Agenda 21 discourse, emphasizing the need for citizen participation for environmental governance. Notions of efficiency and participation are, however, often in conflict since achieving participation is time consuming and efficiency requires results within short time frames. Thus, a tension in governance is created which is especially apparent at the local level and in politics relating to sustinable development. In this study, Sweden is seen as an extreme case in terms of implementing sustainable development policies. Swedish local authorities have been at the international forefront in developing sustainability indicators. Here, the work surrounding seven different sustainability indicator systems in three Swedish municipalities is analysed. The overall research question relates to the tension in governance: Are the sustinability indicators driven primarily by efficiency or participatory claims? The analytical framework combines two different, yet linked theoretical approaches: an institutional approach, which captures the organizational arrangements of the indicator systems; and a discourse inspired approach, shedding light on underlying notions and ‘problem’ representations embedded in the indicator systems. Interviews with politicians and local officers and written material serve as the main empirical sources. The analysis shows that local sustainability indicators vary to a great extent regarding their scope, which implies that sustainable development is interpreted differently depending on the local context. In general, goals linked to ‘soft’ issues like democracy, awareness raising and learning tend to be less indicated than ‘hard’ issues such as pure natural scientific measures. Oftenmost, participation is interpreted in its ‘weak’ form, that is stakeholders and citizens are being informed about political decisions taken or are invitated to attend meetings. Many politicians express concern abut participatory methods that aim for empowering citizens, claiming that this is in conflict with the idea of representative democracy. Surprisingly, the more participatory driven indicator systems have not become established in the municipal organisation despite the involvement of many different stakeholders in the developing process. In contrast, the more efficiency driven systems, have been internally anchored but involved very few external stakeholdes in the process. These latter systems are therefore most likely to be used and implemented. In general, politicians’ trust in expert knowledge in policy making is high and it is difficult to involve citizens in that process. Also, because work with sustainable development issues in general, and indicators in particular, is largely seen as projects rather than processes, the efficiency ideal prevails in local policy making – maybe not in rhetoric, but certainly in practice.

The research objective of this dissertation is to investigate the impact of institutional arrangements, with respect to vertical integration and cooperation, on competitive advantages within the commercial printing industry, with specific focus on digital printing. This dissertation comprises six research papers, based on four qualitative case studies and a quantitative survey study, all carried out in Sweden in the years 2004-2008.The results show that vertical integration is a way to achieve competitive advantages in the commercial printing industry and is a widely used strategy in Sweden. Being able to contract full service companies is appreciated by customers to printing houses, especially direct customers, due to their need for a supplier of complete solutions for printed matters. Consequently, a vertically integrated company can provide value added services which makes it possible for customers to minimize their organization regarding production and purchasing of printed matters. Other reasons for vertical integration are the need to ensure fast deliveries to customers and having a steady supply of appropriate jobs. Despite the believed strategic importance by the industry, the results show that the level of vertical integration has no significant impact on profitability. Vertical integration is strategically important for digital printing houses in order to develop their business because digital printing allows for fast deliveries, on-demand printing and variable data printing. Despite the commoditization of printed matter, the findings indicate that the industry, in general, focuses on providing a high service level even though it means having to set higher prices. Furthermore, the results point toward that this strategic positioning is beneficial for digital printing houses because they experience a lower degree of competition and a lower price pressure.Vertical integration can, however create inflexibility due to ownership and employment. The findings suggest that cooperation can be used to achieve fast access to valuable resources, such as production equipment and knowledge, and, hence, increase printing houses’ resource flexibility. Even though internal control of resources is regarded as important to be able to satisfy customers’ needs and produce customers’ orders on time, cooperation with partners can create similar strategic effects. Furthermore, cooperation can give cost and flexibility advantages compared to vertical integration by reducing internal need for production capacity and allowing access to complementary resources. Nevertheless, it is common to combine vertical integration with cooperation to create competitive advantages and make a company more flexible and dynamic toward market changes. / QC 20100827

Irrigation decentralization has been launched worldwide with high expectations of improved governance, efficiency, and productivity through  democratic processes. However, there is widespread recognition that decentralization is, in reality, unlikely to bring about these positive outcomes. Poor implementation is widely blamed for these failures, but the current study argues that this is only partially true. Decentralization is usually treated as a technical way of power transfer that can be evaluated through quantitative  indicators. Much attention goes to searching solutions to constraints during implementation while less emphasis is on understanding of contexts, processes and the consequences of institutional changes. The common approach mainly focuses on local water users’ organizations but gives insufficient attention to the cross-level interactions between involved actors, their responses to reforms, and power relationships. This approach answers the question: what should be done, but not: why do constraints/limitations occur and why are such contradictory results obtained? In this way the approach itself diffuses some of the challenges in reality and the root of problems leading to surprise consequences and failures during  implementation. In this study, two irrigation systems in Vietnam were selected to examine the emerging decentralization processes, actors’ responses to the institutional changes, as well as the main options, challenges and constraints to decentralization. My ambition is also to further understand why constraints occur and have counterproductive effects. A mixed methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative methods, and cross-case analysis are applied. The database was built systematically, based on previous experience in this field, and participatory fieldwork. Decentralization is regarded as a power-laden process involving not just local organizations, but also state agencies, local authorities at different levels, state irrigation companies (IDMCs), and farmers. The study describes how institutional arrangements for decentralization have effects on the dynamics and relations of power between actors in multi-level governance, resulting in impacts on autonomy, accountability, participation, and incentives of involved actors. The analysis shows that the legal framework and several well-intended efforts for decentralization have been launched. However, outcomes in terms of power transfer and actors’ performance are not those expected. The current institutional arrangements have created major constraints: (i) imbalanced power relations, (ii) new resource allocation mechanisms creating dependency among actors, (iii) passiveness, vested interest and privilege within state agencies and IDMCs, and (iv) free-riding behavior and distrust among farmers. Prevailing conditions defy policy intentions by finding a new version of a centralized power structure at provincial level, in which power of state agencies and IDMCs are reinforced. Unexpected effects emerge on the autonomy, accountability, participation, and incentives of all involved actors. Decentralization of irrigation systems is a complex process, not merely a technical transfer of power. It is hard to achieve even with policy in place. All the complexities and implications of irrigation need to be thoroughly considered, with the dynamics in society included. Evaluations of decentralization based on production and economic terms are not enough. Impacts of institutional arrangements on power relations between actors, on their incentives, maneuver room in multi-level governance, and ability to comprehend and influence processes, need to be assessed thoroughly. Essential roles remain for central government when irrigation management is decentralized. / Decentralisering av bevattningsjordbruk har lanserats över hela världen med höga förväntningar på förbättrad styrning, effektivitet och produktivitet genom demokratiska processer. Men det är allmänt erkänt att decentralisering i själva verket knappast är tillräckligt för att åstadkomma dessa positiva resultat. Dåligt genomförande har allmänt fått bära skulden för svårigheterna, men den aktuella studien hävdar att detta bara delvis är sant. Decentralisering behandlas vanligtvis som ett tekniskt sätt för maktöverföring som kan utvärderas genom kvantitativa indikatorer. Mycket uppmärksamhet går då att söka lösningar på begränsningar under genomförandet medan mindre tonvikt ligger på förståelse av sammanhang, processer och konsekvenser av institutionella reformer. Fokus är främst på lokala vattenanvändarnas organisationer så att alltför lite uppmärksamhet riktas till gränsöverskridande samspel mellan berörda aktörer, deras anpassningar till reformer och maktrelationer. Detta tillvägagångssätt svarar på frågan: vad som bör göras, men inte: varför restriktioner/begränsningar uppstår och varför sådana motstridiga resultat uppnås? På så vis skymmer själva tillvägagångssättet några av de utmaningar som i verkligheten utgör grunder för de problem som leder till överraskande konsekvenser och misslyckanden under genomförandet av decentralisering. I denna studie har två bevattningssystem i Vietnam valts ut för att undersöka framväxande decentraliseringsprocesser, aktörernas svar på de institutionella förändringar, liksom de huvudsakliga alternativ, utmaningar och hinder som finns för decentralisering. Min ambition är också att ytterligare förstå varför begränsningar förekommer och har kontraproduktiva effekter. En blandad strategi som kombinerar kvalitativa och kvantitativa metoder används för att studera gemensamma drag i fallstudierna. Databasen byggdes systematiskt, utifrån tidigare erfarenheter på detta område, och deltagande fältarbete. Decentralisering betraktas som en maktrelaterad process som involverar inte bara lokala organisationer, men också statliga myndigheter, lokala myndigheter på olika nivåer, statliga bevattningsbolag (IDMCs), och bönder. Studien beskriver hur institutionella arrangemang för decentralisering har effekter på dynamik och maktförhållanden mellan aktörer inom flernivåstyre, något som resulterar i att autonomi, ansvarsutkrävande, deltagande, och incitament för de berörda aktörerna påverkas. Analysen visar att det rättsliga ramverket och flera välmenande insatser för decentralisering har lanserats. Men utfallet, vare sig i termer av maktöverföring eller aktörernas prestationer, är inte de förväntade. De nuvarande institutionella arrangemangen har skapat stora begränsningar: (i) obalanserade maktförhållanden, (ii) nya resursfördelningmekanismer som leder till nya beroendeformer mellan aktörer, (iii) passivitet, egenintresse och privilegier inom statliga myndigheter och IDMCs, och (iv) snålskjutsbeteende (”free-riding”) och misstro bland jordbrukarna. Rådande förhållanden går emot politiska intentioner genom att en ny version av en centraliserad maktstruktur på provinsiell nivå skapas genom att makten hos statliga myndigheter och IDMCs förstärks. Oväntade effekter uppstår då för autonomi, ansvar, delaktighet och incitament för alla inblandade aktörer. Decentralisering av bevattningssystem är en komplex process, inte bara en teknisk överföring av makt. Den är svår att uppnå även med policy på plats. Alla komplikationer och konsekvenser av bevattning för den dynamik som ingår i samhället måste noga övervägas. Utvärderingar av decentralisering som bygger på produktion och ekonomiska termer är inte tillräckligt. Konsekvenser av institutionella arrangemang för maktrelationer mellan aktörer, för deras incitament, manöverutrymme inom ett flernivåstyre, och förmåga att förstå och påverka processer, måste bedömas noggrant. Viktiga roller återstår för staten när bevattningsjordbruk decentraliseras.

Construction and operation of cross-boundary transportation infrastructure is a challenge at the local, state, and international levels. Trends in travel patterns show increases in travel demand in both the United States and Europe resulting in greater attention to cross-boundary infrastructure and services. In the United States, this challenge has arisen most frequently in provision regional transit services and infrastructure while Europe is faced with a challenge of connecting its member-states. One question that remains unknown is whether when governments are faced with providing cross-boundary infrastructure or services, do they develop similar organizational arrangements when meeting these challenges regardless of what level of government is involved? This research asks whether governments at all levels of governance develop similar organizational solutions in the construction and operation of transport infrastructure. This question is answered through an examination of regional transit provision in seven U.S. metropolitan areas, six commuter rail systems in the United States, a series of bi-state river highway bridges in the United States, and five cross-border segments of the Trans-European Transport Network in the European Union, three similar organizational arrangements types were found to govern cross-boundary provision of transportation infrastructure and/or services. These three types, an independent entity, an intergovernmental agreement or contract, or direct financial payment, were found at all levels of governance. The research suggests that there is a relationship between the complexity of the service involved the level of financial control indicating that more complex operations such as network of services requiring day-to-day operation tend to be arranged as independent entities with various levels of public and/or private financing.