Commons as Demanding Social Constructions: The Case of Aquifers in Rural Karnataka

2020 ◽  
pp. 097300522094542
Author(s):  
Frédéric Landy ◽  
Laurent Ruiz ◽  
Julie Jacquet ◽  
Audrey Richard-Ferroudji ◽  
M. Sekhar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Collective Action ◽  
Sustainable Management ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Social Constructions ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Aquifer Management ◽  
Interdisciplinary Project ◽  
Vested Interests

It is only recently that research on Indian groundwater has considered a perspective in terms of commons. ATCHA, an interdisciplinary project that includes among others hydrology, crop modelling and remote sensing analysis, includes such a lens in its study of the Berambadi watershed, Karnataka, India. Participant observation, semi-structured interviews and focus groups have shown that the local aquifers are not managed as a commons, and brought into light several factors hindering collective action. In this paper, these factors are reconsidered, in particular through Ostrom’s criteria. The national policy is currently trying to define a new legal framework for more sustainable management of the resource, but this new law is not known to users and it seems difficult to implement because it calls into question too many vested interests. We argue for aquifer management committees, which could be an intermediary between national policy orientations and users who are (rationally) not endorsing collective action.

scholarly journals Student Discipline Management: An Examination of the State Secondary School Principal’s Leadership in Mauritius

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 30
Author(s):  
Louis Jinot Belle
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Distributed Leadership ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Secondary School Principals ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Visionary Leadership ◽  
Student Discipline ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Leadership Approaches

The purpose of this study was to determine the leadership approaches that state secondary school principals adopt in Mauritius in order to manage student discipline. Semi-structured interviews and non-participant observation were done in this multisite case study. Purposive convenient sampling was used to gather information from 84 participants. It was found that principals use visionary leadership, distributed leadership, learner leadership, inclusive leadership and ethical leadership. This is the result of the political and legal framework, the unwillingness of the educators to assume their professional commitment to discipline students, the complicated protocol to be observed by principals to address indiscipline, and the feeling of disempowerment of the principal to manage student behaviour due to the centralisation of the education system. The study recommends for a mix of leadership approaches to ensure effective student discipline.

scholarly journals Understanding Social Capital, Networks & Institutions: A Guide to Support Compost Entrepreneurship for Rural Development

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Timothy Robert Silberg ◽  
Maria Claudia Lopez ◽  
Robert B. Richardson ◽  
Theresa Pesl Murphrey ◽  
Gary Wingenbach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Collective Action ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Management Training ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Farming Communities ◽  
Rural Economies ◽  
Result Management

Compost micro-entrepreneurship has been used as strategy to increase the incomes of poor and rural farming communities. Nevertheless, several difficulties can arise to sustain these small businesses. The conversion of organic material into compost requires labor, tools and infrastructure. Many poor and rural microenterprises cannot afford all of these inputs to sustain operations. Literature suggests that social capital and collective action can address challenges related to limited resources for communities and small businesses. Little research, however, has explored how coworker characteristics and their cooperative efforts affect the financial sustainability of compost micro-enterprises. The objective of this study was to unveil whether rural compost microenterprises use social capital and/or collective action to address various challenges related to natural and financial capital, and if so, in what manner. A multisite case study framework was implemented using participant observation to identify common challenges faced by compost microenterprises in Chimaltenanago, Guatemala. Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were conducted to determine if coworker characteristics (related to social capital) addressed these challenges, and if so, how. Four characteristics related to social capital emerged from a thematic analysis, including 1) raw material access based on coworker occupation, 2) overhead savings from human capital, 3) credit/market-entry granted from social networks, and 4) consumer trust gained from social capital/gender. It appears the investigation and development of compost microenterprises should be more cognizant of opportunities related to coworker characteristics, especially those related to social capital and collective action. As a result, management training can be integrated within entrepreneurship development to sustain urban and rural economies.

scholarly journals Together we Can: Collective Organization of Artists in Beijing

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corey Willis
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Collective Action ◽  
Social Movement ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Social Movement Theory ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Movement Theory ◽  
Shared Identity ◽  
Contemporary Chinese

This study undertakes an analysis of the experiences of Contemporary Chinese artists engaged in collective organization in China’s burgeoning art districts in Beijing. A new conceptual framework is employed in this study which integrates theory from social movement theory and collective action. I explore generally the issues and strategies of collective organization in China, and specifically, analyze the development of a recently founded organization, the Chinese Independent Artist Alliance (CIAA). Data is collected through participant observation as well as through semi-structured interviews of the founders of the CIAA. Data analysis stretches beyond the scope of the main actors within the CIAA into a sphere representing over 1000 artists, academics and activists in China. Findings suggest that individual motivations for joining and supporting the CIAA artist collective differ substantially however, the various political and economic pressures faced by artists create a shared identity among CIAA participants acting as glue holding the collective together. <div><br></div>

scholarly journals Multilevel governance for local management of drinking water in Latin America: case studies from Costa Rica, Honduras and Mexico

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 3-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Gumeta Gómez ◽  
Elvira Durán ◽  
David B. Bray
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Costa Rica ◽  
Collective Action ◽  
Community Participation ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Mexican Government ◽  
Water Provision ◽  
Water Boards

Adequate supply of drinking water at local level depends, in many cases on community participation. We compare three governance regimes for drinking water management based on multilevel collective action: 1) ASADAS in Costa Rica, 2) Water Boards  (JAA, for its acronym in spanish) in Honduras and 3) Water User Committees (CA, for its acronym in spanish) in Mexico. Our data is based on participant observation, and formal and informal interviews. Legal framework, structure and operation, and efficiency for provision and conservation of water resources are analyzed. ASADAS and Water Boards are legal entities with recognized community participation and collective action, while Water Committees have no legal support by the Mexican Government. Regimens showed similar structures and operation, but different economic capabilities and efficiencies in the provision of water and in ensuring water recharge. Recognition and empowerment of the Water Committees in Mexico could increase and ensure water provision in the long- term.

Syrian Refugees as Seasonal Migrant Workers: Re-Construction of Unequal Power Relations in Turkish Agriculture

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 605-629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deniz Pelek
Keyword(s):  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Power Relations ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Labour Force ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Syrian Refugees ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Working And Living Conditions

Abstract This article examines the case of Syrian refugees as seasonal migrant workers in Turkey and critically discusses the working and living conditions fostering their relative vulnerability compared to other workers. Syrian refugees are subject to discriminatory practices in terms of lower wages, longer working hours and improper sheltering conditions. This article explores how unequal power relations between ethnically different groups of workers in the agricultural sector are (re)constructed and the consequences of the emergence of Syrian refugees as a novel class. The essential aim of this study is to unravel the process and practice of ethnically hierarchized agricultural labour market after the entrance of refugees. To that effect, the empirical data was gathered through the ethnographic fieldwork (based on semi-structured interviews and participant observation) carried out in Manisa in August of 2013 and 2014 and in Adana-Mersin in September 2013 and February 2015. This study looks into the ways in which actors on farms (workers, labour intermediaries, land owners, village dwellers and state representatives) have responded to the current situation with regard to three controversial subjects: migrant employment, legal framework and the politics on Syrian refugees. It is argued that externalization of labour force realizes through creating new layers, which necessitates the construction of new ethnic categories such as Syrian refugees.

scholarly journals Together we Can: Collective Organization of Artists in Beijing

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corey Willis
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Collective Action ◽  
Social Movement ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Social Movement Theory ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Movement Theory ◽  
Shared Identity ◽  
Contemporary Chinese

This study undertakes an analysis of the experiences of Contemporary Chinese artists engaged in collective organization in China’s burgeoning art districts in Beijing. A new conceptual framework is employed in this study which integrates theory from social movement theory and collective action. I explore generally the issues and strategies of collective organization in China, and specifically, analyze the development of a recently founded organization, the Chinese Independent Artist Alliance (CIAA). Data is collected through participant observation as well as through semi-structured interviews of the founders of the CIAA. Data analysis stretches beyond the scope of the main actors within the CIAA into a sphere representing over 1000 artists, academics and activists in China. Findings suggest that individual motivations for joining and supporting the CIAA artist collective differ substantially however, the various political and economic pressures faced by artists create a shared identity among CIAA participants acting as glue holding the collective together. <div><br></div>

Peregrinação Acadêmica: A mulher Romeira do Bom Jesus da Lapa

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Célia Coelho Gomes da Silva
Keyword(s):  
Gender Identity ◽  
Social Reproduction ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The West ◽  
Patriarchal Family ◽  
The Family ◽  
West Part

This work is the result of the doctoral thesis entitled Pilgrimage of Bom Jesus da Lapa: Social Reproduction of the Family and Female Gender Identity, specifically the second chapter that talks about women in the Pilgrimage of Bom Jesus da Lapa, emphasizing gender relations, analyzing the location of the pilgrimage as a social reproduction of the patriarchal family and female gender identity. The research scenario is the Bom Jesus da Lapa Pilgrimage, which has been held for 329 years, in that city, located in the West part of Bahia. The research participants are pilgrim women who are in the age group between 50 and 70 years old and have participated, for more than five consecutive years in the Bom Jesus da Lapa Pilgrimage, belonging to five Brazilian states (Bahia, Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Espírito Santo and Goiás) that register a higher frequency of attendance at this religious event. We used bibliographic, qualitative, field and documentary research and data collection as our methodology; we applied participant observation and semi-structured interviews as a technique. We concluded that the Bom Jesus da Lapa Pilgrimage is a location for family social reproduction and the female gender identity, observing a contrast in the resignification of the role and in the profile of the pilgrim women from Bom Jesus da Lapa, alternating between permanence and the transformation of gender identity coming from patriarchy.

Halting Forest Encroachment in Terai: What Role for Community Forestry?

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-34
Author(s):  
Prabin Bhusal ◽  
Naya Sharma Paudel ◽  
Anukram Adhikary ◽  
Jisan Karki ◽  
Kamal Bhandari
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Collective Action ◽  
Environmental History ◽  
Adaptive Learning ◽  
Sustainable Management ◽  
Community Forestry ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Local Livelihoods

This paper highlights the lessons of using adaptive learning in community forestry that effectively help to resolve forest based conflicts in Terai region of Nepal. The paper is based on a three-year action research carried out in Terai. Qualitative methods including participatory rural appraisal tools and documentation of engaged action and reflections were used. Methods and tools that largely fall under adaptive learning were deployed. The field data was complemented by review of secondary data and literature on environmental history of Terai. We found that policies on land and forest in Terai for the last fifty years have induced and aggravated conflicts over access and control between state and communities and also within diverse groups of local communities. These conflicts have had serious negative impacts on sustainable management of forests and on local people’s livelihoods, particularly resource poor and landless people. Centralised and bureaucratic approaches to control forest and encroachment have largely failed. Despite investing millions of Rupees in maintaining law and order in forestlands, the problem continues to worsen often at the cost of forests and local communities. We found that transferring management rights to local communities like landless and land poor in the form of community forestry (CF) has induced strong local level collective action in forest management and supported local livelihoods. Moreover, adding adaptive learning, as a methodological tool to improve governance and enhance local level collective action significantly improves the benefit of CF. It implies that a major rethinking is needed in the current policies that have often led to hostile relationships with the local inhabitants- particularly the illegal settlers. Instead, transferring forest rights to local communities and supporting them through technical aspects of forest management will strengthen local initiatives towards sustainable management of forests.

TOURISM MOBILITY AT THE SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES RIO 2016

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Cabral ◽  
Carolin Lusby ◽  
Ricardo Uvinha
Keyword(s):  
Olympic Games ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Bus Rapid Transit ◽  
Rapid Transit ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Tourist Attractions ◽  
Official Sources ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The City

Sports Tourism as a segment is growing exponentially in Brazil. The sports mega-events that occurred in the period from 2007 to 2016 helped strengthen this sector significantly. This article examined tourism mobility during the Summer Olympic Games Rio 2016, hosted by the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This study expands the understanding of the relationship between tourism and city infrastructure, therefore being relevant to academics, professionals of the area and to the whole society due to its multidisciplinary field. The existence of a relationship between means of transportation and the Olympic regions as well as tourist attractions for a possible legacy was observed. Data were collected from official sources, field research and through participant-observation and semi structured interviews. Data were coded and analyzed. The results indicate that the city was overall successful in its execution of sufficient mobility. New means of transportation were added and others updated. BRT's (Bus Rapid Transit) were the main use of mass transport to Olympic sites. However, a lack of public transport access was observed for the touristic sites.

scholarly journals Young children’s information-seeking practices in center-based childcare

2021 ◽  
pp. 096100062096216
Author(s):  
Sarah Barriage
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Day Care ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Photo Elicitation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Information Practices ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Concept Of Information ◽  
Classroom Resources

Many children in the USA spend a significant amount of time in center-based childcare. However, research has yet to explore their information practices in this setting. This study investigates young children’s perceptions of the concept of information and their own information-seeking practices within the context of their day care classroom. The participants included 13 children between three and five years of age. Data was collected using participant observation, semi-structured interviews, child-led photo tours, and photo-elicitation interviews. The findings indicate that the children did not perceive the concept of information in a manner consistent with adult understandings of the term, and that they engaged in information-seeking related to finding out new things on their own, through interactions with others, and through classroom resources, activities, and routines. The findings have implications for both researchers and practitioners working with young children.

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