Managing without institutions : the role of communication networks in governing resource access and control - WRAP: Warwick Research Archive Portal
Managing without institutions : the role of communication networks in governing resource access and control
King, Anthony (2000) Managing without institutions : the role of communication networks in governing resource access and control. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.
WRAP_THESIS_King_2000.pdf - Submitted Version - Requires a PDF viewer.
The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the way groups or individuals
tackle resource access and control problems does not always reflect identifiable
institutional processes. This was tested through a case study of livelihoods and
resource access problems of a Kenyan coastal community dependent on small scale
fisheries. The structure of the study was based on the need to understand the context
in which people live in order to interpret their behaviour. Each chapter sought to
examine aspects of people's social and biophysical setting, paying particular attention
to changes and causes of change. This involved a reconstruction of the community's
historical relations with other groups in their area; socio-economic analysis of the
livelihoods of different groups within the community; and social network analysis of
people's actions in response to resource access and control problems.
All groups within the community depended on a range of activities to provide food
and income, but the role of fishing was dominant. Changes in local natural
environments were shown to have led to a decrease in household productivity over the
last five decades. This was attributed to colonialism, international development and
cultural changes. This also led to increased effort in the sea, leading to overfishing.
The overall socio-economic situation of the community was revealed as poor.
Social network analysis showed that administrative and political actors were found to
be more important than actors with a legal mandate to solve resource related
problems. It was shown that formal institutions relating to natural resources stifled
the process of problem resolution. Local people were found to use alternative
processes, based on communication networks, to solve problems, thus supporting the
The findings stress the importance of understanding local people's socio-economic
and socio-political situation before developing resource management strategies.
Resource managers could make use of social network analysis to identify and
understand the roles of key people, groups and organisations.
Fisheries -- Kenya -- Case studies, Communities -- Kenya -- Case studies, Kenya -- Social conditions, Kenya -- Economic conditions, Natural resources -- Kenya -- Case studies
McGlade, J. M. (Jacqueline Myriam), 1955- ; Price, Andrew, 1950-