Assessment of knowledge transfer through stakeholder participation in Integrated Coastal Zone Management, Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam

Abstract

Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) has been constructed and reconstructed several times in the past few decades. The paradigm shift towards a participatory approach has changed ICZM in a substantial manner and has increased the intricacy of an already complex management system. This research placed its focus on how this new paradigm is related to bi-directional knowledge sharing. The intrinsic nature of both concepts in ICZM is explored in the context of the hierarchically organised society of Vietnam. The Vietnamese society possesses great challenges concerning participatory ICZM as the cultural and political traditions make Vietnam very reluctant to change. Through empirical research in Thua Thien Hue province, it is investigated how participatory resource management (PRM) is introduced in ICZM. The relationship between PRM and ICZM in Vietnam is challenged by the governmental structure as well as a lack of experience. Bi-directional knowledge sharing is believed to both emerge from and develop PRM in ICZM. A labelling analysis was conducted in order to let underlying concepts and ideas arise from the empirical data. The grounded theory allowed for a determination of the elementary aspects of knowledge sharing via PRM in ICZM. This analysis led to the understanding that in order to achieve knowledge sharing in participatory ICZM, the concept of social learning is essential. The inductive quantitative analysis provided insight in how bi-directional knowledge sharing can be augmented by social learning and thereby allowing for the occurrence of change. This change is needed to validate PRM as an intrinsic part of ICZM. Recommendations are made firstly concerning the need for structure: conditions and strategies for the local and governmental level, a better understanding of ICZM, formal versus informal components of the structure, tacit and explicit knowledge and, the integration of Environmental Education and Education for Sustainable Development elements. The second scope in the recommendation addresses the importance of knowledge sharing processes. It is concluded that there is a need to decrease the level of fragmentation in programmes and policies. The overall recommendation made, based on this research is that PRM, knowledge sharing and ICZM need to be recognised as intrinsic aspects of ICZM and not only as an approach or a tool to improve ICZM.

Date of Award	11 Jun 2013
Original language	English
Supervisor	Tom Vanwing (Promotor) & Dinh Lan Tran (Co-promotor)