Toolbox

Governance Models

Methods used

Cluster analysis

Qualitative comparative analysis

Systematic Literature Review

Research focus & objectives

The research focus of this project is the sustainability of water governance systems in global comparison with the objective of (i) systematically reviewing water governance systems in empirical studies to map out water governance paradigms, governance characteristics, water-related sustainability outcomes, and associations between then, (ii) identifying key water-related challenges, Deliverable 6.2 21

and (iii) examining which combination of governance characteristics leads to success or failure in delivering water-related sustainability outcomes.

Methods applied

Cluster analysis

Qualitative comparative analysis

Systematic Literature Review

Systematic review: Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., & Altman, D. G. (2009). Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement. PLoS Medicine, 6(7), e1000097. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000097
Cluster analysis: Bridges, C. C. 1966. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis. Psychological Reports, 18(3), 851-854. https://doi.org/10.2466/pr0.1966.18.3.851
Qualitative Comparative Analysis: Ragin, C.C. 1987. The Comparative Method. Moving Beyond Qualitative and Quantitative Strategies. Berkeley: University of California Press.

Analytical tools & literature

Archetype analysis: Eisenack, K., Oberlack, C., Sietz, D., 2021. Avenues of archetype analysis: roots, achievements, and next steps in sustainability research. Ecol. Soc. 26, art31. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-12484-260231

Reflections and recommendations by the researcher

Unpacking the factors that define the success or failure of governance systems is a daunting task, considering the embedded complexities. Researchers can employ a variety of methods to explore the same research question; however, it is important to be transparent about the process and acknowledge the limitations of the chosen method. The same principle applies to the conceptual frameworks employed, as they provide a specific lens through which to explore the question, shaping the body of literature that is brought into the discussion. It is important for a researcher to also familiarise themselves with the body of literature outside their primary focus and critically reflect on what is already known to them

Publication(s)

We invite you to read the paper published as part of this doctoral research:

Bilalova, S., Newig, J., Tremblay-Lévesque, L.-C., Roux, J., Herron, C., & Crane, S. (2023). Pathways to water sustainability? A global study assessing the benefits of integrated water resources management. Journal of Environmental Management, 343(October), 118179 [link]

Researcher

Shahana Bilalova

Shahana Bilalova is a PhD researcher at Leuphana University Lüneburg and an Early Stage Researcher as a part of the EU-funded training network NEWAVE. She has been also a member of the research group Governance, Participation, and Sustainability at Leuphana University since November 2020. She holds a BA degree in International Studies from ADA University and an MSc degree in Environmental Sciences and Policy from Central European University. In her PhD project, Shahana explores how diverse water governance systems perform in terms of water-related sustainability on a global scale.