Abstract

Although communication is considered crucial for collaboration in natural resource management (NRM), its role has so far been superficially studied. In this paper, we present a way to investigate this communication by focusing on its implicit aspects. We observed and examined communication in three processes that aimed to find solutions to predator-reindeer problems through collaboration between reindeer herders and wildlife authorities in northern Sweden. Despite the three processes sharing the same external and internal conditions, they developed in completely different directions. We explain this by considering each process as a social practice and identifying the character of the normative structures guiding its members' sense-making and action. We show how the structures emerged, were reproduced and affected the course of events and outcomes of each process. We conclude that recognising the significance of the implicit aspects of communication offers novel opportunities to better understand collaboration in NRM.

Keywords

social practice theory; implicit aspects of communication; teleo-affective structures; collaboration; natural resource management

Published in

Journal of Environmental Planning and Management
2024,
Publisher: ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD

SLU Authors

• Westberg, Lotten

  • Department of Urban and Rural Development, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Bergeå, Hanna

  • Department of Urban and Rural Development, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Hallgren, Lars

  • Department of Urban and Rural Development, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Communication Studies


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2024.2326121

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/129342