The Binding Potential of P: An Analysis of the Governance Network for Phosphorus Recycling and Reuse in Wageningen, the Netherlands
Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for worldwide food security. In Europe, it is mainly imported and disappears from the food chain as animal manure, human excreta and organic waste. This causes various environmental, economic and social concerns. While much research on phosphorus focuses on potential solutions in agriculture, this study is part of an interdisciplinary thesis project that explores the limitations and opportunities to foster phosphorus recycling and reuse in urban areas by marrying a technical analysis of the material flows of phosphorus with a sociological analysis of the relevant stake-holder network.
Specifically, this study investigates the network of stakeholders related to phosphorus recycling and re-use in Wageningen, the Netherlands, which is the case study of this overall thesis project. For this purpose, this sub-thesis uses the concept of network governance as an underlying theoretical framework. By applying quantitative Social Network Analysis (SNA), social interactions in the governance network, such as information exchange and collaboration, are systematically assessed and the structural network position of the stakeholders is identified. Furthermore, the perceived influence and expertise of stake-holders are quantitatively analysed. This is combined with a qualitative approach, for which 11 in-depth interviews were conducted that paid special attention to the capacities of municipalities in boosting phosphorus recycling and reuse.
The governance network appears to display multiple channels for communication and close collaboration between a large part of the stakeholders. Its capacity for coordinating joint action is however limited due to the decentralised structure. While employees of the regional water board and scientists affiliated to Wageningen University & Research Centre (Wageninge UR) occupy various key positions in the network, the municipality has only few and weak links to others regarding the topic. The in-depth interviews have shown that phosphorus recycling and reuse is currently no real issue for most municipalities and their capacities to facilitate it are limited.
It would be beneficial for the further governance process if one or few stakeholders gain a broker position in the network in order to be able to facilitate and coordinate collective action between the various stakeholders. The findings suggest that it is more promising and realistic that such collaborative processes are coordinated not on a local, but on a regional level, where municipalities collaborate with other municipalities, water boards, waste management companies, research institutions, business organisations and other relevant actors.
Future research should, among others, pursue a more qualitative approach and explore in detail to what extent the identified key stakeholders are willing and able to systematically facilitate and coordinate phosphorus recycling and reuse and what their potential strategies are to do so.
Keywords: Phosphorus, food security, network governance, social network analysis, cities, Gephi, UCINET
Specifically, this study investigates the network of stakeholders related to phosphorus recycling and re-use in Wageningen, the Netherlands, which is the case study of this overall thesis project. For this purpose, this sub-thesis uses the concept of network governance as an underlying theoretical framework. By applying quantitative Social Network Analysis (SNA), social interactions in the governance network, such as information exchange and collaboration, are systematically assessed and the structural network position of the stakeholders is identified. Furthermore, the perceived influence and expertise of stake-holders are quantitatively analysed. This is combined with a qualitative approach, for which 11 in-depth interviews were conducted that paid special attention to the capacities of municipalities in boosting phosphorus recycling and reuse.
The governance network appears to display multiple channels for communication and close collaboration between a large part of the stakeholders. Its capacity for coordinating joint action is however limited due to the decentralised structure. While employees of the regional water board and scientists affiliated to Wageningen University & Research Centre (Wageninge UR) occupy various key positions in the network, the municipality has only few and weak links to others regarding the topic. The in-depth interviews have shown that phosphorus recycling and reuse is currently no real issue for most municipalities and their capacities to facilitate it are limited.
It would be beneficial for the further governance process if one or few stakeholders gain a broker position in the network in order to be able to facilitate and coordinate collective action between the various stakeholders. The findings suggest that it is more promising and realistic that such collaborative processes are coordinated not on a local, but on a regional level, where municipalities collaborate with other municipalities, water boards, waste management companies, research institutions, business organisations and other relevant actors.
Future research should, among others, pursue a more qualitative approach and explore in detail to what extent the identified key stakeholders are willing and able to systematically facilitate and coordinate phosphorus recycling and reuse and what their potential strategies are to do so.
Keywords: Phosphorus, food security, network governance, social network analysis, cities, Gephi, UCINET
Reference
Eckhardt, Timo. (2014). The Binding Potential of P: An Analysis of the Governance Network for Phosphorus Recycling and Reuse in Wageningen, the Netherlands, Wageningen University, Wageningen.