Governance Systems Analysis (GSA): A Framework for Reforming Governance Systems

Abstract

Most commentators understand that contemporary social, economic and environmental challenges require quality governance from global to local scales. While public scrutiny of governance has increased in recent years, the literature on frameworks and methods for analysis in complex, poly-centric and multi-thematic governance systems remains fragmented; displaying many disciplinary or sectoral biases. This paper establishes a stronger theory-based foundation for the analysis of complex governance systems. It also develops a clear analytical framework applicable across a vast array of differing governance themes, domains and scales (GSA). The key methodological steps and evaluative criteria for the GSA framework are determined and practical guidance for its application in reform is provided.

Evaluating Governance Arrangements and Decision Making for Natural Resource Management Planning: An Empirical Application of the Governance Systems Analysis Framework

“…A summary of the key interrogative questions raised by the GSA framework is shown in Table 1 (previously described and applied by Dale et al (2013b), Dale et al (2013c), and Potts et al (2014)). Also published in: (Dale et al, 2013b;Dale et al, 2013c;Potts et al, 2014) …”

“…The GSA is an analytical framework that was developed to address the lack of systemically-oriented evaluative frameworks for governance systems and to inform governance reform in complex landscapes (Dale et al, 2013b;Dale et al, 2013c). It uses the lens of structural-functionalism in combination with planning and systems theory to support analysis of the complex, multiscalar interactions within NRM governance systems.…”

“…As a response to these problems, the Governance Systems Analysis (GSA) framework was developed by Dale et al (2013b) and Potts et al (2014), as a way to analyse governance systems and provide direction for strategic governance reform. The GSA framework has been applied to evaluate governance arrangements for the management of the Great Barrier Reef (Dale et al, 2013c), and the Australian carbon farming initiative (Dale et al, 2013a).…”

Building Bridges across Sectors and Scales: Exploring Systemic Solutions towards A Sustainable Management of Land —Experiences from 4th Year Status Conference on Research for Sustainable Land Management

“…Governance in this context is understood as a "generic term for all modes of coordinating collective action" [14,15], constituting a multi-stakeholder process "in which state actors are not necessarily the only or most significant participants" [16,17]. The concept thus looks beyond the various understandings of governance that mostly focus on particular scalar and thematic issues, offering a way to connect disparate strands of governance research from a systemic perspective [18].…”

Incorporating governance influences into social-ecological system models: a case study involving biodiversity conservation

“…Use of the term 'governance' in this paper continues a shift away from traditional ideas about governance as the formalised exercise of authority towards new approaches where decision-making processes and power are decentralised and increasingly exercised beyond or in association with government authority (Stoker 1998). As a result, new approaches to analysing governance are required to shift away from linear logic towards an appreciation of how governance operates as an interconnected, poly-centric system (Dale et al 2013).…”