Organizational perspectives on sustainable ocean governance: A multi-stakeholder, meta-organization model of collective action

Abstract

Although scholars have thoroughly explored theories and practices of formal and informal governance for oceans, most of the research has concentrated on interactions among individuals, or organizations within a sector. The emerging literature from management science argues that meta-organizations, organizations which members are themselves organizations, and especially cross-sectoral meta-organizations, may be a critical concept for scientists, public decision makers, managers, local communities and other actors in ocean governance. A meta-organization's main attributes (i.e., bringing together different formal organizations, consensus-based decision making process, little to no hierarchy, diversity of membership, information-production and collective capacity building and self-regulation mechanisms) can foster critically necessary collaborative behaviors among competitors and across sectors. Here we review key concepts regarding meta-organizations, study six examples of meta-organizations in marine systems, and outline how these advances in management and policy could foster cooperation rather than competition within and among sectors in ocean governance. Meta-organization thinking therefore can help us understand, but also frame and encourage, cross-sectoral collective actions that are solutions-oriented.

Preserving Community’s Environmental Interests in a Meta-Ocean Governance Framework towards Sustainable Development Goal 14: A Mechanism of Promoting Coordination between Institutions Responsible for Curbing Marine Pollution

“…The element of multilevel partnerships provided by SDGs for meta-governance is well utilised in UNEP programmes, and the provisions of UNCLOS and IEL support that the primary trend in global ocean governance is an increasing emphasis on regionalism [104]. Regional coordination is an indispensable part of SDG 14 and could be and is used for knowledge and information sharing and capacity building to ameliorate the degradation of the marine environment and effectively solve common cross-border problems [105]. However, the existing coordination requires expansion of cooperation in water-and sanitationas well as in waste-management-related activities and programmes as provided under SDG 6 and 11 [106].…”

“…Furthermore, the institutional framework is composed of administrative mechanisms that include limited coordination and cooperation between the institutions that directly or indirectly protect the marine environment [162]. In order to avoid the fragmentation of decision-making and exclusion of stakeholders as well as in implementing an ocean governance framework, the approaches provided under SDGs for meta-governance with UNCLOS, IEL, and Regional MEAs for coordination and cooperation should be taken into consideration [105].…”

Transnational Municipal Networks as a Mechanism for Marine Governance Toward Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation: Between Potential and Practice

“…This also applies to the implementation of numerous SDGs, including Goal 13 and 14 and ocean governance, which seem to require a profound transformation based on a more holistic approach (Vierros, 2017). While the effectiveness of sustainable ocean governance depends on different aspects (Glass and Newig, 2019), its organizational forms are essential (Berkowitz et al, 2020), particularly in case of transition governance (Monkelbaan, 2019). As van Leeuwen and van Tatenhove argue, "the dynamics of marine policy making and the power games between different maritime activities and stakeholders [.…”

Advancing Ocean Governance in Marine Regions Through Stakeholder Dialogue Processes

“…Limited research has been conducted on evaluating collaborative efforts and processes specific to ocean governance (Berkowitz et al, 2020). Efforts have been made to for example analyse the financial benefits of multi-national collaborations for marine conservation (Mazor et al, 2013) and to assess the meta-organisations to identify conditions for successful cooperation in ocean processes (Berkowitz et al, 2020).…”

“…Limited research has been conducted on evaluating collaborative efforts and processes specific to ocean governance (Berkowitz et al, 2020). Efforts have been made to for example analyse the financial benefits of multi-national collaborations for marine conservation (Mazor et al, 2013) and to assess the meta-organisations to identify conditions for successful cooperation in ocean processes (Berkowitz et al, 2020). Yet the majority of the literature focuses on tool-specific stakeholder engagement, for example, marine spatial planning (Ritchie and Lewis, 2003;Gopnik et al, 2012) or integrated coastal zone management (Le Tissier and Hills, 2010).…”