Deakin University
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Enabling political legitimacy and conceptual integration for climate change adaptation research within an agricultural bureaucracy: a systemic inquiry

journal contribution
posted on 2019-10-01, 00:00 authored by A Grant, R Ison, Robert FaggianRobert Faggian, Victor SpositoVictor Sposito
The value of using systems approaches, for situations framed as ‘super wicked’, is examined from the perspective of research managers and stakeholders in a state-based climate change adaptation (CCA) program (CliChAP). Polycentric drivers influencing the development of CCA research pre-2010 in Victoria, Australia are reflected on, using Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) to generate a boundary critique of CCA research as a human activity system. We experienced the complexity of purpose with research practices pulling in different directions, reflected on the appropriateness of agricultural bureaucracies’ historical new public management (NPM) practices, and focused on realigning management theory with emerging demands for adaptation research skills and capability. Our analysis conceptualised CliChAP as a subsystem, generating novelty in a wider system, concerned with socio-ecological co-evolution. Constraining/enabling conditions at the time dealing with political legitimacy and conceptual integration were observed as potential catalysts for innovation in research management towards better handling of uncertainty as a social process using systemic thinking in practice (StiP).

History

Journal

Systemic practice and action research

Volume

32

Issue

5

Pagination

573 - 600

Publisher

Springer

Location

New York, N.Y.

ISSN

1094-429X

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2018, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

Usage metrics

    Research Publications

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC