A Comparison of Management Networks to Assess Factors Influencing the Implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management Processes

Despite manifold efforts to improve the management of resources, the exploitation of ecosystems due to exaggerated resource extraction remains a problem. One approach to improve the management of resources – especially but not exclusively regarding the resource of water – is Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). IWRM promotes the coordinated development and management of water to maximize the economic and social welfare without compromising the sustainability of ecosystems. However, the successful implementation of IWRM processes is often difficult due to complex dependencies and diverging interests of involved stakeholders. To assess which factors influence the implementation of IWRM processes we compare the networks of two separate but similar regions. While one region successfully participated in a project with the aim to establish IWRM processes, the other region dropped out of the project in an early stage. To compare the two networks of these two regions we use a mixed method approach combining qualitative and quantitative methods. The quantitative part is based on Exponential Random Graph Models (ERGM) while the qualitative part will apply descriptive techniques to explain similarities and differences between the two networks. While IWRM processes, as well as their implementation, have been researched extensively, there is a lack of comparative analyses. In addition, most of the literature focuses on management criteria and factors to define and measure the impact of IWRM processes on social-ecological systems. Looking at management networks and collaboration among stakeholders in a comparative setting helps to overcome both of these gaps. Comparing management networks across regions is a powerful strategy to support causal explanations of network structures. Since the potential of such comparisons of management networks has not been fully utilized so far this research will tap the potential for the comparison of management networks and use it to identify factors influencing the implementation of IWRM processes. This paper addresses the question of which factors influence the implementation of IWRM processes based on a case study in the Endagin. The Engadin is an alpine valley in the southeast of Switzerland and is split up into two regions: the Oberengadin and the Unterengadin. Both regions are located in the catchment area of the river Inn, which shapes the whole mountain valley. The water from the Inn is the most important resource – for energy production, agriculture, or tourism – in the scarce mountain valley. However, due to irregular precipitation, the availability of water is very limited and droughts, as well as floodings, are occurring regularly. Additionally, alpine regions are sensible ecosystems, which regenerate only slowly after hazards. The social and ecological dependency on the resource of water in the Engadin calls for an effective management approach – potentially based on IWRM processes.