Improving the performance of multi-stakeholder partnerships for sustainable development in coastal areas: Sweden (Hanö Bay) as a case study
Date of Award
2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Maritime Affairs
Specialization
Ph.D (Maritime Affairs)
Campus
Malmö, Sweden
Country
Sweden
Abstract
Coastal areas are vital for both ecosystems and human societies. Comprising diverse terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems, coastal areas provide us with essential resources and services. However, these areas are under threat from human activities and climate change, necessitating new governance structures to ensure their sustainable management and conservation. This research investigates how to improve the performance of local multi-stakeholder partnerships (M-SPs) in coastal areas, promoted as key mechanisms for achieving sustainable development goals. By drawing on stakeholder theory and using Pattberg & Widerberg’s (2014) analytical framework with nine building blocks for successful M-SPs as a foundation, the study examined drivers, challenges, and success factors of local M-SPs, as well as how these factors relate to one another. Additionally, a qualitative case study approach was adopted, focusing on a coastal M-SP situated in the south-east coast of Sweden, specifically Hanö Bay. Furthermore, mixed methods were employed to collect and triangulate the data necessary to delve deeper into the nine success factors identified within the analytical framework as applied to the case study. These methods encompassed a scoping review, focus group discussions, questionnaires, and participant observations. To validate and frame findings, a reference case in Canada, the Atlantic Coastal Action Program (ACAP), was selected for focus group discussions, leveraging the existing collaboration between the two coastal regions. The research identifies the critical role of relational aspects in improving the performance of coastal M-SPs. The current analytical framework, while acknowledging the importance of partner selection and power dynamics, overlooks interpersonal dynamics and conflicts. Empirical findings, supported by stakeholder theory and recent research, emphasize the necessity of addressing these relational challenges to foster collaboration. Thus, incorporating “relational aspects” as a tenth distinct factor in the framework is recommended. Secondly, the findings illuminate the intricate and interconnected nature of all factors in the analytical framework influencing the performance of coastal M-SPs, further emphasizing the necessity of adopting a holistic approach and addressing all ten factors in concert to enhance the efficacy of such partnerships. The study makes theoretical contributions to the analytical framework used and to stakeholder theory as a whole, as well as practical and policy contributions to the use of M-SPs as an implementation mechanism for sustainable development of coastal areas.
