Abstract
Preparing for climate change represents a significant challenge to environmental managers and is influenced by their ability to access and use the latest information. However, communicating and delivering adaption science across diverse stakeholder groups remain a significant challenge. We explore the utility of concepts from personality research to improve understanding of stakeholder capacity. Specifically, we defined eight potential climate-related personality ‘axes’ for natural resource management (NRM) organisations. We surveyed 80% of Australia’s 56 regional NRM organisations to characterise their traits in relation to these axes. Through cluster analysis and trait mapping, we defined six NRM ‘personality types’. These types were unrelated to external factors such as geographic location or land use activities. Rather, five organisational personality axes were important in defining personality type: where information is sourced, strategic skill sets for learning and reorganising, perceptions of risk and the ability to manage for uncertainty, perceptions of the role of NRM groups, and strategies for engagement. Identifying NRM personality type allows organisations to identify and capitalise on their strengths to target their adaptation efforts to maximise success. Organisations can also recognise what they might find most challenging and deliberately collaborate with other personalities with strengths in those areas. Finally, information providers can better understand how to tailor information delivery for improved knowledge exchange between research providers and organisations responsible for sustainability of natural resources, which enables stronger relationships and facilitates evidence-based decision-making.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adger WN, Barnett J, Brown K, Marshall NA, O’Brien K (2013) Cultural dimensions of climate change impacts and adaptation. Nat Clim Chang 3:112–117. https://doi.org/10.1038/NCLIMATE1666
Alexander SM, Andrachuk M, Armitage D (2016) Navigating governance networks for community-based conservation. Front Ecol Environ:155–164. https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.1251
Allan C, Curtis A, Stankey G, Shindler B (2008) Adaptive management and watersheds: a social science perspective. J Am Water Resour Assoc 44:166–174. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-1688.2007.00145.x
Armitage D (2004) Nature-society dynamics, policy narratives, and ecosystem management: integrating perspectives on upland change and complexity in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Ecosystems 7:717–728. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-004-0183-y
Armitage D (2005) Adaptive capacity and community-based natural resource management. Environ Manag 35:703–715. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-004-0076-z
Bardsley DK, Sweeney SM (2010) Guiding climate change adaptation within vulnerable natural resource management systems. Environ Manag 45:1127–1141. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-010-9487-1
Bellamy JA, Walker DH, McDonald GT, Syme GJ (2001) A systems approach to the evaluation of natural resource management initiatives. J Environ Manag 63:407–423. https://doi.org/10.1006/jema.2001.0493
Berkes F, Jolly D (2001) Adapting to climate change: social-ecological resilience in a Canadian Western Arctic community. Ecol Soc 5(2):18 [online] URL: http://www.consecol.org/vol5/iss2/art18/
Berkhout F, Hertin J, Gann DM (2006) Learning to adapt: organisational adaptation to climate change impacts. Clim Chang 78:135–156. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-006-9089-3
Bodin O, Crona BI (2009) The role of social networks in natural resource governance: what relational patterns make a difference? Glob Environ Chang 19:366–374. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2009.05.002
Bond MH, Leung K, Au A, Tong KK, de Carrasquel SR, Murakami F, Yamaguchi S, Bierbrauer G, Singelis TM, Broer M, Boen F, Lambert SM, Ferreira MC, Noels KA, van Bavel J, Safdar S, Zhang JX, Chen LN, Solcova I, Stetovska I, Niit T, Niit KK, Hurme H, Boling M, Franchi V, Magradze G, Javakhishvili N, Boehnke K, Klinger E, Huang X, Fulop M, Berkics M, Panagiotopoulou P, Sriram S, Chaudhary N, Ghosh A, Vohra N, Iqbal DF, Kurman J, Thein RD, Comunian AL, Son KA, Austers I, Harb C, Odusanya JOT, Ahmed ZA, Ismail R, van de Vijver F, Ward C, Mogaji A, Sam DL, Khan MJZ, Cabanillas WE, Sycip L, Neto F, Cabecinhas R, Xavier P, Dinca M, Lebedeva N, Viskochil A, Ponomareva O, Burgess SM, Oceja L, Campo S, Hwang KK, D'Souza JB, Ataca B, Furnham A, Lewis JR (2004) Culture-level dimensions of social axioms and their correlates across 41 cultures. J Cross-Cult Psychol 35:548–570. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022104268388
Brown M (2010) Revisiting organisational personality: organisations as functional and metaphysical entities. Philos Manag 9:31–46. https://doi.org/10.5840/pom20109210
Bryman A (2012) Social research methods. Oxford University Press, Oxford
Buchy M, Race D (2001) The twists and turns of community participation in natural resource management in Australia: what is missing? J Environ Plan Manag 44:293–308. https://doi.org/10.1080/09640560120046070
Cash DW, Clark WC, Alcock F, Dickson NM, Eckley N, Guston DH, Jager J, Mitchell RB (2003) Knowledge systems for sustainable development. Proceedings of the national Academy of Science 100, 8086–8091
Crona BI, Bodin O (2006) What you know is who you know? Communication patterns among resources extractors as a prerequisite for co-management. Ecol Soc 11:7 [online] URL: http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol11/iss2/art7/
Cunningham R, Cvitanovic C, Measham T, Jacobs B, Dowd AM, Harman B (2016) Engaging communities in climate adaptation: the potential of social networks. Clim Pol 16:894–908. https://doi.org/10.1080/14693062.2015.1052955
Cvitanovic C, Cunningham R, Dowd AM, Howden SM, van Putten EI (2017) Using social network analysis to monitor and assess the effectiveness of knowledge brokers at connecting scientists and decision-makers: as Australian case study. Environ Policy Gov. https://doi.org/10.1002/eet.1752
Cvitanovic C, Marshall NA, Wilson SK, Dobbs K, Hobday AJ (2014) Perceptions of Australian marine protected area managers regarding the role, importance and achievability of adaptation for managing the risks of climate change. Ecol Soc 19(4):33. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-07019-190433
Cvitanovic C, Hobday AJ, van Kerkoff L, Wilson SK, Dobbs K, Marshall NA (2015a) Improving knowledge exchange among scientists and decision-makers to facilitate the adaptive governance of marine resources: a review of knowledge and research needs. Ocean Coast Manag 112:25–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2015.05.002
Cvitanovic C, Hobday AJ, van Kerkoff L, Marshall NA (2015b) Overcoming barriers to knowledge exchange for adaptive resource management; the perspectives of Australian marine scientists. Mar Policy 52:38–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2014.10.026
Cvitanovic C, McDonald J, Hobday AJ (2016) From science to action: principles for undertaking environmental research that enables knowledge exchange and evidence-based decision-making. J Environ Manag 183:864–874. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.09.038
del Prado AM, Church T, Katigbak MS, Miramontes LG, Whitty MT, Curtis GJ, Vargas-Flores JD, Ibanez-Reyes J, Ortiz FA, Reyes JAS (2007) Culture, method and the content of self-concepts: testing trait, individual-self-primacy, and cultural psychology perspectives. J Res Pers 41:1119–1160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2007.02.002
Dibrell C, Craig JB, Kim J, Johnson AJ (2015) Establishing how natural environmental competency, organisational social consciousness, and innovativeness relate. J Bus Ethics 127:591–605. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-013-2043-1
Dougill AJ, Fraser EDG, Holden J, Hubacek K, Prell C, Reed MS, Stagl S, Strigner LC (2006) Learning from doing participatory rural research: lessons from the Peak District National Park. J Agric Econ 57:259–275. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1477-9552.2006.00051.x
Dovers S (2001) Institutional barriers and opportunities: processes and arrangements for natural resource management in Australia. Water Sci Technol 43:215–226
Fankhauser S, Smith JB, Tol RSJ (1999) Weathering climate change: some simple rules to guide adaptation decisions. Ecol Econ 30, 67–78
Guston DH (2001) Boundary organizations in environmental policy and science: an introduction. Sci Technol Hum Values 26:339–408. https://doi.org/10.1177/016224390102600401
Harris SG, Harper BL (2000) Using eco-cultural dependency webs in risk assessment and characterization of risks to tribal health and cultures. Environ Sci Pollut Res 2:91–100
Hobday AJ, McDonald J (2014) Environmental issues in Australia. Annu Rev Environ Resour 39:16.11–16.28. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-environ-012113-111451
Hodgkinson JA, Hobday AJ, Pinkard EA (2014) Climate adaptation in Australia’s resource-extraction industries: ready or not? Reg Environ Chang 14(4):1663–1678. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-014-0618-8
Howden SM, Soussana J, Tubiello FN, Chhetri N, Dunlop M, Meinke H (2007) Adapting agriculture to climate change. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 104:19691–19696. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0701890104
Ismail Al-Alawi A, Yousif Al-Marzooqi N, Fraidoon Mohammed Y (2007) Organizational culture and knowledge sharing: critical success factors. J Knowl Manag 11(2):22–42. https://doi.org/10.1108/13673270710738898
Jennings S, Moore S (2000) The rhetoric behind regionalization in Australian natural resource management: myth, reality and moving forward. J Environ Policy Plan 2(3):177–191. https://doi.org/10.1080/714038553
Kahan DM, Peters E, Wittlin M, Slovic P, Ouellette LL, Braman D, Mandel G (2012) The polarizing impact of science literacy and numeracy on perceived climate change risks. Nat Clim Chang 2:732–735. https://doi.org/10.1038/NCLIMATE1547
Lacey J, Howden SM, Cvitanovic C, Dowd AM (2015) Informed adaptation: ethical considerations for adaptation researchers and decision-makers. Glob Environ Chang 32:200–210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2015.03.011
Lawler JJ, Tear TH, Pyke C, Shaw MR, Gonzalez P, Kareiva P, Hansen L, Hannah L, Klausmeyer K, Aldous A (2008) Resource management in a changing and uncertain climate. Front Ecol Environ 8:35–43. https://doi.org/10.1890/070146
Leviston Z, Walker I, Morwinski S (2013) Your opinion on climate change might not be as common as you think. Nat Clim Chang 3:334–337. https://doi.org/10.1038/NCLIMATE1743
Marshall NA, Smajgl A (2013) Understanding variability in adaptive capacity on rangelands. Rangel Ecol Manag 66:88–94. https://doi.org/10.2111/REM-D-11-00176.1
Marshall NA, Marshall PA (2007) Conceptualizing and operationalizing social resilience within commercial fisheries in Northern Australia. Ecol Soc 12(1):1 [online] URL: http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol12/iss1/art1/
Marshall NA, Stokes CJ, Webb NP, Marshall PA, Lankester AJ (2014) Social vulnerability to climate change in primary producers: a typology approach. Agric Ecosyst Environ 186:86–93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2014.01.004
Marshall NA, Park SE, Adger WN, Brown K, Howden SM (2012) Transformational capacity and the influence of place and identity. Environ Res Lett 7:034022 (9pp). https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/7/3/034022
Meinke H, Howden SM, Struik PC, Nelson R, Rodriguez D, Chapman SC (2009) Adaptation science for agriculture and natural resource management-urgency and theoretical basis. Curr Opin Environ Sustain 1:69–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2009.07.007
Marshall NA, Adger N, Attwood S, Brown K, Crissman C, Cvitanovic C, De Young C, Gooch M, James C, Jessen S, Johnson D, Marshall P, Park S, Wachenfeld D, Wrigley D (2017) Empirically derived guidance for social scientists to influence environmental policy. PLoS One 12(3):e0171950. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0171950
Meyer M (2010) The rise of the knowledge broker. Sci Commun 32:118–127. https://doi.org/10.1177/1075547009359797
Michaels S (2009) Matching knowledge brokering strategies to environmental policy problems and settings. Environ Sci Pol I2:994–1011. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2009.05.002
Mills M, Alvarez-Romero JG, Vance-Borland K, Cohen P, Pressey RL, Guerrero AM, Ernstson H (2014) Linking regional planning and local action: towards using social network analysis in systematic conservation planning. Biol Conserv 169:6–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2013.10.015
Moser S (2010) Communicating climate change: history, challenges, processes and future directions. WIREs Clim Chang 1:31–53. https://doi.org/10.1002/wcc.11
Nelson DR, Adger WN, Brown K (2007) Adaptation to environmental change: contributions of a resilience framework. Annu Rev Environ Resour 32:395–419. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.energy.32.051807.090348
Nisbet MC (2009) Communicating climate change: why frames matter for public engagement. Environ Sci Policy Sustain Dev 51(2):12–23. https://doi.org/10.3200/ENVT.51.2.12-23
Pannell DJ, Marshall GR, Barr N, Curtis A, Vanclay F, Wilkinson R (2006) Understanding and promoting adoption of conservation practices by rural landholders. Aust J Exp Agric 46:1407–1424. https://doi.org/10.1071/EA05037
Park H, Ribière V, Schulte WD Jr (2004) Critical attributes of organizational culture that promote knowledge management technology implementation success. J Knowl Manag 8(3):106–117. https://doi.org/10.1108/13673270410541079
Patrick S, Charmantier A, Weimerskirch H (2013) Differences in boldness are repeatable and heritable in a long-lived marine predator. Ecol Evol. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.748
Preston B, Westaway R, Yuen E (2011) Climate adaptation planning in practice: an evaluation of adaptation plans from three developed nations. Mitig Adapt Strat Glob 16:407–438. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-010-9270-x
Reed M (2008) Stakeholder participation for environmental management: a literature review. Biol Conserv 141, 2417–2431
Rissik D, Boulter S, Doerr V, Marshall N, Hobday A, Lim-Camacho L (2014) The NRM Adaptation Checklist: supporting climate adaptation planning and decision-making for regional NRM. CSIRO and NCCARF, Australia (Accessible from www.AdaptNRM.org)
Roberts AM, Pannell DJ (2009) Piloting a systematic framework for public investment in regional natural resource management: dryland salinity in Australia. Land Use Policy 26:1001–1010. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2008.12.004
Robins L, Dovers S (2007) NRM regions in Australia: the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’. Geogr Res 45(3):273–290. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-5871.2007.00460.x
Schneider B (1987) The people make the place. Pers Psychol 40:437–453. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6570.1987.tb00609.x
Schusler TM, Decker DJ, Pfeffer MJ (2003) Social learning for collaborative natural resource management. Soc Nat Resour 16:309–326. https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920390178874
Sinn DL, Moltschaniwskyj NA, Wapstra E, Dall SRX (2010) Are behavioral syndromes invariant? Spatiotemporal variation in shy/bold behavior in squid. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 64:693–702. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-009-0887-2
Stocklmayer S (2013) Engagement with science: models of science communication. In: Gilbert JK, Stocklmayer S (eds) Communication and engagement with science and technology: issues and dilemmas. Routledge, New York
Stokes C, Howden M (2010) Adapting agriculture to climate change: preparing Australian agriculture, forestry and fisheries for the future. CSIRO Publishing, Australia
Westerhoff L, Keskitalo ECH, Juhola S (2011) Capacities across scales: local to national adaptation policy in four European countries. Clim Pol 11:1071–1085. https://doi.org/10.1080/14693062.2011.579258
Wise RM, Fazey I, Stafford Smith M, Park SE, Eakin HC, Archer Van Garderen ERM, Campbell B (2014) Reconceptualising adaptation to climate change as part of pathways of change and response. Glob Environ Chang 28:325–336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2013.12.002
Yun SJ, Ku D, Han JY (2013) Climate policy networks in South Korea: alliances and conflicts. Clim Pol 14:283–301. https://doi.org/10.1080/14693062.2013.831240
Acknowledgements
Data collection was undertaken in accordance with Human Research Ethics procedures CSSHREC: No. 049/13. This activity was funded by an Australia Government Initiative through the National NRM Impacts and Adaptation project (www.AdaptNRM.org). The views expressed herein are not necessarily the views of the Commonwealth of Australia, and the Commonwealth does not accept responsibility for any information or advice contained herein. We appreciate the involvement of all the survey respondents, and logistical support from Paul Ryan, Talia Jeanneret, Barton Loechel, and Petina Pert. We also thank two anonymous reviewers and the journal editor for constructive comments that improved this manuscript.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Editor: Diana Sietz.
Electronic supplementary material
ESM 1
(DOCX 7942 kb)
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hobday, A.J., Doerr, V.A.J., Marshall, N.A. et al. Adapting to climate change: the role of organisational personalities in natural resource management. Reg Environ Change 18, 561–571 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-017-1227-0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-017-1227-0