Photo: European Parliament - Audovisual Unit
New paper reviews the ICES reform process
In a new paper researchers review how organizational change in an international scientific network - the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) - have been managed, showing the need for good leadership and communication skills, as well as broad consultations to ensure support within the ICES community.
Organizational changeGovernance of marine resources is challenged by the lack of
institutions with authority to address problems across sectors and
at appropriate spatial scales. Organizations involved in the governance of natural resources are challenged to adjust to the call for more holistic management approaches, something that often necessitates organizational change. In a new paper, which will be published in the journal Marine Policy in 2012, researchers from the Stockholm Resilience Centre and the Baltic Nest Institute review how organizational change in the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) during the years 1998-2009 have been managed.
Shaping governance
"The scientific community play an important part in shaping governance outcomes and this study is highlighting the complexities associated with reorganizing an international scientific network in light of current governance challenges" Henrik Österblom, one of the authors says.
The reform processes were driven forward by individuals who navigated between opportunities and constrains embedded in the network structure of ICES. This required good leadership and communication skills.
Kari Stange, lead author of the article, says that “The study (also) points to the importance of leadership and the need for tailored management strategies in times of change”.
Source: Stange, K., Olsson, P., Österblom. H., 2012, Managing organizational change in an international scientific network: A study of ICES reform processes, Marine Policy 36 (2012) 681-688.
BNI research
This paper examines the links between science policy and practice, research carried out by Baltic Nest Institute within the projects BEAM and Regime Shifts in the Baltic Sea Ecosystem - Modelling Complex Adaptive Ecosystems and Governance Implications.
Here are links to two more related articles written by BNI researchers:
1. Österblom et al., 2011, Marine Policy, Incentives, social–ecological feedbacks and European fisheries
2. Österblom et al. 2010, Marine Policy, Making the ecosystem approach operational—Can regime shifts in ecological- and governance systems facilitate the transition?
