A Social Network Analysis of Collaborative Rangelands Governance: The case of Borana Rangelands, Southern Ethiopia

Effective natural resources governance plays a crucial role in enhancing the resilience of socio-ecological systems (SES) in the face of environmental changes. It is recognized that the ability to adaptively respond to complex environmental change and manage SES resilience resides in actors’ networks. Network forms of governance facilitate both horizontal and vertical interconnection of actors, bring different perspectives and sources of knowledge, and develop shared values and innovative solutions to problems. However, the structural pattern of actors’ collaborative linkages within the network strongly influences actors’ behavior and, hence, delivery and impacts of effective governance. We analyze social networks (SNA) among pastoralists in the Borana rangelands of Ethiopia to identify the structural gaps that result in misfits. Our quantitative SNA revealed a low level of network density with very few horizontal and vertical interactions and linkages among actors in the governance system, which considerably limits flows of knowledge, experiences, and other resources, leading to a failure to establish shared values and undertake joint action. Rangelands governance in Borana is further hampered by the absence of adequate network heterogeneity and solidarity that in turn blocks the building of collaborative planning and efficient use of available resources to address the complex problems of rangeland pastoralism. Our results suggest that a policy environment that can create conditions for greater collaboration, the strengthening of actors’ ties, and the development of trust and social capital enabling the design of effective collective governance should be developed.