An Actor-Interest-Power (AIP) governance indicator framework for operationalising the Actor-Centred Power approach

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Contributors

Abstract

Systematic analysis of complex social relations in environmental governance requires clear identification of actors, their interests, power distribution, and interactions. While the Actor-Centred Power (ACP) approach provides a theoretical foundation for analysing governance processes, its application has remained predominantly qualitative, limiting transparency, comparability, and reproducibility across governance contexts. This study develops a structured Actor-Interest-Power (AIP) analytical framework that operationalises the ACP approach by integrating actor interests and power distribution within a transparent and comparable analytical procedure. The framework combines structured actor-interest scoring, power assessment, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to enable systematic exploration and comparison of governance configurations. Drawing on empirical data from mangrove forest management in Thailand, a subset of actors and interests is reanalysed to demonstrate the application of the framework. To further illustrate its analytical utility, six conceptually constructed AIP typologies representing contrasting governance configurations are developed, ranging from aligned high-power structures to fragmented and asymmetric arrangements. Together, the empirical application and conceptual typologies demonstrate how different Actor-Interest-Power (AIP) configurations can be systematically represented and compared within a consistent analytical framework. By operationalising Actor-Interest-Power relationships into a structured analytical framework, this study advances the practical application of the ACP approach and contributes to the development of transparent, reproducible, and configuration-based governance indicators for comparative sustainability assessment and planning.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number101451
JournalEnvironmental and Sustainability Indicators
Volume31
Early online date3 Aug 2026
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2026
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

ORCID /0009-0009-5222-494X/work/223384020
ORCID /0009-0007-1376-704X/work/223387212
Scopus 105046524188

Keywords

Keywords

  • Decision support tools, Governance indicators, Interest analysis, Natural resource management, Power-interest mapping, Sustainability governance, Principal component analysis