Abstract Our paper explores, on a theoretical level, the reason for frequent failures of rural de... more Abstract Our paper explores, on a theoretical level, the reason for frequent failures of rural development policies and identifies some potential improvements in rural policy making in Europe. Our approach to dis/integration concerns actors, resources, institutions, knowledge, the fundamental logic of development, and the interplay between two distinct levels of rural development: the level of policies, or central intervention; and the level of local aspirations aimed at improving everyday rural life.
In this paper, we discuss the relevance of different understandings of knowledge to rural develop... more In this paper, we discuss the relevance of different understandings of knowledge to rural development by looking at how rural development is evaluated in Europe. After outlining some of the links between knowledge and evaluation, we turn to a specific area of development policy in the EU that we feel requires more attention, and in which knowledge is a central issue: How to evaluate the LEADER programme in a way that resolves the conflicting learning needs of the various stakeholders concerned.
A distinction can be made in evaluation practice between exogenous evaluation, which emphasises o... more A distinction can be made in evaluation practice between exogenous evaluation, which emphasises objective, analytic rigour and a culture of audit and accountability, and endogenous evaluation, which emphasises social learning, capacity building and integration with the development process.
Abstract Our paper explores, on a theoretical level, the reason for frequent failures of rural de... more Abstract Our paper explores, on a theoretical level, the reason for frequent failures of rural development policies and identifies some potential improvements in rural policy making in Europe. Our approach to dis/integration concerns actors, resources, institutions, knowledge, the fundamental logic of development, and the interplay between two distinct levels of rural development: the level of policies, or central intervention; and the level of local aspirations aimed at improving everyday rural life.
In this paper, we touch on a key theme in rural overnance'the reconciliation of centralised proce... more In this paper, we touch on a key theme in rural overnance'the reconciliation of centralised procedures and the embedded institutions of rural society–through the lens of the evaluation procedures embedded in the European LEADER programme. LEADER is in many ways a highly devolved European initiative, true to its origins as a progressive rural laboratory in terms of innovation, stakeholder engagement, social learning and systemic methodology for addressing rural needs.
A major theme within the literature on rural development is that the particular mix of formal and... more A major theme within the literature on rural development is that the particular mix of formal and informal institutions present in any situation is a key determinant of development outcomes. However, there is some evidence that in policy and practice there are considerable difficulties in articulating formal organizational realities with the rules and norms embedded in informally constructed social structures.
Sustainable development has brought with it a broader consideration of the role of different stak... more Sustainable development has brought with it a broader consideration of the role of different stakeholders. Considerable scholarship has gone into demonstrating that purpose and perspective matter, and that stakeholder groupings based on these can be much more complex than basic social or economic variables might suggest. Yet an examination of the stakeholder analysis tools in the management literature reveals simplistic assumptions and boundary judgements, and a reification of purpose that conceals stakeholder assumptions, values and goals. In this paper, we explore an alternative form of stakeholder analysis, based on Checkland's Soft Systems Methodology. At its core is a suggestion that a central difficulty with standard stakeholder analysis is that sustainability is not framed in the same way by different stakeholders and it is unreasonable to analyse their stake in it as though their framing was identical. The paper describes how some of the methods developed within SSM can be applied to make stakeholder analysis more powerful and more flexible, and discusses some of the implications for CSR and sustainability.
The burgeoning interest on social capital within the climate change community signals a positive ... more The burgeoning interest on social capital within the climate change community signals a positive movement towards a concern for the behavioural elements of adaptive action and capacity. But social capital is a slippery concept. In this paper the case is put forward for a critical engagement with social capital. There is need for an open debate on the dangers and opportunities that social capital presents. This paper discusses the formation, operation and utility of social capital in research on adaptation and reviews options for future research agendas focused on communities of place and practice.
This article considers the relationship between centralised exogenous, institutions and the embed... more This article considers the relationship between centralised exogenous, institutions and the embedded, endogenous institutions of rural governance in Europe through an examination the evaluation procedures of the European LEADER programme. LEADER is presented in the literature as progressive in terms of innovation and stakeholder engagement. Yet, while the planning and management of LEADER embraces heterogeneity and participation, programmatic evaluation is centralised and is held at arms length from the delivery organisations. The article reviews previous efforts to improve evaluation in LEADER and considers alternative strategies for evaluation, contrasting LEADER practice with participatory evaluation methodologies in the wider international context. Can evaluation in itself be valuable as a mode of social learning and hence a driver for endogenous development in rural communities in Europe? The article concludes by examining the challenges in producing a hybrid form of evaluation that accommodates both endogenous and exogenous values.
The technological and organisational solutions the agricultural sector has undertaken in the past... more The technological and organisational solutions the agricultural sector has undertaken in the past are not always compatible with the constraints and opportunities that the rural economy and society will face in the future. There is growing agreement that the goal of sustainability cannot be fulfilled without a profound change in the way the economy is organised. Innovation policies are among the most suitable instruments for this purpose. The article, based on the SOLINSA conceptual framework, adopts a network approach to innovation policies. Based on empirical evidence collected from case studies across Europe in the first phase of the project, the paper proposes the concept of Learning and Innovation Networks for Sustainable Agriculture (LINSA). LINSA are defined as ‘networks of producers, customers, experts, Non-Governmental Organisations, Small and Medium Enterprises, local administrations and components of the formal Agricultural Knowledge System (AKS), that are mutually engaged with common goals for sustainable agriculture and rural development – cooperating, sharing resources and co-producing new knowledge by creating conditions for communication'. The article proposes that LINSA be considered as policy devices – in line with the European Innovation Partnership initiative – to foster innovation in the direction of sustainability goals as advocated by Europe 2020 strategy.
Augustyn, A. & Nemes, G. (2013): Networking Community-Engaged Scholarship: The European Experience, Proceedings of the XXVth Congress of the European Society for Rural Sociology, 29 July – 1 August 2013 , Florence, ISBN 978 8 8908 9600 2
This paper intends to raise discussion on the concept of community-engaged scholarship with speci... more This paper intends to raise discussion on the concept of community-engaged scholarship with special regard to networking between rural researchers and community development actors. We present some results of an Open Discussion workshop held at the 2013 ENRD LEADER Event in Brussels, organised for representatives of Local Action Groups (LAGs) and other stakeholders to provide quality input for the current programming of the new EU rural development policy. Our particular workshop was dedicated to identification of how researchers can support the work of LEADER LAGs and how they could do this more efficiently in the future under the new era of Community-Led Local Development (CLLD).
Augustyn, A. & Nemes, G. (2014): Engaging Researchers with Learning and Innovation Networks for Sustainable Agriculture, In: Aenis, T., Knierim, A., Riecher, M.C., Ridder, R., Schobert, H., Fischer, H. (Eds.) : Farming systems facing global challenges: Capacities and strategies, IFSA 2014, 2014
In this paper we elaborate on the concept of engaged scholarship, focusing on relationships betwe... more In this paper we elaborate on the concept of engaged scholarship, focusing on relationships between researchers and Learning and Innovation Networks for Sustainable Agriculture (LINSAs). We examine the current EU rural policy rhetoric, promoting closer linkages between scholars and practitioners to foster innovation, and the actual state of art. The study has been based on the experiences gained with the recent EU FP7-funded project SOLINSA and four workshops at major rural events. Here we suggest that alongside formal arrangements for research-practice partnerships, action research can offer promising methodological solutions to facilitate them. There is still, however, a lack of wider recognition of this methodology in the tenure process as well as capacities of researchers in working this way. Thus more effort should be undertaken to promote it, in order to foster capacity building of researchers and managing change in the academia. We conclude the following paper with some recommendations in this respect and ideas for further investigations.
In 2014 the Gyula Forster National Centre for Cultural Heritage Management (Forster Centre), the ... more In 2014 the Gyula Forster National Centre for Cultural Heritage Management (Forster Centre), the state agency responsible for the management of a certain number of state-owned cultural heritage (CH) sites in Hungary, started a project dedicated to exploring socio-economic impacts of investments into built CH. The key objectives of the project are: 1) To develop a complex methodology for the measurement of socio-economic impacts of CH; 2) To provide a reasonable justification for spending on restoration of historically valuable buildings; and 3) To equip local communities with knowledge and skills necessary to valuate such works in the future. The project (currently work in progress), is developing a multidisciplinary methodology for socio-economic impact assessment, integrating various types of knowledge and research methods. Here, besides the methodological approach we present some results of the first pilot study in Sirok.
Augustyn, A. & Nemes, G. (2014): Catching up with the West? Europeanisation of rural policies in Hungary and Poland, Studies in Agricultural Economics 116: 114-121 , 2014
Abstract Our paper explores, on a theoretical level, the reason for frequent failures of rural de... more Abstract Our paper explores, on a theoretical level, the reason for frequent failures of rural development policies and identifies some potential improvements in rural policy making in Europe. Our approach to dis/integration concerns actors, resources, institutions, knowledge, the fundamental logic of development, and the interplay between two distinct levels of rural development: the level of policies, or central intervention; and the level of local aspirations aimed at improving everyday rural life.
In this paper, we discuss the relevance of different understandings of knowledge to rural develop... more In this paper, we discuss the relevance of different understandings of knowledge to rural development by looking at how rural development is evaluated in Europe. After outlining some of the links between knowledge and evaluation, we turn to a specific area of development policy in the EU that we feel requires more attention, and in which knowledge is a central issue: How to evaluate the LEADER programme in a way that resolves the conflicting learning needs of the various stakeholders concerned.
A distinction can be made in evaluation practice between exogenous evaluation, which emphasises o... more A distinction can be made in evaluation practice between exogenous evaluation, which emphasises objective, analytic rigour and a culture of audit and accountability, and endogenous evaluation, which emphasises social learning, capacity building and integration with the development process.
Abstract Our paper explores, on a theoretical level, the reason for frequent failures of rural de... more Abstract Our paper explores, on a theoretical level, the reason for frequent failures of rural development policies and identifies some potential improvements in rural policy making in Europe. Our approach to dis/integration concerns actors, resources, institutions, knowledge, the fundamental logic of development, and the interplay between two distinct levels of rural development: the level of policies, or central intervention; and the level of local aspirations aimed at improving everyday rural life.
In this paper, we touch on a key theme in rural overnance'the reconciliation of centralised proce... more In this paper, we touch on a key theme in rural overnance'the reconciliation of centralised procedures and the embedded institutions of rural society–through the lens of the evaluation procedures embedded in the European LEADER programme. LEADER is in many ways a highly devolved European initiative, true to its origins as a progressive rural laboratory in terms of innovation, stakeholder engagement, social learning and systemic methodology for addressing rural needs.
A major theme within the literature on rural development is that the particular mix of formal and... more A major theme within the literature on rural development is that the particular mix of formal and informal institutions present in any situation is a key determinant of development outcomes. However, there is some evidence that in policy and practice there are considerable difficulties in articulating formal organizational realities with the rules and norms embedded in informally constructed social structures.
Sustainable development has brought with it a broader consideration of the role of different stak... more Sustainable development has brought with it a broader consideration of the role of different stakeholders. Considerable scholarship has gone into demonstrating that purpose and perspective matter, and that stakeholder groupings based on these can be much more complex than basic social or economic variables might suggest. Yet an examination of the stakeholder analysis tools in the management literature reveals simplistic assumptions and boundary judgements, and a reification of purpose that conceals stakeholder assumptions, values and goals. In this paper, we explore an alternative form of stakeholder analysis, based on Checkland's Soft Systems Methodology. At its core is a suggestion that a central difficulty with standard stakeholder analysis is that sustainability is not framed in the same way by different stakeholders and it is unreasonable to analyse their stake in it as though their framing was identical. The paper describes how some of the methods developed within SSM can be applied to make stakeholder analysis more powerful and more flexible, and discusses some of the implications for CSR and sustainability.
The burgeoning interest on social capital within the climate change community signals a positive ... more The burgeoning interest on social capital within the climate change community signals a positive movement towards a concern for the behavioural elements of adaptive action and capacity. But social capital is a slippery concept. In this paper the case is put forward for a critical engagement with social capital. There is need for an open debate on the dangers and opportunities that social capital presents. This paper discusses the formation, operation and utility of social capital in research on adaptation and reviews options for future research agendas focused on communities of place and practice.
This article considers the relationship between centralised exogenous, institutions and the embed... more This article considers the relationship between centralised exogenous, institutions and the embedded, endogenous institutions of rural governance in Europe through an examination the evaluation procedures of the European LEADER programme. LEADER is presented in the literature as progressive in terms of innovation and stakeholder engagement. Yet, while the planning and management of LEADER embraces heterogeneity and participation, programmatic evaluation is centralised and is held at arms length from the delivery organisations. The article reviews previous efforts to improve evaluation in LEADER and considers alternative strategies for evaluation, contrasting LEADER practice with participatory evaluation methodologies in the wider international context. Can evaluation in itself be valuable as a mode of social learning and hence a driver for endogenous development in rural communities in Europe? The article concludes by examining the challenges in producing a hybrid form of evaluation that accommodates both endogenous and exogenous values.
The technological and organisational solutions the agricultural sector has undertaken in the past... more The technological and organisational solutions the agricultural sector has undertaken in the past are not always compatible with the constraints and opportunities that the rural economy and society will face in the future. There is growing agreement that the goal of sustainability cannot be fulfilled without a profound change in the way the economy is organised. Innovation policies are among the most suitable instruments for this purpose. The article, based on the SOLINSA conceptual framework, adopts a network approach to innovation policies. Based on empirical evidence collected from case studies across Europe in the first phase of the project, the paper proposes the concept of Learning and Innovation Networks for Sustainable Agriculture (LINSA). LINSA are defined as ‘networks of producers, customers, experts, Non-Governmental Organisations, Small and Medium Enterprises, local administrations and components of the formal Agricultural Knowledge System (AKS), that are mutually engaged with common goals for sustainable agriculture and rural development – cooperating, sharing resources and co-producing new knowledge by creating conditions for communication'. The article proposes that LINSA be considered as policy devices – in line with the European Innovation Partnership initiative – to foster innovation in the direction of sustainability goals as advocated by Europe 2020 strategy.
Augustyn, A. & Nemes, G. (2013): Networking Community-Engaged Scholarship: The European Experience, Proceedings of the XXVth Congress of the European Society for Rural Sociology, 29 July – 1 August 2013 , Florence, ISBN 978 8 8908 9600 2
This paper intends to raise discussion on the concept of community-engaged scholarship with speci... more This paper intends to raise discussion on the concept of community-engaged scholarship with special regard to networking between rural researchers and community development actors. We present some results of an Open Discussion workshop held at the 2013 ENRD LEADER Event in Brussels, organised for representatives of Local Action Groups (LAGs) and other stakeholders to provide quality input for the current programming of the new EU rural development policy. Our particular workshop was dedicated to identification of how researchers can support the work of LEADER LAGs and how they could do this more efficiently in the future under the new era of Community-Led Local Development (CLLD).
Augustyn, A. & Nemes, G. (2014): Engaging Researchers with Learning and Innovation Networks for Sustainable Agriculture, In: Aenis, T., Knierim, A., Riecher, M.C., Ridder, R., Schobert, H., Fischer, H. (Eds.) : Farming systems facing global challenges: Capacities and strategies, IFSA 2014, 2014
In this paper we elaborate on the concept of engaged scholarship, focusing on relationships betwe... more In this paper we elaborate on the concept of engaged scholarship, focusing on relationships between researchers and Learning and Innovation Networks for Sustainable Agriculture (LINSAs). We examine the current EU rural policy rhetoric, promoting closer linkages between scholars and practitioners to foster innovation, and the actual state of art. The study has been based on the experiences gained with the recent EU FP7-funded project SOLINSA and four workshops at major rural events. Here we suggest that alongside formal arrangements for research-practice partnerships, action research can offer promising methodological solutions to facilitate them. There is still, however, a lack of wider recognition of this methodology in the tenure process as well as capacities of researchers in working this way. Thus more effort should be undertaken to promote it, in order to foster capacity building of researchers and managing change in the academia. We conclude the following paper with some recommendations in this respect and ideas for further investigations.
In 2014 the Gyula Forster National Centre for Cultural Heritage Management (Forster Centre), the ... more In 2014 the Gyula Forster National Centre for Cultural Heritage Management (Forster Centre), the state agency responsible for the management of a certain number of state-owned cultural heritage (CH) sites in Hungary, started a project dedicated to exploring socio-economic impacts of investments into built CH. The key objectives of the project are: 1) To develop a complex methodology for the measurement of socio-economic impacts of CH; 2) To provide a reasonable justification for spending on restoration of historically valuable buildings; and 3) To equip local communities with knowledge and skills necessary to valuate such works in the future. The project (currently work in progress), is developing a multidisciplinary methodology for socio-economic impact assessment, integrating various types of knowledge and research methods. Here, besides the methodological approach we present some results of the first pilot study in Sirok.
Augustyn, A. & Nemes, G. (2014): Catching up with the West? Europeanisation of rural policies in Hungary and Poland, Studies in Agricultural Economics 116: 114-121 , 2014
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In this paper, we explore an alternative form of stakeholder analysis, based on Checkland's Soft Systems Methodology. At its core is a suggestion that a central difficulty with standard stakeholder analysis is that sustainability is not framed in the same way by different stakeholders and it is unreasonable to analyse their stake in it as though their framing was identical. The paper describes how some of the methods developed within SSM can be applied to make stakeholder analysis more powerful and more flexible, and discusses some of the implications for CSR and sustainability.
In this paper, we explore an alternative form of stakeholder analysis, based on Checkland's Soft Systems Methodology. At its core is a suggestion that a central difficulty with standard stakeholder analysis is that sustainability is not framed in the same way by different stakeholders and it is unreasonable to analyse their stake in it as though their framing was identical. The paper describes how some of the methods developed within SSM can be applied to make stakeholder analysis more powerful and more flexible, and discusses some of the implications for CSR and sustainability.