Factors influencing the Co-production in water management policies: A multi-case study in Nan province and Phayao province, Thailand

Main Article Content

Suwida Nuamcharoen

Abstract

The issue of sustainable development has garnered significant international attention, with the United Nations (UN) playing a central role in promoting this agenda through the establishment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The objectives of this study were twofold. Firstly, it aimed to investigate the factors that influence co-production and assess their impacts on sustainability. Secondly, this study aimed to provide suggestions for policymakers and implementers on how to enhance co-production factors to achieve greater sustainability outcomes. The research focused on two case studies in Thailand: water management in Ban Tun sub-district, Mueang district in Phayao province, and water management in Rong Ngae village in Worranakorn sub-district, Pua district in Nan province. A qualitative research approach was employed, utilizing in-depth interviews, non-participatory observations, and focus group discussions. Triangulation was employed to ensure data validity, and semi-structured interviews were used as the data collection tool. Content analysis and qualitative data analysis software were employed for data analysis. The findings revealed co-production in both the formulation and implementation of water management policies relating to sustainable outcomes. These outcomes were influenced by societal norms, cultural factors, existing policies, and knowledge, which shaped the relationships among the communities, stakeholders, and agencies involved in water management. The factors affecting co-production and its sustainability in the multi-case study's sustainable development policy were identified as follows: 1) contextual factors, including societal standards, culture, and existing policies and knowledge; 2) inputs, comprising water management knowledge and collaboration involving resources, technology application, and legal regulations; and 3) outputs, encompassing the expansion of knowledge and the development of competencies. The study emphasizes the need to boost knowledge expansion and competency through collaborative knowledge-sharing and academic involvement. It suggests that promoting inclusive participation and equal collaboration among stakeholders enhances co-production and sustainable outcomes.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Article Details

Section
Research Articles

References

Boonratmaitree, A. (2016). Concepts of public service in government sector and local administration. Journal of Politics and Governance, 6(1), 25–37. https://so03.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jopag/article/view/193590 [in Thai]

Bovaird, T. (2007). Beyond engagement and participation: User and community coproduction of public services. Public Administration Review, 67(5), 846–860. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6210.2007.00773.x

Boyle, D., & Harris, M. (2009). The Challenge of co-production: How equal partnerships between professionals and the public are crucial to improving public services. National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA).

Brudney, J. L., & England, R. E. (1983). Toward a definition of the coproduction concept. Public Administration Review, 43(1), 59–65. https://doi.org/10.2307/975300

Chandrangsu, T. (2019). Siang kong chak rong ngae (The echo of Rong Ngae). Thailand Institute of Justice (Public Organization). [in Thai]

Chuenchum, P., Suttinon, P., & Ruangrassamee, P. (2016). Cross-sectoral impact of water deficits in Nan River Basin. In A. C. Tyagi, H. K. Varma, V. K. Labhsetwar, S. Singh, & M. Mohanan (Eds.), 2nd World Irrigation Forum (WIF2) (pp. 1–10). International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage. https://www.icid.org/wif2_full_papers/wif2_w.2.2.20.pdf

Khamsorn, P., Sanwangsri, M., Chailuecha, C., & Suwannapat, P. (2019). Assessing of water balance components in dry dipterocarp-forested watershed in Phayao, Thailand. In Proceedings on the 5th Environment Asia International Conference on Transboundary Environmental Nexus: From Local to Regional Perspectives (pp. II86–II103). Thai Society of Higher Education Institute on Environment. http://www.environmentasia-2019.science.cmu.ac.th/images/editor/file/5thenviasia-proceedings.pdf

Maiklad, P. (2014, March 9). Thang ok kan bo ri han chat kan nam khong Thai [Solutions for water management in Thailand]. Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI). https://tdri.or.th/water/thaipublica20140309 [in Thai]

Mankhong, A. (2017). The role of cultural capital and the community’s economic development: Case study of community in Ban Toon sub-district, Muang district, Phayao province. Research and Development Journal, Loei Rajabhat University, 12(39), 90–100. [in Thai]

Moallemi, E. A., Malekpour, S., Hadjikakou, M., Raven, R., Szetey, K., Ningrum, D., Dhiaulhaq, A., & Bryan, B. A. (2020). Achieving the sustainable development goals requires transdisciplinary innovation at the local scale. One Earth, 3(3), 300–313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2020.08.006

Nuamcharoen, S., & Settakorn, W. (2023). The water management school as an innovation to the water management solution: The success in network governance. Journal of BSRU – Research and Development Institute, 8(2), 321–334.

Radnor, Z., Osborne, S. P., Kinder, T., & Mutton, J. (2014). Operationalizing co-production in public services delivery: The contribution of service blueprinting. Public Management Review, 16(3), 402–423, https://doi.org/10.1080/14719037.2013.848923

Rakyutidharm, A. (2015). Kan chat kan lum nam kha nat lek yang mi suan ruam phuen thi Lum Mae Nam Mae Tia-Mae Tae Amphoe Chom Thong Changwat Chiang Mai [Participatory management of small watersheds in the Mae Tia-Mae Thae watershed area, Chom Thong district, Chiang Mai province]. Foundation for Sustainable Development, Northern Region. [in Thai]

Rassameethammachot. S. (2006). Competency based learning (4th ed.). Sirivatana Interprint Public Company Limited. [in Thai]

Wises, S., & Chantima, C. (2016). The procedure to formulate the charter on natural resource management by public deliberation: Case study on Phayao Lake. Journal of MCU Peace Studies, 4(2), 38–56. https://doi.org/10.14456/jmcupeace.2016.50 [in Thai]

Wyborn, C., Datta, A., Montana, J., Ryan, M., Leith, P., Chaffin, B., Miller, C., & van Kerkhoff, L. (2019). Co-producing sustainability: Reordering the governance of science, policy, and practice. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 44, 319–346. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-environ-101718-033103