Publications

Publications (Foto: J.-R. Lippels / Hereon)

Following publications have been announced by our department Human Dimensions of Coastal Areas:

 

Bomhauer-Beins, L., Guttry, C. de, & Ratter, B.M.W. (2019): When Culture Materializes: Societal Dynamics in Resilience of Social-Ecological Systems in the Case of Conch Management on Abaco, The Bahamas. Sustainability 2019, 11, 1080, doi:10.3390/su11041080

Abstract:

The concept of resilience has greatly contributed to the scientific discussion on human–nature interactions by analysing the dynamics, relationships and feedbacks between society and the natural environment at different levels. In this paper, we analyse how culture and societal dynamics influence those connections and, at the same time, have the potential to eventually hinder or foster social-ecological resilience. In order to do so, we take the example of a natural element which is also a cultural icon: the Conch (pronounced ‘konk’). Conch is a marine mollusc with significant social and cultural value for the islands’ society of The Bahamas. In the last decade, a decline in several Conch stocks has been documented, calling for an urgent sustainable management strategy. Nevertheless, only little efforts are happening. This case study offers an innovative understanding of resilience by introducing an aspect which is too often overseen: the role of culture in shaping social-ecological resilience. In this case study, the role of culture proved to be crucial as the cultural significance and embeddedness of Conch has made the management process challenging. But at the same time, culture can be used as a positive impulse towards adaptive management and as a starting point for sustainability. When culture materializes, it affects not only societal dynamics but also the vulnerability and the resilience process of the entire social-ecological system.

 

Süsser, D., Weig, B., Döring, M., & Ratter, B.M.W. (2019): Entrepreneurs for Renewables -Emergence of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Complex Social Systems. In: Dehmer, M., Emmert-Streib, F., & Jodlbauer, H. (eds.): Entrepreneurial Complexity Methods and Applications. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton, pp 1-47, doi:10.1201/9781351250849

Abstract:

The main contribution of this chapter lies in the investigation of the emergence of innovation and entrepreneurship in complex social systems, exemplarily in the context of community-based renewable energy. We, hence, theoretically consider ‘entrepreneurial complexity’ as the emergence of innovation processes and entrepreneurship in complex and social systems arising from multifarious and intertwined behaviours. Our study aims to examine the factors and processes underlying the renewable energy transition in rural communities.

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