Abstract:
The research explores stakeholder engagement performance evaluation, as opposed to conservation outcomes, within threatened species conservation in southern Africa’s protected areas. Research into the evaluation of stakeholder engagement in nature conservation has not been widely conducted due to difficulties associated with assessment and the subjectivity surrounding assessment. Additionally, limited research is available on measuring effective stakeholder engagement in nature conservation (with specific reference to threatened species), and was therefore highlighted as a potential research opportunity in the currently available literature.
Stakeholder management and engagement is regarded as a key facet of conservation management, particularly threatened species management, and has an undisputed role to play in how threatened species are conserved. Given this, improving our evaluation techniques thereof is worthwhile.
The aim of the research was to gain a deeper insight into stakeholder engagement in conservation of threatened species. Specifically, with the aim of gaining a better understanding of stakeholder engagement through performance measurement in the conservation of threatened species within protected areas.
In this qualitative study, 12 stakeholder engagement professionals including four experts were interviewed to give insights into performance measurement in stakeholder engagement.
The study found that performance measurement of stakeholder engagements should be undertaken in conservation programmes. Furthermore, participants indicated that some of the benefits of measuring stakeholder engagement could lead to continuous improvement. Additionally, they indicated it may indicate future success of conservation efforts, provide time and cost savings, identify when deliverables are met, make stakeholders accountable and lead to a better understanding of stakeholders and the engagement process.
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The research identified 13 areas that should be performance-measured within stakeholder engagements and provided associated metrics that could be considered in designing the performance management system. These measurement areas included: participation of stakeholders, strong, open and trusting relationships, communication, attitudes and behaviours, time allocated for engagements, understanding, number of stakeholders and multiple beneficiaries, stakeholder buy-in, skills of stakeholders, legacy issues, sustainable operations, achievement of deliverables and conflict levels between stakeholders.
The potential literary contributions included contextual findings on legacy issues, the need for sustainable operations, maintaining healthy levels of conflict amongst stakeholders, ensuring various stakeholders initiate dialogue and ensuring engagement processes are long term are potential unique findings for meaningful stakeholder engagements occurring within threatened species conservation in southern Africa.
