Roselyn Zator

Doctoral Dissertation Announcement

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Candidate: Roselyn Zator

Degree of: Doctor of Philosophy

Department: Public Affairs and Administration

Title: Exploring Collaborative Governance: Case Studies of Disruptions in Coastal Management Collaborations and Resulting Effects upon the Collaborations and Outcomes

Committee:
Dr. James A. Visser, Chair
Dr. Matthew S. Mingus
Dr. Richard K. Norton

Date: Wednesday, June 22, 2011 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
211 West Walwood Hall, Emeriti Lounge

Abstract:
This qualitative study examined disruptions in collaborative decision-making in environmental management in four state coastal zone management commissions. Disruptions were defined as changes in the rules or structure of the commissions that resulted from political pressure. The analysis of disruptions sought to a) identify how key factors of effective collaborative governance in coastal environmental management were impacted by the disruptions, and b) how the disruptions affected public trust in the collaborations and in the collaborations’ policy outcomes.
  The comparative case study used qualitative analysis of pre and post disruption conditions in coastal zone commissions in California, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and South Carolina. The study revealed that post-disruption actions in three of the four cases strengthened the collaborative model, enhanced transparency in decision-making, restored public trust, and resulted in improved policy outcomes. The fourth case (South Carolina) had the opposite results but was expected as the disruption eliminated the council and moved responsibilities into the state agency.