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Item The political economics of civic energy: A framework for comparative research(Elsevier B.V., 2025-01-02) Berka AL; Hoicka C; Sperling KDeep civic engagement in energy transitions has been limited and unique to specific political economic contexts. This study develops a generic policy mix enabling civic energy, drawing on a systematic overview of barriers and policies for civic energy by country and region from 1980 to 2023. We show that when policy mixes support widespread diffusion of civic energy, they are likely to be “thick”; meaning that they align a wide range of corporate legal, market access, energy subsidy, localised planning and facilitation, access to finance, and capacity building policies - extending well beyond the domain of energy policy. Literature suggests that “thick” policy mixes emerge in contexts where there are narratives and conscious strategies for participation, political opportunities and resources mobilised towards enabling participation, with high degrees of fiscal and legislative decentralisation and policy coordination. In contrast, contexts characterised by low levels of civic energy are posited as having “thin” policy mixes, with limited opportunity for inclusive visioning or experimentation in multi-stakeholder platforms, limited decentralisation and policy coordination, resulting in marginalisation of civic arenas, conflicting framings and lack of high-level strategies for civic participation. We identify countries characterised by thick and thin policy mixes based on literature and identify research needed to confirm the existence of exclusive and inclusive governance and policy settings in relation to key indicators for both inclusivity and speed of transitions, allowing for better articulation of the value of inclusive innovation as a practical and beneficial approach to meeting emission reduction goals.Item Governance of automated mobilities transition in Aotearoa New Zealand(Elsevier Ltd., 2024-08-01) Shammut M; Imran MThis paper explores how political-institutional factors influence the transition towards automated vehicles (AVs) in New Zealand (NZ). Using the lens of ‘mobilities paradigm’ and analysing policy documents along with interviews data from government officials, the findings reveal the complexity of governing AVs transition due to fragmented responsibility, contested visions, and high interdependency across government agencies. The findings suggest that strong political leadership coupled with infrastructure investments and building regulators’ capability are important catalysts of change towards AVs transition in NZ. The paper concludes that the complex governance environment, and the central government action and inaction to set priority for the AVs agenda, may hinder or facilitate a smooth transition towards AVs in NZ. This paper contributes to the mobilities paradigm by enriching our understanding of the political-institutional challenges associated with the emergence of AVs and offers illuminating policy guidance to better inform decision-making around governing the future transition towards AVs.Item Climate-resilient development planning for cities: progress from Cape Town.(Springer Nature Limited published in partnership with RMIT University, 2023-02-28) Simpson NP; Simpson KJ; Ferreira AT; Constable A; Glavovic B; Eriksen SEH; Ley D; Solecki W; Rodríguez RS; Stringer LCPriorities and programmes in the City of Cape Town's Integrated Development Plan (2022-2027) demonstrate progress towards operationalising local level planning for climate-resilient development. These developments provide lessons of process and focus on transformative outcomes for cities seeking equitable and just development while implementing climate change adaptation and mitigation.Item Vacating place, vacated space? A research agenda for places where people leave(Elsevier Ltd, 2021-02) Koning JD; Hobbis SK; McNeill J; Prinsen GWhat happens to rural places when people leave? We propose a research agenda that accounts for the material and immaterial values of depopulating and depopulated places. A three-pronged research framework departing from the notion of place is outlined that focuses on the social and political relations and the natural environment in which vacating places are embedded. We use vignettes of places in Ecuador, New Zealand and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville of Papua New Guinea to illustrate how this framework can be used to explore how depopulation has transformed the sense of place. Each explores an aspect of this transformation: (1) replacing people – where inhabitants of a place are replaced; (2) diluting local voice – where the local sense of place is diluted through changing governance arrangements through institutional amalgamation; and (3) transforming nature – where the biophysical transformation of a space effectively renders it inhabitable. Each vignette answers questions about who speaks for, who benefits from, and what is valued about this place. By paying close attention to political, economic, and environmental transformations and what they mean for the values of these depopulating rural areas as well as by showcasing different modes of vacating space and the consequences on legitimacy and beneficiaries, we highlight the importance of this research framework for global public policy and its applicability for both the Global North and the Global South.Item Managed retreats by whom and how? Identifying and delineating governance modalities(Elsevier B.V, 2021) Hanna C; White I; Glavovic BCManaged retreat has become a compelling policy imperative as climate change exacerbates socio-natural hazard risks and imminent harm looms for exposed communities. Retreats may be initiated over different times and scales using various instruments by actors, from the state to the private sector and civil society. However, in the absence of a coherent strategic vision, guiding frameworks, and capacity to manage retreats, at-risk communities, their elected representatives, policy makers, and planners are compelled to embark on retreat governance experiments. Consequently, retreat is perceived as a ‘high regrets’ policy imperative with potentially adverse impacts for community wellbeing, as well as political and professional risks. To help translate managed retreat rhetoric into reality, this paper presents a governance framework that acknowledges the multiplicity of ‘managed retreats.’ Using examples from Aotearoa-New Zealand, we identify and delineate retreat modalities and clarify terminology, converging our framework with the international mobility literature to harness the valuable lessons from decades of human mobility practice.Item Audit pricing in the pension plan audit market : an empirical study on the New Zealand KiwiSaver characteristics, audit market factors, non-audit services and board governance : a 110.899 thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Studies in Accountancy at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand(Massey University, 2014) Moeakiola, Saia Uai HaviliThis thesis documents the influence of the New Zealand KiwiSaver characteristics, audit market factors, non-audit services and board characteristics on audit fees between 2011 and 2013 fiscal years. It documents the first audit pricing study on New Zealand’s defined contribution pension plan, the ‘KiwiSaver’, which adds to the little literature in the pension industry. I find that the KiwiSaver characteristics, including size, risk and complexity, are associated with audit fees, consistent with prior pension plans research and other markets studied. Further, I examine whether audit market factors (measured by Big Four and first year audit) earn audit fee premiums in the industry. Consistent with prior pension plans research I find that the audit market factors have no effect on audit fees in the industry, despite the Big Four firms having a much higher share in the KiwiSaver audit market. I also investigate the impact of the auditor-client relationship on audit pricing and address the KiwiSaver regulators concern with auditor independence in the industry. I find that a non-audit services fee is not a significant factor in determination of audit fees in the industry. This suggests that auditor independence is not an issue. The KiwiSaver presents a multi-tiered agency setting in which the impact of governance practices on audit fees can be analysed. I find evidence that skilful and expert trustees demand higher audit quality services, despite KiwiSaver’s smaller board size. Key words: Audit pricing, pension plan, KiwiSaver, audit market factors, non-audit services and governance.Item Exploring a 'post-normal' science-policy interface for integrated coastal management : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Governance at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand(Massey University, 2011) Bremer, Scott RonaldThis thesis is broadly about mobilising knowledge for the governance of the coast and specifically about the introduction of a ‘post-normal’ science-policy interface to Integrated Coastal Management. It begins by acknowledging the unique resource management challenges of the coast and follows the field of Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) as a widely endorsed framework for addressing these challenges. Contemporary developments in this field have seen ICM recognise the uncertainty, plurality and high political stakes characterising many issues on the coast and the attendant need to shift from models of ‘management’ to models of ‘governance.’ This thesis specifically engages debates on the epistemological implications of governance, which within ICM have led to calls to democratise the science-policy interface according to norms of dialogue, inclusiveness, integration and quality. Taking this as its point of departure, this thesis explores the ‘post-normal science’ perspective offered by Funtowicz and Ravetz, as a way of framing the science-policy interface. This research began by viewing the complexity of coastal management through the particular lens offered by the model of ‘interactive governance,’ as a compelling perspective on ICM that is gaining credence. Interactive governance focuses on certain features of coastal management, and introduces certain measures of ‘quality,’ which were formulated into a novel evaluation framework for ICM. The research went on to explore how a ‘post-normal science’ approach may contribute to ‘high quality’ ICM, framed according to interactive governance. This occurred first via a literature review, and second through cross-scale empirical research. Internationally, the research followed the SPICOSA Project, as a Europe-wide focus on the science-policy interface for coastal management. Nationally, the research explored New Zealand’s coastal management framework, mapping the emergence of new ‘norms of governance’ within the science-policy interface and their contribution to quality institutions, before interrogating three local-scale initiatives that gave effect to a post-normal science approach; in Whangamata, Waikaraka and Gisborne. This research arrived at three key findings on the meaningfulness of a post-normal science-policy interface. First, that there are many ways to give effect to this approach, contingent on scale and context. Second, that this approach has significant potential for promoting high quality ICM according to measures of institutional quality and stakeholder interactional quality. And third, that the most significant threat to this approach is power; most notably the power of science to subsume other knowledge systems.Item Factors affecting sustainability of agricultural cooperatives : lessons from Malawi : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of AgriCommerce at Massey University, New Zealand, March, 2011(Massey University, 2011) Nkhoma, Agnes ToweraIncorporation of small-scale farmers into agricultural commercialization has led rural communities to form cooperatives for better access to markets. However, sustainability of these cooperatives has been a great challenge. This thesis explores the sustainability problems affecting agricultural cooperatives in Malawi, and develops testable proposition for use on a larger sample. A multiple case study was used to investigate factors that contribute to the unsuccessful performance of agricultural cooperatives. Four cooperatives were selected by a combination of market failure and a-priori sustainability criteria. Basing on the market failure assumptions two cooperatives, from a district close to the major city of Lilongwe and two from a district far away from the city, were selected. In each district one sustainable and one less sustainable cooperative were selected based on the ranking prepared by Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. The sample was further validated by the experts from local NGOs. Sixteen face to face interviews were conducted on location. Members of cooperatives, board members, the management of cooperatives and key informants were interviewed. It was found that most farmers joined cooperatives to improve their livelihood, through better access to capital and product markets, and for family food security. The farmers have managed to obtain input loans at small scale, despite their dissatisfaction with their cooperatives failure to access product markets. The general consensus for the participants in all the four cooperatives was that in their current state these cooperatives are not sustainable. Although, all the members interviewed were satisfied with the idea of having a cooperative and perceived it to be a good idea for addressing their needs, they were skeptical of their survival. The participants highlighted lack of market access, poor governance and a lack of managerial skills as the main problems affecting their cooperatives. These problems are aggravated by the complexity of the market environment in which these cooperatives are operating, that underscores the significance of the managerial capabilities and the cooperatives capacities. The study indicated that Malawian agricultural cooperatives are essential but still need a lot more support in the area of produce marketing. These findings draws propositions in relation to factors which led to Malawian agricultural cooperatives sustainability problems that can later be tested on a large sample in the other parts of the country or region. From such experiences and lessons, it is recommended to establish an apex organisation or secondary level cooperative at district level to address governance, management and market access problems, in order to improve the performance of cooperatives. Further, community sensitization is needed to increase memberships. In addition, policy interventions such as provision of the infrastructure necessary for accessing market information and supportive regulatory framework that would allow competitive market environment.Item A discourse analysis of institutionalised logics in the field of New Zealand rugby 1985 and 2005 : a thesis presented for the partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Business and Administration at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand(Massey University, 2008) Harris, David J.Why do carefully considered and reasoned decisions in organisational settings so often produce unintended and sub-optimal outcomes? This is an on-going and vexing question for those charged with the governance of organisations. This research focuses on one potential contributory factor - the institutionalised logics of a particular field. Taking an historical perspective, the research examines the nature of taken-for-granted ideas and understandings that might be seen to have existed amongst the communities involved in New Zealand rugby in 1985 and in 2005. It is proposed that these taken-for-granted ideas and understandings might have an impact upon the success, or failure, of initiatives and decisions made by those charged with the governance of the game. Utilising ideas emerging from institutional theory (Freidland & Alford, 1991; Meyer & Rowan, 1977; Oliver, 1992; Thornton & Ocasio, 1999; Tolbert & Zucker, 1999), and following the work of Phillips, Lawrence and Hardy (2004), these ideas and understandings are offered, conceptually, as institutionalised logics, simultaneously facilitating and constraining action in the field. Given that these understandings might be inchoate and hidden, an interpretive model of discourse analysis is employed to examine their nature. The data comes from texts created in 1985 and 2005. and from 32 in-depth interviews that were used to develop an insider's interpretation of the context. The analysis uses data from the interviews and the texts to build an interpretation of the nature of twenty such logics that might be seen to have existed in the chosen years. The results are presented as discrete understandings, explained in the context of the environment at the time. Examples of the institutionalised logics uncovered include. "The clubs are history', 'Central control is the way to go!' and 'The coach is king'. The research presents an interpretation of evolving institutionalised logics which might impact on the way decisions of the New Zealand Rugby Union are interpreted by the communities affected. The discussion highlights the implications that these understandings might have for decisions made about the game in New Zealand. It is argued that these taken-for-granted ideas and understandings, and their changing and contradictory nature, should be explicitly considered by those charged with governance of New Zealand rugby. An analysis of the institutionalised logics might contribute towards improved organisational performance, by providing another piece in the puzzle of governance.Item Rūnanga : manuka kawe ake = Facilitating Māori aspirations : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Development Studies at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand(Massey University, 2004) Warren, Krystal Te Rina FainThis thesis examines the location and role of the runanga institution. As a prominent contemporary organization for Maori development, relevant theory locates runanga with regard to a broader developmental framework and their potential to function within it. The position of runanga, as a facilitator of Maori development, is assessed with reference to Dependency theory, World Systems theory and Modes of Production. These theories highlight the systematic historic dis-empowerment of Maori through the processes of colonisation with particular regard to runanga. The thesis also considers the evolution of the runanga since its migration from Hawaiki, its utilisation as a forum of colonial resistance, its co-option into the governmental system and its contemporary resurgence. This provides a historical overview of the runanga as an institution. In addition, Te Runanga 0 Ngati Whitikaupeka has been used as the case study which considers the issues of becoming a runanga and includes what the structure of the runanga might look like for Ngati Whitikaupeka as an iwi. The theories of Community Development and Empowerment are offered as means to counter the further dis-empowerment of Maori, where institutions such as runanga can utilise these notions to facilitate positive outcomes for iwi and Maori development. Field research contained in this thesis identifies some of the specific concerns and aspirations of Ngati Whitikaupeka iwi members. In utilising the notions of empowerment and community development the field research provides an explicit statement of Iwi aspirations to maintain the connection between Ngati Whitlkaupeka Iwi members at the flax-roots and Te Runanga 0 Ngati Whitikaupeka as a representative body that can facilitate those aspirations. Supplementary to this the iwi aspirations that have been identified in this study are intended to provide some direction for the runanga as the representative decision-making body moving into the future.
