کاربرد تحلیل شبکه اجتماعی در ارزیابی سرمایه اجتماعی با تأکید بر حکمرانی مشارکتی منابع آب، مطالعه موردی: شهرستان بروجرد

A B S T R A C T
Participatory governance, as an innovative approach, emphasizes the active involvement of stakeholders in resource management processes. The success of this approach in local communities largely depends on a thorough understanding of their social characteristics and social capital. Despite its semi-humid climate and substantial water resources, Lorestan Province still faces significant management challenges in utilizing its water resources effectively. This study aimed to analyze the social network of agricultural water stakeholders’ social capital in Borujerd County and propose strategies to strengthen participatory governance. The research methodology is based on social network analysis, examining both macro-level and micro-level network indicators to evaluate social capital across the villages in the county. The findings revealed significant differences in macro-level indicators such as network density and geodesic distance among the villages. These differences reflect the variable levels of social cohesion and readiness for participation in participatory governance programs. Additionally, micro-level indicators showed an unequal distribution of social capital among individuals, with certain actors playing pivotal roles in facilitating communication and building trust. Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that before implementing participatory governance programs, both macro-level and micro-level indicators should be analyzed to assess social capital and accurately evaluate the capacity of local communities. Empowerment initiatives, the formation of associations and cooperatives, and leveraging key individuals with high centrality scores can significantly enhance social capital and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of participatory water governance programs. Ultimately, this approach contributes to the sustainability of water resources and equitable allocation in the agricultural sector.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Social network analysis (SNA) is a structural approach in social sciences that examines interactions among social actors, focusing on the patterns and dynamics of relationships between individuals, groups, and contexts. SNA enables researchers to identify influences and dependencies shaping social interactions. Similarly, participatory governance emphasizes stakeholder involvement in policymaking to improve governance, particularly in urban and local contexts, by enhancing collective decision-making and addressing challenges effectively. Public participation is vital for equitable resource management and sustainable development, yet such efforts often fail due to oversimplified assumptions about community homogeneity and unaddressed socio-political divides. SNA offers a robust framework for addressing these challenges by identifying stakeholders and analyzing their relational structures. In shared water resource management, SNA helps understand how social relationships influence the success of resource management initiatives and supports the development of self-regulated systems for sustainable use. Additionally, it links to community capacity building, empowerment, and self-organization, aiding external organizations in fostering trust and collaboration among stakeholders. This study aims to develop evidence-based policies to improve participatory governance in water management. Integrating SNA seeks to bridge gaps in stakeholder relationships, enhance community capacity building, and promote sustainable resource governance practices, thereby strengthening participatory mechanisms and collective decision-making.
 
Methodology
Participatory water governance emphasizes collaborative decision-making among stakeholders, focusing on equitable inclusion and addressing power imbalances to ensure sustainable and effective water resource management. The success of this approach relies on accurately identifying stakeholders and mapping their relationships. Social Network Analysis (SNA) provides a structured framework for analyzing these relationships at macro, meso, and micro levels, offering essential insights for managers. At the macro level, indicators such as network density, reciprocity of links, and mean geodesic distance measure overall network cohesion, trust, and information flow efficiency. At the micro level, indicators like input and output centrality, betweenness centrality, and structural holes highlight individual actors’ influence, authority, and roles in bridging network gaps. These metrics reveal key stakeholders’ power and their roles in participatory governance. The study evaluates governance criteria—including coherence, sustainability, adaptive capacity, power and influence, and controllability—using quantitative SNA indicators. This dual analysis of network structure and functionality provides actionable insights for fostering collaboration, reducing power disparities, and enhancing the adaptive capacity of governance systems. The study aims to support equitable and sustainable water resource management by refining participatory frameworks with these insights.
 
Results and discussion
The study examined trust and participation networks among 175 agricultural water beneficiaries in selected villages. Te trust network density was measured at 55.14%, while the participation network density was higher at 61.84%, indicating a stronger tendency toward social participation. This higher participation level positively impacts sustainable water resource management and promotes ecological balance. However, disparities in trust and reciprocity levels revealed challenges in certain villages. Villages like Rahimabad and Qaleh Shamsi showed weaker mutual trust and less stable networks, highlighting the need to strengthen trust bonds and partnerships to enhance adaptive capacity and network resilience. Conversely, villages like Fayal and Tudeh Zan demonstrated higher reciprocity, with well-established trust and partnerships ensuring efficient coordination and reduced resource access costs. The analysis of network efficiency through geodesic distance revealed generally satisfactory results, though Rahimabad exhibited slower trust circulation, underscoring the need for stronger trust bonds to improve coordination speed during crises. Centrality analysis identified key actors who play significant roles in shaping interactions and promoting trust. Individuals with high input and output degree centrality were pivotal in building authority and disseminating trust and resources, while those with high betweenness centrality served as crucial mediators, ensuring network cohesion and resource flow. Despite the benefits of participatory governance, centralized, top-down approaches remain dominant, hampering sustainable and inclusive water resource management. Addressing these systemic challenges requires strengthening trust in vulnerable areas, empowering key actors to promote trust and innovation, and transitioning to adaptive governance models. Participatory governance can enhance resilience and sustainability in water resource management by integrating social capital and fostering local stakeholder engagement.
 
Conclusion
Despite implementing initiatives such as the Comprehensive Water Plan for Climate Change Adaptation and the Groundwater Restoration and Balancing Plan, the executive sector of water resources governance has achieved only limited success in meeting the objectives of development programs. Many experts in water resource management argue that addressing the ongoing decline of water resources requires fundamental reforms in water governance structures and active participation from relevant stakeholders. To devise effective solutions, it is essential to derive actionable strategies directly from the challenges faced by the system. In this context, assessing the level of stakeholder cooperation becomes a critical factor in understanding the integrity and coherence of the water governance framework. Such evaluations can guide the identification of weaknesses and inform the development of more adaptive and inclusive governance approaches.
Funding
There is no funding support.
 
Authors’ Contribution
Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved thecontent of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none.
 
Conflict of Interest
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
 
Acknowledgments
 We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.