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

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.