Nodality Dynamics and Network Evolution in Multi‐Actor Cooperation: Insights Into Community Conflict Resolution

ABSTRACT This study examines multi‐actor collaboration in resolving community conflicts in the Chinese context, with a focus on the concept of nodality in Hood's NATO framework. Drawing from 75 community cases, it employs social network analysis and the BERTopic model to uncover pivotal insights. The findings reveal the primary conflict themes to be disputes rooted in intrafamilial issues and marital relations; neighborhood tensions; labor rights; and natural resource allocation. The escalation of such conflicts from minor triggers to serious crimes underscores the intricate interplay between individuals and groups, and in dyadic relationships. A significant transformation occurs in cooperation networks, which move from centralized planning to decentralized implementation. Unlike traditional risk management paradigms, this study emphasizes the advantage of prioritizing public service delivery over control measures to resolve community conflicts. Its findings have valuable implications for enhancing conflict resolution mechanisms and improving community risk management strategies.