The “Netweave-Approach”—A Platform Combining Sociology, Resource Management and Psychology for Networking Conservation Stakeholders

The "Netweave Approach" innovatively combines constructs from sociology, resource management, organizational psychology, and environmental psychology within a single framework and corresponding management tool to support regional management in facilitating effective interactions among environmental stakeholders. This interdisciplinary approach, uniting social network analysis, resource mapping, organizational culture assessment, environmental worldview evaluation and environmental risk perception measurement in a way previously unused, enables the development of a uniquely detailed database of environmental stakeholders. Through this system, regional managers can gain detailed insights into their stakeholder networks, which provides a robust foundation for a network consultation process that maximizes effective regional collaboration. In this paper, we present the theoretical foundations of the approach and the structure of the resulting framework and management tool. Furthermore, we explain the concept of network consultation operating in conjunction with the tool. As a practical summary, we compile the results of a preliminary implementation of a corresponding stakeholder platform in the city and district of Osnabrück in northwestern Germany. Finally, we discuss whether the Netweave Approach can be adapted to various regions and contexts, contributing to more coordinated and effective conservation initiatives in diverse regional contexts. We provide specific suggestions regarding aspects of the approach that would need to be adjusted when applied to other regions.