How social norms are integrated in natural resource co‐management

Abstract Social norms are increasingly recognized as central elements in fostering cooperation and compliance in natural resource co‐management, especially where communities and governments share authority. Yet, their conceptualization and application across disciplines remain fragmented. To address this, we conducted a systematic scoping review of 46 empirical studies to examine how social norms have been defined, measured and linked to rule compliance. Only 20% of the studies presented an explicit definition, and these varied widely in emphasis. Indicators commonly described in the literature as descriptive norms (what people do) and injunctive norms (what people believe others expect) were often applied broadly or with imprecision, and the behavioural mechanisms underpinning compliance were frequently under‐specified. Evidence showed that compliance was higher when users believed others complied or when they anticipated social disapproval, and that peer monitoring, leadership and perceived resource scarcity further shaped normative influence. Importantly, some group norms also tolerated or even encouraged rule‐breaking, underscoring the context‐dependent nature of normative effects. We clarify distinctions among types of norms and align common indicators with behavioural theory to improve conceptual and methodological rigour. Clarifying how norms function across individual expectations and collective institutions can help explain why people comply with rules even when formal enforcement is weak, providing a foundation for more adaptive and legitimate conservation strategies worldwide. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.