From conceptualization to empirical validation: Developing a framework for assessing local water governance using the Fuzzy Delphi method and confirmatory factor analysis

Local water governance is a factor influencing the sustainability of agricultural systems. Given its multidimensional and perception-based nature, this concept requires an empirically validated framework for assessment. This study aimed to develop and validate a multidimensional framework for assessing local water governance at the farmer level. Initial indicators of local water governance were identified through a literature review and subsequently localized and refined using the Fuzzy Delphi method with the participation of experts in water and agricultural sciences. Based on the results, an eight-dimensional framework comprising Participation, Rule of Law, Accountability, Responsibility, fairness, Transparency, Efficiency-Effectiveness, and Consensus Orientation was developed. Field data were collected from 280 irrigated farmers in Bilavar Plain, Kermanshah County. The construct validity of the instrument was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and model fit indices, while its reliability was confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha. The findings revealed that the perceived level of local water governance was 2.48 out of 5, indicating a relatively weak governance condition in the study area. Furthermore, comparative analyses demonstrated differences in governance dimensions across the studied villages, highlighting spatial heterogeneity in the quality of local water governance. The findings indicate that assessing local water governance requires simultaneous consideration of institutional, participatory, and managerial dimensions. The proposed framework provides a transferable methodological approach for assessing local water governance in other agricultural settings, subject to contextual adaptation and validation. Despite the limitations of cross-sectional, perception-based research, this study provides an empirically supported instrument for assessing local water governance within the study context.