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Learning in the Ecology of Games

Poland, Kenneth Brice
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1588263535297868

Abstract Details

2020, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Environment and Natural Resources.
Due to the geographically diffuse nature of nonpoint source (NPS) pollution, public managers increasingly address it by facilitating the formation of collaborative institutions that involve input from local policy actors. Learning within these institutions is one predictor of their success – and ultimately better environmental outcomes; however, different institutional structures may facilitate learning better than others. This work utilizes the Ecology of Games Theory (EGT) to explore three structural aspects of collaborative institutions as they relate to learning: 1) popularity of policy games; 2) actor heterogeneity; and 3) institutional bridging capital. To study these effects, I create a bipartite network of organizations that participated in the formulation of 14 Nonpoint Source Implementation Strategic Plans (NPS-IS Plans) in the Maumee River Basin in northwestern Ohio. I utilize structured interviews with NPS-IS Plan participants to measure individual and collective single-loop and double-loop learning that occurred as a result of participation. Using Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fs/QCA), I find mixed support for my hypotheses. High popularity of a policy game is associated with high perceived collective learning, and high institutional bridging capital is associated with high individual learning; high actor heterogeneity enhances these effects. My key finding is that no single institutional structure is associated with increased learning of all types. These results illustrate the need for a dialogue about the differential effects of institutional structure on various learning types – and their implications for collaborative outcomes.
Ramiro Berardo (Advisor)
Hongtao Yi (Committee Member)
Matthew Hamilton (Committee Member)
55 p.
Natural Resource Management; Public Policy; Water Resource Management

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Poland, K. B. (2020). Learning in the Ecology of Games [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1588263535297868

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Poland, Kenneth. Learning in the Ecology of Games. 2020. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1588263535297868.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Poland, Kenneth. "Learning in the Ecology of Games." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1588263535297868

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1588263535297868
112
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.