Interorganisational Network Governance in Sustainable National Park Development : The case of the National Park’s Service Network in Mols Bjerge National Park, Denmark

Sammanfattning

This thesis explores sustainable national park development through the usage and inclusiveness of local business stakeholders. Recent academic literature calls for a more sustainable approach, in which local collaboration and social sustainability are prioritised. A qualitative case study has been conducted on Danish Mols Bjerge National Park and its interorganisational network to gain a deeper understanding of governance structures, and whether a government-led organisation facilitates or hinders collaborative sustainable national park development. The study finds that a lead organisation with a shared governance structure can facilitate sustainable national park development, supporting the network with facilitation, time and money for the network to sustain that the various members perhaps lack. The research furthermore highlights how trust, identity and power dynamics shape the outcome and performance of the network, ultimately determining the degree of sustainable development. The findings suggest potential conflicting interests in conservation, political agendas and land use, which can lead to non-participation. Still, in general, shared governance in interorganisational networks generates a sustainable outcome through adaptive co-management and inclusive governance practises. For future research, the topic benefits from a broader investigation with additional case studies from other densely populated countries to gain a richer and more comprehensive understanding of the topic.