Development of integrative governance framework for stakeholder management in marine space administration

Abstract

In Malaysia, marine spaces are not managed by single public institution but involving several stakeholders. As a result, this will create complex, uncertain, conflicting, and overlapping scope of work. This study aims to develop a Marine Space Stakeholder Governance (MSSG) framework based on real Malaysian Marine Space Stakeholder Issues (MSSI). The study employs qualitative and quantitative approach using Grounded Theory method with focus group technique (GT-fg). This is followed by benchmarking, Fuzzy Delphi technique and finally, face-to-face interview for validation. GT-fg data were gathered through semi-structured interviews in groups incorporating the critical incidences technique. The study found out new issues in stakeholder management in Malaysia including power distance, bureaucracy, and organisation structure. Furthermore, the common issues such as identifying and engaging the stakeholders and data management are also derived from the GT-fg output. Then, a benchmarking study were conducted to the Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) to develop the Malaysian MSSG framework. This study involves 23 expert panels from various fields related to marine space governance to evaluate the framework using Fuzzy Delphi technique. The results show consensual agreement (d = 77.17%) among the experts in terms of the selected nine elements of the framework. Each item reached an agreement with the value (Amax) exceeding 0.60 defuzzification values. Only one item from the custodian element (The Prime Minister's Department should be the lead agency) where Amax = 0.32 is not acceptable. Finally, face-to-face interviews were used to assess the acceptance of the framework from the marine space stakeholders. All interviewees agreed that the framework is vital to support the Malaysian MSSG strategic implementation and policy execution. These findings could become a foundation for the establishment of National Marine Planning Council. The results of this study could contribute to the development of MSSG framework, taking into account the new MSSI.