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Social-Ecological Systems Meta-Analysis Database: Variables

Variable: Actor group size

Variable TypeInterval
Variable Component TypeActor
Variable KindInteraction
ThemeIncentives (learn about themes)
ProjectsSESMAD, Fiji fisheries
QuestionFor this variable either enter the number of actors (e.g. 30), or if the number of actors is very large and essentially uncountable, enter “Many.”
Select Options
UnitGroup members
RoleCommonsUser
Importance"The size of groups has been a major variable in the collective action literature since Olson (1965), who argued that increased group size would decrease the likelihood of collective action mainly because of a free-rider problem: (1) individual contributions would not have a perceived impact, and (2) individuals could not be punished for not contributing. As group size decreases, it is plausible to think that interactions between users increase, which consequently increases the importance of reputation in the group and facilitates monitoring (Poteete and Ostrom 2004). Empirical studies are far from unanimous but strongly suggest that group size does influence the likelihood of collective action -in particular the level of trust and of convergence of interests (Agrawal and Yadama 1997; Vedeld 2000; Agrawal and Goyal 2001; Poteete and Ostrom 2004). However there is no such consensus about the particular effect which these variables have and how does context (i.e. different combinations with other variables) mold the effect of these variables. Varughese (2000), looking at a sample of 18 villages in the Middle Hills in Nepal, found that population size did not seem to have a significant impact on collective action; while Agrawal and Goyal (2001) found a curvilinear relationship (first directly proportional, then inversely proportional) with collective action). Meanwhile, Vedeld (2000), comparing two villages in the Inland Niger Delta, found that although the larger village had more problems in coordinating CPR management, other factors and relationships, especially those related to leadership were more important in explaining the differences between the two villages. In reviews of the literature, Agrawal (2001) and Poteete and Ostrom (2004) found that the evidence was inconclusive, and that the effect was likely to be mediated by other variables, including the institutional structure itself. In general, however, it is hypothesized that groups are more likely to resolve a collective action problem when they are small.
Definition

Size of a given actor group, in terms of numbers of members involved. Usually it is thought of as the number of individual people (e.g. for a community), but it could also refer to number of communities (e.g. for a federation or association of communities), associations (e.g. for a national network of organizations), municipalities, or countries, among others.

Sectors

Theory Usages

TheoryValue Used
Group size and collective actionSmall
Community-based natural resource management (CBNRM)Small

Associated Studies

Study Citation

Olson, Mancur. 1965. The Logic of Collective Action. Cambridge: Massachussetts: Harvard University Press.

Agrawal, Arun. 2001. "Common Property Institutions and Sustainable Governance of Resources."  World Development 29 (10):1649-1672.

Poteete, Amy R., and Elinor Ostrom. 2004. "Heterogeneity, Group Size and Collective Action: The Role of Institutions in Forest Management."  Development and Change 35 (3):435-461. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-7660.2004.00360.x.

Agrawal, Arun, and Gautam N Yadama. 1997. “How Do Local Institutions Mediate Market and Population Pressures on Resources? Forest Panchayats in Kumaon, India.” Development and Change 28 (3): 435–465.

Vedeld, Trond. 2000. "Village Politics: Heterogeneity, Leadership and Collective Action." Journal of Development Studies, 36(5), 105-34.

Case Usages

CaseInteraction TypeComponentValue UsedExplanation
Forests in IndonesiaGovernanceIndonesian "Adat" CommunitiesMany Group membersThere were a large number of people living in forested areas in Indonesia, (would be good to have some specific numbers here)
Forests in IndonesiaGovernanceLarge Extractive Industries in Indonesia Group members?
Forests in IndonesiaGovernanceIndonesian "Adat" Communitiesmany Group members? would be nice to get an estimate of the number of forest dependent people in Indonesia.
Forests in IndonesiaGovernanceLarge Extractive Industries in Indonesia Group membersI have no information about this?
Forests in IndonesiaGovernanceCivil society organizations in Indonesia Group membersunknown
Forests in IndonesiaGovernanceIndonesian Local entrepreneurs{nil=>nil} Group members?
Central California National Marine Sanctuaries GovernanceCalifornia Academic Researchers Group membersMany
Central California National Marine Sanctuaries GovernanceCalifornia Groundfish Fishermen400 Group membersAbout 100 to 400, yet fairly unknown (Ecotrust, 2012).
Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica fisheries governanceGovernancePaquera-Tambor AMPR Costa Rica150 Group members
Montreal ProtocolGovernanceOzone Depleting Substance Industrial ProducersMany Group members
International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine (ICPR)GovernanceICPR nations (1976-1986) Group members
International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine (ICPR)GovernanceRhine chemical firms~10 Group membersThe chemical sector includes 6 major firms. Also, in the 1970s, only two thermal zinc smelters located on the river were the source of around 50% of all aqueous emissions
Great Barrier Reef Marine ParkGovernanceGBR recreational fishersMany Group membersNo recreational fishing licenses are necessary, and hence there is no count of recreational fishers. Many of the ~800,000 residents of North Queensland would consider themselves recreational fishers.
Great Barrier Reef Marine ParkGovernanceGBR recreational fishers700000 Group membersNo recreational fishing licenses are necessary, and hence there is no count of recreational fishers. Many of the ~800,000 residents of North Queensland would consider themselves recreational fishers. Guestimate of 700000 rec fishers
Great Barrier Reef Marine ParkGovernanceGBR commercial fishers10 Group membersSectors: http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/fisheries/commercial-fisheries/queenslands-commercial-fisheries
Great Barrier Reef Marine ParkGovernanceGBR commercial fishers10 Group membershttp://www.daff.qld.gov.au/fisheries/commercial-fisheries/queenslands-commercial-fisheries
Central California National Marine Sanctuaries GovernanceCalifornia Academic Researchers Group members
Montreal ProtocolGovernanceOzone Depleting Substance Industrial ProducersMany Group membersA number of industrial producers, although they are dominated by large scale producers such as AtoChem and DuPont
Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR)GovernanceGalapagos Artisan Fishermen825 Group membersNumber has varied greatly over the years from a peak of approx. 1200 in 2000 to 450 in 2011 - here coded average number over time period being looked at (825). Although there are ~1000 registered fishermen, the majority of these are not active - Galapagos Report 2011-2012 (Galapagos Conservancy) - incentive to keep fishing permit as promised it would be converted to tourism permit
Macquarie Island Marine ParkGovernanceAustralian Toothfish Fishers2 Group members2 companies own the right to harvest toothfish resources from the Macquarie Island fishery.
Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR)GovernanceGalapagos Tourism Sector Group membersMANY - Chamber of Tourism - represents all tourism operators. Tourism accounts for 78% of employment on the islands (compared to 5% employment in fishing sector), assume number is high (Jones 2013)
Wakatobi National Park GovernanceWakatobi Bajau fishers7000 Group membersapprox 7000 Bajau across six settlements across the islands
Wakatobi National Park GovernanceWakatobi Bajau fishers7000 Group membersapprox 7000 Bajau across six settlements across the islands
Wakatobi National Park GovernanceWakatobi Bajau fishers7000 Group membersapprox 7000 Bajau across six settlements across the islands in WNP
Central California National Marine Sanctuaries GovernanceCalifornia Sanctuary Recreational Users Group membersMany
Community A (Fiji fisheries)GovernanceCommunity A943 Group membersThere are approximately 943 individuals in the district that are eligible to fish within the LMMA. The community itself contains 110 individuals.
Community B (Fiji Fisheries)GovernanceCommunity B943 Group membersThere are 943 individuals in the district; of whom 68 are found in community B and eligible to harvest fish resources within the PHC.
Community C (Fiji Fisheries)GovernanceCommunity C Group members
Raja Ampat (National Act No. 32 2004)GovernanceRaja Ampat Artisanal Fishers49000 Group members49,000 people within the Raja Ampat Regency (2014 census)
Raja Ampat (National Act No. 32 2004)GovernanceRaja Ampat Tourism Group members15,000 international visitors annually and 5,000 local visitors (informal numbers: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/08/10/raja-ampat-s-blossoming-tourism.html)
Raja Ampat (National Act No. 32 2004)GovernanceRaja Ampat Artisanal Fishers49000 Group members49,000 people within the Raja Ampat Regency (2014 census) - unsure of number of fishers, but majority og households identify as fishers
Raja Ampat (National Act No. 32 2004)GovernanceRaja Ampat Artisanal Fishers49000 Group members49,000 people within the Raja Ampat Regency (2014 census) - not sure on exact number of fishers, but almost all households identify as fishers
Svalbard Nature ReservesGovernanceSvalbard Tourism14 Group membersThere are 14 AECO members, which operate about 20 vessels around Svalbard (Evenset and Christensen 2011 ).
Great Barrier Reef Marine ParkGovernanceGBR recreational fishers700000 Group members700000 recreational fishers in Queensland
Community F (Fiji Fisheries)GovernanceCommunity F1257 Group membersThere are 1257 individuals in the district; of which 368 come from the surveyed communities.
Great Australian Bight Marine Park (GABMP) (Commonwealth Waters)GovernanceGABMP (Commonwealth Waters) Commercial Fishers30 Group membersIn the 2011/12 State of the Parks Report, there were 30 commercial fishing permits listed under the management plan.
Svalbard Nature ReservesGovernanceSvalbard Shrimp Fishers Group membersMany
Great Australian Bight Marine Park (GABMP) (Commonwealth Waters)GovernanceGABMP (Commonwealth Waters) Commercial Fishers30 Group membersIn the 2011 - 12 State of the Parks Report, there were 30 commercial fishing permits listed under the management plan.
Great Barrier Reef Marine ParkGovernanceGBR commercial fishers1500 Group membersThere are about 1500 licensed commercial fishing boats (Queensland Government [online]).
Macquarie Island Marine ParkGovernanceAustralian Toothfish Fishers2 Group members2 companies operate within the Macquarie Island Toothfish fishery.
Heard and McDonald Islands Marine ReserveGovernanceAustralian Toothfish Fishers2 Group membersTwo fishing companies (with four vessels total) operate in the HIMI toothfish fishery: Austral Fisheries Pty Ltd. & Australian Longline Pty. Ltd.
Heard and McDonald Islands Marine ReserveGovernanceAustralian Toothfish Fishers2 Group membersTwo fishing companies (with four vessels in the fishery): Austral fisheries Pty Ltd and Australian Longline Pty Ltd.
Great Australian Bight Marine Park (GABMP) (Commonwealth Waters)GovernanceGABMP (Commonwealth Waters) Commercial Fishers30 Group membersIn the 2011/12 State of the Parks Report, there were 30 commercial fishing permits listed under the management plan.
Svalbard Nature ReservesGovernanceSvalbard Tourism14 Group membersThere are 14 AECO members, which operate about 20 vessels around Svalbard (Evenset and Christensen 2011).
Community D (Fiji Fisheries)GovernanceCommunity D2327 Group membersThere are 2327 individuals in the district and 88 in the village.
Community E (Fiji Fisheries)GovernanceCommunity E227 Group membersThere are 227 living in the district that hold rights to harvest within the LMMA and PHC.
Community G (Fiji Fisheries)GovernanceCommunity G284 Group membersThere are 284 individuals in this community. Note that village rather than district values are used as this is village LMMA.
Community H (Fiji Fisheries)GovernanceCommunity H290 Group membersThere are 290 individuals in the village. Note that village-level population is used as this is a village LMMA.
Great Barrier Reef Marine ParkGovernanceGBR commercial fishers10 Group members
Seaflower MPAGovernanceSeaflower artisanal fishers3100 Group membersAccording to Elizabeth Taylor there are approximately 3100 fishers in this region (on San Andres 2500; on Providence 600).
Seaflower MPAGovernanceSeaflower artisanal fishers3100 Group membersAccording to Elizabeth Taylor there are approximately 3100 fishers in this region (on San Andres 2500; on Providence 600).
Cenderwasih National ParkGovernanceCenderwasih fishers Group members• 14,000 people live in 72 villages within the park (Nabire district: 7 villages and 2500 people, Wondama district: 21 villages and 15,000 people) • Wondama Bay (West Papua Province) and District Nabire (Papua Province). Number of people in the park. from two districts: Nabire Regency Papua Province, and Wondama Bay, West Papua Province Population: Wondama (77.69%) Nabire (22.31%)
Cenderwasih National ParkGovernanceCenderwasih fishers14000 Group membersNumber of people in the park. from two districts: Nabire Regency Papua Province, and Wondama Bay, West Papua Province Population: Wondama (77.69%) Nabire (22.31%)
Falkland Islands squidGovernancePatagonian Squid Trawlers520 Group membersIn 1988–1990, up to 46 trawlers belonging to ten countries (mainly Spanish, 50–70%) were licensed to fish for Patagonian squid. Since 2000, the fleet has consisted of 16 factory trawlers (almost exclusively Falkland flagged vessels).” (Arkhipkin et al. 2015a). Most trawlers have a crew of 25-40 people, so there are about 520 fishermen in the system (Sancho 2009). There are 7 Joint Venture Companies. And the Spanish Masters are a few to each ship.
New Zealand squidGovernanceNew Zealand Arrow Squid Fishers840 Group membersTrawls have 40-80 crew. 12-20 vessels.
California squidGovernanceCalifornia market squid fishermen400 Group membersMax: ~400 76 permits, ~6 people per vessel
Pond aquaculture on Lombok, IndonesiaGovernanceLombok aquaculture farmers10 Group membersFarmers need to self-organize into aquaculture groups to apply for subsidy aid.
Pond aquaculture on Lombok, IndonesiaGovernanceLombok aquaculture farmers Group members
Caete-Teperacu Extractive Reserve (RESEX) in Braganca, BrazilGovernanceAssociation of Users in the Caete-Teperacu RESEX (ASSUREMACATA) in Brazil Group members
Gili Trawangan Coastal TourismGovernanceSCUBA diving businesses on Gili Trawangan30 Group members
Gili Trawangan Coastal TourismGovernanceGili Indah Dive Association (GIDA)15 Group members
Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica fisheries governanceGovernanceIsla Caballo AMPR Costa Rica80 Group members~70-90 fishers; ~350 living on the island.
Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica fisheries governanceGovernancePalito-Montero AMPR Costa Rica120 Group members~120 fishers; ~3000 living on island.