ABSTRACTLIVING THE TAME LIFE IN WICKED TIMES - ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING WORLDByPatricia Ann McKayImproved environmental and natural resource (ENR) outcomes rely upon the integration of natural, social and economic systems. This research attempts to close gaps in the literature from both an academic and applied research approach - filling what appears to be one of the largest questions left in the literature: How to transform to a more sustainable paradigm that can better tackle wicked problems for more durable ENR outcomes? This research develops and tests a comprehensive best practice governance model for improved outcomes where practitioners operate in a highly technical arena that is quasi-legislative and quasi-judicial in executing public laws and programs. The governance model was adapted and derived from an integration of business, governmental and non-governmental models (i.e., the Natural Resource Based View, Hart, Milstein and Caggiano, 2003; United Nations (2011) governance criteria; the National Research Council (1996) participatory decision deliberation process). These models recognize the importance of both scientific analysis and personal value systems in advancing solutions for wicked problems. This research used a complex governmental program to compare current perceptions and preferences for capacities to improve ENR outcomes from internal and external governmental perspectives.
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