A Network Governance Model for Enhancing Socially Responsible Collective Action in Mega Water Transfer Projects

Abstract

Megaprojects need to be developed in a socially responsible manner as they may otherwise, like some mega water transfer (MWT) projects, cause ecological damage, environmental pollution, labor conflict, and other problems. Socially responsible collective action (SRCA) can be measured through intentions to take collective action (internal driving mechanisms) and behaviors to engage in collective action (external driving mechanisms). This research aims to develop and validate a network governance model to explore how SRCA, in the context of MWT projects, is enhanced. Data were collected from 365 respondents involved in MWT projects via an online survey. System dynamics (SD) was used to establish the system flow diagram model. Thereafter, Vensim PLE software was used to perform simulation and sensitivity analyses of the model. The results demonstrate that the network governance model explains how to enhance the SRCA of stakeholders in MWT projects. The main findings indicate that external driving mechanisms positively impact the SRCA during the entire project lifecycle, with values fluctuating around the initial level from the early to the mid-late stages, with small fluctuation. Internal driving mechanisms also positively impact SRCA, with values continuously increasing from the early to the mid-late stage.