Absent neighbours and passive shareholders – The issue of residency and involvement in the management of a forest common

• Main Authors: Sandström, Stefan, Poudyal, Mahesh, Lejon, Solveig Berg, Lidestav, Gun
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Subjects: Northern Sweden
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1104689916300125

The Swedish forest commons can be regarded as self-organized community groups which jointly manage a forest resource. However, previous studies point out the diminishing role and engagement of shareholders in terms of governance, thereby challenging some vital design principles of robust common-pool resource institutions. We assume that major reasons for this is associated with socio-demographic changes meaning a large proportion of shareholders do not live in the area. Therefore this study compares resident and non-resident shareholder participation in and perceptions about their common, as well as assesses their engagement in the management of one major forest common in Northern Sweden. To this end a questionnaire survey was conducted together with regular consultations with the common's board and staff to discuss shareholder participation and other major issues concerning the common. Forest governance; Non-resident shareholders; Participation; Swedish forest commons;