The effects of institutions on perceptions of legitimacy in the Great Bear Rainforest, British Columbia

Collaborative planning in natural resource management involves a number of non-state actors and different institutions to make decisions that fall under the realm governance. However, legitimacy, quality considered necessary successful governance, has not been thoroughly investigated empirically. This research examines perceived importance three dimensions legitimacy — representativeness, meaningfulness, effectiveness by Great Bear Rainforest (GBR) decision-making process roles shadow networks, bridging organizations, boundary objects relation GBR plan. Based on semi-structured interviews (n = 17), this perspectives those involved or otherwise affected context. The results illustrate representing participants’ interests values final outcome, trustworthy relationships build accountability ensure commitments, strategically using representation fair meaningful process, small groups capable negotiators are included at levels decision-making. By analyzing objects, these observations highlight just but engagement, negotiating processes.