- a Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium
- b Leiden University, The Netherlands
- c University of Greifsald, Germany
- d Sapienza Universita di Roma, Italy
- e Radbout University, The Netherlands
- f Natural Resources Institute Finland, Finland
- g University of Manchester, United Kingdom
- h Aix-Marseille University, France
- i Belgian Biodiversity Platform, Federal Science Policy Office, Belgium
- j Institute of Biology ZRC SAZU, Slovenia
- k University of Eastern Finland, Finland
- Received 3 July 2015, Revised 30 November 2015, Accepted 7 December 2015, Available online 11 January 2016
Highlights
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- Presents an EU-wide survey of 34 multi-actor biodiversity governance arrangements.
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- Non-economic motivations are compatible with involvement of private companies.
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- Identifies actor self-determination as a key success factor.
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- Inclusive governance contributes to opting in of internally motivated behaviour.
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- Internally motivated behaviour compatible with economic benefits to society.
Abstract
This paper analyses the possibility of building a mutually supportive dynamics between internally and externally motivated behaviour for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services provision. To this purpose a face to face survey amongst 169 key actors of 34 highly successful and prominent biodiversity arrangements in seven EU countries was conducted. The main finding of the paper is the feasibility of combining inherently intrinsically motivated behaviours (providing enjoyment, pleasure from experimentation and learning, aesthetic satisfaction) and internalized extrinsic motivations (related to the identification with the collective goals of conservation policy) through a common set of governance features. Successful initiatives that combine internal and external motivations share the following features: inclusive decision making processes, a broad monitoring by “peers” beyond the core staff of the initiatives, and a context that is supportive for the building of autonomous actor competences. These findings are in line with the psycho-sociological theory of motivation, which shows the importance of a psycho-social context leading to a subjective perception of autonomy and a sense of competence of the actors.
Graphical abstract
Keywords
- Internal motivations;
- Biodiversity;
- Multi-actor governance;
- Payment for ecosystem services;
- Crowding out
