Collaborative Rural Networks: An Analysis of the Impact of Roles and Relationships between Regional Stakeholders in a Rural Environment

This longitudinal study aims to investigate individual roles within regional networks, and explore what actually occurs within/between the resultant relationships in a rural network environment. Ireland’s depleted rural economies represent a major, yet challenging, opportunity for the enhancement of Ireland’s overall economic and social health, especially in light of the national and EU plans to advance the current economic platform to a knowledge-based one ( Government of Ireland, 2008 ) .  Based on Ireland’s goal of achieving a knowledge-based economy and its rural inclusion policies (Government of Ireland, 2008; Rural Development Programme, 2007; National Spatial Strategy, 2002; White Paper on Rural Development, 1999), the overarching aim of this research is to develop an integrated m odel of rural stakeholder network relationships, in pursuit of collaborative network activity, and ultimately sustainable rural development.

It is well-documented that inclusive rural stakeholder networks are considered pivotal to successful and sustainable rural development (Johnson et al., 2000).  Yet, the literature indicates that significant gaps exist on the identification and precise nature of the roles and functions of stakeholders (Pezzini, 2001; McQuaid, 1997), and the content of interactions and relationships in these networks (Jack, 2008), particularly in a rural environment (Murdoch, 2000). Furthermore, numerous authors have emphasised the notion of trust and reciprocity and their link to cooperation and collaboration (Koch et al., 2006; Bititci et al., 2004; Landabaso, 1999), key aspects relating to the realisation of a network’s potential. Despite numerous calls to study relationships within collaborative networks, these interactions have not been studied to date in a rural network setting to the best of the author’s knowledge. Furthermore, it has been highlighted that a need exists for governments of developed industrialised countries to recognise and better understand rural communities and the process of economic development that occurs in these areas (Brennan & Luloff, 2007), suggesting that this research is of both practical and theoretical benefit. As such, this exploratory research addresses a significant rural development literature gap, and seeks to contribute significantly to academic and practitioner knowledge by developing a rural stakeholder network relationship model.