Linking process to outcomes — Internal and external criteria for a stakeholder involvement in River Basin Management Planning

Within the natural resource management and environmental governance literature, a number of authors have argued that there is a need to pay better attention to how the social processes of planning and management influence the outcomes of such processes. These outcomes are often measured through the quality of their outputs (plans or strategies) as well as whether the objectives of the plans or strategies are achieved. This paper contributes to this debate by reporting on a longitudinal evaluation of stakeholder engagement in developing and implementing River Basin Management Planning (RBMP) in Scotland. We illustrate how many of the process and outcome criteria promoted in the literature (the external perspective) appear to be less important to stakeholders than would be expected (the internal perspective). The paper argues that a combination of internal and external criteria is best placed to understand how to judge a ‘good’ process. This paper draws on literature from water management, other natural resource management sectors, spatial planning and environmental management,, so the findings are of interest to scholars interested in evaluation, participation, environmental or natural resource management, as well as those specifically interested in RBMP under the Water Framework Directive (WFD). ► There is little longitudinal empirical research evaluating stakeholder involvement. ► We assess stakeholder involvement in Scottish River Basin Management Planning. ► We use internal criteria, from participants, and external criteria, from literature. ► The different criteria complemented one another so both should be used. ► Participants evaluated the process favourably but a follow up study is required.