Students:Case study methodology: Difference between revisions

With regard to the preliminary experience with the region (preparation and realization of the Summer School 2011) we posed the hypothesis that the source of pressing regional problems that include the social, economic and environmental sphere are the distorted relationships of those living in the area – a dysfunctional social structure that provides good ground for resource exploitation rather than for living. We have evidence from history – expulsion of the German population and the invasion of “gold diggers” caused enormous degradation of whole regions. Consequently, after the post-war period there appeared to be no ground for re-establishment of civic structures, and ideologically based regional strategy aimed at development of heavy industry base for whole communist block at any price faced no opposition. The tradition of unscrupulous exploitation is still relevant today as the place lacks points of reference for the development of new, place-based relationships within the community – history with its artefacts has disappeared in the mining pits and artificially “reconstructed” nature does not provide any emotional incentives that would be a basis for development of a feeling for home. (However, if we look at the region with more attentiveness, its beauty could be easily revealed.)

Sustainable development regional strategies in general aim to capitalize on regional resources (natural, cultural) and manage them in sustainable way to develop their potential, and simultaneously preserve them for future generations. But in case when economy of the region is fully oriented towards “big projects” based on exploitation of “enormous natural resource abundance”, and regional strategies do not support small scaled innovations and initiatives (which makes from inhabitants hostages), something has to be changed substantially. Obviously, local people should be empowered to get rid of economic dependence on the big companies, but also gain new relationship to the place to feel responsibility for its future. For researchers, this situation provides an opportunity to analyse which actors might be sources of conflict and which create vital bonds or networks with other social groups and also are connected to the regional heritage (history, tradition, natural points etc.).

Based on these considerations, we have identified the main research question for this year: How is the social capital formed? Who contributes to it and how? Then we also explored, how might be (or already is) this social capital contributing to sustainable development of the region, what are the main processes, and who plays the role in them.

The other aim was to develop a case study focused on relationships of different interest groups (or actors) playing a role in brown coal mining conflict. We have made a basis for that – described the situation “objectively” – we have used resources describing the history, culture, environment etc. Our aim was to let the local actors to contribute to it – from their subjective point of view that included also their interests with regard to the mining issue. This part of our research has still to be done.

Analysis of the regional situation and its sustainable development opportunities from the point of view of regional actors, from the perspective of social capital, and in historical and contemporary context.

I. '''Context''': introduction into the regional situation with its history and current problems

II. '''Framing''': guiding concepts in regional context (social capital, relations to place, EU and global driving forces)

* How do they manifest in the history and now?

'''Place-based''' principles in regional context

* Find the role in different cooperation networks, spheres (education,…) and reflect relations to social etc. capital

III. '''Identification of [[wikipedia:en:Boundary_object|boundary objects]]''': case studies of regional situation with future perspective (and hidden role of social capital)

1. Case study writing and important aspects from analytical point of view

IV. '''Hypothesis''': SD concept and regional strategies include three pillars and interrelationships: economic, environmental, and social. role of SC underestimated as this is mainly “process oriented” (consists in relationships between elements of the system, not product oriented etc.). SC has played a role in history and its destruction caused huge environmental and economic problems. SC is one of the driving forces of the development and should be paid attention accordingly. Should be shown in our case.

'''Research question''': How is the SC perspective manifested in the research area, is it supported within development strategies?

1. Analysis of existing regional development principles (ZÚR) from SC perspective

2. Analysis of potential regional development strategies from SC perspective based on case studies and SWOT analysis done by actors

V. '''Analytical methods''', we are going to use – methodological introduction

1. Case study writing (input by actors exploited, and how to supplement knowledge base) & analysis (how it works in the research, and what different viewpoints reveal)

2. Interviews – goal: receive objective information on the situation  critically assess info from other actors and reflect role of actor within the context of cooperation, public debate and simply regional situation

4. Comparative study: comparison of two countries, analysis of influence of different actors than in CR (at least mining companies missing) on regional development  options.

6. Mind mapping – stakeholder maps with relations between actors (different graphical expression)

8. System analysis of the social relations (place is one of the elements of the system)

identify actors in the network, think about system of relations

forming of actor groups, role-playing one of the actors + creation of the „knowledge base“ for the role of actor:

* Mental mapping of the situation – relations of the group (one of the actors) to other actors

* Interrelations of other actors

* Case study writing on behalf of an interest group, with input of the interviews real actors  

* Analysis of the mental maps done by other “actors” in GW I

* Comparison with German situation

Put together results done by “actors”: students’ groups

* Relations between stakeholder maps produced by students in groups, and combining stakeholders maps into one

* Find common interests and conflicts in scenarios done by different actors (from SWOT analyses)  

2. '''Reframing''': region as a system of social relations – structural analysis, processes.

4. '''Analytical results – kind of study???''': answer to the research questions: what is the role of social capital in the sustainable development of the region, how is the SC included in the regional development strategies, how should the regional development strategy look like if the SC was one of the leading principles in it?