The Social Network of a Satoumi Community and its Development Process in Hinase, Okayama Prefecture

Abstract

Although satoumi is gaining attention as a form of coastal area in which various actors make use of resources and practice environmental conservation, the cooperation and relationship necessary to accomplish it have not been revealed yet. The current research investigates a satoumi community, which consists of actors involved in satoumi creation – a type of coastal management. To capture the structure, changes, and factors for changes in social networks in four developmental phases of satoumi creation initiatives, Hinase, Bizen City in Okayama Prefecture was adopted as a case study. Based on ego-centric networks of three mediators of the relationships of network actors, the structure of social network in four developmental phases was analyzed. As a result of observing the subgroups, it was found that multiple subgroups with various objectives made a multilayered network structure as the initiative developed. In addition, new subgroups were formed as entities with related objectives joined the network due to increased number of entities that act as mediators and efforts of the three main mediators. Such a finding is significant in increasing opportunities for diverse entities, including those not directly involved in the sea, to become involved in satoumi creation. As further research, the purpose of actors’ involvement in such activities, and the relationship between involvement among stakeholders and coastal management outcomes should be explored.