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    Appendix D: Guidelines for Measuring Contextual Factors

In addition to the primary factors that are hypothesized to affect the ability of an enterprise-based approach to contribute to conservation, there are a number of contextual factors that can also potentially be important. These factors tend, however, to be more unpredictable -- there is no set hypothesis that can be formulated about their effect on conservation. We do not have the luxury of collecting systematic data on all of these contextual factors. Instead, where appropriate, we will need to describe these factors. In this Appendix, we list some of the main contextual factors and describe briefly why they might be important.

Economic Factors

CX-1 Savings, Credit, and Investment Structures

The degree to which economic institutions are already present in the stakeholder community. These institutions are potentially important for at least two reasons. First, their presence or absence can be taken as a rough indicator of the familiarity of the local stakeholders in dealing with a cash economy. Second, they can provide entrepreneurs with some of the financial assistance and expertise needed to develop viable businesses.

CX-2 Transaction Costs

The degree to which it is difficult and expensive to conduct businesses in the stakeholder community. In many places, high transaction costs can limit the development of enterprises that seem on paper that should be financially viable.

CX-3 Social Discount Rate

A measurement of the time value of money -- it is used by economists to calculate the present value of investments in constant dollars. In sites with a high social discount rate, low value is placed on future returns and there is thus a bias against undertaking projects with long-term results.

CX-4 Market Structure

The chain leading from the producer to the final consumer of the product. All else being equal, enterprises that can add more value will be able to provide greater incentives to local stakeholders.

Stakeholder-Related Factors

CX-5 Organizations and Institutions

An institution is a set of rules that link people and resources; these rules are often but not always embodied by specific groups and organizations such as government agencies, churches, schools, family and kin groups. Conservation efforts taking place at sites with established institutions can make use of their organizational power, but may also have to compete with these institutions.

CX-6 Leadership Within Community Outside of Stakeholder Group

Leadership can come in many different forms. If the local leadership supports the efforts of the stakeholder group, this can have a positive effect. If, however, the leadership does not support the conservation effort, then it can cause problems.

CX-7 Elite Roles

Power is often concentrated in the hands of elite members of a society. An important dynamic in many conservation efforts involves the degree to which the elite are involved in the project and the degree to which it threatens their established interests.

CX-8 Socioeconomic Status, Ethnic Group and Religion

Communities can be composed of many different sub-groups and often the interplay between these groups can dramatically affect conservation efforts.

CX-9 Family Size and Structure

Families come in many shapes and sizes and the dynamics of different structures can affect conservation efforts.

CX-10 Literacy and Education

Communities can vary widely in the degree of education that members have. In general, stakeholder literacy and education can be expected to play an important role in determining the success of enterprise-based conservation efforts.

Political, Institutional, and Historical Factors

CX-11 Policy Context

A policy is a rule or regulation that has some formal recognition and some allocation of resources for its implementation. Polices can be at local, national, or international level. Any conservation effort is obviously going to be greatly affected by the policy environment in which it is operating.

CX-12 Role/Stake of Government

Governments at all different levels can have enormous impact on conservation efforts in either positive or negative ways.

CX-13 Land Use History

Many sites have a long history of different land-use practices. These historical factors can often impact the current uses.

CX-14 History of Interventions at the Site

Many sites have a long history of interaction with outside groups including government agencies, corporations, and non-profit organizations. Local experiences with these groups can dramatically affect people's willingness to undertake current conservation efforts.

CX-15 Chaos

Perhaps the most important factor potentially impacting conservation efforts involves the natural and human created chaos that swirls around many projects. Chaos can come from natural disasters such as droughts, fires, volcanoes, and tidal waves or it can come from human sources such as economic or political upheavals, wars, and revolutions.


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