Coastal Services Center

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What Are the Primary Factors in Community-Based Decision Making?

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Community decisions are based on many factors, including

• Culture
• Traditions
• Informal institutions
• Formal regulations
• Attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs
• Religion

The importance of these factors in the MPA decision-making process is dependent on the situation. While some communities rely upon enforcement of formal regulations, other cultures may place a greater value on traditions and formal influences.

How Can Knowing This Help Me?

Knowing how communities make decisions helps identify their value systems. This information can be used to

• Focus education and outreach efforts
• Orient regulation and enforcement strategies towards factors that communities are most likely to respond to
• Understand the dynamics of the community
• Identify how formal and informal community groups and institutions adopt positions

What Are Some Tools I Can Use?

• Social Impact Assessment
• Historical Research
• Surveys
• Interviewing