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An Ethnographic Study of Knowledge Processes Within Natural Resource Management Amare Desta Comprehending Indigenous Knowledge: An Ethnographic Study of Knowledge Processes within Natural Resource Management Amare Desta Information Systems and Innovation Group Department of Management London School of Economics Submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy May 2009 UMI Number: U61529B All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Dissertation Publishing UMI U615293 Published by ProQuest LLC 2014. Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest LLC 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 F \/lO i\U D ABSTRACT This study explores the phenomenon of indigenous knowledge within Ethiopia against a background of increasing concern for the sustainability of natural resources. A review of the indigenous knowledge, information systems and innovation studies literature finds little in the way of relevant theories and hence the study applies concepts from knowledge management. In particular, it takes the notions of tacit knowledge and knowledge processes and applies them in the context of indigenous knowledge concerning natural resource management. It combines existing knowledge process frameworks with stakeholder analysis to produce a robust conceptual tool to explore systems of indigenous knowledge. The research uses an ethnographic approach to studying an indigenous community in Debre Berhan, Ethiopia. The four-month fieldwork produced extensive data concerning indigenous knowledge within the community and the interface with scientific knowledge. It also shows the ingenuity and extent of local innovation by the villagers in an effort to solve local problems with local solutions. Using the conceptual framework, developed in the first part of the study, the data is analysed with reference to knowledge processes and the four main stakeholder groups: the indigenous farmers, the government, research institutions and local non­ governmental organisations. This analysis clarifies the existing roles of the stakeholders and leads to a new conceptualisation of indigenous knowledge, and the knowledge transfers between the indigenous and scientific communities, in terms of systems of knowledge processes. The implications of this model are considered within the light of the various external threats to indigenous communities and their knowledge. 2 Acknowledgements Before I begin, I would like to reflect upon the past few years working with this doctoral dissertation and thank those who have helped me along the way. Without them, this small victory in my life would more likely have been a small nervous breakdown. At the very top of my list is my supervisor, Dr Steve Smithson. Steve must have spent the past several months in a constant state of reading and editing. His comments and insights have been invaluable, and I can’t thank him enough for his patience, commitment, and ability to always be positive. In some small way, however, I hope that this thesis will be able to say thank you Steve for everything. I would also like to thank Prof. Ray Paul for his guidance and his kind assistance; Dr Shirin Madon and Dr Edgar Whitely for their advice and inspiring comments. I must also thank my dearest wife, Tsehay, for her patient acceptance of less than my 50% contribution to our partnership in the last few years. This would have been a grueling experience without her support & understanding. In so many ways, this thesis exists because my family exists. This thesis also exists because of my beautiful children, Million & Helena whose love & laughter grounded me throughout my doctoral study My families back in Ethiopia (Abebu, Tegu, Assegu, Assefuye, Mebru and Lily) have been a source of pride and encouragement. My late parents raised me with integrity and a strong self which helped me to conceptualize life as a process where reinvention is possible, and resilience a requirement. I therefore spent most of my adult life thanking them, but words really can’t express my admirations. This ethnographic research exacts a toll and I am extremely grateful to so many people that participated in this study by sharing their experiences, insights and providing free information. Obviously their unreserved cooperation made this dissertation possible. The success in completing this doctoral research should be attributed to the memory of my loving parents who have passed away before their time LET THEM REST IN PEACE. 3 Table of contents Page No Abstract ................................................................................................................................... 2 Acknowledgments............................................................................................................... 3 Table of Contents ................................................................................................................... 4 List of Tables ........................................................................................................................ 8 List of Figures...................................................................................................................... 9 List of Acronyms............................................................................................................... 10 Glossary.................................................................................................................................. 12 Chapter 1 - Introduction ................................................................................................. 13 1.1 Introduction and research aim ................................................................................... 13 1.2 Intentions of research ................................................................................................. 15 1.3 Explaining and defining indigenous knowledge ..................................................... 15 1.4 The Country: Ethiopia - brief introduction ............................................................. 16 1.5 Debre Berhan, Ethiopia - locating the research site ................................................. 20 1.6 Problematizing the natural resource base in Ethiopia ............................................ 30 Chapter 2 - Literature Review .......................................................................................... 37 2.1 Natural Resource Management (NRM) .................................................................. 37 2.1.1 Sustainable natural resources ..................................................................................... 39 2.1.2 Emergence of NRM issues.......................................................................... 41 2.2 Indigenous knowledge.............................................................................................. 42 2.2.1 Introduction...................................................................................................... 42 2.2.2 IK for sustainable NR management .............................................................. 49 2.2.3 The dangers of disregarding IK systems....................................................... 54 2.2.4 Preservation of IK ............................................................................................ 55 2.2.5 Challenges and Limitations of IK .....................................................................58 2.2.6 Importance of researching IK ...........................................................................60 2.2.7 Indigenous knowledge and information systems............................................ 62 2.2.8 IK in the context of knowledge management ................................................. 64 2.2.9 IK and Systems of Innovation..........................................................................68 4 Summary 12 Chapter 3 - Conceptual Framework ............................................................................. 74 3.1 Introduction...................................................................................................................74 3.2 Selecting a theoretical approach ..................................................................................74 3.3 Indigenous knowledge and knowledge processes ......................................................76 3.3.1 Tacit and explicit knowledge ............................................................................76 3.3.2 Selecting a framework.......................................................................................78 3.3.3 Knowledge Creation..........................................................................................81 3.3.4 Knowledge Capture ...........................................................................................84 3.3.5 Knowledge storage and retrieval ..................................................................... 85 3.3.6 Knowledge transfer...........................................................................................86 3.3.7 Knowledge application ......................................................................................89 3.4 Stakeholder analysis....................................................................................................
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