A Multilevel View of Fish and Wildlife Agency Governance

A systems approach to understanding conservation values requires being able to measure characteristics of individuals, groups, and societies. At these secondary levels, however, characteristics become more complex and tend to... [ view full abstract ]

A systems approach to understanding conservation values requires being able to measure characteristics of individuals, groups, and societies. At these secondary levels, however, characteristics become more complex and tend to take on the qualities of an “invisible hand” that is both shaped by and actively shaping other component pieces of the system. In this presentation, we offer a model for understanding organizational-level characteristics through an analysis of the perceptions of the individuals who comprise them. We propose that individuals and groups are in dynamic interchange, and that the characteristics of each can best be understood through a systems framework that views traits as interacting across levels. We illustrate this point by exploring the characteristics of state fish and wildlife agencies in the United States using perceptions of group-level characteristics by agency employees. As societal shifts in social values create space for organizational change, exploring the multilevel relationship between individuals and the groups they are a part of can be a useful practice for understanding the core identity of conservation agencies and gaining insight into what may drive the evolution of these groups over time.