Michael Böcher

Bio: Michael Böcher is an academic researcher from Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg. The author has contributed to research in topics: Sociology of scientific knowledge & Corporate governance. The author has an hindex of 17, co-authored 64 publications receiving 944 citations. Previous affiliations of Michael Böcher include Rolf C. Hagen Group & University of Göttingen.

Regional Governance and Rural Development in Germany: the Implementation of LEADER+

Abstract: This article deals with the currently widely discussed concept of regional governance and investigates the roles this concept actually plays within rural development policy and its implementation in Germany. The main question is whether or not ‘regional governance’ is just a fashionable scientific term. Can we really observe impacts of the regional governance discussion on policies for sustainable regional development in rural areas in Germany? To answer this question the programmatic statements of the EU community initiative LEADER+ are analysed against the background of the most important regional governance criteria. Subsequently, a deeper look into the implementation of LEADER+ in six German regions shows that regional governance still needs some forms of hierarchical co-ordination by higher levels of state. Some major problems for the implementation of regional governance in LEADER+ as well as some important positive impacts of the programme are identified. These show that, despite all potential problems, the concept of regional governance has the potential to make a significant contribution to the successful development of rural areas.

Adaptive forest management in central Europe: Climate change impacts, strategies and integrative concept

Abstract: Climatic warming may lead to increased or decreased future forest productivity. However, more frequent heat waves, droughts and storms and accompanying pathogen attacks are also expected for Europe and are considered to be increasingly important abiotic and biotic stress factors for forests. Adaptive forestry can help forest ecosystems to adapt to these new conditions in order to achieve management goals, maintain desired forest ecosystem services and reduce the risks of forest degradation. With a focus on central Europe, this paper presents the following management strategies: (1) conservation of forest structures, (2) active adaptation, and (3) passive adaptation. The feasibility and criteria for application of the different strategies are discussed. Forest adaptation may entail the establishment of “neonative” forests, including the use and intermixing of native and non-native tree species as well as non-local tree provenances that may adapt better to future climate conditions. An integrative ...

Why do Social Innovations in Rural Development Matter and Should They be Considered More Seriously in Rural Development Research? – Proposal for a Stronger Focus on Social Innovations in Rural Development Research

Abstract: The article discusses social innovation from a rural development perspective. The central questions addressed are: What are social innovations and why are they important for rural development? How can we gain more insights into the role and functioning of social innovations in rural development? Drawing on different approaches to conceptualise social innovations pursued in economy, management, sociology, psychology and regional economics, planning and development studies, the article outlines the central aspects on which the concept is built. Based on these insights a proposal for a concise basic definition of social innovations is given and a model of the social innovation process is introduced. Reasoning that a lack of social innovation is often one of the strongest restraints of the vitality and further development of rural communities in developed, democratic, capitalist, industrial countries, the second part orf the article highlights the need to put a stronger focus on social innovations in future rural development research. Building on these insights, the third part addresses open research questions and explains why an actor-oriented network approach seems to be a promising potential methodological way to approach social innovations in rural development research.

Why We Disagree about Climate Change: Understanding Controversy, Inaction and Opportunity

Abstract: Mike Hulme, Why We Disagree about Climate Change: Understanding Controversy, Inaction and Opportunity (New York: Cambridge University Press, 2009), xxxix + 392 pp. $80.00 (cloth), $29.99 (paper). S...