A recent article on Journal of Development Studies examines the relationship between local level heterogeneity and the likelihood of successful collective action in community-based forest management in Nepal.
The study develops simple measures of inequality for key variables, and shows that there is no clear-cut impact of group heterogeneity on collective action. Forest user groups can create institutions for resource management according to their local context in order to avoid management problems created by inequalities among resource users.
The study recommends that systems of governance need to be flexible to allow adaptation of management regimes to local conditions.
Bhim Adhikari and Jon C. Lovett. Institutions and collective action: Does heterogeneity matter in community-based resource management? The Journal of Development Studies. Volume 42, Number 03 / April 2006