Framework for effective stakeholder engagement in integrated river basin management in Malaysia

To successfully execute stakeholders’ engagement (SE) in Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM), it is important to pay attention to all the key factors that are required but have typically been neglected, disregarded, or omitted. Based on the findings from research, this study identifies five essential independent variables for successful engagement: stakeholder inclusiveness, stakeholder characteristics, engagement strategies, organizational factors, and cultural and religious aspects. These variables help organizations to structure their engagement efforts in line with broader goals and regulatory frameworks. Additionally, the study highlights the inclusion and application of three enhancers for SE: multi-stakeholder platforms, environmental social governance principles, and a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, all promoting inclusivity, sustainability, and comprehensive collaboration. These three enhancers will improve the three dependent variables: knowledge transfer, decision impact, and stakeholders’ satisfaction. The interactions and linkages of the independent variables, the enhancers, and the dependent variables provide the basis for a novel conceptual framework for measuring stakeholder engagement effectiveness, offering best practices among others, a structured method for documenting, monitoring and evaluating the engagement process. This framework enhances stakeholder communication by establishing clear objectives, facilitating informed decision-making, and early identification of potential issues. Its adoption will help ensure more sustainable outcomes in water resource management at the river basin level.