Socio-Ecological Resilience and the Role of Organizations in Addressing the Complexity of Climate Change in Malaysia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71435/Keywords:
Socio-Ecological Resilience, Climate Change Adaptation, Organizational StrategyAbstract
Purpose: This study examines how governmental, non-governmental, and community-based organizations in Malaysia contribute to socio-ecological resilience amid climate change. It focuses on identifying organizational strategies, collaborative practices, and key challenges influencing adaptation effectiveness.
Subjects and Methods: A qualitative design was used with 20 purposively selected participants across climate-related organizations. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and observations, then analyzed thematically to capture organizational awareness, collaboration, socio-ecological strategies, and implementation challenges.
Results: Organizations with strong awareness and strategic commitment were better able to integrate climate concerns into policies and programs. Multi-stakeholder collaboration proved essential for developing sustainable, context-appropriate strategies, while ecosystem-based adaptation and community-based risk reduction showed clear socio-ecological benefits. Challenges included resource limitations, governance fragmentation, and technical barriers, but adaptive learning and participatory approaches helped organizations navigate these constraints.
Conclusions: Organizations significantly enhance socio-ecological resilience by aligning strategic commitment, collaboration, and adaptive socio-ecological practices. Effective resilience emerges when ecological and social aspects are integrated, communities are engaged, and flexible management responds to evolving climate risks, offering useful insights for strengthening adaptive capacity in Malaysia.
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