Characteristics and optimization strategies of multi-subject governance network structure for land consolidation

Abstract

Land consolidation is an essential means to promote rural revitalization. Diversified governance subjects characterize land consolidation, and these subjects are interdependent in their work tasks and gradually form a multi-subject governance network. Effectively configuring a reasonably structured multi-subject governance network for land consolidation is crucial for improving the governance effect of land consolidation and thus promoting rural revitalization. This study constructs the multi-subject governance network for land consolidation from the perspective of a power-interest-trust relationship. Taking the pilot project of comprehensive land consolidation in Hubei Province, China, as the study case, this study analyzes the structural characteristics of the multi-subject governance network for land consolidation using the social network analysis method. The exponential random graph models are used to systematically identify the driving factors of network relationship formation, based on which targeted network structure optimization strategies are proposed. The results show that the multi-subject governance network for land consolidation is generally in a low-level and unbalanced development stage, that this network has overall looseness, local relevance, and significant small-world characteristics, and that the cohesive subgroups of this network exhibit obvious differences in relevance. In addition, this network has prominent core-periphery structure characteristics, and it is constrained by a few core nodes, such as government organizations and implementation enterprises, with most nodes, such as rural communities, financial institutions, and research institutions, at the edge of the network. Based on the above network structure characteristics and the influencing factors of network relationship formation, this study proposes network structure optimization strategies from overall optimization and node optimization. This study can provide theoretical insights and decision-making references for rationally configuring the multi-subject governance network structure of land consolidation, enhancing the governance effectiveness of land consolidation, and then boosting rural revitalization. Meanwhile, it also provides Chinese experience and reference for other developing countries to establish a multi-subject collaborative governance mode of land consolidation.