Institutional Structures, Social Learning and Individual Perceptions in FSC Certification Adoption and ecosystem services on Acacia Plantations in Central Vietnam
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2025
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en
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This thesis explores how FSC certification is adopted on acacia plantations in Central Vietnam, focusing on how institutions and social learning shape farmers’ decisions and the resulting impacts on ecosystems. Fieldwork was carried out in Nam Dong and A Luoi districts of Thua Thien Hue province.
The study shows that certification often excludes smallholders due to land size requirements and limited resources, creating reinforcing “loops of exclusion” where initial disadvantages grow over time. These dynamics highlight how power imbalances and feedback processes make certification especially challenging for vulnerable farmers. A central finding is the “implementation paradox”: FSC only works when outside institutions step in. For example, FOSDA plays a key role by buying plantations and taking on financial risks. While this enables certification locally, it also shows that the system cannot function as a purely market-driven approach.
Certification brings mixed outcomes. It strengthens some ecosystem services but also creates trade-offs between environmental goals and farmers’ economic pressures. Climate change further undermines the idea that financial incentives alone can drive sustainable practices. Overall, the research suggests that lasting sustainability in vulnerable contexts requires addressing structural barriers, not relying solely on market incentives.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen