Onboarding Nature

How do you involve nature as a full stakeholder in your organisation? The research group Change Management at The Hague University of Applied Sciences is investigating how entrepreneurs can give nature a voice in their decision-making process. In collaboration with Nationaal Park Duinen (National Park Dunes of Texel) on the Dutch island of Texel, researchers are exploring ways to truly incorporate nature's interests into daily practices. 

Motive

The hosts and hostesses of the Nationaal Park Duinen of Texel are important ambassadors of nature on the island. They welcome visitors, talk about the value of the environment and feel responsible for the landscape in which they operate. But how can you extend that responsibility even further? How do you give nature itself a voice in your business? And what does it mean to not only benefit from nature, but to also actively give something in return?  

In this practice-oriented research, the research group Change Management collaborates with the hosts and hostesses on the main question: How can entrepreneurs take nature into account as a serious stakeholder in their decision-making, and what steps are needed to achieve this?

Objective

The project's objective is to explore, together with entrepreneurs, how nature can become part of decision-making and business operations. In co-creation, ways are being developed to actually ‘onboard’ nature as a fully-fledged actor in the thinking and actions of entrepreneurs in the national park. This leads to new forms of entrepreneurship that do justice to the reciprocal relationship between humans and nature.

Context

The Onboarding Nature study ties in with broader initiatives within The Hague University of Applied Sciences around ecological awareness. In the Unheard Voices project, students are working on a new narrative for the Dutch Bollenstreek (bulb region), with room for unheard perspectives, including nature’s.  

Duration of the project

1 November 2024 – 31 October 2025

Team 

The Hague University of Applied Sciences  - research group Change Management

• Jiske van Oeffelt, researcher
• Jacco van Uden, Professor Change Management

Nationaal Park Duinen of Texel:

• Jan van de Venis, chair 

Contact 

Do you want to know more about the project Onboarding Nature? Please contact: Jiske van Oeffelt, [email protected]