resourcessuch

Resourcessuch is a neologism used in discussions of resource governance and systems thinking to denote a class of resources that are deeply embedded in social, ecological, and technical networks. These resources display context dependence, interdependencies, and governance complexity that challenge conventional management approaches.

Definition and scope: Resourcessuch resources are characterized by non-substitutability in practice, inseparability from surrounding institutions and infrastructures, and susceptibility to distributional and ethical considerations. They include natural capital with social value, digital assets such as data and platforms, and knowledge assets whose value emerges in use.

Examples include freshwater resources managed as ethical commons; data ecosystems governed by participatory governance; pollination services in urban and agricultural settings; and cultural heritage resources whose meaning depends on community involvement.

Management and policy: Emphasizes stewardship, co-management, transparency, and resilience. It requires cross-sector collaboration, inclusive governance, and adaptive licensing, combined with data rights, risk assessment, and metrics.

Criticism: Because the term is new, definitions vary and may hinder comparability. Critics argue it risks vagueness or being used to broaden claims without sufficient evidence.

See also: Commons; Ecosystem services; Data governance; Digital infrastructure; Resource management.