Structural breviary about the social construction of scientific water knowledge at Mexico: An approach

Abstract

The unbridled forces in play that are undermining our social fabric (climate change, pandemics, poverty) erode societies’ capabilities for resilience. Hence there is an urgent need to evaluate the strengths of institutional and community systems in vital areas such as water management. This research analyzed part of the social structure responsible for generating scientific knowledge pertaining to water resources in Mexico, taking into account the organizational patterns pre-established by experts, in order to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the existing structures. We used the social networks approach, which revealed a system permeated by patterns of social centralization that limit knowledge sharing and social cohesion and produce very little innovation within the water resources investigation networks in Mexico. We conclude that it is necessary to expand the training and managing of intellectual capital in various areas of knowledge related to water resources, especially those that are relevant for recuperating environmental sustainability.