Successful integrated coastal management: measuring it with research and contributing to wise practice

The purpose of this paper is to identify important factors for successful integrated coastal management (ICM). This has been achieved by reviewing secondary literature and providing a synthesis of the ideas used in existing studies of coastal management. The paper demonstrates that there are significant gaps in empirical research in the field of ICM, particularly in reviewing success factors at the level of regional and local initiatives. The paper discusses the methods that academics use in conducting research that measures success. Suggestions are offered for future research and theoretical realism is presented as a fruitful approach for further studies in this field. The intention is also to contribute to practical management by aiding practitioners—the project officers and government officers who co-ordinate and run coastal management initiatives—to think reflexively about the type of management they are encouraging. A list of important factors for successful ICM is presented, allowing practitioners to check whether their initiative has procedures that will contribute to effective management.