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L. L. Benites-Lazaro et al.
Different methods have been used in nexus-related research. One example is
the Transboundary Basin Nexus Assessment (TBNA), a methodology that seeks to
enable stakeholders to identify positive and negative linkages, benefits and tradeoffs between relevant sectors. This framework is promoted by the United Nations
Economic Commission for Europe [45]. These linkages are identified and mapped
in a qualitative way through the participation of experts and officials. This enhances
the possibility of establishing a basis for quantifying those linkages. In short, “the
methodology further provides for governance assessments aimed at increasing the
understanding of how a coherent integration of sectors might be achieved” [45, p. 15].
The main pillars of this approach are: participatory processes, knowledge mobilization, sound scientific analysis; capacity building; collective effort; and benefits and
opportunities.
Concerning quantitative analysis, Karnib [24] shows the so-called Q-Nexus Model
can suggest practical and mathematically-based quantitative WFE nexus assessments. This model can serve as a “platform to quantify, plan, simulate and optimize
water, energy and food as an interconnected system of resources that directly and
indirectly affects one another” [23, p. 89]. It also helps to evaluate WEF planning
scenarios and policy options. With respect to textual analysis, a good example is
a study conducted by Benites-Lazaro et al. [4], which analyzed documents from
public and private agents by combining topic modeling method with discourse analysis. The authors confirmed the usefulness of these techniques to capture main topics
and extract dominant discourses among the actors involved in the documents analized. The topic modeling method can be applied to the study of WEF nexus for
discovering and exploring the thematic structures as well as to navigate through time
to uncover how discussions related to nexus sector have evolved over the years [4].
The literature review conducted by Albrecht et al. [1] showed that the use of
specific methods to carry out nexus assessment is unusual. There are more studies
that emphasizes the quantitative approaches. This highlights that WEF nexus is a
field of study that is still in development; therefore, it is understandable that there is
disagreement when it comes to the methods used. Endo et al. [15] analized review
articles about nexus and identified five main groups of methods: comprehensive
reviews; targeted reviews; synthesis; articles assessing the interlinkages, trade-offs,
and/or synergies among resources geographically; and case studies. Urbinatti et al.
[47] is an example of a targeted review as it seeks to systematically review the concept
of governance of nexus from the analysis of social networks. Although it is a widely
used tool for analysis of individuals and organizations, there are recent efforts to
understand the potential of this methodology also for systematic reviews [11, 30].
The bibliographic conceptual study carried out by Urbinatti et al. [47] about nexus
governance helped to stress the trans-scalar nature of the issue, the need for more
critical definitions, and the perspective that the nexus remains challenging in terms
of being a scientific debate navigating opportunities and constraints to influence
decision-making processes.
Previous studies shown the prioritization of quantitative methodologies over qualitative ones, observed both globally [1] and in the global south [12]. This priorization contributes to the development of a less holistic perception of the social,
L. L. Benites-Lazaro et al.
Different methods have been used in nexus-related research. One example is
the Transboundary Basin Nexus Assessment (TBNA), a methodology that seeks to
enable stakeholders to identify positive and negative linkages, benefits and tradeoffs between relevant sectors. This framework is promoted by the United Nations
Economic Commission for Europe [45]. These linkages are identified and mapped
in a qualitative way through the participation of experts and officials. This enhances
the possibility of establishing a basis for quantifying those linkages. In short, “the
methodology further provides for governance assessments aimed at increasing the
understanding of how a coherent integration of sectors might be achieved” [45, p. 15].
The main pillars of this approach are: participatory processes, knowledge mobilization, sound scientific analysis; capacity building; collective effort; and benefits and
opportunities.
Concerning quantitative analysis, Karnib [24] shows the so-called Q-Nexus Model
can suggest practical and mathematically-based quantitative WFE nexus assessments. This model can serve as a “platform to quantify, plan, simulate and optimize
water, energy and food as an interconnected system of resources that directly and
indirectly affects one another” [23, p. 89]. It also helps to evaluate WEF planning
scenarios and policy options. With respect to textual analysis, a good example is
a study conducted by Benites-Lazaro et al. [4], which analyzed documents from
public and private agents by combining topic modeling method with discourse analysis. The authors confirmed the usefulness of these techniques to capture main topics
and extract dominant discourses among the actors involved in the documents analized. The topic modeling method can be applied to the study of WEF nexus for
discovering and exploring the thematic structures as well as to navigate through time
to uncover how discussions related to nexus sector have evolved over the years [4].
The literature review conducted by Albrecht et al. [1] showed that the use of
specific methods to carry out nexus assessment is unusual. There are more studies
that emphasizes the quantitative approaches. This highlights that WEF nexus is a
field of study that is still in development; therefore, it is understandable that there is
disagreement when it comes to the methods used. Endo et al. [15] analized review
articles about nexus and identified five main groups of methods: comprehensive
reviews; targeted reviews; synthesis; articles assessing the interlinkages, trade-offs,
and/or synergies among resources geographically; and case studies. Urbinatti et al.
[47] is an example of a targeted review as it seeks to systematically review the concept
of governance of nexus from the analysis of social networks. Although it is a widely
used tool for analysis of individuals and organizations, there are recent efforts to
understand the potential of this methodology also for systematic reviews [11, 30].
The bibliographic conceptual study carried out by Urbinatti et al. [47] about nexus
governance helped to stress the trans-scalar nature of the issue, the need for more
critical definitions, and the perspective that the nexus remains challenging in terms
of being a scientific debate navigating opportunities and constraints to influence
decision-making processes.
Previous studies shown the prioritization of quantitative methodologies over qualitative ones, observed both globally [1] and in the global south [12]. This priorization contributes to the development of a less holistic perception of the social,