Conflict in Outdoor Recreation: A Theoretical Perspective

TLDR

Conflict causes among outdoor recreation users are understudied, yet understanding them could help planners reduce future conflicts. The study seeks to build a theory of conflict to systematically acquire knowledge about its causes. The authors present a theoretical framework with four conflict causes and ten propositions linking them, intended to guide future operationalization.

Abstract

The causes of conflict among users of outdoor recreation resources have received little attention from recreation researchers. Knowledge of factors responsible for conflicts might assist recreation planners' attempts to reduce future instances of conflict and help management focus its conflict resolution efforts. Building a theory of conflict is the first step in systematically procuring such knowledge. A theoretical interpretation of conflict and identification of its characteristics within outdoor recreation are presented. Four causes of user conflicts are proposed; ten propositions link these concepts to conflict. While operationalized terms and hypotheses are not presented, the theoretical propositions provided are intended to guide their development.