A Hybrid Pentahelix Communication Model for Ujung Kulon Geopark Governance

Abstract

Effective governance of Ujung Kulon National Geopark requires coordination among public institutions, local communities, academic institutions, businesses, and the media to reconcile conservation priorities with community welfare. This study examines stakeholder mapping, communication across the five helices, and the mechanisms required to move from formal representation to operational collaboration. A constructivist qualitative approach was adopted through a single-case study conducted in Ujung Kulon National Geopark, Pandeglang Regency, Banten Province. Thirteen participants were selected purposively. They represented government and the geopark management body (n = 4), communities and local organizations (n = 6), academia (n = 1), business (n = 1), and the media (n = 1). Semi-structured interviews were conducted between 29 September and 5 December 2025. Participant observation and document analysis provided additional evidence. The data were organized through condensation, display, and verification. Thematic analysis involved initial coding, category development, identification of core themes, and comparison across the five helices. Credibility was strengthened through source and method triangulation, member checking, peer debriefing, and an audit trail. The findings indicate that stakeholder mapping remains largely administrative, institutional roles have yet to become operational, and communication is predominantly episodic, one-way, and fragmented. Communication failures create institutional uncertainty and may also threaten geosite protection. This risk was evident when project contractors damaged a geosite because they were unaware of its conservation significance. Communities were not involved from the planning stage, despite the local capacity generated through educational initiatives and mangrove and marine conservation activities. Academic, business, and media actors also lacked clear follow-up mechanisms, a shared roadmap, and common communication guidelines. The study proposes a Hybrid Pentahelix Collaborative Communication Model that combines an actor network with a four-stage convergence cycle: structured information exchange, dialogue and clarification, alignment of meaning and trust, and shared commitment and collective action. The model connects conservation integrity with local benefits through communication that is iterative, documented, and open to evaluation.