Proceso realizado para el cálculo

It is already mentioned in earlier chapter (Chapter Three) and identified in Figure 4.1 that within a single case of CHT, two embedded units of analysis were chosen as Bandarban ‘Sadar’ (central) and Rangamati ‘Sadar’ (central). The selection criteria of these embedded units are briefly discussed in the following sub-sections. Theoretically, the embedded units of analysis themselves are treated as ‘cases’ and guided by the same factors that rationalise the choice of ‘single-case’ design; for example, the research questions (Benbasat et al., 1987; Yin, 2014). Based on the conceptual framework (see Figure 2.8) being informed by literature, this research finds a stance on ‘theory-guided’ case studies, in which ‘theoretically specified aspects of reality’ receive focal attention (Levy, 2008, p. 4). These aspects interact with the evidences and direct the empirical analysis ‘within-case’ and ‘across-case’ contexts of the embedded units to refine the initial conceptual framework.

4.3.1

Presence of Social Capital

The initial conceptual framework in this research highlights the critical importance of formal and informal institutions (social capital) in forming a shared decision-making platform towards tourism capital decisions for sustainable livelihood outcomes. The formal institutional actors realise almost equivalent power spectrums while the social actors (communities) representing the informal institutions differ variably within the CHT context.

For current discussion, the choice of embedded units of analysis (cases) is influenced by the exemplification of indigenous communities. The proportion of Bengali or migrated community to the CHT indigenous communities practically remains the same for all the three hill districts. However, the concentration of indigenous communities vary considerably within each district and sub-district level. According to census data and relevant websites information (Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, 2013a, 2013b, 2013c; Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, 2018),

94 Khagrachari district exhibits the existence of only three indigenous groups out of 11: Chakma, Marma and Tripura; whereas, the targeted two sub-units themselves accommodate all the 11 groups. This scenario leads the researcher to a purposive selection of the embedded units of consideration assuming the fact that the presence of representable and high level of social capital within the embedded units. In this research, social capital remains a core dimension for the conceptual framework and emphasises in the research questions as well. Besides, the integral part of the conceptual framework is about a decision-making mechanism that adopts multi-level stakeholders’ involvement. In this essence, the reflection of all the indigenous communities’ viewpoints into the study is imperative.

4.3.2

Geo-political Significance

From a geographical viewpoint, the CHT comprises one-tenth of the total land area of Bangladesh and exhibits unique landscape with thousands of hills. Out of the three hill districts, Rangamati is the biggest and Bandarban is the second biggest. Thus, the targeted study areas of Rangamati Sadar and Bandarban Sadar literally represent the largest section of the total CHT.

Beside geographical representation, one of the most influential issues is political contexts. In the CHT, there were long going tensions (as discussed in earlier section), which are still ongoing to some extent centring the implementation of the Peace Treaty of 1997. This issue in turn is intensified by the regional political parties and ‘Rangamati Sadar’ remains the headquarters for all the regional parties in CHT. However, Bandarban Sadar is also important from political point of view as the current Hon’ble State Minister representing the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs is from Bandarban Sadar. It should be noted that the Hon’ble State Minister represents the ruling political party from national level; such a representation can influence the bargaining power of the regional parties in Bandarban or Bandarban Sadar. On this note, this is assumed that holding diverse political interests with national and regional focus (differing power-concentration) may create formal institutional intricacies within a shared decision-making framework especially when there exists overlapping and confusing administrative structures. Consequently, this brings into the targeted embedded units for consideration in this research.

4.3.3

Tourism Potential

The selected study units have been identified as common gateways to all the destinations in the hill tracts (Rumi, 2015) indicating tourists must enter these points to reach further destinations. Tourism attractions in the targeted units are mostly based on local natural resources, predominantly green hills and lakes. In recent times, Rangamati and Bandarban as a whole attracting the attention of the tourism investors as well (from a rough observation by the researcher on tourism-based establishments over a few years’ time). Such attention is motivated by the development goals and policies, which in turn, require a well-adjusted economic, socio-cultural and environmental focus.

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4.3.4

Regional Centres

From internal capacity viewpoints, the targeted embedded units are embodied with similar facilities and represent the central point of respective district. Added with this, the diverse demographic nature of the sub-units fosters a comparison of the study results on the basis of ‘across-case’ (see Chapter Seven). This approach helps in refining the theory perspectives and proposing a modified conceptual framework, thereby confirming the ‘theoretical replication’ (Benbasat et al., 1987, p. 373). Apart from this aspect, the nature of regional centres ensures better accessibility to attend research participants. This criterion of accessibility was complemented by the time-boundaries in the field. The researcher was required to finish the fieldwork within six-month (maximum) time.

4.3.5

Experts Opinion

Within a single-case design, identification of the embedded units remains always a matter of confusion. To minimise the level confusion, Yin (2014, p. 34) suggests “one recommended practice is to discuss the potential case with a colleague”. In this response, Yin also suggests to share the research design along with the research questions with such colleague or expert. Before finalising the embedded units, the researcher also followed Yin’s recommendation by contacting and sharing the research idea with the industry experts in Bangladesh (local, regional and national level).