摘要
•Collective action in pastoral resources, such as common resource user groups have social and environmental benefits over exclusive property rights.•Collective management of natural resources does not always emerge and thus the attention by a number of studies on factors that play a role in the capacity of communities to collectively manage resources in a sustainable manner.•This study assess the effects of basic capabilities, among other factors, on households’ decisions to participate in collective management of pastoral resources in south western Kenya.•Increased basic capabilities (ability to achieve some minimally acceptable levels of functioning), social capital, socioeconomic factors and resource system characteristics are key factors affecting collective management of the pastoral resources.•Enhancing social capital is likely to boost cooperation in collective management of the natural resources. The results also highlight the need for policies encouraging adoption of improved range management technologies in areas where collective management of the natural resources is least expected.