Enacting ecological and collaborative rationality through multiparty collaboration – a case of innovation in governance
by Marie-France B. Turcotte, Stewart R. Clegg, Julie Marin
International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development (IJISD), Vol. 3, No. 3/4, 2008

Abstract: The article presents the case study of a partnership between a metallurgy company and an NGO concerned with environmental protection. The partnership constituted an attempt to reconcile the firm's economic objectives with those of the citizens who lived in the area on which it had an ecological impact. Driven by high ideals, the multistakeholder partnerships were an innovation inspired by the ideal speech situation theory and a focus on learning and innovation. The partnership seemingly created an arena defined by norms of 'disinterested rationality' with an objective of innovating and progressing toward sustainable development. The partnership had only a marginal influence on the firm's activities, which were mainly determined by market forces and economic logic. The article concludes with a rather critical perspective on the outcomes of the case in terms of learning, innovation and change, with a theoretical lens inspired by theories on learning, legitimacy and power. The article contributes to the understanding and definition of legitimacy in a polyphonic context, where different views coexist or confront. Legitimacy is neither an outside nor static institutional feature, but rather resembles a kaleidoscope of perceptions that are defined, temporarily granted and redefined through discursive interactions. In such a context, moral arguments are confronted with other moral arguments while actors redefine their knowledge and cognitive frameworks. Practical recommendations are formulated for the convenors of multistakeholders partnerships, activist groups and firms.

Online publication date: Wed, 24-Dec-2008

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development (IJISD):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com