New processes of governance: cases for deliberative decision‐making?

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the new forms of governance that are emerging to facilitate corporate sustainability.Design/methodology/approachThe research methodology draws on multiple case study research, examining the research question through the lens of two case examples: a government/industry partner program, itself comprising multiple cases, and an industry consultative committee.FindingsWhile these cases involve different motivations for collaborative decision‐making, they each involve inter‐organisational decision‐making. Such decision‐making requires the establishment of new processes of governance.Research limitations/implicationsMore case examples need to be explored and subjected to more detailed discourse analysis.Practical implicationsSuggestions for new decision‐making models that could be usefully taken up by governments and corporations to address stakeholder disputes.Originality/valueThe paper makes suggestions for appropriate forms of governance by process if sustainability outcomes are to be achieved that are acceptable to a range of corporate stakeholders.