The Architecture of Influence: Meta-organizations and The Transformation of Institutional Fields

Abstract

In this study, we examine interactions between a mining industry association, its member companies and various SMOs (defined broadly) in an effort to better understand how such interactions come to shape industry-level corporate practices over time. Based on an in- depth case study of an international mining association, focused on enhancing corporate social responsibility (CSR) practice standards in the industry, and its interactions with 17 different SMOs, this study highlights the processes whereby a network of interlinked meta-organizations, comprised of industry associations, corporations, social movement organizations, intergovernmental organizations and standard setting organizations help shift corporate practices towards more or better sustainability in the industry. Our study shows that processes of engagement between actors are accomplished in three key stages – issue raising, issue defining and issue mainstreaming. These processes in turn are mediated by three distinct dynamics: transforming information into intelligence, bargaining for legitimacy, and resource availability. This study contributes to the literature on how SMOs and corporations interact and sheds light on the role played by meta- organizations in the shaping of institutional fields.