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Lost in delegation? (Dis)organizing for sustainability

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  • Allen, Stephen
  • Brigham, Martin
  • Marshall, Judi

Abstract

Using actor-networks as our conceptual lens for appreciating complex sociomaterial interdependencies, we explore how a vision to “do things differently” for sustainability becomes enacted and significantly diluted at a major brownfield development project in the UK. We show how visions for sustainability can become substantially delegated into a range of specialised and functionally differentiated practices, with nonhuman mediators producing significant agency. Additionally, extending actor-network approaches, we develop the concept of localised hybridity to consider how the possibilities for progressive sustainability practices are interdependent with mediators in other ‘locals’ across times and spaces. We suggest that greater reflexive attention and inquiry to the types of relational work required to form alliances with nonhuman mediators is crucial to realise visions for sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Allen, Stephen & Brigham, Martin & Marshall, Judi, 2018. "Lost in delegation? (Dis)organizing for sustainability," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 34(1), pages 29-39.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:scaman:v:34:y:2018:i:1:p:29-39
    DOI: 10.1016/j.scaman.2017.11.002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jolivet, Eric & Heiskanen, Eva, 2010. "Blowing against the wind--An exploratory application of actor network theory to the analysis of local controversies and participation processes in wind energy," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(11), pages 6746-6754, November.
    2. Sage, Daniel & Dainty, Andrew & Brookes, Naomi, 2013. "Thinking the ontological politics of managerial and critical performativities: An examination of project failure," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 29(3), pages 282-291.
    3. Efrat Eizenberg & Yosef Jabareen, 2017. "Social Sustainability: A New Conceptual Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-16, January.
    4. Louise Metcalf & Sue Benn, 2013. "Leadership for Sustainability: An Evolution of Leadership Ability," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 112(3), pages 369-384, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Allen, Stephen, 2019. "The Unbounded Gatherer: Possibilities for posthuman writing-reading," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 35(1), pages 64-75.

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