Facilitating Group Collaboration and Enhancing Supply Chain Conversations

This chapter is about groups and group communication at the organizational and interorganizational levels. The enactment of sustainability initiatives often requires group collaboration. Characteristics of strong teams are identified. Theory and research related to small group decision-making and problem-solving processes are reviewed. Group-level techniques for frame breaking and building so as to identify creative alternatives are identified. Then, the focus shifts to interorganizational collaboration (IOC) efforts. Complex environmental issues accompanying global climate change require large collaborative efforts. Theory related to the role of communication in the creation of emergent collaborative structures is identified. Theories and research related to learning in IOCs are reviewed. Techniques used to build communities of practice and enhance group learning are discussed. The ways language and texts can contribute to IOC effectiveness are reviewed. A specific case of IOC interaction, the nongovernmental organization (NGO)–corporate alliance, is discussed in terms of their joint external communication efforts. Finally, the focus is on sustainable supply chains. Why do organizations form them, how are they governed, and what challenges exist? Internal and external communication issues are identified and best practices are offered. Interview data spotlights the City of Denver, Aspen Skiing Company, Tyson Foods, Sam’s Club, and Bayern Brewing.