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

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the new forms of governance that are emerging to facilitate corporate sustainability. Design/methodology/approach The 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. Findings While 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/implications More case examples need to be explored and subjected to more detailed discourse analysis. Practical implications Suggestions for new decision‐making models that could be usefully taken up by governments and corporations to address stakeholder disputes. Originality/value The 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.