Formal networks: the influence of social learning in meta-organisations from commons protection to commons governance

• Published in: Knowledge management research & practice Vol. 19; no. 3; pp. 303 - 318
• Main Authors: Corazza, Laura, Cisi, Maurizio, Dumay, John
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 03.07.2021
• Subjects: collective action; Common goods; formal business networks; meta-organisations; social learning
• ISSN: 1477-8238; 1477-8246
• DOI: 10.1080/14778238.2019.1664270

The governance of shared resources through collective actions to prevent "the tragedy of the commons" has long been a controversial topic in management studies. Hampered by a lack of formal organisational structures, small locally-governed commons are usually managed through informal networks and, hence, largely studied in this context. However, Italy's formalised network contracts initiative provides a unique and relatively rare opportunity to study how the business-led collective action of a formal meta-organisation influences the use of commons. Using a mixed-methods qualitative approach, this paper reveals how particular organisational features, especially collaborative and social learning, can play a critical role in driving formal meta-organisations towards positive outcomes in three progressive stages: commons protection, commons stewardship, and commons governance. The analysis is framed by two different streams of literature - meta-organisation theory and sustainability science - with implications for the theory and praxis of both.