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Collaborative Governance for Social Change and Environmental Sustainability: A Case Study of Campania Region

Author

Listed:
  • Zubair Ahmad

    (Department of Law, Economy, Management and Quantitative Methods (DEMM), University of Sannio, Piazza Guerrazzi, 82100 Benevento, Italy)

  • Paolo Esposito

    (Department of Business and Economic Studies; University of Naples Parthenope, 80133 Naples, Italy)

Abstract

The emphasis on collaborative governance and effective leadership to bring any social change is gaining prominence among researchers. This study investigates how leadership and collaborative governance can drive social change in waste management in Campania, using a qualitative, multi-site case study approach. Interviews of relevant politicians, public managers, citizens, waste management organizations and academics were conducted (2023–2024). This research uses the lens of multiple theoretical frameworks such as collaborative governance, network agency, public value framework and transformational leadership to explore different dynamics of the research such as stakeholder engagement, public value creation and leadership effectiveness in waste management. Moreover, several obstacles in the way of achieving social change in Campania concerning waste management and environmental sustainability are identified. The findings of this study added to the theoretical understanding of collaborative governance and social change through the demonstration of how transformational leadership, stakeholder participation and trust-based relationships drive good waste management while identifying structural limitations such as corruption and organized crime that hindered governance. Practically, it highlights five interconnected themes from interviews of leadership that civic leaders and managers must establish to promote positive social change: Difficulties in leadership effectiveness, civic potential unused, media mobilization, hope for a miracle and stakeholder engagement diversification. The public value framework is used to analyze the potential role of leadership in bringing change in society. The research findings are replicable and can be applied to a similar set of circumstances. This study advances existing research by addressing the gap in understanding how collaborative governance and transformational leadership can be integrated to tackle waste management and environmental sustainability challenges. The findings can be applied to other regions facing similar governance challenges, making it relevant for global sustainability efforts. Italy’s government has green-lighted projects to make these activities more visible while downplaying their negative impacts on the environment and public health.

Suggested Citation

  • Zubair Ahmad & Paolo Esposito, 2025. "Collaborative Governance for Social Change and Environmental Sustainability: A Case Study of Campania Region," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-20, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jadmsc:v:15:y:2025:i:6:p:217-:d:1670708
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Malinauskaite, J. & Jouhara, H. & Czajczyńska, D. & Stanchev, P. & Katsou, E. & Rostkowski, P. & Thorne, R.J. & Colón, J. & Ponsá, S. & Al-Mansour, F. & Anguilano, L. & Krzyżyńska, R. & López, I.C. & , 2017. "Municipal solid waste management and waste-to-energy in the context of a circular economy and energy recycling in Europe," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 2013-2044.
    2. repec:osf:socarx:qjcuv_v1 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Di Foggia, Giacomo & Beccarello, Massimo, 2021. "Designing waste management systems to meet circular economy goals: The Italian case," SocArXiv qjcuv, Center for Open Science.
    4. Barbara C. Crosby & John M. Bryson, 2018. "Why leadership of public leadership research matters: and what to do about it," Public Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(9), pages 1265-1286, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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