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Governing Sustainability: A Discourse-Institutional Approach

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  • Audley Genus

    (Kingston Business School, Kingston University, Kingston Hill, Kingston upon Thames, KT2 7LB, UK)

Abstract

The paper considers problems and possibilities connected with governing and realising the “transition to sustainability”—or at least to a more deeply resilient energy system. Conceptually its focus is on neo-institutional analysis and critical discourse analysis and the development of a discourse-institutional perspective. The first strand of the paper outlines the limitations of and potential insights into the governance of sustainability transitions that may be derived from adopting an approach based on a more thoroughgoing appreciation and application of work in sociology on neo-institutional theory. The second strand of the paper concerns discourse, recognising the role of text, discursive practice and social structures in framing the possibilities considered available and legitimate for governance. The two strands are brought together in a discourse-institutionalist framework, an approach that is illustrated by a case study of microgeneration in the UK. The paper’s conclusion makes suggestions regarding the conduct of future research employing the proposed approach, and for furthering our understanding of issues connected with the governance of sustainability transitions.

Suggested Citation

  • Audley Genus, 2014. "Governing Sustainability: A Discourse-Institutional Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(1), pages 1-23, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:6:y:2014:i:1:p:283-305:d:31892
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    Cited by:

    1. Andrés Navarro-Galera & Mercedes Ruiz-Lozano & Pilar Tirado-Valencia & Araceli de los Ríos-Berjillos, 2017. "Promoting Sustainability Transparency in European Local Governments: An Empirical Analysis Based on Administrative Cultures," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-20, March.
    2. Genus, Audley & Iskandarova, Marfuga, 2018. "Responsible innovation: its institutionalisation and a critique," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 1-9.
    3. Audley Genus, 2016. "Institutions, discourses, and the promotion of renewable energy," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 5(1), pages 119-124, January.
    4. Genus, A. & Iskandarova, M., 2020. "Transforming the energy system? Technology and organisational legitimacy and the institutionalisation of community renewable energy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    5. Vincenzo Formisano & Bernardino Quattrociocchi & Maria Fedele & Mario Calabrese, 2018. "From Viability to Sustainability: The Contribution of the Viable Systems Approach (VSA)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-17, March.
    6. Ambika Zutshi & Andrew Creed & Brian L. Connelly, 2018. "Education for Sustainable Development: Emerging Themes from Adopters of a Declaration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-15, December.
    7. Isoaho, Karoliina & Karhunmaa, Kamilla, 2019. "A critical review of discursive approaches in energy transitions," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 930-942.
    8. Lisa-Britt Fischer & Jens Newig, 2016. "Importance of Actors and Agency in Sustainability Transitions: A Systematic Exploration of the Literature," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(5), pages 1-21, May.
    9. Raquel Fernández González & María Elena Arce Fariña & María Dolores Garza Gil, 2019. "Resolving Conflict between Parties and Consequences for Foreign Direct Investment: The Repsol-YPF Case in Argentina," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-16, October.
    10. Genus, Audley & Mafakheri, Fereshteh, 2014. "A neo-institutional perspective of supply chains and energy security: Bioenergy in the UK," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 307-315.
    11. Camilla Chlebna & Jannika Mattes, 2024. "This paper explores the dynamics that result in the entrenched positions that can be empirically observed in regions in the context of energy transition. We conduct our analysis along the concept of s," GEIST - Geography of Innovation and Sustainability Transitions 2024(01), GEIST Working Paper Series.
    12. Yanjun Guo & Yansui Liu & Qi Wen & Yurui Li, 2014. "The Transformation of Agricultural Development towards a Sustainable Future from an Evolutionary View on the Chinese Loess Plateau: A Case Study of Fuxian County," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(6), pages 1-25, June.

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