Call for Papers

In a society marked by complex problems with global impacts, such as natural disasters, migration, wars, and pandemics, the solutions proposed to such problems will be complex and global too. It follows, then, that tackling such issues may require going beyond the actions of one single organization or government, and engage a broad and diverse set of actors. Meta-organizations can be found in the shape of trade associations, business groups, and alliances (Berkowitz & Bor, 2018), in the public sphere (Zyzak & Jacobsen, 2019), or through cross-sectoral partnerships. In other words, meta-organizations per se, can be understood as a collection of actors, and this sub-theme deals with the role meta-organizations play in a modern and global society, facing complex challenges.
 
For instance, a growing number of studies have emphasized that these organizations are capable of addressing grand challenges, such as ocean protection, solutions for the Amazon forest, dissemination of sustainability, and the combat of the climate crisis (Chaudhury et al., 2016; Berkowitz et al., 2020; Fernandes & Lopes, 2022). This helps us to understand the multiplication of meta-organizations in contemporary society, but still leaves open a broad set of questions about this very important organizational form. For example, on the one hand, meta-organization might be a viable solution to complex problems because they have the ability to assemble a broad set of interests and actors. But, on the other hand, meta-organizations are also fragile and considerably “weaker” than their individual-based counterparts. They are dependent on their members to a larger extent than traditional formal organizations and are often scarce in resources.
 
This sub-theme invites papers addressing the role of meta-organizations in society, especially in relation to complex and global challenges. Papers might be guided by, but not limited to, questions such as:

• Under what conditions might meta-organizations provide solutions to articulated problems in society? What part do geographical, cultural, historical and political conditions play?

• How can we explain failures of meta-organizations? Theoretical and/or methodological takes on this issue are encouraged.

• Meta-organizations might be viewed as alternatives to other actors in society, such as states or traditional firms and business. Meta-organizations might also be regarded as complements to other actors, emerging in “voids” where states or firms will not or cannot act. We welcome papers discussing and developing knowledge on the relation between meta-organizations and other actors, encouraging papers discussing meta-organizations as political or non-political actors, and what might determine their (non)political roles.

• If meta-organizations are to be viewed as societal actors, how do they mirror or represent society? Papers are welcome to extend analysis on meta-organization’s internal structures and process, from the perspective of them being societal in their role.

References

• Berkowitz, H., & Bor, S. (2018): “Why meta-organizations matter: A Response to Lawton et al. and Spillman.” Journal of Management Inquiry, 27 (2), 204–211.

• Berkowitz, H., Crowder, L.B., & Brooks, C. M. (2020): “Organizational perspectives on sustainable ocean governance: A multi-stakeholder, meta-organization model of collective action.” Marine Policy, 118, 104026.
• Chaudhury, A.S., et al. (2016): “Emerging Metaorganisations and Adaptation to Global Climate Change: Evidence from Implementing Adaptation in Nepal, Pakistan and Ghana.” Global Environmental Change, 38, 243–257.
• Fernandes, J.A.L., & Lopes, F.D. (2022): “Matrioskas na Floresta – Uma Agenda de Pesquisa sobre Metaorganizações na Amazônia.” NAU Social, 13 (24), art. 24.
• Zyzak, B., & Jacobsen, D.I. (2019): “External managerial networking in meta- organizations. Evidence from regional councils in Norway.” Public Management Review, 22 (9), 1347–1367.
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