Convening Stakeholder Networks A New Way of Thinking, Being and Engaging

A growing number of companies are convening stakeholder networks to address complex sustainability and corporate responsibility issues. The role of network convenor is new for most companies, and it involves different ways of thinking, being and engaging beyond the more traditional approaches to managing bilateral stakeholder relationships. In this paper we describe how three companies established successful networks and then explore the mind-set, skill sets and engagement processes that are required to build and sustain multi-stakeholder networks. The paper draws on theory and research related to complex adaptive systems, collective learning and whole-system change. l Stakeholder l Engagement l Networks l Collective learning l Whole system change

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