Power(ful) and Power(less): A Review of Power in the ESG–Agency Scholarship

Gerlak, Andrea K.; Eimer, Thomas R.; Brisbois, Marie Claire; Mills‐Novoa, Megan; Schmitz, Luuk; Luimers, Jorrit; Abernethy, Paivi

doi:10.1017/9781108688277.005

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…In response to the increasing awareness that maldistributions of power reinforce unsustainable development pathways, more and more sustainability science research is seriously grappling with the mechanism and impacts of power on development pathways (e.g., 126,[143][144][145]. Yet this literature remains disjointed, failing either to build on itself or to converge around a common theoretical language with which to discuss the mechanisms of power (53). Our review of the core political and sociological approaches to the study of power, as well as more recent work on power and sustainable development, leads us to conclude that future work in sustainability science would be well served to build on an adaptation of a three-dimensional view of power first articulated by Steven Lukes (146).…”

Section: 13mentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainability Science: Toward a Synthesis

Clark

Harley

2020

Annu. Rev. Environ. Resour.

259

163

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This review synthesizes diverse approaches that researchers have brought to bear on the challenge of sustainable development. We construct an integrated framework highlighting the union set of elements and relationships that those approaches have shown to be useful in explaining nature–society interactions in multiple contexts. Compelling evidence has accumulated that those interactions should be viewed as a globally interconnected, complex adaptive system in which heterogeneity, nonlinearity, and innovation play formative roles. The long-term evolution of that system cannot be predicted but can be understood and partially guided through dynamic interventions. Research has identified six capacities necessary to support such interventions in guiding development pathways toward sustainability. These are capacities to ( a) measure sustainable development, ( b) promote equity, ( c) adapt to shocks and surprises, ( d ) transform the system into more sustainable development pathways, ( e) link knowledge with action, and ( f ) devise governance arrangements that allow people to work together in exercising the other capacities. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Environment and Resources, Volume 45 is October 19, 2020. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

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