Working Together: A Logical Thing?

Cross-sector social partnerships (CSSPs) are quite broadly viewed as important mechanism to successfully address pressing societal challenges, as the combined efforts of actors from different sectors can lead to innovative solutions and leveraging capacities and reach. However, the varying institutional logics of different actors may also make such partnerships challenging and prone to conflict and failure. In this chapter, we ask how the existence of different institutional logics can encourage and challenge the emergence and functioning of CSSPs. We address this question by discussing drivers, opportunities and challenges related to CSSPs. Based on a literature review and a literature-based case study of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), we suggest that different institutional logics should not be seen as insurmountable obstacles for the implementation of successful CSSPs. Rather, they are important drivers of such endeavors and an important prerequisite for value-creation within these cross-sectoral efforts. However, caution with respect to over-optimistic calls for such partnerships is advised. Even the FSC with its comprehensive governance-mechanisms has experienced significant challenges, and has only been able to meet its objectives to a limited degree.