The Role of Urgency in Forming Cross-Sector Collaborations to Address Environmental Sustainability in the U.S.

Abstract

Recognizing that the U.S. has failed to formulate and implement an integrated national strategy addressing environmental sustainability and energy conservation, this paper proposes cross-sector collaboration among the business, government, and nonprofit sectors as a necessary approach. This paper draws on institutional theory to explain differences among the sectors, and the challenges posed in forming cross-sector collaboration. Scenarios of sustainability initiatives are presented along with potential inhibitors to explain barriers posed by inter- and intra-sector institutional differences. This paper proposes that prolonged urgency, supported by ongoing turbulent conditions economically, socially, and environmentally, is necessary to form cross-sector collaboration at a supraorganizational level.