Global Social Governance As Inter- and Inner-Organisational Relations Between Actors

This paper is concerned with the conceptualisation of global social governance as a matter of inter- and inner-organisational relations between global policy actors.

Global social governance is commonly characterised as a complex and multi-actored process, driven by more or less powerful and legitimate actors. There are significant overlaps in their agencies, as well as they are bound in various (sometimes) overlapping networks and alliances that cross-cut organisational borders. While global social policy actors differ in terms of types and functions, they do not unfold their respective power in isolation from each other. They relate to each other, part of what they do is driven by what ‘others’ do.

The global social policy literature has discussed a number of examples how different global social policy actors, often international organisations, are involved in fighting over ideas; a process that happens both between and within organisations. This paper engages in a rather theoretical discussion about different ways of how the inter- and inner-organisational relationships can be conceptualised and how related interactions can be understood by drawing on a number of disciplines. The paper will reflect on some insight that can be drawn from sociological, organisational and psychological theory to better understand such relationships.