The Power to Change: Conceptualising Systemic Change Towards Sustainability in Business Networks

ABSTRACT Sustainability advancement requires systemic changes in business networks of interconnected firms. Given the rapid need and complexity of instigating such transitions, the power to influence the networked actors emerges as a central concept. This study generates an understanding of the developments behind systemic change for sustainability within industrial networks by examining business actors' perceptions of power dynamics. Through an empirical exploration of case networks in construction, shipbuilding, electronics and textile industries, we uncover six sources of structural power and three behavioural uses of such power as constituents of the perceived power dynamics in systemic change towards sustainability. Moreover, we identify the ways in which these power dynamics can change networks and, consequently, amplify the progress towards sustainability or, contrarily, hinder it. This research contributes to sustainability studies by extending knowledge on the sources and implications of power within business networks' systemic change towards sustainability, and presents practical suggestions for business executives, policymakers and researchers.