The Generativity of Governance Configurations
How Governance Factors Coalesce to Spur Local Green Co‐Creation
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12216612 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Christopher Ansell (0000-0002-7723-1283, University of California, Berkeley), Eva Sørensen (0000-0003-4845-9665, Roskilde University), Jacob Torfing (0000-0002-9627-086X, Roskilde University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 39 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Publication date | 2026-02-20 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Governance (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0952-1895 • E-ISSN: 1468-0491 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1111/gove.70115 |
| OpenAlex | W7130710451 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 37 |
Research shows that interactive and networked governance aiming to co‐create solutions are potent tools for addressing complex problems and that a configurational approach can improve our understanding of how governance conditions combine to produce effective collaboration and innovative results. We argue that the concept of generativity, which refers to social mechanisms that prompt, drive and scaffold co‐creation can complement and improve configurational approaches. To understand how governance factors not only combine but also coalesce into generative social mechanisms spurring co‐creation, we conduct a comparative mixed‐methods case study of local green partnerships in Denmark, South Africa, the U.S., and Vietnam. Based on this analysis, the paper identifies six generic functions of governance generativity: Catalyzing storylines, distributed action models, institutional templates for action, innovation triggers, productive technologies, and leadership creating internal cohesion and public support. Generative mechanisms with these generic functions can be expected to advance the co‐creation of sustainability transitions
Action (physics · Cohesion (chemistry · Corporate governance · Generative grammar · Generativity · Multi-level governance · Sustainability · Management and Organizational Studies · Public Policy and Administration Research · Sustainability and Climate Change Governance
Governing the Commons
Co-Production and Co-Creation
Interactive GovernanceAdvancing the Paradigm
Collaborative Innovation in the Public Sector
Public Governance as Co-creation
Relational public administration
Institutionalization and Structuration
Drivers of collaborative governance for the green transition
Trends and patterns in the application of co-production, co-creation, and co-design methods in studies of green spaces
A Systematic Review of Key Factors of Effective Collaborative Governance of Social-Ecological Systems
Pathways to collaborative performance
Does stakeholder participation improve environmental governance? Evidence from a meta-analysis of 305 case studies
Does Collaboration Make Any Difference? Linking Collaborative Governance to Environmental Outcomes
Analysis of Generative Mechanisms
The Environmental Performance of Participatory and Collaborative Governance
Co-creation
An Integrative Framework for Collaborative Governance
Combining Structure, Governance, and Context
Modes of Network Governance
An agenda for sustainability transitions research
On Generativity and Identity
Collaborative Governance in Theory and Practice
An Ordinal, Concept-driven Approach to Measurement
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |