Social sustainability for whom? Developing an analytical approach through a tripartite collaboration

Purpose Social sustainability is a concept frequently referred to in public debates concerning how to construct the governance of future societies. The interpretations of its meaning, however, are ambiguous, and practices often dubious. Confronting top-down technocratic governance structures, this p...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	The journal of workplace learning Vol. 35; no. 6; pp. 524 - 539
Main Authors:	Sunnemark, Fredrik, Gahnström, Emil, Rudström, Hedvig, Karlsson, Erika, Assmo, Per
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Bradford Emerald Publishing Limited 17-08-2023 Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Subjects:	Arbetsintegrerat lärande Citizen participation Collaboration Democracy Educational Cooperation Empowerment Foreign Countries Governance Higher Education Institutionalism Language Skills Learning Activities Learning Processes Local Government Policy Formation Social Influences Social life & customs Social sustainability Society Spatial analysis Sustainability Sustainable Development Urban development Urban planning Work Integrated Learning Workplace Learning Sweden Co-creation of knowledge Social sustainability Time-spatial method of analysis Governance Work-integrated learning Tripartite collaboration
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Summary:	Purpose Social sustainability is a concept frequently referred to in public debates concerning how to construct the governance of future societies. The interpretations of its meaning, however, are ambiguous, and practices often dubious. Confronting top-down technocratic governance structures, this paper aims to argue for for tripartite collaborations between residents, higher education institutions (HEIs) and local government, as an approach toward social sustainability that involves residents’ interests in local governance. Design/methodology/approach This study argues that a specific time-spatial method of analysis can benefit the co-creation of knowledge as it passes through the spectrum of resident–HEI–local government. It provides a way for resident perceptions to become structured knowledge that originates from the residents, effectively engendering a bottom-up governance structure. Findings This study shows how to include residents in policymaking and implementation processes as co-creators of knowledge, and thereby displays the possibility of examining knowledge and competence within municipal projects for social sustainability. Originality/value The model developed in this study can be used as a methodological instrument to analyze and expand resident participation in local social sustainability work. It thereby provides a toolbox for inclusive policymaking and strategies.
ISSN:	1366-5626 1758-7859 1366-5626 1758-7859
DOI:	10.1108/JWL-01-2023-0004