Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book discusses the aspects of governance, sustainability and globalisation, which covers both problem areas in further depth, and sets the stage for the following contributions. It points out that participation is one of the main implicit pillars for institutional reform. The book presents a short overview of the positions of and processes within three main groups of actors in governance processes: the state, companies and civil society. It demonstrates how the modern nation-state can start to influence business actors in areas where legislation is not a viable option. The book emphasises that state actors have to adopt a new way of thinking, co-operating and acting in a strategic and anticipative pattern, using innovation as transmission mechanism for market transformations.