Resource-based view of sustainability engagement

This research examines local sustainability planning processes under the label of Local Agenda 21 in Italy from a resource-based view. Two types of resources, municipal (or internal resources) and relational resources, are considered. Relational resources stem from (1) dyadic relationships with higher levels of government and (2) network relationships (municipality-higher level of government-municipality). A model is proposed in which the integration of these resources explains the engagement of municipal authorities with Local Agenda 21-type processes. The model is tested by considering the perceptions of 108 local senior officials and politicians who are in charge of Local Agenda 21 processes in Italy. The respondents account for 31% of the members of a formal Italian Local Agenda 21 network. The results show moderate to low engagement with Local Agenda 21 processes, which is explained by moderate to poor levels of relational resources. Our findings indicate that local authority engagement with Local Agenda 21-type processes requires a systemic perspective, where higher levels of government and municipalities integrate and combine their resources and create new purposefully led resources through regular and intense interactions.