Public involvement in business planning, the Mistik experience

Abstract

There has been a great tendency within academia, indeed within society as a whole, to compartmentalize disciplines into areas of specialized isolation. Hence, we tend to deal with social issues in isolation from environmental issues, in isolation from economic issues. As a result of this artificial separation we see to resign ourselves to the inevitability that because of these conflicting, irreconcilable differences, social, environmental and economic issues will remain isolated. This does not mean that the linkages between the spheres are not recognized, on the contrary, the complexity of the relationship is recognized, what is missing is a mechanism to deal with it. It may, however, be possible to bring together the disparate goals and objectives of economy, society and environment through the act of planning. While not perfect, a participatory planning process at least provides a forum through which the various groups, perspectives and interests can try and set a course for development that recognizes, and takes into consideration, conflicting goals.

The great hurdle to this is for private business interests to see the inclusion of non-traditional participants (the public and interest groups) as being in the best interests of the corporation. This discussion will seek to outline under what conditions businesses are most likely to engage in participatory management practices and how public policy and public decision-making can help create these conditions.