Introduction to part II

Part II of this Handbook explores the crucial intersection of sustainability governance within global production and innovation networks. This section consists of two chapters that examine how governance mechanisms, both at the firm level and beyond, influence sustainability outcomes in these complex systems. The previous section highlighted the role of innovation within global production and innovation networks. In contrast, this part shifts the focus to sustainability governance, offering a complementary perspective that emphasizes the significance of regulatory frameworks, stakeholder engagement, and multi-level governance structures. By investigating the intricate mechanisms that govern sustainability, the chapters reveal the strategies and practices firms utilize to address environmental, social, and economic challenges in a globally interconnected landscape. One of the most significant complexities discussed is how various actors and scales are interlinked in understanding deforestation. Together, these chapters provide valuable insights for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers interested in sustainability governance. They encourage readers to embrace the global production and innovation networks approach, fostering cross-disciplinary dialogue about the complex connections between governance at multiple scales and sustainability. Thereby, this second part of the handbook contributes to a deeper understanding of how sustainable development can be achieved through coordinated efforts across multiple levels of governance.