Bridging the “consent gap”: mechanisms of legitimization in a cross-border megaproject

Abstract In the recent debate on megaprojects (MPs), greater attention is devoted to functioning of interorganizational and multiactor networks that are one most innovative features in years. The complexity these structures brings out governability issues for an MP’s management. Mutual recognition consent become elements capable inaugurating more collaborative processes practices reduce organizational management criticalities MPs. This paper focuses a neglected relational dimension, namely legitimacy. We argue legitimacy instead central dimension attributes effectiveness capacity action organizations involved. Legitimacy regulates relationship between various organizations—and especially—between public sphere. Institutionalist theory assigns role construction social processes, defining it as generalized form acceptance toward actor, idea, or project. this paper, we hypothesize attributed “held” by stakeholders crucial element countering three critical aspects MPs, uncertainty, complexity, conflict acting consensus quality relationships participating stakeholders. verify our hypothesis analyzing cross-border MP, Fehmarnbelt Fixed Link Germany Denmark. concentrates mechanisms with which can acquire using Eriksen discursive legitimation scheme. These different (evidence-based, participation, legislators’ command) produce outcomes terms increasing containing criticalities.