Improving the governance of information technology: Insights from the history of Internet governance

Governance of the Internet is a matter global importance and concern. The multi-stakeholder (MS) multilateral (ML) forms have been presented as two competing plausible models governance. Drawing on actor–network theory (ANT) building an interpretive case study rich archival data, this paper examines how focal actor’s (i.e. U.S. government’s) beliefs influence choice governance form. It further explores strategies actor to translate interests ML network’s supporters, with view enrolling them in MS network. analysis shows has established form through Corporation for Assigned Names Numbers (ICANN) Obligatory Passage Point keep successfully operational. also illuminates combination structural collaborative employed allay growing dissatisfaction suggests that whilst protocols technical standards are increasingly relegated background, social political network artefacts draw together meta-form grown prominence. argues there may be hierarchy beliefs, which actors enact their translation strategies. Finally, discusses parallels between MS/ML IT organizational contexts.