Intermediation and Field Building: The Case of Social (Enterprise) Procurement in Australia

This thesis contributes to understanding more about intermediaries – organisations that sit in between things and help innovation happen. New institutional theory was applied to examine an intermediary developing a marketplace where positive social and environmental outcomes can occur through business transactions in Victoria, Australia. Findings from 43 semi-structured interviews were thematically analysed and cross-checked with secondary data. The intermediary was found to be performing four core roles concurrently: Gatekeeper; Activist; Conductor; and Educator. A model of intermediation is presented featuring: two-way relationships; organisations and individual people acting independently of the intermediary; and collaboration between intermediaries.