In this paper, we investigate how a network of informal intermediaries – including international organizations, consultancies, business alliances, and standard setters – has contributed to the persistence of the universalistic meaning of the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs). Based on our analysis of 26 interviews and 121 online resources produced by the 22 most prominent intermediaries, we find that SDG diffusion is distinct from linear depictions, such as the regulator-intermediary-target model. This is because the intermediary network acts via three dynamic mechanisms that lend to an inclusive meaning of the goals; the core intermediaries lead efforts to make the perspective one that can accommodate a range of different audiences and activities, then intermediaries who subsequently join the network accept that broad perspective. Concomitant to their making or taking of the perspective, each intermediary individually works to retrofit the SDGs onto their unique tools and activities and to create their spot within the network. The combination of perspective making and taking, and retrofitting, propels the persistence of the SDGs as a “North Star” rather than a more specific blueprint for companies.

中文翻译：

---

联合国可持续发展目标作为北极星：中介网络如何制定、接受和改造可持续发展目标的含义

在本文中，我们调查了非正式中介网络——包括国际组织、咨询公司、商业联盟和标准制定者——如何促进联合国可持续发展目标 (SDGs) 的普遍意义的持久性。根据我们对 22 家最知名中介机构制作的 26 次访谈和 121 个在线资源的分析，我们发现可持续发展目标扩散不同于线性描述，例如监管机构-中介机构-目标模型。这是因为中介网络通过三种动态机制发挥作用，这些机制赋予了目标的包容性意义；核心中介带头努力使视角能够适应一系列不同的受众和活动，然后随后加入网络的中介接受这种广泛的视角。伴随着他们的观点的制定或采纳，每个中间人单独致力于将可持续发展目标改造到他们独特的工具和活动中，并在网络中创造他们的位置。观点制定和采纳以及改造相结合，推动了可持续发展目标作为“北极星”而不是更具体的公司蓝图的持久性。