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Working with complexity in the context of the United Nations sustainable development goals: a case of global health partnerships

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posted on 2023-06-10, 04:12 authored by Ozgu KarakulakOzgu Karakulak, Lea Stadtler
Multi-stakeholder partnerships (MSPs) have become a major driver to attain the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, managing MSPs is difficult because of the multiple complexities they involve. We seek to contribute to a better understanding of how MSPs cope with these complexities by exploring the MSP scope. In our study of four global health MSPs, we find that a function-oriented scope in terms of focusing on a single intervention helped filter the relevant external and internal complexities, whereas an issue-oriented scope focused on addressing the health issue with multiple interventions magnified the complexities. As a result, the latter MSPs became overwhelmed and selfabsorbed, while the former MSPs managed to remain outward-looking and sustain their collaborative energy and support. On this basis, we identify three mechanisms through which the MSP scope either helped or hampered the ability to cope with complexity, and we discuss the theoretical and practical implications for MSPs addressing the SDGs.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Journal of Business Ethics

ISSN

0167-4544

Publisher

Kluwer Academic Publishers

Page range

1-22

Department affiliated with

  • Strategy and Marketing Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2022-07-06

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2022-08-18

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2022-07-06

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