Global Futures Initiative

Strategic collaboration across sectors is a necessary solution to complex development challenges. Collaboration is desired by governments, required by funders and recommended by policymakers. It is an essential component of creating scalable public-private partnerships with the goal of strengthening systems. Most development fields attempt to work across sectors, memorializing these activities through various types of documentation such as contracts and memoranda of understanding.  However, an adequate level of research focus has not supported these activities, and therein lies the challenge. Without research to help measure and report outcomes related to collaboration development, we fall short of our goals.

So why has the systematic study of intersectoral collaboration lagged behind the practice? The existing literature highlights that this type of research is extremely complex—even difficult. It requires a challenge-focused approach, with a statement of the challenge that transcends routine and technical boundaries. It requires researchers to bring together organizations providing services, relevant Ministry and city administration offices, community organizations, and the individuals affected. It necessitates process and relationship measurements that hold researchers and program administrators accountable to all of the stakeholders—as well as accountable for creating a shift in understanding among the program participants, about how one evolves a strategy across sectors. It requires building on local processes and existing resources to incorporate an implementation-focused approach. It requires evolving and appreciating new forms of leadership and organization.

Despite these challenges, we must meet the need for comprehensive research on intersectoral collaboration. The developing country literature has expanded dramatically with hundreds of empirical and theoretical articles published in the last 10 years. These new models respond to the urgent need to meet critical requirements articulated by funders and policymakers.  We owe this level of attention to developing countries, to better understand the big picture—what works, for whom, in what context, and why. Our next great development challenge is to highlight and address this crucial knowledge gap.

Jessica Kritz is an assistant research professor in the Institute for Reproductive Health and Conflict Resolution Program.