The importance of an anchored design for cross-sector partnerships in the health sector

Cross-sector partnerships (CSPs) – uniting major actors like the UN and NGOs, together with national and private associations, companies and donors – have emerged in recent years as a new approach to tackle major societal challenges such as ending world hunger and achieving lifelong health and well-being for all. The success of CSP programs, however, is not guaranteed and a number have attracted criticism for their disruptive and destabilizing impact. Research carried out at Grenoble Ecole de Management (GEM) has explored the broader societal impact of CSPs and identified the key role of their design, in particular, with respect to the local health context.