Working with Complexity in the Context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: A Case Study of Global Health Partnerships

Abstract 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 multiple complexities they involve. We seek contribute better understanding how cope with these by exploring MSP scope. In our study four global health MSPs, we find that function-oriented scope in terms focusing on single intervention helped filter relevant external and internal complexities, whereas an issue-oriented focused addressing issue interventions magnified complexities. As result, latter became overwhelmed self-absorbed, while former managed remain outward-looking sustain their collaborative energy support. On this basis, identify three mechanisms through which either or hampered ability complexity, discuss theoretical practical implications for SDGs.