Specific considerations for research on the effectiveness of multisectoral collaboration: methods and lessons from 12 country case studies

Abstract

Background The success of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is predicated on multisectoral collaboration (MSC), and the COVID-19 pandemic makes it more urgent to learn how this can be done better. Complex challenges facing countries, such as COVID-19, cut across health, education, environment, financial and other sectors. Addressing these challenges requires the range of responsible sectors and intersecting services – across health, education, social and financial protection, economic development, law enforcement, among others – transform the way they work together towards shared goals. While the necessity of MSC is recognized, research is needed to understand how sectors collaborate, inform how to do so more efficiently, effectively and equitably, and ascertain similarities and differences across contexts. To answer these questions and inform practice, research to strengthen the evidence-base on MSC is critical. Methods This paper draws on a 12-country study series on MSC for health and sustainable development, in the context of the health and rights of women, children and adolescents. It is written by core members of the research coordination and country teams. Issues were analyzed during the study period through ‘real-time’ discussions and structured reporting, as well as through literature reviews and retrospective feedback and analysis at the end of the study. Results We identify four considerations that are unique to MSC research which will be of interest to other researchers, in the context of COVID-19 and beyond: 1) use theoretical frameworks to frame research questions as relevant to all sectors and to facilitate theoretical generalizability and evolution; 2) specifically incorporate sectoral analysis into MSC research methods; 3) develop a core set of research questions, using mixed methods and contextual adaptations as needed, with agreement on criteria for research rigor; and 4) identify shared indicators of success and failure across sectors to assess MSCs. Conclusion In responding to COVID-19 it is evident that effective MSC is an urgent priority. It enables partners from diverse sectors to effectively convene to do more together than alone. Our findings have practical relevance for achieving this objective and contribute to the growing literature on partnerships and collaboration. We must seize the opportunity here to identify remaining knowledge gaps on how diverse sectors can work together efficiently and effectively in different settings to accelerate progress towards achieving shared goals.

Examining Intersectoral Action as an Approach to Implementing Multistakeholder Collaborations to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals

“…Other applied governance and policy theories include actor-network theory in neighbourhood commitees in Montreal, Canada [ 42 , 43 ] and municipal-level planning and governance processes in Norway and Denmark [ 44 , 45 ]. More empirical applications of governance and policy theories to explain the rise of intersectoral action as a dominant approach to tackling complex problems are needed, given the attention to intersectoral action as a mode of operating to achieve the SDGs [ 46 , 47 ].…”

“…While empirical case studies form the majority of IA research, there is a growing body of conceptual literature that attempts to gather the lessons of successful collaborations to create models of how to create and sustain intersectoral action (see [ 23 ]). Recent work also calls for more attention to the role of power relations, dynamics and power asymmetries in collaborations, the variety of governance and other theoretical frameworks that are used, and the development of indicators to measure collaboration that could be transferable across contexts (see 1 [ 6 , 17 , 46 , 47 , 51 ]).…”

Reform of Maternal and Child Health Services During the Covid-19 Pandemic: Is It Necessary?

“…The three keys that maintain maternally and child health services form the basis for the ministry of health in Indonesia to ensure health services' sustainability during the COVID 19 pandemic. Various strategies can be implemented, such as 1) capacity building to support health workers, especially for local health workers who are difficult to access and stay in a remote area; 2) increasing knowledge about health services; 3) involving the community to increase the utilization of maternal and child health which are essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic (13); and 4) Cross-sectoral cooperation to understand the collaboration between sectors, to carry out activities more efficiently, effectively and fairly and to ensure equality and differences across contexts (20).…”

What innovations can address inequalities experienced by women and girls due to the COVID-19 pandemic across the different areas of life/domains: work, health, living standards, personal security, participation and education?

“…To protect women from abusive partners, health and social care professionals (i.e., social workers, psychologists, therapists) could benefit from specialised training to empower women in coping strategies and utilising available services (Chatzifotiou & Andreadou, 2021). In addition, smartphone applications can make it easier for women to access services and document abuse in a safe, secure, and legally admissible way (Hinton et al, 2021).…”