Cross-sector partnerships in disaster risk management: A case study in Ghana

Abstract

Cross-sector partnerships are increasingly relied upon to solve societal problems. This development can also be observed in the field of disaster risk management (DRM), where the role of the private sector has grown substantially in the past years. As the business world is also undergoing constant changes the interface between traditional DRM actors and the private sector is still to be fully explored. Focusing on the emergence of inclusive business models and the increasing importance of knowledge-based services in today’s economy, this research adopted a case study approach to explore the underlying dynamics of a partnership between traditional DRM actors and the private sector. To achieve the research objective a multi-method approach was chosen, combining qualitative data collected through semi-structured interviews and quantitative data collected via an online survey. The results revealed that challenges identified in existing literature on cross-sector partnerships apply, but that there is an overall alignment of organisational goals and values between the field of DRM, knowledge-based services and the inclusive business model. At the same time, new challenges arise due to the intrinsic nature of these types of partnerships. Having identified the dominant aspects underlying said partnerships, a conceptual framework was developed to help facilitate their success in the future.

Popular Abstract

We are currently seeing a global increase in disaster frequency and intensity as well as the number of affected people. This trend is expected to continue as climate change and rising socio-economic inequalities take their course. In times of globalisation, our world is also becoming too interconnected to solely rely on national states to successfully deal with the disasters they are facing. This is especially true for developing countries whose population is often struggling to meet their basic needs on a daily basis and who are highly vulnerable to hazards.
In response to that trend, collaborative efforts between different sectors in society are increasingly relied upon to meet the existing needs and challenges our society is facing today. Because of that traditional disaster risk management (DRM) actors are looking to enter partnerships with the private sector, which they see as a source of knowledge and information. As a consequence of this development, the role of the private sector in DRM has indeed grown over the past years. However, both DRM actors and the private sector are still having trouble understanding each other and are unsure of how to work together effectively. This problem is amplified by constant changes in the business world such as the emergence of social and inclusive business models in the field of development and DRM.

This research therefore investigates the underlying dynamics of these types of partnerships as well as their benefits and challenges. In order to inform the research question, 12 interviews with informants from the private sector and the humanitarian and development sector as well as an online questionnaire were conducted.

The results of the research revealed that, in general, all involved parties demonstrate a high willingness to enter partnerships as these are seen as a way to address a common problem to society in an efficient and effective manner. However, it is to note that certain challenges need to be overcome for this type of partnerships to be successful. These challenges are often linked to the fact that the private sector in general, and inclusive businesses specifically, rely on innovation and the use of novel technologies. This may pose a challenge to the private sector that needs to prove to their potential partner that the service they are offering is indeed functional, reliable and trustworthy. The aspect of trust appears to be especially important as this research indicated that the existing level of trust between partners determines to a certain degree how well a partnership is functioning.

Regardless of these challenges, this research further indicated that the role and influence of inclusive business models is likely to grow in the field of DRM as they are positively perceived by traditional DRM actors and are, in certain cases, even actively pursued as potential partners.

The results of this research have been illustrated as part of a framework which can be used to facilitate a greater understanding and more efficient collaboration between these actors throughout a partnership, ranging from stakeholder mapping to implementation. In turn, this may lead to more successful cross-sector partnerships and increased involvement of a wider variety of actors, contributing to building resilient societies.

• author: Karlsson, Johanna and Kotzlowski, Anja
• supervisor: Mo Hamza
• organization: Division of Risk Management and Societal Safety
• course: VBRM15 20181
• year: 2018
• type: H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
• subject: Science General
• keywords: Disaster risk management, private sector, cross-sector partnerships, knowledge-based services, inclusive business, framework, collaboration
• language: English
• id: 8952251
• date added to LUP: 2018-08-10 13:10:33
• date last changed: 2018-08-10 13:10:33