Partnering for Success: Business Perspectives on Multistakeholder Partnerships

Abstract

In the following pages we look at some of these innovative approaches. Based on this year's survey of participants in the World Economic Forum's Global Corporate Citizenship Initiative (GCCI), the report profiles over 40 diverse partnerships - all of them involving one or more members of the GCCI. Between them, these alliances have engaged thousands of different partners around the world, and leveraged millions of dollars in cash and in-kind resources. The most effective initiatives have mobilized core corporate competencies and are focused on addressing the development challenges that create the greatest risks and opportunities for the participating companies. The message is clear. Multiple stakeholder partnerships are neither easy nor a panacea. They often have high transaction costs and are difficult to establish and sustain. Many are new and untested. Yet, they offer an important new approach that has the potential to drive innovation, improve governance, raise living standards, and provide opportunity to millions of people. They deserve continued support, engagement, and evaluation from business leaders.