Modeling the barriers to multistakeholder collaboration for COVID-19 pandemic response: evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa

The aim of this study is to develop a model describing the interactions and interdependence between the obstacles to effective implementation of a collaborative model of pandemic preparedness and response. A com- prehensive review of the relevant literature highlighted 15 key variables. The contextual interactions between these barrier variables were identified based on the opinions of experts with COVID-19 pandemic experience and analyzed to determine their driving and dependence powers using inter- pretive structural modeling. The findings indicate that the lack of guide- lines and procedures for coordinated actions, differences in organizational culture (working habits) and funding constraints are the most critical bar- riers to effective multi-stakeholder collaboration. Managers of collaborative programmes, policymakers and researchers should carefully focus on these hindrances because any improvement in them can significantly affect the overall system.