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 comprehensive 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 analysed to determine their driving and dependence powers using interpretive structural modelling. The findings indicate that the lack of guidelines and procedures for coordinated actions, differences in organisational culture (working habits) and funding constraints are the most critical barriers 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.