1. University of Geneva
International Organizations
Management
Public Private Partnerships Lecture 4 of 4:
What does partnering in PPPs imply
for the International Organization?
Dr. Lea Stadtler and Prof. Gilbert Probst, University of Geneva, HEC

2. University of Geneva
If you plan on engaging in a PPP:
Is your organization sufficiently
prepared?

3. University of Geneva
Preparing the International Organization
Consider the organization’s
§ Vision and purpose
§ Time and capacity
§ Internal support capacity
§ (Welcoming) culture

4. University of Geneva
Selecting a Suitable PPP
Source: Logsdon, 1991; Berger et al., 2004
The area of involvement:
§ Organizational interests and
strategic relevance
§ Ability to contribute
§ Willingness and
commitment
Suitable partners:
§ Strategic fit
§ Operational fit and
complementary resources
§ Reputation
§ Cultural fit
àAnticipate tension!

5. University of Geneva
What role does the International
Organization want to adopt?
§ being a partner
§ being an initiator
§ being a facilitator

6. University of Geneva
Adopting a Brokering Role
Source: Stadtler & Probst, 2012
§ Bring together the different players
§ Act as mediator and facilitator
§ Act as learning catalyst
When to take a brokering role?
… if the partners lack access to relevant networks
… in the absence of trusting relationships
… if the partners have limited experience with PPPs
Broker organizations
§ Independent professionals contracted by PPP / one partner
§ No “full” partner / role of a consultant and facilitator

7. University of Geneva
Time for Reflection:
Why do you think International
Organizations are often well-suited to
initiate a PPP and bring together
important stakeholders?

8. University of Geneva
What do PPPs mean for you as an
individual ?

9. University of Geneva
Becoming a PPP Champion
Source: Tennyson, 2003; Waddock, 2010
Leadership in PPPs
à maintaining good relationships and enhancing trust, respect
à leaders need to be patient, open, fair, and knowledgeable
à boundary spanners and system-thinking
A Partnership Champion
An individual who promotes the partnership using his or her
personal / professional reputation and / or role to give the
partnership greater authority or profile.
(See Ros Tennyson, 2003)

10. University of Geneva
Final Exercise:
Select and analyze a PPP in your environment
in which an International Organization is
involved:
1. Who are the other partners?
2. What is the PPP’s goal?
3. What are the benefits and challenges of the
PPP approach in this example?
We invite you to send us a one-pager on your selected PPP
(please use the course email address)

11. University of Geneva
§ Berger, I., Cunningham, P. H., & Drumwright, M. E. (2004). Social Alliances: Company/nonprofit
collaboration. California Management Review, 47(1), 58–90.
§ Logsdon, J. M. (1991). Interests and Interdependence in the Formation of Social Problem-Solving
Collaborations. Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 27(1), 23–37.
§ Stadtler, L., & Probst, G. (2012). How Broker Organizations Can Facilitate Public-Private
Partnerships for Development. European Management Journal, 30(1), 32-46.
§ Waddock, S. A. (2010). From Individual to Institution: On Making the World Different. Journal of
Business Ethics, 94(S1), 9–12.
References