Critical Connections: Understanding the Complexities of Cross-Sector Collaborations for Transformative Social Impact

Shikha Upadhyaya and H. Rika Houston

Journal of the Association for Consumer Research, 2026, vol. 11, issue 1, 95 - 109

Abstract: This article examines the complexities of cross-sector collaborations by analyzing how the interplay of different collaborative components can facilitate or impede a “healthy” cross-sector collaboration. We gather insights from in-depth interviews with experienced stakeholders with over 130 years of collective experience in developing, implementing, and evaluating cross-sector collaborations across various social issues (affordable housing, intergenerational poverty, education, behavioral health, healthcare, immigration, human trafficking) to enhance the well-being of vulnerable and underrepresented populations. Using a dynamic systems perspective, we offer theoretical and practical insights to transformative consumer researchers and multiple stakeholders to foster sustainable collaborations to enhance equity and social justice for a collective impact.

Date: 2026
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