B2N Partnerships – Nested Systems of Transformation and Interaction: A Systematic Literature Review

As different sectors possess distinct and idiosyncratic resources, partnerships between business and nonprofit organizations (B2N) allow solutions to be found to challenges that are too complex to be handled alone. Accordingly, such partnerships form an integral part of the United Nations sustainable development agenda and have resulted in a series of research projects over the last decade that now requires to be systematized. For this reason, the present paper reviews the existing literature concerning B2N partnerships and aims at developing an integrated research agenda. The review's focus is to identify the determinants enabling a successful partnership between for-profit and nonprofit actors. To this end, we develop a dyadic framework, postulating that B2N partnerships are nested systems of transformation and interaction. The transformation-based perspective allows us to consider the partnership process and the associated transformation of inputs into outputs. By complementing this view with an interaction-based perspective, we shed light on the interrelationships between the institutional, organizational, individual, and partnership levels. Such a comprehensive, integrated analysis enables us to holistically capture the B2N’s manifold challenges and success factors. Accordingly, the article concludes by delineating a theory-grounded framework combining the critical determinants to build and maintain an alliance on diverse analysis levels.