ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that restrictive guidelines, poorly adapted procedures and lack of management action in support of partnership may have their root in negative attitudes and perceptual stereotypes of United Nations (UN) staff toward the business sector. W. Reinicke and J. M. Witte explain that the key challenge for the UN is to move to a more systemic partnership approach which entails adapting the organisation by changing processes and attitudes. From interviews, the general view of practitioners shows that UN staff have become more willing to collaborate with business and more accepting of corporate contributions. Survey responses indicate that just over two-thirds of UN staff actually do believe that the business community can share UN values. ‘Achieving UN goals’ and ‘business having a rightful role in addressing societal problems to provide for future market stability’ come in at distant second and third place, respectively, when considering reasons for the business community to partner with the UN.
