Potential and recognized boundary spanners in multinational corporations

Kristiina Mäkelä, Wilhelm Barner-Rasmussen, Mats Ehrnrooth, Alexei Koveshnikov

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

41 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Boundary spanners play an important role in multinational corporations (MNC), yet it is unclear who these valuable individuals are and why certain individuals, and not others, perform this role. We advance a ‘recognition’ perspective based on whether and how relevant others on both sides on the boundary experience positive impact. A dynamic integrated mixed method analysis of 118 individuals involved in headquarters-subsidiary interactions in four MNCs, shows that only a minority are ‘recognized boundary spanners’, experienced by others to positively impact intergroup relations. We identify different categories and mechanisms of recognition, and make a methodological contribution by integrating qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Original languageEnglish
Peer-reviewed scientific journalJournal of World Business
Volume54
Issue number4
Pages (from-to)335-349
Number of pages15
ISSN1090-9516
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15.05.2019
MoE publication typeA1 Journal article - refereed

Keywords

  • 512 Business and Management
  • Boundary spanning
  • Recognition
  • In-group
  • Out-group
  • Mixed methodology
  • Multinational corporations

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