Boundary spanning and partnership performance: bringing the structural perspective into the game

In partnership work, boundary spanning is crucial for breaking silo thinking and sustaining focus on inter-organizational targets. However, the literature is agency biased and focuses primarily on the role of individual boundary spanners. We present a complementary structural perspective emphasizing...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPublic management review Vol. 26; no. 10; pp. 2776 - 2801
Main Authors Klindt, Mads Peter, Baadsgaard, Kelvin, Jørgensen, Henning
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Abingdon Routledge 02.10.2024
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Subjects
Adult education
boundary spanning
Case studies
case study research
Employment
mixed methods
Partnership
Partnerships
relational bureaucracy
Resource allocation
Support services
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Summary:In partnership work, boundary spanning is crucial for breaking silo thinking and sustaining focus on inter-organizational targets. However, the literature is agency biased and focuses primarily on the role of individual boundary spanners. We present a complementary structural perspective emphasizing resource allocation, formation of coupling competence and institutionalized support from management. The relationship between structures, boundary spanning and partnership performance is examined using a case study of collaboration across Danish adult education, employment and business support services intended to boost training in private firms. Our findings generally affirm the theoretical propositions and illustrate two viable pathways for organizing partnerships.
ISSN:1471-9037
1471-9045
DOI:10.1080/14719037.2023.2197914