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Potential and recognized boundary spanners in multinational corporations

Author

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

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Mäkelä, Kristiina & Barner-Rasmussen, Wilhelm & Ehrnrooth, Mats & Koveshnikov, Alexei, 2019. "Potential and recognized boundary spanners in multinational corporations," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 54(4), pages 335-349.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:worbus:v:54:y:2019:i:4:p:335-349
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jwb.2019.05.001
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    Cited by:

    1. Nyamrunda, Frank Charles & Freeman, Susan, 2021. "Strategic agility, dynamic relational capability and trust among SMEs in transitional economies," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 56(3).
    2. Yang, Jing Yu & Wen, Liang & Volk, Stefan & Lu, Jane Wenzhen, 2022. "Temporal boundaries and expatriate staffing: Effects of parent–subsidiary work-time overlap," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 57(6).
    3. Anne Bartel-Radic & Fabienne Munch, 2023. "Cross-cultural boundary spanning activities in a global team," Post-Print halshs-04148890, HAL.
    4. Bausch, Madeleine & Barmeyer, Christoph & Mayrhofer, Ulrike, 2022. "Facilitating factors in the cross-cultural transfer of management practices: The case of a German multinational in Brazil," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(2).
    5. Smita Prashant Chattopadhyay & Madhuchhanda Das Aundhe, 2021. "Vendor boundary spanning in Indian Information Technology (IT) companies," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 38(3), pages 1139-1177, September.
    6. Klaus E. Meyer & Chengguang Li & Andreas P. J. Schotter, 2020. "Managing the MNE subsidiary: Advancing a multi-level and dynamic research agenda," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 51(4), pages 538-576, June.
    7. Klaus E. Meyer & Chengguang Li & Andreas P. J. Schotter, 0. "Managing the MNE subsidiary: Advancing a multi-level and dynamic research agenda," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 0, pages 1-39.
    8. Celo, Sokol & Lehrer, Mark, 2022. "How much lateral collaboration is optimal? Insights from computer simulations of MNEs as complex adaptive systems," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 57(3).
    9. Kalra, Komal & Danis, Wade, 2024. "Language and identity: The dynamics of linguistic clustering in multinational enterprises," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 59(4).
    10. Julia Backmann & Rouven Kanitz & Amy Wei Tian & Patrick Hoffmann & Martin Hoegl, 2020. "Cultural gap bridging in multinational teams," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 51(8), pages 1283-1311, October.
    11. Ning, Lutao & Guo, Rui & Chen, Kaihua, 2023. "Does FDI bring knowledge externalities for host country firms to develop complex technologies? The catalytic role of overseas returnee clustering structures," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(6).
    12. Westney, D. Eleanor & Piekkari, Rebecca & Koskinen, Kaisa & Tietze, Susanne, 2022. "Crossing borders and boundaries: Translation ecosystems in international business," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(5).
    13. Antolín-López, Raquel & Jerez-Gómez, Pilar & Rengel-Rojas, Susana B., 2022. "Uncovering local communities’ motivational factors to partner with a nonprofit for social impact: A mixed-methods approach," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 564-583.
    14. Fassio, Claudio & Geuna, Aldo & Rossi, Federica, 2023. "‘How do firms reach out to foreign universities? Inventors’ personal characteristics and the multinational structure of firms’," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 58(3).
    15. Tony Edwards & Luda Svystunova & Phil Almond & Philipp Kern & Kyoungmi Kim & Olga Tregaskis, 2022. "Whither national subsidiaries? The need to refocus international management research on structures and processes that matter," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 53(1), pages 203-210, February.

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