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The Migration of Organizational Functions to the Work Unit Level: Buffering, Spanning, and Bringing Up Boundaries

Aimin Yan

Boston University, School of Management, Boston, Massachusetts 02215

Meryl Reis Louis

Boston University, School of Management, Boston, Massachusetts 02215

In this paper, we propose that the locus of organizational boundary activities has migrated from the organization to the work unit level as enterprises reengineer structures, increase the use of cross-functional teams, cut organizational slack and adopt advanced information technologies. From an open systems perspective, we examine how environmental and organizational forces affect this migration process. Three types of boundary activity relevant for work units are identified: buffering, spanning, and bringing up boundaries. A set of preliminary propositions regarding relationships between environmental and organizational changes and boundary activities is offered as a guide for future research.

Key Words: boundary activities • open systems • work units

Human Relations, Vol. 52, No. 1, 25-47 (1999)
DOI: 10.1177/001872679905200103
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