Research Article

Beyond boundary spanners: The ‘collective bridge’ as an efficient interunit structure for transferring collective knowledge

  1. Zheng Jane Zhao1,*,
  2. Jaideep Anand2

Article first published online: 4 APR 2013

DOI: 10.1002/smj.2080

Additional Information

How to Cite

Zhao, Z. J. and Anand, J. (2013), Beyond boundary spanners: The ‘collective bridge’ as an efficient interunit structure for transferring collective knowledge. Strat. Mgmt. J.. doi: 10.1002/smj.2080

Author Information

  1. 1

    School of Business, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, U.S.A.

  2. 2

    Fisher College of Business, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A.

*Correspondence to: Zheng Jane Zhao, School of Business, University of Kansas, 1300 Sunnyside Ave., Lawrence, KS 66045, U.S.A. E-mail: janezhao@ku.edu

Publication History

  1. Article first published online: 4 APR 2013
  2. Accepted manuscript online: 31 JAN 2013 07:42AM EST
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 15 NOV 2012
  4. Manuscript Revised: 14 NOV 2012
  5. Manuscript Received: 13 MAR 2012

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Keywords:

  • knowledge transfer;
  • collective knowledge;
  • complexity;
  • boundary spanners;
  • collective bridge;
  • organizational structures

This research introduces a framework for selecting efficient interunit structures in facilitating the transfer of knowledge with different levels of complexity. We argue that while the boundary spanner structure is efficient for transferring discrete knowledge, it is inadequate for transferring collectively held complex knowledge. We propose that the transfer of such knowledge requires a more decentralized interunit structure—collective bridge, which is a set of direct interunit ties connecting the members of the source and the recipient units, with the configuration of the interunit ties matching the complexity of knowledge to be transferred. We suggest that while a collective bridge is inefficient in transferring discrete knowledge relative to a boundary spanner structure, it is more efficient for transferring collective knowledge. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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