סמינר באסטרטגיה ניהולית

Prof. Aurore Haas,  SKEMA Business School, Paris, France

The session will be focused on understanding the microfoundations of strategic processes using the concept of boundary spanner. Boundary spanners are individuals linking groups inside the organization, or interfaces between the organization and its environment. Individuals crossing organizational boundaries contribute to firm performance by supporting transfer and integration of new knowledge. Sourcing and using external knowledge has an impact on innovation and organizational performance (Cohen & Levinthal, 1990; Huber, 1991; Liebeskind & al., 1996). Among others, Brown and Eisenhardt (1997) show that the managers of successful companies gather information about the future outside the borders of their organizations. Actors crossing external boundaries, such as Board directors, can transmit experience or knowledge about other organizational practices (Shropshire, 2010). The session will be dedicated to: 1. An overview of the literature and current gaps regarding the role of boundary spanners in strategic processes, 2. An illustration about the use of the concept in the context of informal inter-organizational relations. The two articles attached will serve as a basis for the discussion.