Integrating diverse knowledge through boundary spanning processes The case of multidisciplinary project teams
By: RATCHEVA, Violina
.
Material type: 
ArticlePublisher: Exeter, UK : Elsevier, April 2009International Journal of Project Management 27, 3, p. 206-215Abstract: It has been previously argued that knowledge heterogeneity compiled with geographic separation of team members hinder effective sharing and use of a teams knowledge. The paper explores how multidisciplinary teams interact to overcome the barriers and take advantage of their built in knowledge diversity. The findings of the research suggest that successful integration of multidisciplinary knowledge can be achieved through teams boundary spanning activities and reaching to multiple professional and social communities. Three project boundaries have been identified, project action boundary, project knowledge boundary and project social boundary, which facilitate team members in articulating diverse knowledge perspectives. The findings suggest a need to reconceptualise the boundaries of multidisciplinary teams and to consider the processes of sharing diverse knowledge in a wider professional and social context.
It has been previously argued that knowledge heterogeneity compiled with geographic separation of team members hinder effective sharing and use of a teams knowledge. The paper explores how multidisciplinary teams interact to overcome the barriers and take advantage of their built in knowledge diversity. The findings of the research suggest that successful integration of multidisciplinary knowledge can be achieved through teams boundary spanning activities and reaching to multiple professional and social communities. Three project boundaries have been identified, project action boundary, project knowledge boundary and project social boundary, which facilitate team members in articulating diverse knowledge perspectives. The findings suggest a need to reconceptualise the boundaries of multidisciplinary teams and to consider the processes of sharing diverse knowledge in a wider professional and social context.
Click on an image to view it in the image viewer
There are no comments for this item.