Authors
Julija N Mell, Eric Quintane, Giles Hirst, Andrew Carnegie
Publication date
2022/6
Journal
Journal of Applied Psychology
Volume
107
Issue
6
Pages
1009
Publisher
American Psychological Association
Description
The benefits boundary spanners offer organizations by bridging information silos are well documented. However, informational boundary spanning also implies crossing organizational territories, as employees seek advice from others outside their supervisors’ control. Applying a territoriality theory lens, we develop new insights about when and why supervisors may view their subordinates’ informational boundary-spanning activities unfavorably and attempt to undermine boundary spanners. We argue that undermining results from supervisors perceiving the boundary spanning of their employees as weakening their control over their organizational territory. We further argue that subordinates who seek advice across organizational boundaries without also seeking advice from their supervisor are more likely to be seen by their supervisors as having negative intentions when engaging in boundary spanning, which …
Total citations
202220232024185
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