Boundary Spanning - How Far Can It Reach?

摘要

Much of a boundary spanner's work is focused on community practices and the external relations between an organization and its community. Their role includes creating pathways for stakeholders to learn about each other's values, experiences, and skills, thus enhancing social interactions and strengthening networks. A boundary spanner's ability to be an active change agent or to cross boundaries fits well within integrated water resources management (IWRM), as does their flexibility to operate on the edge or periphery of an organization (Zhao&Anand, 2013). Although boundary spanners typically represent their home agency or organization, they actively build collaboration, connect diverse stakeholders, and ensure the sharing of information from multiple perspectives in order to influence policies and practices. Those boundary spanners who can make the decision-making process more transparent and less contentious encourage more participation from stakeholders and set the stage for trust-building.