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Balancing Ties: Boundary Spanning and Influence in the Organization's Extended Network of Communication

University of Maine

William B. Stevenson

Boston College

In this study of the business communication that connects an organization with others in its environment, we link boundary spanning with network theory and propose the concept of an extended network of communication. This extended net work is the structure of business communication which flows in work-related ties that organization members maintain both within the organization and across its boundary. We study the relationship between boundary-spanning communication and individual influence in a network with 108 organizational members. We find that boundary spanning correlates with influence, regardless of hierarchical level. There is also a curvilinear relationship between boundary-spanning communication and individual influence. Thus, managers need to balance their communication within and across the organizational boundary.

Key Words: boundary-spanning communication • managerial communication • extended organizational network • influence.

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