Title: Boundary brokering as a promoting factor in competence sharing in a project work context

Authors: Kaj U. Koskinen

Addresses: Industrial Management and Engineering, Tampere University of Technology, Pori, Pohjoisranta 11, P.O. Box 300, FIN-28101 Pori, Finland

Abstract: The semantic knowledge boundaries are commonly focused when researchers study the competence transfer between specialised domains at the project work context. Therefore, this conceptual article addresses the question of how the competence transferring process is facilitated by boundary brokering. First, the concept of a project team member|s personal competence is analysed. Then, the discussion deals with the concept of boundary brokering. In this connection, the focus is on individuals| caring attitude. After that, some of the characteristics of a good boundary broker are described. The article ends with a conclusion, according to which boundary brokering that is performed with a caring attitude can be a promoting factor, especially in a complex and fuzzy knowledge-related project work environment.

Keywords: boundary brokering; boundary brokers; caring attitude; competence transfer; project work; project teams; project organisation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPOM.2008.020032

International Journal of Project Organisation and Management, 2008 Vol.1 No.1, pp.119 - 132

Published online: 21 Aug 2008 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article