Facilitating conditions for boundary-spanning behaviour in governance networks. Issue 4 (3rd April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: van Meerkerk, Ingmar; Edelenbos, Jurian
• Is Part Of: Public management review. Volume 20:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 503
• Page End: 524
• Publication Date: 2018-04-03
• Subjects: Boundary spanning -- facilitative leadership -- executive support -- network performance -- stimulating conditions; Local government -- Periodicals; Public administration -- Periodicals; 351.05
• DOI: 10.1080/14719037.2017.1302248
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-9037

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This article examines the impact of two facilitating conditions for boundary-spanning behaviour in urban governance networks. While research on boundary spanning is growing, there is little attention for antecedents. Combining governance network literature on project management and organizational literature on facilitative and servant leadership, we examine two potential conditions: a facilitative project management style and executive support. We conducted survey research among project managers involved in urban governance networks in order to test these relationships. We found positive relationships between facilitative project management and boundary-spanning behaviour, while executive support indirectly, via facilitative management, contributed to boundary-spanning behaviour.