The Migration of Organizational Functions to the Work Unit Level: Buffering, Spanning, and Bringing Up Boundaries
提出组织边界活动的重心已从组织整体迁移到工作单元层面，识别了缓冲、跨越和边界建立三种边界活动，并探讨环境与组织力量如何影响这一迁移过程，为未来研究提供初步命题。
In this paper, we propose that the locus of organizational boundary activities has migrated from the organization to the work unit level as enterprises reengineer structures, increase the use of cross-functional teams, cut organizational slack and adopt advanced information technologies. From an open systems perspective, we examine how environmental and organizational forces affect this migration process. Three types of boundary activity relevant for work units are identified: buffering, spanning, and bringing up boundaries. A set of preliminary propositions regarding relationships between environmental and organizational changes and boundary activities is offered as a guide for future research.