University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

A case study of interorganizational collaboration, boundary spanning, and professions in the Covid-19 pandemic

Kimnach, Rachel Lee

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/117544

Description

Title
A case study of interorganizational collaboration, boundary spanning, and professions in the Covid-19 pandemic
Author(s)
Kimnach, Rachel Lee
Issue Date
2022-11-07
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Poole, Marshall S
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Poole, Marshall S
Committee Member(s)
  • Lammers, John C
  • Kraatz, Mathew
  • Barley, William C
Department of Study
Communication
Discipline
Communication
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
  • boundary spanners
  • conveners
  • brokers
  • collaboration theory
  • collaboration strategy
  • interorganizational (inter-organizational) collaboration
  • intergroup (inter-group) collaboration
  • professional collaboration
  • Covid-19 (COVID 19)
  • coronavirus
  • pandemic response
  • emergency response
  • emergency management
  • Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
  • National Incident Management System (NIMS)
  • Incident Command System (ICS)
  • Unified Command
  • professions theory
  • tertius gaudens
  • network
Abstract
In 2020, many government agencies and organizations in the United States responded to mitigate the spread of Covid-19. Methods varied from county to state to region. This dissertation project investigates one area’s response to Covid-19, which involved inter-agency and interorganizational collaboration. I specifically look at the role of boundary spanning and professions in the interorganizational collaboration in this area, with the goal of contributing to boundary spanning theory and interorganizational collaboration theory. I investigated the Covid-19 response through a qualitative case study of a complex multi-organizational collaboration. Findings showed that boundary spanning involved structure and actions. Interweaving boundary spanners from multiple organizations within the response structure forced integration of organizations on a micro level and increased cross-organizational and cross-professional communication. Findings furthermore challenged past literature on boundary spanning affiliation-based definitions, and on the tertius gaudens boundary spanning strategy. Findings regarding professions suggested that professions influenced the collaboration and boundary spanning processes. Overall, findings suggested the need to revisit boundary spanning definitions, demonstrated a case where the tertius gaudens strategy was used to benefit, and highlighted the moderating role of professions in collaboration involving boundary spanners. Future research could further investigate how the profession of a boundary spanner, and a professional’s specialized knowledge, may impact boundary spanning. Future directions could also further investigate RAE as a tool for integrating professions and expertise in emergency response events.
Graduation Semester
2022-12
Type of Resource
Thesis
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2022 Rachel Kimnach

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