The migration of organizational functions to the work unit level: Buffering, spanning, and bringing up boundaries

In this paper, we propose that the locus of organizational boundary activit ies has migrated from the organization to the work unit level as enterprise s reengineer structures, increase the use of cross-functional teams, cut or ganizational slack, and adopt advanced information technologies. From an op en systems perspective, we examine how environmental and organizational for ces affect this migration process. Three types of boundary activity relevan t for work units are identified: buffering, spanning, and bringing up bound aries. A set of preliminary propositions regarding relationships between en vironmental and organizational changes and boundary activities is offered a s a guide for future research.