Conflict across organizational boundaries: Managed care organizations versus health care providers

This research examined conflicts that occur across organizational boundarie s, specifically between managed care organizations and health care provider s. Using boundary spanning theory as a framework, the authors identified 3 factors in the 1st study (30 interviews) that influence this conflict; (a) organizational power, (b) personal status differences of the individuals ha ndling the conflict. and (c) their previous interactions. These factors aff ected the individuals' behavioral responses or emotions. specifically anger . After developing hypotheses, the authors tested them in a 2nd study using 109 conflict incidents drawn from 9 different managed care organizations. The results revealed that organizational power affects behavioral responses . whereas status differences and previous negative interactions affect emot ions.