From: Bridges, brokers and boundary spanners in collaborative networks: a systematic review
Term | Features | Motivation | Reference |
---|---|---|---|
Boundary spanner | Bridges the structural hole between two clusters conceptualised as being separated by a boundary of some sort, e.g. outside the network or department | To overcome a boundary and facilitate communication / knowledge flow across it. | |
Bridge | Bridges the structural hole between two clusters | To include outsiders in information flows or achieve coordination. | |
Broker | Acts as an intermediary between two unlinked actors / clusters | To facilitate some transaction, resolve a conflict or increase personal power or social capital. | |
Broker in a Structural fold | The broker is the common actor in two overlapping, cohesive clusters | To be an engaged member of two groups. Tends to be disruptive as loyalties may be seen to be divided. | [23] |
Consultant / cosmopolitan / itinerant broker | Links two alters in an outside cluster/s who are not directly linked | To facilitate negotiations between alters or seek to exploit their separation. | |
Co-ordinator | Links alters within their own cluster who are not linked directly | To improve coordinated effort or to centralise knowledge exchange. | |
Gatekeeper | Bridges the structural hole between their cluster and an outside cluster, controlling what information passes into or out of their cluster | Often associated negatively with a hoarding of information, or positively bringing useful information / filtering out irrelevant information. | |
Go-between | Stands between two unlinked actors offering some service, e.g. facilitating access to advice, resources | Usually facilitative but can result in work overload for actor or information bottlenecks. | |
Information or knowledge broker | Keeps separate groups in a network co-ordinated or informed | To improve network information flows and prevent fragmentation. | [18] |
Liaison | Bridges the gap between two different outside clusters without having prior allegiance to either | To facilitate negotiations between alters – often a commercial transaction. | |
Mediator / conflict resolver | Seeks to increase understanding between two parties separated by a mismatch of knowledge, expectations, culture etc. | To resolve conflict between parties - role often held by actor familiar with both sides. | |
Peripheral specialist | Holder of specialised knowledge that tends to occupy peripheral positions | To be available for consultation yet still devote time to their specialty. | [18] |
Representative | Bridges the gap between another actor from the same cluster and an actor from an outside cluster | To facilitate external contact - may be a delegated negotiator. | |
Tertius gaudens (the third who enjoys) | A brokerage strategy to keep alters apart | To increase broker’s personal social capital or power. | |
Tertius iungens (the third who joins) | A brokerage strategy to join alters together | To increase network performance. |