The effects of boundary spanners on the information processing capacity of the organization,

In today's turbulent environment characterized by dynamism and complexity, organizations are required to make decisions at various levels and in increasing numbers. The accuracy of these decisions is of great importance for the sustainability of organizations. One of the factors that ensures the accuracy of organizational decisions is the effectiveness of the organization's information processing process. The information processing process includes the activities of collecting, processing, and disseminating information, which are among the fundamental functions of organizational structure. It is also assumed that the organization's information requirements increase as a function of the growing diversity, uncertainty, and interdependence of workflows. Information Processing Theory proposes that organizational performance can be achieved when there is fit between an organization's information requirements and its information processing capacity. To increase information processing capacity, Information Processing Theory proposes structural mechanisms such as vertical information systems and lateral structures. Additionally, actors who undertake boundary-spanning roles within the organization also perform information processing functions. However, a review of the literature reveals no similar studies that examine the relationship between boundary-spanning roles and information processing capacity. For this reason, the study aims to explore in depth the relationship between boundary-spanning roles that perform different functions based on their network centralities and information processing. Revealing the information processing functions of boundary- spanning roles according to their positions in network centrality and associating them with information processing capacity holds potential for unique contribution to the literature. In this context, an exploratory study was conducted. A focus company operating in the Défense industry was selected, and research was carried out on a white-collar sample working at this company. Through social network analysis and qualitative research, the study examined the relationship between the functions of boundary-spanning roles at different levels of network centrality and information processing capacity. According to the findings, boundary-spanning roles perform activities such as acquiring, recording, and sharing information in ways that vary depending on their centrality in the network. The findings show that actors in positions of betweenness centrality and pure brokerage fulfil the boundary-spanning role in the context of information processing while utilizing lateral structures and vertical information systems, which enhance the organization's information processing capacity. Furthermore, boundary-spanning roles in betweenness centrality and pure brokerage positions also instrumentally use integrative structures such as hierarchy, rules, and programs to reduce information processing requirements. Actors in positions of betweenness centrality and pure brokerage also facilitate coordination between departments within the organization by performing a liaison role. The research findings support the existence of relationships between boundary-spanning roles in positions of betweenness centrality and pure brokerage and information processing capacity, vertical information systems, and lateral structures in the context of information processing. Based on the findings of this exploratory research, a research model and a research problem, along with two research proposals, have been presented. The findings and propositions regarding the relationship between boundary-spanning roles and organizational information processing capacity offer a potential to provide a new perspective on Information Processing Theory.