The Benefits of Multiple Boundary Spanning Roles in Purchasing

Abstract

SUMMARY Previous research has focused on purchasing managers’ experience with role stressors and the negative effect of stress on job attitudes and performance. The potential benefits of having multiple responsibilities and a diverse role set have been overlooked. This study explored the relationship between purchasing managers’ involvement in multiple boundary spanning roles and their perceptions of positive social outcomes related to work. The relationship of these social benefits to job satisfaction was also evaluated. The relationships were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results indicated positive relationships between each variable in the model. The implications for recruitment, supervision, and job design are discussed.