Boundary spanning for contractual fairness in public infrastructure projects: its impact on performance and innovation

Abstract

While the literature on public-private collaboration in large infrastructure projects stresses both contractual and relational governance mechanisms for good outcomes, less attention has been paid to the role of boundary spanners and the way the contract is enforced in practice. This study contributes by bringing in the concept of contractual fairness building on organizational justice theory. It tests the effect of boundary spanning activities on contractual fairness and their impact on performance and innovation as two different outcomes. Findings indicate that boundary spanning activities positively affect contractual fairness, innovation, and performance, while contractual fairness partly mediates the relationship with performance.