Applications of boundary theory to the concept of service integration in the human services

Abstract

Service integration (SI) is an aspect of theorizing about organizations and governance. To discover questions for future practice and theory-building, the analysis here reframes the SI concept in the human services from the typical starting point of fragmentation-integration to the imperatives of boundary theory. Extant SI discourse is a confused array of descriptive, normative, and explanatory theory. An action-reflection interplay with conflicting and missing values is revealed. Boundary spanning and boundarylessness, defined in five metaphors, illustrate boundary theory. Selected literature on SI in the human services is translated into boundary theory (e.g., types of SI boundaries, SI boundary values and roles) and a research agenda is posed.