Work

Boundary-spanning activities and the mitigation of barriers in museum–university partnerships

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Museum–university partnerships (MUPs) constitute a notable element of the creative and cultural landscape internationally. Despite their prevalence, few studies provide systematic insights into the barriers these partnerships encounter or how they can be mitigated. This study examines selected barriers and associated boundary-spanning activities, drawing on interviews with 20 experienced museum and university professionals. The findings suggest that the most common MUP challenges, relating to financial, governance, and human resource considerations, are most effectively addressed when boundary spanners on both sides demonstrate initiative and communicate proactively. In addition, museum staff emphasize the need to understand cultural differences, whereas academics highlight the importance of recognizing structural distinctions and cultivating interorganizational relationships. Tentative differences also emerge between education- and research-oriented MUPs. Collectively, these insights extend the boundary-spanning perspective to the MUP context and underscore heterogeneity in boundary-spanning activities between for-profit and non-profit cross-sectoral university partnerships. The study further offers practical guidance, particularly for museum practitioners, on managing everyday challenges in MUPs.

Source: Industrial Marketing Management

DOI: 10.1016/j.indmarman.2026.03.018

Authors: Anna Dubiel, Alejandra Alonso Tak, Dirk vom Lehn

Institution: King's College London

Language: English

Topic: Museums and Cultural Heritage

Subfield: Museology

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Partnerships for the goals

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,990