How boundary objects and spanners support value co-creation in PNOs: the roles of inter-contextual knowledge integration and knowledge power centralization

Purpose This study aims to explore how interorganizational systems (IOSs) affect value co-creation through the mediating effect of intercontextual knowledge integration and the moderating effects of project coordinators and knowledge power centralization in project network organizations (PNOs). Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted with 358 senior managers from knowledge-intensive industries who were responsible for knowledge management and project collaboration in PNOs. The proposed hypotheses were examined using the hierarchical regression approach and the PROCESS macro, with supplementary structural equation modeling used to assess the robustness of the findings. Findings The results show that IOSs promote intercontextual knowledge integration and value co-creation. Intercontextual knowledge integration partially mediates the positive relationship between IOSs and value co-creation. Furthermore, the positive effect of IOSs on intercontextual knowledge integration becomes stronger when project coordinators are present, while knowledge power centralization weakens the facilitating role of project coordinators. Originality/value These insights shed light on how IOSs and project coordinators influence value co-creation in PNOs. Drawing on boundary-spanning theory, this research conceptualizes IOSs as boundary objects and project coordinators as boundary spanners. It further integrates resource dependence theory by emphasizing the importance of balancing project coordination roles and knowledge power structures to achieve intercontextual knowledge integration with the support of IOSs, thereby offering insights to improve value co-creation in PNOs.