COPING WITH ENVIRONMENTAL UNCERTAINTY AND BOUNDARY SPANNING IN THE PRODUCT MANAGER'S ROLE

Evidence suggests that product managers' need to communicate across organizational and environmental boundaries under conditions of uncertainty can give rise to powerful role pressures of conflict and ambiguity. These pressures are generally associated with negative or dysfunctional personal outcomes such as job‐related tension, dissatisfaction, and poorer performance. Moreover, in situations where role conflict is particularly high, experienced product managers are susceptible to “burnout.” Some practical approaches to overcoming these difficulties are discussed.