Boundaryless mentoring: An exploratory study of the functions provided by internal versus external organizational mentors

The changing nature of careers suggests that mentors and proteges may work in different employment settings. Little research has examined whether mentoring relationships that are interorganizational are as enriched, in terms of mentoring functions provided and received, as those that are intraorganizational. The present study examines the effect of the mentor's employment setting on both protege and mentor reports of career support, psychosocial support, and role modeling received or provided. Data were collected via questionnaire from mentors and proteges in 2 computer technology firms. Results from a MANCOVA controlling for protege gender and duration of relationship indicate that protedes whose mentors work in the same employment setting as themselves reported more career and psychosocial support than did proteges whose mentors work in a different setting. Results are discussed in view of current career structures.