Abstract
Research suggests that boundary objects are useful for collaborations between members of distinct knowledge communities because their meanings are ambiguous. An objects’ ambiguity allows people to construct meanings that are relevant to them personally, and, consequently, helps groups to avoid conflict. Drawing from the literature on strategic ambiguity, we suggest that individuals may create objects to strategically foster either ambiguous or clear meanings. Using ethnographic observations of automotive engineers from various design specialties, we document why individuals are motivated to create objects whose meanings are either ambiguous or clear, we illustrate the various design activities they engage in to achieve these two strategies, and we show when individuals are likely to enact one type of strategy over the other.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
