Artifacts in Interaction: The Production and Politics of Boundary Objects

Advanced Institute of Management Research Paper No. 052

52 Pages Posted: 2 Dec 2008

See all articles by Robyn Thomas

Robyn Thomas

Cardiff University - Cardiff Business School

Cynthia Hardy

University of Melbourne - Department of Management

Leisa D. Sargent

University of Melbourne

Date Written: February 1, 2007

Abstract

The aim of this exploratory study was to examine how boundary objects are produced and the role of power in this process. To do so, we investigated the use of boundary objects by managers to develop a customer oriented culture in a newly formed telecommunications company. The boundary object inquestion comprise an artifact - a culture toolkit that contains a brochure explaining the new culture accompanied by a video of the CEO explaining the new culture and workshop instructions and guidance - and the workshops themselves. In addition to these sources of data, a series of follow up interviews were also conducted. Using discourse analysis, our findings suggest that an artifact can only be developed and maintained as a boundary object through the interactions of a range of actors asthey negotiate its meaning. Thus, boundary objects depend upon the co-construction of meaning among actors, which, in order to be successful requires plasticity throughout the process. We also offer a framework for different ways of relating power to boundary objects, an often neglected yet critical issue.

Suggested Citation

Thomas, Robyn and Harley, Cynthia and Sargent, Leisa D., Artifacts in Interaction: The Production and Politics of Boundary Objects (February 1, 2007). Advanced Institute of Management Research Paper No. 052, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1309582 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1309582

Robyn Thomas (Contact Author)

Cardiff University - Cardiff Business School ( email )

Aberconway Building
Colum Drive
Cardiff, CF10 3EU
United Kingdom

Cynthia Harley

University of Melbourne - Department of Management ( email )

200 Leicester Street
Melbourne, Victoria 3053
Australia
(61-3) 8344-3719 (Phone)
(61-3) 8344-3731 (Fax)

Leisa D. Sargent

University of Melbourne ( email )

185 Pelham Street
Carlton, Victoria 3053
Australia

Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?

Paper statistics

Downloads
159
Abstract Views
992
Rank
296,495
PlumX Metrics