Knowledge Work at Practice Boundaries

Abstract

In this chapter I examine what happens at the boundaries between intersecting practices where the resources from different practices are brought together to expand interpretations of multifaceted tasks. I develop the idea of common knowledge as a pre-requisite for mediating collaboration across the boundaries of specialist practices. I argue that common knowledge involves gaining sufficient insight into purposes and practices of others to enable specialists to bring their expert knowledge together in activities. I show that common knowledge is built in conversations at the boundaries between practices. Topics covered in the chapter include boundaries and boundary work, alternative envisioning at the boundaries, constructing sites for boundary work and knowledge talk at the boundaries.