Navigating boundaries in additive manufacturing through action research

Abstract

Action research - both as praxis but also from a critical orientation - can elaborate modes of action, identifying the borders and margins that act as both the productive spaces for collaboration as well as the fuzzy areas that require reflection and clarification. In this exploratory case study, action research is used to follow an additive manufacturing project team in real time as it navigates fuzzy areas to integrate knowledge to produce commercializable science innovation in one of New Zealand's National Science Challenges (NSC): Science for Technological Innovation - Kia Kotahi Mai: Te Ao P taiao me Te Ao Hangarau (SfTI). Through action research as praxis and as critical orientation, we have identified key mechanisms in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research for commercialization, particularly in the context of New Zealand's indigenous M ori people. Our preliminary analysis indicates that an explicit understanding of the fuzzy spaces can help teams find creative and collaborative means to navigate the productive but challenging "interstices of disciplines" (Mengis et al., 2018) to produce science innovation and discoveries and to galvanize relationships with industry and M ori participants. The findings also indicate that action research can promote structural, relational, and knowledge changes within teams, helping them solve complex problems in real time.