Digital Boundary Objects as Negotiation Facilitators: Spanning Boundaries in Virtual Engineering Project Networks

Abstract

Advances in electronic communication tools have enabled collaborative engineering work to be conducted in virtual project networks that utilize “digital boundary objects” to exchange complex design knowledge. However, little is known about whether and how digital boundary objects facilitate negotiations in virtual settings that feature real‐time communication. This article addresses this gap by exploring the role of digital boundary objects in negotiating complex design knowledge in a three‐dimensional (3‐D) virtual workspace. The authors found that digital boundary objects facilitate negotiations through a three‐stage process of structuring negotiation space, structuring knowledge in the structured negotiation space, and framing combinations of structured knowledge.

Measuring the impact of BIM on labor productivity in a small specialty contracting enterprise through action-research

“…BIM was used by the site superintendent to discuss and negotiate equipment location and work sequencing with the other trades, notably the electrical contractor and the sheet metal contractor. This was also highlighted by Alin et al [2] • BIM benefitted other trades that did not participate in the modeling process, namely the electrical contractor. For instance, the cable tray and equipment layout was all pre-determined through the model in the mechanical penthouse.…”

Seeing the bigger picture: Conditions that influence effective engagement of project executives with visuals

“…The concept of boundary objects has often been used by scholars who are adopting a practice focus and have attempted to understand the mediatory role of particular objects in action (Whyte & Lobo 2010). (Baskerville & Pries-Heje 1999), and negotiation (Alin, Iorio & Taylor 2013;Di Marco, Alin & Taylor 2012). Boundary objects have been proposed as providing a focal point to think with (Iorio & Taylor 2014).…”

“…Within the project management discourse, lab-style simulation experiments highlight the cognitive advantages of visuals in portfolio decision-making (Geraldi & Arlt 2015;Killen 2013Killen , 2017. Other studies show benefits from visuals acting as boundary objects (refer Section 2.4) in project work (see, for example, Alin, Iorio and Taylor (2013); Beckett (2015); Fuller, Thorpe and Dainty (2011)).…”

Towards a knowledge management framework for crossing knowledge boundaries in agricultural value chain

“…The category digitalization provides a research on the role of digital science in complex innovation and its ability to create new knowledge boundaries that concern central activities of innovation (Dougherty & Dunne, 2012), (Alin, Iorio, & Taylor, 2013).…”