Boundary Objects as Action in Information Systems Development (ISD): a Dramaturgical Perspective Using Sociodrama

摘要

This paper highlights how Information Systems Development (ISD) research related to boundary objects can be enhanced by a dramaturgical perspective using the technique of sociodrama. To understand current boundary object research in Information Systems (IS), we synthesize the literature on boundary objects and develop a framework for summarizing the work to date. Based on this literature review, two research gaps are indentified: first, most IS research on boundary objects has been focused on IT artifacts and their impacts among individuals, groups, and organizations; second, the body of IS related boundary objects research lacks a fundamental and a practical perspective for unifying the multiple, disconnected theoretical backgrounds of boundary objects. To address these gaps, we adopt a dramaturgical perspective and use sociodrama as a protocol for constructing dynamic boundary objects. Using a sociodrama protocol, this paper identifies a model of how the sociodrama protocol can enhance interactions in ISD. The contributions of this paper are identifying (1) existing themes in the research on boundary objects, (2) how sociodrama from the dramaturgical perspective can enhance actions within boundary objects research, and (3) ways in which researchers could test how effectively sociodrama inspires interactions that develop new types of boundary objects.