Emerging interdisciplinary practice: making nanoreactors

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to gain a better understanding of how different disciplines work together to develop new technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs qualitative methods in the form of semi‐structured interviews and observations. A socio‐cultural approach is taken and the concept of the activity system is used to examine emerging practices.

Findings

In the process of creating common practices the community overcomes some of the challenges normally associated with disciplinary diversity. What develops cannot really be described as a convergence of knowledge, more as an intertwining of work practices.

Research limitations/implications

Although only tentative conclusions can be drawn from a single case study, the findings may have implications for the organisation of multidisciplinary tasks.

Originality/value

The paper suggests a conceptualisation of emerging interdisciplinary practice and provides a descriptive account of knowledge creation in a new field within nanosciences and nanotechnologies.

Citation

Sutherland Olsen, D. (2009), "Emerging interdisciplinary practice: making nanoreactors", The Learning Organization, Vol. 16 No. 5, pp. 398-408. https://doi.org/10.1108/09696470910974180