Scandinavian Working Papers in Business Administration

GRI-rapport,
University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg Research Institute GRI

No 2011:3: Boundary stories: Constructing the Validation Centre in West Sweden

Andreas Diedrich (), Lars Walter () and Barbara Czarniawska ()
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Andreas Diedrich: Gothenburg Research Institute, Postal: School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Box 603, SE 40530 Göteborg, Sweden
Lars Walter: Företagsekonomiska institutionen, Postal: School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Box 610, SE 40530 Göteborg, Sweden
Barbara Czarniawska: Gothenburg Research Institute, Postal: School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Box 603, SE 40530 Göteborg, Sweden

Abstract: The role of stories in organizing has traditionally been examined within the context of specific organizations, communities of practice, or social worlds. The study reported here describes the establishment in West Sweden of a centre for developing methods that allow for the recognition of prior learning in people seeking employment. In the report, we highlight the role of stories and storytelling in coordination and organizing between and among organizations, but also between and among and social worlds. We refer to such stories as boundary stories, and argue that they are not only the means for creating a shared understanding and facilitating joint actions among a number of public and private organizations, but that they also help to hide potential conflicts, paradoxes, and contradictions among actors.

Keywords: boundary stories; organizing; coordination; boundary objects

23 pages, April 12, 2011

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