Abstract

The integration of changes into a government information infrastructure involves collaboration between stakeholders with diverse, sometimes competing, interests. Boundary objects can facilitate this by serving as shared, loosely defined tools for collaboration. Little is known, however, about cases where the interpretation of these boundary objects has consequences for wellbeing, as is the case with identity categories that shape rights and recognition. Without systematic knowledge, the use of these categories as boundary objects can adversely shape crucial cross-disciplinary collaboration, risking a breakdown in communication. To address this knowledge gap, this study draws on data from an ethnographic study of India’s transgender category during the introduction of the category into government information infrastructure. It finds a partial breakdown in communication, exhibited as conflict during boundary encounters, and a resistance to the loose definition of the boundary object. The study concludes that identity categories, in their ability to include and exclude people, must be handled and managed carefully if they are to function effectively as boundary objects. The study contributes to boundary object theory by exploring conflict and resistance in the interpretive flexibility and makes recommendations to policy makers and IS practitioners.

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