Learning and Innovation in Agriculture and Rural Development: The Use of the Concepts of Boundary Work and Boundary Objects

Abstract

Purpose: The paper explores the role of boundary work and boundary objects in enhancing learning and innovation processes in hybrid multi-actor networks for sustainable agriculture (LINSA).

Design/Methodology/Approach: Boundary work in LINSA is analysed on the basis of six case studies carried out in SOLINSA project under a common methodology. In developing typologies of boundary work and objects, a grounded approach is used.

Findings: LINSA analysis demonstrates the dynamic character, diverse forms and multiple functions of boundary work and objects in three domains: learning, innovation, and sustainability. Addressing specific types of goals and actors leads to specific types of boundary work and boundary objects. Context-appropriate boundary work allows aligning differing actor attitudes, gaining increased external support, and developing LINSA. The concepts of boundary work and boundary objects are relevant in a broad range of divergent LINSA settings. Boundary work has its limitations, but its facilitation supports reaching LINSA goals.

Practical Implications: The paper proposes recognising context-appropriate forms of boundary work and skilful use of emerging boundary objects to both promote internal consolidation of LINSA and effective external communication to foster learning and innovation for sustainability.

Originality/Value: The paper provides insights into the forms, dynamic and outcomes of boundary work in LINSA in three key domains: developing shared knowledge base, co-producing innovation and negotiating sustainability.     

外贴FRP结构剥离分析概述

粘结层性能是影响外贴FRP结构加固效果的重要因素。本文介绍了外贴FRP结构粘结剪应力分析的主要理论和所取得成果。重点对粘结剪应力分析发展现状进行了综述,并对外贴FRP加固结构及剪应力研究发展趋势进行了展望。     

撞楔-锚索梁联合支护在深部穿层巷道中的应用

针对千米深井穿层巷道托顶煤施工中存在的顶板易冒落且危及施工安全的问题,提出了以撞楔法+锚索梁联合支护技术。结合巨野矿区某千米深井巷道现场具体地质及施工条件,阐述了其施工工艺,比选确定了合理的支护参数,进行了现场应用,并对其作用机理进行了分析。研究表明,撞楔+锚索梁联合施工技术是巷道掘进托顶煤施工中一种受力合理、安全经济且施工简便的支护结构形式,具有广泛的推广价值。     

浅谈中间件及其在电信服务中的应用

当前大型数据库应用系统的开发中较多采用中间件构成三层应用体系结构。在叙述中间件的基本概念和分布式多层体系结构的优点的基础上，介绍中间件在电信服务中使用的背景和使用的情况。     

An overview of cricket ball swing

The aerodynamic properties of a cricket ball have intrigued cricket players and spectators for years, arguably since the advent of the game itself. The main interest is in the fact that the ball can follow a curved flight path that may not always be under the control of the bowler. The basic aerodynamic principles responsible for the nonlinear flight or ‘swing’ of a cricket ball were identified decades ago and many papers have been published on the subject. Over the last 25 years or so, several empirical investigations have also been conducted on cricket ball swing, which revealed the amount of attainable swing and identified the parameters that affect it. Those findings are reviewed here with emphasis on phenomena such as late swing and the effects of humidity on swing. The relatively new concept of ‘reverse swing’, how it can be achieved in practice, and the role in it of ‘ball tampering’, are also discussed in detail. In particular, the ability of some bowlers to effectively swing an old ball in the conventional, reverse and the newly termed ‘contrast’ swing mode is addressed. A discussion of the ‘white” cricket ball used in the 1999 and 2003 World Cup tournaments, which supposedly possesses different swing properties compared to a conventional red ball, is also included. This is a current overview of cricket ball swing rather than a detailed review of all research work performed on the topic. The emphasis is on presenting scientific explanations for the various aerodynamic phenomena that affect cricket ball swing on a cricket ground.     

Early stages in building hybrid activity between school and work: the case of PénArt

This formative intervention documents the emergence of a hybrid activity aiming at student engagement and academic achievement. In this context-bound study, early stages of this activity consisted in establishing PénArt meant to enable high school students with difficulties to start up their own business at school. It involved reaching agreements between a high school and a youth centre so that high school students engage in the production and selling of their branded t-shirt. At the frontiers of their respective activity system, students, youth workers, special education teachers and members of the school board took actions to cross boundaries and redefine their interrelations. Cultural historical activity theory was fruitful to document the development of a new object-oriented activity. Tensions and contradictions revelaled to be the key moments in the emergence of the hybrid activity. Expansive learning led us to understand that, in a conflicting situation, a collective’s agentive actions create an expansive form of learning and leads to a successful entrepreneurship experience. Change laboratory capacity to foster change for cooperative education in Quebec was successful. The students enrolled in a regional entrepreneurship contest and won it. That was a significant event for students with low self-esteem linked with their performance at school.     

兰州市城区稳定边界层变化规律的初步研究

兰州市城区空气污染严重与其特殊的大气边界层密切相关。利用兰州市城区现有大气边界层探测资料 ,采用多种稳定度参数计算方法 ,统计分析了该市大气层结稳定度的时空分布规律及其与天气形势的关系 ,发现兰州市城区冬季大气稳定边界层日间存在发生或发展的特有现象 ,并探寻了其形成机制 ,从而为兰州市开展空气污染预报提供可靠的理论依据     

Designing for communication at work: A case for technology-enhanced boundary objects

In this article we conceptualise the challenges of communication between a mortgage company and its customers in terms of crossing boundaries between communities. Through an ethnographic study we first address the question: what are the challenges of communication between sales agents and customers of a mortgage company around mathematical artefacts? Insight into these challenges formed the basis for an intervention in which we designed technology-enhanced boundary objects (TEBOs) that were reconfigurations of problematic symbolic artefacts. Secondly, we ask what the sales agents learned from the intervention. The data suggest that the intervention with the TEBOs helped employees to develop a better understanding of the mathematics behind the mortgages they sold, and to improve communication with their customers.     

大学篮球选项课实施分层次教学的理论探讨

如何提高大学生篮球选项课学习的主动性和创造性,在篮球的教学过程中,对不同的学生,安排合理的、有针对性的教学目标、教学内容以及评价标准,实施分层次教学,能有效地促进学生们对篮球技战术的掌握,教学效果要优于传统教学效果.     

公共权力边界分析——兼议转型中国公共权力建设

私人权利与公共权力的冲突永恒地贯穿于人类政治文明发展历程中。国家权力来源于个人权利,并在终极意义上应当服务于个人权利。公共权力的活动空间在于社会公共事务而不可侵犯私人领域。否则,将对个人自由形成重大威胁,阻碍社会自主性因素的成长。转型中国公共权力建设需要确立＂权利本位＂、＂以人为本＂的价值导向和根本原则,积极推进公民有序的政治参与,完善权力运行监督与制约机制,培育成熟公民意识。