ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors explore the interdisciplinary "process" the way it actually occurs in an agricultural research institute. They describe how the separate disciplines perceive each other and why they feel that professional and institutional barriers make the chances of failure in achieving interdisciplinary research high. The authors examine means to overcome resilient disciplinary boundaries in order to get on with the business of generating appropriate and acceptable technology. They deal with the interaction of anthropologists, economists and post-harvest technologists in the post-harvest thrust. Many heated team arguments at International Potato Center (CIP) between anthropologist, economist and biological scientist were resolved over time as the team gained concrete experience with particular technologies. An understanding of the intellectual environment at a technical research center such as CIP is important for interpreting the tensions and creativity arising from intense, daily disciplinary contact. Social scientists were involved in different ways at all stages in technology generation, transfer, and impact.
