ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the different ways in which institutions try to position themselves to play critical boundary-spanning roles in essence, by becoming boundary organizations. Organizations that undertake boundary work and operate at the intersection between two communities of practice have become a focal point in the science and technology policy literature for some time. Guston expands the idea of boundary objects in developing the notion of boundary organizations: institutions that encompass boundary-spanning functions to bridge gaps between different actors, stakeholders, and communities. The chapter describes the key concepts underlying the academic notion of boundary work, boundary objects, and boundary organizations. It identifies some of the strategies that can be effective in making nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) well-situated to serve in this capacity with respect to emerging technologies. The chapter concludes with a discussion about the challenges organizations face in functioning in a boundary-spanning modality while simultaneously expressing a distinct point of view on a policy issue.
