Ambiguity: Unpacking the “Constant State of Limbo” Characteristic to Digitalized Work in Knowledge Professions

Mari-Klara Stein, Tina Blegind Jensen

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Digitalization is changing the nature of work in knowledge professions in significant ways. One of the oft-observed, yet poorly understood, consequences of work digitalization in this context is increased ambiguity, frequently captured under the notion of blurred boundaries and paradoxes. While the introduction of ICTs is often credited with the potential to bring about ambiguity in a work context, we lack an in-depth understanding of how and why digitalization can introduce ambiguity, and what ambiguity actually means in this context. In this paper, we aim to further our current theorization of ambiguity in ICT-enabled work in knowledge professions. We offer a conceptual clarification of three related issues: (1) why does digitalization introduce ambiguity, (2) what kinds of ambiguities digitalization introduces, and (3) how workers act upon ambiguity.
Original languageEnglish
Publication date2016
Number of pages35
Publication statusPublished - 2016
EventICIS 2016 JAIS Theory Development Workshop - The Marker Hotel, Marker 2, Dublin, Ireland
Duration: 11 Dec 201611 Dec 2016

Workshop

WorkshopICIS 2016 JAIS Theory Development Workshop
LocationThe Marker Hotel, Marker 2
Country/TerritoryIreland
CityDublin
Period11/12/201611/12/2016

Keywords

  • Digitalization
  • Changing nature of work
  • Ambiguity
  • Knowledge professions

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