Greenhouses are Made of Glass: Tensions in Experimental Spaces for Creative Collaboration in Front-end Pharmaceutical Research

Experimental spaces in organizations are often spatial- and temporary-bounded, relatively closed, social settings, in which ideas can be developed without actors being pressured to conform to organizational routines or institutional norms. Especially in the phase of idea elaboration, experimental spaces allow moving creative ideas forward by protecting them from the perils of early external judgment or disruption. Such bounded spaces, which require ongoing boundary and distancing work, can stabilize interpersonal relations, foster a sense of togetherness, belonging and cohesion, and set the common goal above that of the individual. By empirically studying two intentionally created experimental spaces for creativity in front-end pharmaceutical research, we find that boundary work does not prevent the involved actors from experiencing tensions. Instead, it comes with side-effects such as pressure to perform, isolation, secrecy, and competition. Mobilizing the metaphor of greenhouses, which are transparent yet shielded spaces, we argue that symbolic privilege and status that is linked to membership in experimental spaces creates a pressure to succeed that can potentially undermine the assumed protective space. Thus, boundary and distancing work is not only required regarding the regular organizational and institutional norms but also regarding the social dynamics unfolding within experimental spaces, at least temporarily.