Imaginaries of Collaboration in Engineering Work

Abstract

Much empirical research in engineering studies point to the fact that engineering work typically is enacted in collective processes of work. Engineering work and practices in technical domains are predominantly organized in collaborative groups – often in teams. However, the social imaginaries of engineering work, technology and collaboration amongst the engineers is invested with ideas about engineering professionalism that accentuate individual, technical, and discrete achievements. This article presents and analyzes collaborative engineering work practices via two ethnographic studies conducted in Danish engineering consultancy companies. The article investigates how collaborative engineering work practices are enacted in two different sites, and how the ideals and imaginaries about engineering professionalism held by the engineers are mobilized to inform collaborative work processes. Even though visions of holistic engineering professionalism are heralded by corporate HR-policies, more traditional imaginaries of engineering professionalism seem to be effective. The article demonstrates how ideals about engineering professionalism are framing collaborative work processes and how this framing sets standards for engineering work practices.