Accounting for knowledge embedded in physical objects and environments: The role of artefacts in transferring knowledge

The intention to investigate the role of artefacts (objects and environments) in codifying,
embedding and disseminating knowledge was inspired by an awareness that organisations across all
sectors are increasingly being asked not only to provide products in the first instance, but also to
support them throughout their service life. Thus a move from product-delivery to product-service
designs is suggested. This paper considers ways in which knowledge can be embedded into the
physical properties of artefacts and how this can consequently aid the dissemination and
management of knowledge in and across stages of life cycles. A literature review and fieldwork
based on an ethnomethodological approach are used to investigate this topic. Accounts of the
situated meaning of artefacts within social processes are obtained using ethnographic armchair
research. Unique adequacy is used to achieve an understanding of how people make sense of
artefacts. The initial findings of the current research show that knowledge can be embedded or
encoded into the physical properties of artefacts and that this can be successfully transferred from
artefact to user.