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Distributed Knowledge and Indeterminate Meaning: The Case of the Columbia Shuttle Flight

New York University, USA, rdunbar{at}stern.nyu.edu

Raghu Garud

Pennsylvania State University, USA, rgarud{at}psu.edu

We explore the processes that unfolded during NASA's ill-fated Columbia shuttle flight, as members of the mission team struggled to understand the significance of an unexpected foam-shedding event. It was difficult to categorize this event in real time, as two different criteria — a concern for safety and a concern for meeting schedules — were being used. Using in-depth data gathered on the Columbia shuttle flight, we describe the sensemaking processes that unfolded and discuss the implications for organizations.

Key Words: data indeterminacy • distributed knowledge • decision making • sensemaking • Columbia Shuttle • accidents

Organization Studies, Vol. 30, No. 4, 397-421 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0170840608101142


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