Prototypes play a powerful role in facilitating the work of multidisciplinary innovation teams, but if not properly managed, they may inhibit innovation processes. This paper inquires into the tensions that exist around the use of prototypes in multidisciplinary teams. We studied the relationship between work identities (related to teams and subgroups within teams) and prototypes with a field study of a multidisciplinary team in an emergency department, in charge of redesigning the layout of the unit. Results show that different values of subgroup identities are reflected in the solutions devised by the team. These values become salient through the prototype; that is, the prototype is an identity marker, especially when it is characterized by higher tangibility, fidelity and validity. When the prototype is an identity marker, it sparks conflict within the team. We also find that a superordinate team identity can help in solving conflictual interactions. Our analysis contributes to revealing how prototypes as identity markers can both inhibit and facilitate the innovation process of multidisciplinary teams. We offer theoretical and practical implications for managers, team members and designers working in multidisciplinary teams.

中文翻译：

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原型作为身份标记：原型在多学科创新团队中的双重作用

原型在促进多学科创新团队的工作中扮演着重要角色，但是如果管理不当，它们可能会阻碍创新过程。本文探讨了在多学科团队中使用原型存在的紧张关系。我们通过对急诊部门中一个多学科团队进行现场研究，研究了工作身份（与团队和团队中的子组相关）与原型之间的关系，负责重新设计单位的布局。结果表明，小组设计的解决方案反映了亚组身份的不同价值。这些价值在原型中变得很重要。也就是说，原型是一种身份标记，尤其是当其具有较高的可感知性，保真度和有效性时。当原型是身份标记时，它引发了团队内部的冲突。我们还发现，上级团队的身份可以帮助解决冲突的互动。我们的分析有助于揭示作为身份标记的原型如何能够抑制和促进多学科团队的创新过程。我们为在多学科团队中工作的经理，团队成员和设计师提供理论和实践意义。