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date: 17 April 2021

Abstract and Keywords

This chapter shows how the paper shredder mediates aspects of confidentiality, transparency, and secrecy in organizations. Following Susan Star Leigh’s ‘tricks of the trade’, it conceptualizes the paper shredder as material infrastructure and retraces its organizing force and effects. This brings into view virtuous as well as vicious practices in which the paper shredder becomes implicated—ranging from the protection of sensitive data, to the covering of unethical practices. The chapter concludes with suggestions to re-conceptualize material infrastructures in organizations, and unveil related aspects of confidentiality, transparency, and secrecy.

Keywords: confidentiality, transparency, secrecy, material infrastructures, objects, scandals

Alice Comi

Lecturer Shanghai Tongji University, International College of Design Innovation, Shanghai, China

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