Attempts to identify an intermediate unit between collective activity and individual action within activity theory are useful and necessary. While several possible conceptualizations have been put forward, engagement is a relevant candidate for naming such a unit. However, the elaboration of such a unit opens up difficult theoretical questions which should not be overlooked. To avoid shortcuts in this endeavor, I discuss four challenges, namely (1) outcomes, not just purposes as the driving force of engagements, (2) dimensions and types of engagements, (3) the linear-temporal and socio-spatial aspects of engagements, and (4) the importance of contradictions, alienation and expansion in the analysis of engagements.

Article Computerized medical records, production pressure and compartmentalization in the work activity of health center physicians Share on Authors: Yrjo Engestrom University of Helsinki, Finland University of Helsinki, FinlandView Profile , Ritva Engestrom View Profile , Osmo Saarelma Health Center of the City of Espoo, Finland Health Center of the City of Espoo, FinlandView Profile Authors Info & Claims CSCW '88: Proceedings of the 1988 ACM conference on Computer-supported cooperative workJanuary 1988 Pages 65–84https://doi.org/10.1145/62266.62272Published:01 January 1988 12citation821DownloadsMetricsTotal Citations12Total Downloads821Last 12 Months11Last 6 weeks3 Get Citation AlertsNew Citation Alert added!This alert has been successfully added and will be sent to:You will be notified whenever a record that you have chosen has been cited.To manage your alert preferences, click on the button below.Manage my AlertsNew Citation Alert!Please log in to your account Save to BinderSave to BinderCreate a New BinderNameCancelCreateExport CitationPublisher SiteGet Access