Organisational and professional hierarchies in a data management system: public–private collaborative building of public healthcare and social services in Finland

Nordic countries are considered international leaders in producing combinable data on their citizens’ encounters with public institutions, as well the digitalisation of services. Public-sector professionals increasingly collaborate private IT companies developing analytics products for cost saving and cost-efficiency. This article presents results a two-year ethnographic study collaboration between Knowledge Team public-sector organisation private-sector company maintaining management system one Finnish regional healthcare social service organisation. The is defined product that provides information about clinical financial aspects management. We combine perspectives science technology studies sociology professions to situate our research boundary object within broader context professional work. Via theoretical framework, we examine negotiation process through which becomes practice. includes not only accommodation diverse epistemic cultures but also organisational hierarchies empower some experts shape towards visions interests. applies ‘boundary object’ concept elucidate structural power differentials public–private partnerships multi-professional collaborations.