Unpacking ambiguity in ideational change: the polysemy of the ‘Europe of Knowledge’

What is ambiguity, and why does it matter in policy change? Often treated as an exogenous factor, the ambiguity of ideas has been considered a taken for granted entity instrumental to actors’ strategic action. Less attention devoted elucidating nature drivers process. Building on concept ‘boundary objects’, originally developed within sociology science, this article identifies polysemy one explanatory factor through which multiple contradictory meanings are shared across constellation different actors. Empirically, examines how idea ‘Europe Knowledge’ European education was first rejected mid-1990s then adopted only few years later thanks its polysemy. By ‘objectifying’ into boundary object, can thus create entry or exit options institutional arena by legitimising cooperation enabling (policy) entrepreneurship.