flipping wheels makes it wider regardless, you are changing the offset. the only way flipping shocks could physically change your width is if it slightly lowers your front end , meaning the a-arms lie flatter thus are at the peak of their swing radius [widest point if you draw a circle from the mounting point] seeing as the shocks are the same length no matter what way you look at them, the only way that you could make them shorter bearing in mind they are fitted to the same bike [weight] is if the shock was softer whilst at rest allowing it to sag down, maybe you both are right it may SEEM to make the bike wider, and also maybe it does affect the damping, shouldnt do as they are sealed units but then again ive not tried it so...
quit your bitching children and think before you speak, no need to slate each other over what way you fit shocks!!!!