Failing forward: the transformative power of writing in interdisciplinary ethnographic research

IF 0.9 Q4 MANAGEMENT

Journal of Organizational Ethnography Pub Date : 2024-07-05 DOI:10.1108/joe-01-2024-0005

Hanna Varvne, Mariana Andrei

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose

To address complex societal challenges, particularly in the context of climate change, there is a growing interest in employing interdisciplinary ethnographic research (IER). This paper examines the experiences associated with participating in IER, drawing insights from a collaboration project that integrates organization studies with energy management research.

Design/methodology/approach

Within the context of a three-year interdisciplinary collaboration, the paper focuses on the performance of an interview and the analysis thereof. It draws from this example to highlight the difficulties in translating discipline-specific language and understanding failures in IER. Including an exploration of the process of recovery, involving analyzing research results and the subsequent collaborative writing of a paper.

Findings

The primary findings revolve around the challenges inherent in ethnography as an interdisciplinary method. These challenges include language barriers between disciplines and the complexities of comprehending and learning from failures in interdisciplinary research.

Originality/value

The contribution lies in its exploration of abductive reasoning in IER, shedding light on the complexities and opportunities associated with interdisciplinary collaboration in the making. By emphasizing the importance of going into the field before negotiating common ground, the approach presented provides a unique perspective that not only addresses challenges but also facilitates the development of involved disciplines and scholars through self-reflection.

Highlights

The paper shows the importance of both expertise and experience knowledge in interdisciplinary ethnographic research.
By using different writing styles, the importance of language and translations between disciplines is exemplified.
The paper provides an example of how to engage in abductive reasoning in interdisciplinary ethnographic research.
The paper calls for a broad understanding of failure and success in interdisciplinary ethnographic research.

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向前失败：跨学科人种学研究中写作的变革力量

目的为了应对复杂的社会挑战，特别是在气候变化的背景下，人们对采用跨学科人种学研究（IER）的兴趣与日俱增。本文探讨了参与跨学科人种学研究（IER）的相关经验，并从一个将组织研究与能源管理研究相结合的合作项目中汲取了深刻的见解。论文以此为例，强调了在跨学科研究中翻译特定学科语言和理解失败的困难。包括对恢复过程的探讨，其中涉及分析研究结果以及随后合作撰写论文。这些挑战包括学科之间的语言障碍，以及在跨学科研究中理解和从失败中学习的复杂性。原创性/价值该论文的贡献在于其对 IER 中归纳推理的探索，揭示了与跨学科合作相关的复杂性和机遇。通过强调在协商共同点之前深入实地的重要性，本文提出的方法提供了一个独特的视角，不仅可以应对挑战，还能通过自我反思促进相关学科和学者的发展。论文亮点本文展示了跨学科民族志研究中专业知识和经验知识的重要性。

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来源期刊

Journal of Organizational Ethnography MANAGEMENT-

CiteScore

1.90

自引率

37.50%

发文量

期刊介绍： The Journal of Organizational Ethnography (JOE) has been launched to provide an opportunity for scholars, from all social and management science disciplines, to publish over two issues: -high-quality articles from original ethnographic research that contribute to the current and future development of qualitative intellectual knowledge and understanding of the nature of public and private sector work, organization and management -review articles examining the history and development of the contribution of ethnography to qualitative research in social, organization and management studies -articles examining the intellectual, pedagogical and practical use-value of ethnography in organization and management research, management education and management practice, or which extend, critique or challenge past and current theoretical and empirical knowledge claims within one or more of these areas of interest -articles on ethnographically informed research relating to the concepts of organization and organizing in any other wider social and cultural contexts.