Corporate Ethnography: Issues and Challenges (Part 1)

CHAIRS: JORDAN, Brigitte (PARC) and HEPSO, Vidar (Norwegian Tech U)

ABSTRACT: Ethnography in Corporations is a hot topic that we propose to explore in two Panels followed by a Roundtable. In the Panel, expert practitioners discuss some of the
fundamental issues they confront in their work on a daily basis. The format consists of spirited exchanges where two interlocutors take on a particular issue from a different
point of view, each taking ten minutes for their statement. This will be followed by 10 minutes of audience participatory discussion. These encounters are specifically NOT meant
to be confrontations, but are presented in the spirit of positioning complementary approaches within a broader universe of ethnographic methodology and theory. Part I starts
with Gluesing juxtaposing Conventional Ethnographic Methods, the kind that are grounded in participant observation, with Technology-Supported Methods as discussed by
Riopelle. This is followed by a dialogue between Rijsberman who takes on Ethnography Writ Small, specifically in support of product design, paired with Ensworth who focuses
on Ethnography Writ Large as in understanding whole systems. Finally Solomon will tackle Rapid Ethnographic Techniques, engaging with Cefkin who will provide a
complementary viewpoint with The Limits to Speed in Ethnography.

PANELISTS: GLUESING, Julia and RIOPELLE, Kenneth (Wayne St U), RIJSBERMAN, Marijke (Interfacility) and ENSWORTH, Patricia (Harborlight) SOLOMON, Kern (Independent)
and CEFKIN, Melissa (IBM)

 

Session took Place in Seattle, WA at the 71 st Annual Meeting of the Society for Applied Anthropology in March-April 2011