Multi-species ethnography: methodological training in the field in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 343-363
Author(s):  
Harry Wels
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Ethnographic Research ◽  
Research Methodologies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ethnographic Fieldwork ◽  
Lessons Learnt ◽  
And Training

PurposeTo further develop research methodologies for multi-species ethnographic fieldwork, based on researcher's experiences with multi-species fieldwork in private wildlife conservancies in South Africa and inspired by San tracking techniques.Design/methodology/approachReflections on methodological lessons learnt during multi-species ethnographic fieldwork in South Africa. The approach is rather “Maanenesque” in telling various types of tales of the field. These tales also implicitly show how all-encompassing ethnographic fieldwork and its accompanying reflexivity are; there is never time for leisure in ethnographic fieldwork.FindingsThat developing fieldwork methodologies in multi-species ethnographic research confronts researchers with the explicit need for and training in multi-sensory methods and interpretations, inspired by “the art of tracking” of the San.Originality/valueComes up with a concrete suggestion for a sequence of research methods for multi-species ethnography based on the trials and tribulations of a multi-species ethnographer's experiences in South Africa and inspired by San tracking techniques.

Placing emotion and fantasy at the heart of the researcher-researched relationship

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 192-196
Author(s):  
Yiannis Gabriel
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Research ◽  
Emotional Responses ◽  
Research Methodologies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Short Piece

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to introduce psychosocial research methodology as a method that makes use of the emotions of researcher and researched and goes well-beyond empathetic understanding. Design/methodology/approach This short piece critically introduces the recently published book Further Researching Beneath the Surface (Volume 2): Psycho-social Research Methods in Practice, Eds Cummins, A.-M., and Williams, N., and analyses the psychosocial approach to qualitative research that emphasizes research as an emotional activity and makes use of the researcher’s and the researched’s emotional responses to each other in drawing interpretations about organizational phenomena. Findings By analysing transference and counter-transference, researchers can draw valuable insights into organizational phenomena that remain unseen by more conventional research methodologies. Originality/value Emotions, far from being the enemy of the researcher, can, if recognized properly, be valuable resources in social research.

Organisational ethnography as a project of unease

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-247
Author(s):  
Annika Lindberg ◽  
Tobias Georg Eule
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Peer Feedback ◽  
Current Debate ◽  
Ethnographic Research ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ethnographic Fieldwork ◽  
Working Through ◽  
Migration Control

PurposeThe article examines situations of unease during ethnographic fieldwork with migration control agents in Sweden, Denmark and Germany. It shows how these “tests” are both methodologically challenging and analytically valuable, and how they need to be addressed properly. The article concludes a special issue on “passing the test in organisational ethnography”.Design/methodology/approachThe article is based on ethnographic research with migration control agents, carried out by both authors in Denmark and Sweden (Annika) and Germany (Tobias). However, rather than presenting the main results from this research, the article focuses on the tests encountered during the research.FindingsThe article has two main findings. First, it provides an open typology of tests. Second, it proposes four ways in which ethnographers could address these tests: acknowledging them methodologically, working through them personally and collectively, unpacking them analytically and preparing others in teaching and peer-feedback.Research limitations/implicationsThe article encourages ethnographers to engage reflexively with fieldwork challenges, and provides a framework for doing so.Originality/valueThe article presents contributes to the current debate on organisational ethnography with recommendations of how to engage with tests in ethnographic fieldwork.

Cuddle, kill, conserve: a posthuman analysis of the African lion within the South African wildlife security assemblage

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Fletcher-Barnes
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Ethnographic Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
African Lion ◽  
Security Personnel ◽  
Interspecies Relations

PurposeThis paper explores the life cycle of a captive bred lion in South Africa, focusing on the distinction between captive bred and wild individuals. Lions are bred in captive breeding facilities across the country to provide cubs and teenagers for ecotourism, and following this, hunting “trophies.” A distinction is made between the “wild” and “captive” lion, a categorization that I argue legitimizes violent and unethical treatment toward those bred specifically to be cuddled and killed. This analysis explores how the lion is remade or modified from wild to commodity and the repercussions this has had throughout the wildlife security assemblage.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on ethnographic research carried out in South Africa during 2016 that involved conducting informal and semi-structured interviews with activists, breeders, wildlife security personnel and conservationists drawing out the interspecies relations that influenced the encounters between humans and wildlife.FindingsDominant conservation narratives continue to understand and interpret wildlife solely as a commodity or profitable resource, which has led to the normalization of unethical and cruel practices that implicate wildlife in their own security and sustenance through their role in ecotourism, hunting and more recently, the lion bone trade. Captive bred lions are treated as products that undergo a series of translations through which they are exposed to violence and exploitation operationalized through practices linked to conservation and ecotourism.Originality/valueThrough posthuman thinking, this paper contributes to debates on the interspecies dimensions of politics through challenging the dominant assumptions that govern conservation and the interspecies encounter.

scholarly journals Trimming the social body

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 68-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jakob Krause-Jensen
Keyword(s):  
Social Workers ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Social Body ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Ethnographic Fieldwork ◽  
The Social ◽  
Management Concept

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse through ethnographic fieldwork the social and cultural context and (unintended) consequences of introducing a management concept from the private sector (LEAN) into the public sector. Design/methodology/approach Ethnographic fieldwork combined with reading of reports and material. Findings The major findings are: first, Lean is seen in a cultural context, it is argued that the persuasiveness of Lean depends on building a metaphorical connection between organizational aims and individual experiences and bodily ideals; second, Lean purports to be a win-win game and road to eliminating “waste” through worker participation, empowerment and enthusiasm. The research points to the contrary. Lean was met with scepticism and was seen by the social workers as a waste of time. Originality/value As demonstrated in the paper, the vast majority of research published about Lean is hortatory in nature. It is recipe books trying to convince readers of the benefits of introducing Lean. This paper, on the contrary, attempts an open ethnographic exploration of the Lean process and its social and cultural ramifications.

Understanding the foundations of global competitive advantage of nations

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 503-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Farinha ◽  
Sara Nunes ◽  
João J. Ferreira ◽  
António Fernandes
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Development Stage ◽  
World Economic Forum ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Technological Readiness ◽  
Economic Competitiveness ◽  
The World ◽  
World Economic ◽  
And Training

Purpose This paper focuses on the issue of global competitive advantage of nations, based on the dimensions analyzed by the World Economic Forum in assessing the economic competitiveness of a large sample of countries. From the different stages of development of the countries, this study aims to help us to recognize what variables better explain the global competitive advantage of economies. Design/methodology/approach Following quantitative analysis, results based on PLS show what dimensions within each economic development stage best explain the global competitive advantage of economies. Findings Beyond the institutions, infrastructure and regulation of the markets, higher education and training, the technological readiness, the business sophistication and innovation contribute greatly to explain the competitive advantage of economies. Originality/value Understanding the drivers of global competitive advantage of nations, this study may help academics to conduct new studies, as well as politicians to define intervention priorities.

scholarly journals Development of pedagogical competencies of the vocational teachers in Italy and Lithuania: implications of competence-based VET curriculum reforms

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Tacconi ◽  
Vidmantas Tūtlys ◽  
Marco Perini ◽  
Genute Gedvilienė
Keyword(s):  
Working Conditions ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Vocational Education And Training ◽  
Vocational Teachers ◽  
European Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Career Opportunities ◽  
Curriculum Reforms ◽  
Pedagogical Growth ◽  
And Training

Purpose The present study aims to reveal common and diverging trends in the development of pedagogical competences of vocational education and training (VET) teachers and trainers in Italy and Lithuania. Design/methodology/approach A structured survey was administered to Italian and Lithuanian teachers. The collected data were analysed and compared. Findings Results show that there are many common challenges and problems in the development of pedagogical competencies of the VET teachers in both countries; e.g.: the marginalisation of the VET teacher's work and working conditions, especially the dissatisfying wages and poor career opportunities, and the absent or weak institutionalisation of the VET teacher's qualifications and training. Originality/value The emerged results can be useful for directors of VET-centres and VET-schools to manage training and pedagogical growth of teachers both in Italy and in Lithuania. Moreover, the outputs can be considered as a set of suggestions also by the policymakers both at national and European level.

scholarly journals Social Roles in the Ethnographic Fieldwork

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Desalegn Amsalu
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Social Structure ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Social Roles ◽  
Qualitative Research Methods ◽  
Ethnographic Research ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Global Literature ◽  
Ethnographic Fieldwork ◽  
The Social

This paper investigates the concept of social roles in ethnographic fieldwork, its place in the global literature discussing qualitative research methods, and its application in the Ethiopian ethnographic fieldwork. I discuss that social roles are all about seeing one’s role and status, in this case, as researchers, in the social structure of a society or community we do the ethnographic research. Based on my own experience and the experience of other ethnographers elsewhere, I argue that a conscious use of our social roles is a <i>sin qua non</i> for successful ethnographic fieldwork. However, this concept has been given less emphasis in the literature of qualitative research methods. Social roles in the ethnographic fieldwork are especially less known in the Ethiopian ethnographic research experience. <b> </b>

Barriers in adoption of additive manufacturing in medical sector supply chain

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Neha Choudhary ◽  
Anish Kumar ◽  
Varun Sharma ◽  
Pradeep Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Potential Barriers ◽  
Organizational Barriers ◽  
Medical Sector ◽  
Network Process ◽  
And Training

PurposeAdditive manufacturing (AM) is expected to significantly transform the operations in manufacturing sector. It is also proposed to have optimistic applications in the medical supply chains (SC). However, its adoption in medical sector is faced with a range of barriers. Motivated by the need to establish an AM-based medical SC in a developing economy, the present paper analyses the potential barriers that would hinder the adoption of AM in medical SC.Design/methodology/approachBased on an extensive literature review and expert discussions, 12 significant barriers have been identified, which are analysed using an integrated interpretive structural modelling–analytical network process (ISM–ANP) methodology. An interrelationship between these barriers using ISM has been analysed to determine the driving-dependence power of these barriers using MICMAC (Matrice d' Impacts Croises-Multiplication Applique' e a' Classement) analysis. The barriers are then ranked using the ANP approach.FindingsIt has been focussed that the non-availability of a variety of materials, lack of education and training to designers and workers and production technology limitation are the most critical barriers. The results suggest that the managers should give greater significance to the technological and organizational barriers.Originality/valueAn approach to overcome these barriers can help the managers and organizations to develop successful AM-based SCs. The study is the first to identify and analyse the barriers for successful adoption of AM in medical SC context.

Reflections of a feminist organizational ethnographer: considering the subject matter and the research setting

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Ryan
Keyword(s):  
Subject Matter ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Cultural Landscape ◽  
Ethnographic Research ◽  
Research Practice ◽  
Research Setting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Military ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to reflexively reconsider the effects of the author’s pre-understandings, both academic and non-academic, on the subject matter and the research setting. The unforeseen implications of this disjuncture on our research practice and the expected deliverables are discussed.Design/methodology/approachThe paper engages in a critical, self-reflexive dialogue of a journey through a stimulating yet, uncomfortable piece of feminist, organizational ethnographic research drawing on the insights from the author's research diary.FindingsThe account presented in this paper describes the problematic nature of undertaking a collaborative, reciprocal research project in the distinctive and foreign cultural landscape of the military. The author shows the importance of delving into matters of positionality and preparedness for what might emerge, as a form of closure.Practical implicationsThe paper provides insights into the importance of sponsors to access “the field” and our obligation as researchers to produce written deliverables.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the emerging literature on the significance of reflexivity in feminist inspired organizational ethnographies in highly gendered settings such as the military.

International evidence of changing assurance practices for carbon emissions disclosures

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rina Datt ◽  
Pranil Prasad ◽  
Connie Vitale ◽  
Krishan Prasad
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
North America ◽  
Carbon Emissions ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
International Evidence ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Intensive Growth ◽  
Do So

Purpose The market for the assurance of carbon emissions disclosures is showing intensive growth. However, due to the largely voluntary nature of carbon reporting and assurance, there are currently no clear standards or guidelines and little is known about it. The purpose of this paper is to examine the reporting and assurance practices for carbon emissions disclosures. Design/methodology/approach This study provides evidence on this market, with a sample that includes 13,419 firm-year observations across 58 countries between 2010 and 2017 from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) database. Findings The results show that the demand for carbon emissions reporting comes mainly from North America, the UK and Japan. Recently, markets such as South Africa have also shown increased demand for carbon reporting. The data also shows that more firms are seeking assurance for their carbon emissions reports. Legitimacy, stakeholder and institutional theories are used to explain the findings of this study. Research limitations/implications The results have important implications for firms that produce carbon emissions disclosures, assurance service providers, legislators, regulators and the users of the reports and there should be more specific disclosure guidelines for level and scope of reporting. Originality/value Amongst the firms that do provide assurance on their carbon emissions reports, a majority do so using specialist assurance providers, with only limited assurance being provided. The results further show that a myriad of assurance frameworks is being used to assure the carbon emissions disclosures.

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