scholarly journals The Day of the Rally: An ethnographic study of ‘ceremony as resistance’ and ‘resistance as ceremony’

Organization ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darren McCabe
Keyword(s):  
Power Relations ◽  
Organisational Culture ◽  
Ethnographic Study ◽  
Ethnographic Research ◽  
Frontline Employee ◽  
Stability And Instability ◽  
Employee Resistance ◽  
Workplace Resistance

The literature on organisational culture suggests that ceremonies or rituals reinforce control. By contrast, this article contributes to the literature on resistance, culture and ceremony by arguing that ceremony can also be understood as a form of resistance. It does so through drawing on ethnographic research, first, to explore how a ceremonial 1-day rally during an academic dispute was productive for frontline employee resistance (ceremony as resistance). Second, it considers how such resistance can also be productive in generating consent, for it is infused with and reproduces established norms, subjectivities and power relations (resistance as ceremony). Finally, it is asserted that resistance can be productive in fostering a subjectivity characterised by stability and instability and so practices such as a rally are necessary to try to stabilise both the organisation and the subjectivity of resistance. The article therefore illustrates the ambiguity of productive resistance which has been neglected to date. These insights and arguments indicate that all forms of workplace resistance are decaf, for they are imbued with the context and norms through which they arise. Nevertheless, resistance remains dangerous for those in positions of authority because it means that power is never totalising and so outcomes continue to be uncertain.

scholarly journals "Pedagogy of Listening" vs. "Pedagogy of Listening to Educators": Ethnographic Research on Child Autonomy in Kindergartens in Montenegro

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 575-597
Author(s):  
Jovana Marojević ◽  
Katarina Todorović ◽  
Saša Milić
Keyword(s):  
Power Relations ◽  
Adult Child ◽  
Self Determination Theory ◽  
Ethnographic Study ◽  
Constructivist Theory ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Child Interaction ◽  
Personal Epistemologies ◽  
Child Autonomy ◽  
Motivational Style

The paper discusses the phenomenon of child autonomy from the perspective of educators' personal epistemologies and power relations in the adult-child interaction in the practices of institutional education in Montenegro. The construct of child autonomy is approached from the standpoint of critical-constructivist theory and the self- -determination theory, as a socio-cultural product shaped by ethnopedagogies and personal epistemologies of educators. The main goal of the ethnographic study conducted in three preschool educational institutions in Montenegro was to explore the epistemological theories of educators through the analysis of institutional educational practices, given that "the ways of thinking about childhood fuse with institutionalized practices" (Prout & James, 2005, p. 22). We conclude about the existence of an objectivist epistemological theory of educators and the dominance of normative power relations in educator-child interactions, and discuss a special type of epistemological "over-power". The comparability with the results of similar research in the region is stated, and it points to a possible explanatory connection between collectivist culture and the controlling motivational style and authoritarianism in education.

scholarly journals Ampa Co’i Ndai: Local Understanding of Kafā’a in Marriage among Eastern Indonesian Muslims

2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 311
Author(s):  
Atun Wardatun
Keyword(s):  
Social Status ◽  
Everyday Life ◽  
Power Relations ◽  
Muslim Women ◽  
Cultural Practice ◽  
Ethnographic Research ◽  
Government Employee ◽  
Eastern Indonesia ◽  
Gender Power ◽  
A Site

This article draws on an ethnographic research that focuses on the cultural practice of female-paid matrimonial funding, ampa co’i ndai (ACN), among semi-urban Bimanese Muslims of Eastern Indonesia. The practice takes place when the bride, with the help of her parents and female relatives, pays her marriage payment (co’i, including mahr). It is used only when the prospective groom is a government employee, for it is assumed as a social status raiser. During the declaration of marriage, the payment is announced to have come from the groom. This article uses the practice as a site to examine the particularity of practising Islamic laws in everyday life of eastern Indonesian Muslims. The narratives of nineteen Muslim women who have been involved in ACN reveal what its functions as an equalising mechanism, through which gendered power-relations is minimised while perpetuating traditional position of wives and husbands as a complementary couple within their family as well as before society. I argue that  ACN has been seen as a modified understanding of kafā’a in fiqh which means “equality” to “complementarity.” However, this local understanding of kafā’a is a testament to the complexities of gender power relations.[Artikel ini adalah penelitian etnografi tentang praktik AMPA co’i ndai (ACN) di kalangan masyarakat semi-urban muslim Bima di kawasan timur Indonesia. Budaya ini dilaksanakan dengan cara pengantin perempuan, dengan bantuan orang tua dan saudara perempuannya, menyediakan biaya pernikahan (co’i dan mahar). Tradisi ini dipraktikkan hanya ketika calon pengantin pria adalah pegawai negeri, yang diasumsikan memiliki status sosial yang lebih. Namun, saat resepsi pernikahan, deiumumkan bahwa biaya-biaya berasal dari pengantin pria. Narasi kehidupan dari sembilan belas perempuan yang terlibat mengungkapkan fungsi ACN sebagai mekanisme penyetaraan gender dengan meminimalkan relasi kuasa serta nmendudukkan pasangan untuk saling melengkapi dalam keluarga maupun masyarakat. Praktik ACN dapat dilihat sebagai bentuk lokal pemahaman konsep kafā’a, yang berarti “kesetaraan” untuk “melengkapi”. Namun, pemahaman lokal kafā’a ini merupakan bukti kompleksitas relasi kuasa dalam masalah gender.]

Pluralistic Tendencies in Healing Abantu Illness in the Contemporary South Africa

2020 ◽  
pp. 986-1005
Author(s):  
Kholekile Hazel Ngqila
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Causal Link ◽  
Ethnographic Study ◽  
The Body ◽  
Ethnographic Research ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Socially Constructed ◽  
Biomedical Practitioners ◽  
Social Causes

Ukuhanjwa illness was used as an example to understanding abantu illnesses. With attributional theory ukuhanjwa illness is attributed to spiritual and social causes rather than biomedical causes, whereby causal link is socially constructed between ukuhanjwa illness and entry into the body by familiars. Issues explored included conceptualisation of ukuhanjwa illness. The focus of the chapter is on the reasons for continued pluralistic tendencies in healing regardless of the expectation by the West that people should be focusing on the use of the fast evolving biomedical healing methods. The ethnographic study took place among the Southern Nguni people of OR Tambo District Municipality (ORTDM) in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Data was collected using qualitative and ethnographic research methods amongst a sample group of 50 participants. The sample was composed of traditional healers, mothers of children who have experienced ukuhanjwa illness, elderly people (male and female), biomedical practitioners and nurses.

Crowds, context and identity: Dynamic categorization processes in the 'poll tax riot'

2000 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 247-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clifford Stott ◽  
John Drury
Keyword(s):  
Explanatory Power ◽  
Social Categorization ◽  
Ethnographic Study ◽  
Ethnographic Research ◽  
Dynamic Nature ◽  
Interactive Approach ◽  
Categorization Theory ◽  
The Social ◽  
Identity Model ◽  
Group Relationships

Reicher has recently developed the social identity model of crowd behaviour based on self-categorization theory (SCT). This model begins to tackle the thorny theoretical problems posed by the dynamic nature of crowd action (Reicher, 1996b). The present paper describes an ethnographic study of a crowd event in which there were changes in the inter-group relationships over time. It is suggested that the laboratory evidence in support of SCT is complemented by ethnographic research of this type. By exploring situations in which definitions of context and/or categories are not purposefully manipulated, we can demonstrate the explanatory power of a dynamic and interactive approach to social categorization.

scholarly journals Organisational culture and effectiveness

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 538-551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jossy Mathew
Keyword(s):  
Sufficient Conditions ◽  
Organisational Culture ◽  
Ethnographic Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organisational Values ◽  
Knowledge Intensive ◽  
Context Specific ◽  
Measures Of Effectiveness ◽  
Organisational Cultures ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to critically evaluate the theorised relationship between organisational culture and effectiveness. Design/methodology/approach The empirical data were collected through a five month ethnographic study in an Indian knowledge-intensive firm. It adopts the three-perspective framework of culture that encompasses integration, differentiation and fragmentation perspectives and a comprehensive examination of effectiveness. Findings Integrated, differentiated and fragmented perspectives of culture capture multiple organisational values and they affect effectiveness in varied ways. Appropriate cultures, although not sufficient conditions, are crucial for effectiveness, especially in knowledge-intensive firms. High levels of differentiation and fragmentation prevent the formation of strong cultures. This challenges organisational integration. Practical implications There is heightened need for the application of sophisticated HRM systems in the Indian software sector. Some context specific measures of effectiveness are documented. Originality/value Through an insightful evaluation of culture effectiveness theorisation till date, the paper amplifies current theorisation and illustrates the potential and limitations of organisational cultures in achieving effectiveness.

Exploring power relations embedded in medication communication processes on general medical wards

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Liu ◽  
Elizabeth Manias ◽  
Marie Gerdtz
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Power Relations ◽  
Acute Care Hospital ◽  
Professional Autonomy ◽  
Ethnographic Study ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Communication Processes ◽  
Medical Wards

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine power relations embedded in verbal and non-verbal medication communication processes that involve nurses, doctors, pharmacists and patients in two general medical wards of an acute care hospital. Design/methodology/approach – This paper reports on the findings of an ethnographic study investigating medication communication processes in hospital spatial environments. It was theoretically informed by the work of Norman Fairclough. Data collection methods comprising video-recordings and video reflexive focus groups were employed. Fairclough's critical discourse analytic framework guided data analysis. Findings – Four different forms of power relations between clinician-patient, nurse-doctor, clinician-organisation and multidisciplinary interactions were uncovered. Nurses asserted their professional autonomy when communicating with doctors about medications by offering specific advice on medical prescribing and challenging medication decisions. Video reflexivity enabled nurses to critically examine their contribution to medication decision-making processes. Clinicians of different disciplines openly contested the organisational structure of patient allocation during medical discussions about management options. Clinicians of different disciplines also engaged in medication communication interchangeably to accomplish patient discharge. Originality/value – An investigation of existing power relations embedded in medication communication processes within specific clinical contexts can lead to a better understanding of medication safety practices. Video reflexive focus groups are helpful in encouraging clinicians to reflect on their practice and consider ways in which it could be improved in how power relations are played out.

scholarly journals Examining the Strengths and Limitations of Ethnographic Research

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 549-558
Author(s):  
Natalie-Jane Howard
Keyword(s):  
Elementary School ◽  
Review Paper ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Ethnographic Study ◽  
Ethnographic Research ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Vocational College ◽  
Evaluative Criteria ◽  
Learning Contexts ◽  
The Future

Ethnography offers a holistic approach to qualitative researchers in educational contexts and appeals to scholars who wish seek to reveal rich narratives through their immersion in specific domains. This review paper examines the mobilization of the ethnographic research approach reported in studies from two distinctive learning contexts: an elementary school and a vocational college. Employing the specific evaluative criteria of Punch (2005), the desk-based study draws on existing literature to document the strengths and limitations of ethnographic method and reportage to reveal edifying insights to novice and experienced qualitative researchers who may be contemplating an ethnographic study in the future. The review reveals how extensive ethnography lends itself well to presenting thick descriptions in rich narratives to demonstrate high veracity. In contrast, this research approach may be limited in its verisimilitude, especially if ethnographers abridge their methodological and analytical descriptions and fail to acknowledge reactivity

Governing a therapeutic community prison in an age of managerialism

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Community ◽  
Ethnographic Study ◽  
Local Culture ◽  
Ethnographic Research ◽  
Occupational Culture ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Working Lives ◽  
Depth Study ◽  
Altered Form ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Recent ethnographic research has examined the forces that shape the working lives of prison managers, in particular, the growth of managerialism, pushing in from the outside and the deeply rooted local cultures that exist within. The purpose of this paper is to reconsider the interplay of these forces in the context of a therapeutic community (TC) prison. Design/methodology/approach This paper draws upon ethnographic research conducted in two prisons and expands this using an autoethnographic approach to examine the experience of governing a TC prison. Findings The original study described how the dynamic interaction of globalised change and local culture created gave rise to “prison managerialism”. This notion reflects the negotiation between the global managerialism and local occupational culture. This concept is equally relevant in a TC prison, albeit it exists in an altered form reflecting the distinct characteristics of the local culture. Research limitations/implications The approach builds upon an ethnographic study, expanding this through autoethnography. This inevitably limits the scope and perspective as it is looking at a specific context. It nevertheless highlights the distinctive challenges of managing a TC prison. Practical implications The work has implications for the management of TC prisons in practice, including human resource management such as recruitment, selection, appraisal and development of those managers. Originality/value The paper applies and revisits a recent in-depth study of prison managers, re-imagining and revising this to reflect the distinct context of managing a TC prison.

Ethnographic Study

2019 ◽  
pp. 246-271
Author(s):  
Anitha Acharya
Keyword(s):  
Nineteenth Century ◽  
Social Research ◽  
Ethnographic Study ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Ethnographic Research ◽  
Way Of Life ◽  
The West

This chapter is about ethnographic study. Ethnography is the subset of social research. The term ethnography originated in the nineteenth century in Western anthropology, where ethnography was an evocative description of the culture of group of people, generally one placed in the outskirts of the west. The endeavor of ethnography is to assess another way of life from the native point of view. This chapter highlights the characteristics of ethnography, when to use ethnography, types of ethnography, procedure, and benefits and issues involved in carrying out ethnographic research.

Ethnography to Define Requirements and Data Model

2011 ◽  
pp. 459-463
Author(s):  
Gary J. DeLorenzo
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Data Model ◽  
Cultural Knowledge ◽  
Ethnographic Study ◽  
Behavior Patterns ◽  
Ethnographic Research ◽  
User Requirements ◽  
Social Setting ◽  
Research Techniques ◽  
And Behavior

Ethnographic research offers an orientation to understand the process and structure of a social setting and employs research techniques consistent with this orientation. The ethnographic study is rooted in gaining an understanding of cultural knowledge used to interpret the experience and behavior patterns of the researched participants. The ethnographic method aids the researcher in identifying descriptions and in interpreting language, terms, and meanings as the basis of defining user requirements for information systems.

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