Learning outcomes: After the course, students will
-  know the historical background and development of the use of ethnographic approach in the study of organizations and organizing
- understand the main currents and traditions in ethnography as well as the main challenges facing the ethnographer in organizational settings
- be prepared to design, implement and write up an ethnographic study involving an access to an organizational or institutional field
- be offered methodological insights from the experiences of senior researchers as well as from the presentations of other doctoral researchers

Aims: The aim of this course is to familiarize the student with ethnographic research approach and its use in the study of organizations and organizing (companies, public sector units, hospitals, associations, etc.). The module will review the use of ethnographic tradition in various historical stages of organization studies, assessing the strengths and limitations of ethnography as cultural method of making sense of and writing about organizing and managing. Emphasis is put on the lessons learnt from visiting classic and contemporary examples of organizational ethnography. Course suits doctoral researchers across various disciplines employing qualitative field work methods in organizational settings.

Place: Room C7 (Main building)

Course schedule:
Tuesday  10.1.2017:
10.00 – 10.15  Welcome and introduction (Tuomo Peltonen)
10.15- 12.00  The ethnographic tradition and its relation to organization studies (Tuomo Peltonen)
12.00.-13.00 Lunch
13.00-14.00 Classical and recent examples of organizational ethnography (Tuomo Peltonen)
14.00.- 14.15 Coffee Break
14.15 – 16. 00 Discussion of students’ projects

Wednesday  11.1..2017
10.00 -12.00 Example : Ethnographic approach in the study of embodiment and aesthetics (Suvi Satama)
12.00- 13.00  Lunch
13.00 – 14.00 Example: Negotiating the roles of researcher (Suvi Satama)
14.00- 14.15  Coffee Break
14.15- 16.00 Discussion of students’ projects

Thursday 12.1.2017
10.00 -12.00 Example:  the meaning of organizational space and architecture (Tuomo Peltonen)
12.00- 13.00  Lunch
13.00 – 14.00 Example: ethnography of an expatriate community (Tuomo Peltonen)
14.00- 14.15  Coffee Break
14.15- 16.00 Concluding discussion and reflections


Mode of Completion: Pre-assignment, active participation, essay, presentation of own work (+ 1 ECTS)

Pre-assignment in which students write:
- name, discipline
- a short description of their research project
- what method they are using/planning to use
- willingness to present their work at the course
Pre-assignment is sent via Moodle on 2 January 2017 at the latest.

3 credits: After the course students write an essay about their work and methods (more detailed info on the essay will be given during the course).
4 credits: Course presentation gives one extra credit (3+1 credits)

Enrolment in Nettiopsu. If group size has to be restricted, selection method is draw.

Teachers: Professor, Dr.Sc. (Econ.) Tuomo Peltonen; M.Sc (Econ.) Suvi Satama