Organizational ethnography and religious organizations: the case of Quaker decision-making. Issue 4 (8th August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Burton, Nicholas; Koning, Juliette; Muers, Rachel
• Is Part Of: Journal of management, spirituality & religion. Volume 15:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 349
• Page End: 367
• Publication Date: 2018-08-08
• Subjects: Organizational ethnography -- Quakers -- decision-making -- Quaker business method -- spiritual/religious organizations; Religion in the workplace -- Periodicals; Management -- Religious aspects -- Periodicals; Employees -- Religious life -- Periodicals; Business -- Religious aspects -- Periodicals; 201.7
• DOI: 10.1080/14766086.2018.1496469
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1476-6086

Abstract

ABSTRACT: How should we study the management practices of religious organizations to do justice to their distinctive religious motivations and traditions? In this article, we articulate how a specific research approach – organizational ethnography – may enable a deeper understanding of religious and/or spiritual organizational practice. We approach our methodological research questions by engaging with the literature on the distinctive decision-making practices of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), commonly known as the Quaker business method. Having shown that the Quaker business method destabilizes a simple binary between "insider" and "outsider" and between believers and nonbelievers, we bring the theory and practice of organizational ethnography into conversation with Quaker accounts of decision-making. We conclude with pathways for future research in the space this destabilization creates.