Multi-species ethnography: methodological training in the field in South Africa. Issue 3 (19th September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wels, Harry
• Is Part Of: Journal of organizational ethnography. Volume 9:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 343
• Page End: 363
• Publication Date: 2020-09-19
• Subjects: South Africa -- Tracking -- Research methodologies -- Multi-species ethnography; Corporate culture -- Periodicals; Business anthropology -- Periodicals; Organizational sociology -- Periodicals; Organizational behavior -- Periodicals; 302.35
• DOI: 10.1108/JOE-05-2020-0020
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-6749

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: To 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/approach: Reflections 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. Findings: That 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/value: Comes 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.