Working with and for social enterprises: the role of the volunteer ethnographer

Hill OConnor, C. and Baker, R. (2017) Working with and for social enterprises: the role of the volunteer ethnographer. Social Enterprise Journal, 13(2), pp. 180-193. (doi: 10.1108/sej-07-2016-0033)

Abstract

Purpose: This paper considers the specific opportunities and challenges of engaging in ethnographic research with organisations in which the researcher participates as a volunteer ethnographer. Design/methodology/approach: The findings in this paper are based on four years of ethnographic research within a social enterprise. Findings: This paper finds that there are significant benefits of the role of the volunteer ethnographer and suggests ways to address some of the challenges. Research limitations/implications: As the field of social enterprise and ethnography grows and researchers engage with methodological discussions about participant observation, the authors suggest that attention should also be paid to the specifics of the role of the volunteer ethnographer. Originality/value: There is growing interest in the use of ethnography in social enterprises. This paper offers unique insight into how this methodology has been applied in the context of self-reliant groups and the importance of the engaging with discussion about the specific role of the volunteer ethnographer.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was supported by the Medical Research Council and the Economic and Social Research Council [grant number MR/L003287/1].
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Hill OConnor, Dr Clementine
• Authors: Hill OConnor, C., and Baker, R.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Sociology Anthropology and Applied Social Sciences
• Journal Name: Social Enterprise Journal
• Publisher: Emerald Publishing
• ISSN: 1750-8614
• ISSN (Online): 1750-8614
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2017 Clementine Hill O’Connor and Rachel Baker
• First Published: First published in Social Enterprise Journal 13(2):180-193
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence