ABSTRACT
Ethnographies of work have made vital contributions to organizational studies by providing truthful images of how work is carried out in organizations. These images are the result of ethnographers’ craft that involves capturing both the pronounced and the nuanced elements of organizational life by “being there” over a long period of time, and then adeptly writing up what has been witnessed and heard in the form of a theoretically informed story. In this chapter, we discuss some of the stark similarities in the goals and processes involved in ethnography and journalism, while remaining mindful of the differences that exist between these two trades. Cognizant of how the techniques and practices of ethnography have enriched journalism, we focus on the journalistic techniques and practices that can enrich work ethnographies. In particular, we identify and discuss how attention to the emotional aspects of work, use of narrative techniques, and incorporation of the larger context can make work ethnographies more nuanced, grounded, and impactful.
