Etnografando Arquivos Históricos: Caminhos Possíveis para Pesquisas em Estudos Organizacionais

Abstract

Our objective in this article is to discuss the contributions of archival ethnography as a method of historical research in management. We indicate that, while historical research is already relevant in the management research area, there is still a dilemma regarding the possibility of how to access the past and conduct research of this nature. In this context, ethnography associated with historical archives emerges as a legitimate source, loaded with voices and silences to be unveiled in the processes of reflection on time in the context of organizations. Thus, we discuss the characteristics and possibilities of the method of an archival ethnography, considering its multi-situated character in the proposed research strategy. Thus, we hope to foster the discussion about ethnographic immersion in historical archives and how this method can contribute to the several research areas in management and more specifically in Organization Studies.

La investigación histórica en estudios organizacionales: Itinerarios metodológicos a la luz de Michel de Certeau

“…In addition to the theoretical-conceptual discussions of the approach to history in administration, theoreticalmethodological issues related to the historical method were also included in these discussions, indicating different paths of history in administration (Barros, 2016;Carneiro, 2016;Decker, 2013;Schwartz & Cook, 2004;Vasconcelos et al, 2008;Durepos & Mills, 2011, Costa, Barros & Martins, 2010Quelha-de-Sá & Costa, 2018;Costa & Silva, 2019;Lopes & Ipiranga, 2021;Lacerda, Ipiranga & Thoene, 2023). The work, for example, by Costa e Silva (2019) presented a proposal for the practice of historical research by through three guiding concepts: (a) "the historical fact, understood as events that gave rise to thedifferent historical interpretations of what happened; (b) the document and the historical source, that is, any trace of the past that has been preserved and serves to understand its time; and (c) the historical analysis or operation, that is, the processcritical by which a source is submitted so that it can support the researcher in answering his concerns" (p.101).…”

“…More specifically, the author works with the proposal of a methodology based on archival ethnography that presents itself as an expansion and alternative to ethnographymultisituated to understand practices, experiences and historical experiences through a network of relationships evidenced in historical archives, triggering reflections on the past (Decker, 2014). The work of Lopes and Ipiranga (2021), also moves in this direction when discussing the contributions of archival ethnography as a method in historical research in administration by retracing historical paths and practices, having "access to the voices and silences that underlie it" (p. 48).…”

“…In Brazil, there is also a reasonable production of studies focusing, specifically, on methodological paths in historical research in administration through different approaches, such as: Barros (2016); Carneiro & Barros (2017); Coraiola (2012); Costa, Barros & Martins (2010); Costa & Silva (2019); Lopes & Ipiranga (2021); Luna & Barros (2021); Pieranti (2008); Quelha-de-Sá & Costa (2018); Vizeu (2010); Wanderley et al (2017). Specifically in relation to Certeau's historical approaches, we cite, among others, works that focused on discussions about strategies and tactics in organizations by Murta et al (2010); Silva, Carrieri & Junquilho (2011);Carrieri, et al (2012); including in everyday school life (Oliveira & Sgarbi, 2007;Duran, 2007); the studies that worked on organization of practices in different spaces of the city that problematizes the issue of "living" memory through tacit dimension (Ipiranga, 2010;Marins & Ipiranga, 2015;Ipiranga & Lopes, 2017); the research that illuminated the questions about ordinary management in family businesses (Carrieri, Perdigão & Aguiar, 2014); and the study that problematized the history and daily life of Barros and Carrieri (2015).…”