The Methodology/Theory Interface: Ethnography and the Microfoundations of Institutions

Abstract

I explore the interrelations between methodology and theory by examining how specific research strategies afford specific lines of theorizing. My case study is recent studies in which scholars applied ethnography to examine the microfoundations of institutions. I show how ethnography – a research method designed to study actions, interactions, and the fine details of the here and now as these are articulated in the context of shared cultural meanings – was deployed through four different research strategies, including (a) zooming-in on micro-dynamics of a documented macro process; (b) exploring the micro patterns of an institutional problematics; (c) focusing on pivotal institutional moments; and (d) inquiring into micro-dynamics in specific institutional locations. Each of these research strategies affords specific ways to theorize the connections between the micro and macro in institutional processes. My exploration may serve as a road map for the ethnographic study of institutions’ microfoundations and other macro phenomena, as explicating the theoretical affordances of research strategies may help researchers in making more informed choices about the method/theory interface. More generally, it highlights the need – well established yet often neglected – to explore more deeply the interplay between method and theory, and how seemingly technical methodological choices bear profound theoretical implications, both for each study and for the discipline as a whole.

Navigating the logics of changing public facilities management

“…Data collection was inspired by the stream of research labelled “ethnography”. As ethnography is “the study of situated action within its broader context” (Zilber, 2020, p. 7), this data collection method was deemed suitable given the aim of the study.…”

“…The navigator’s work during the unfolding of the strategy project was closely studied from the initial phase throughout the project’s prolonged development and (aimed) implementation in, first, one city area (pilot project) and later the entire organization. As the interest lay in investigating specific issues rather than providing a holistic cultural analysis, we used a strategy for ethnographic research that Zilber (2020) described as “exploring the micro-foundations at pivotal institutional moments” (p. 15), meaning that specific, significant (institutional) episodes were targeted, i.e. we were focusing on moments in a process during which certain institutional dynamics were more evident, such as the introduction of new practices in PublicPrem (Zilber, 2020).…”

“…As the interest lay in investigating specific issues rather than providing a holistic cultural analysis, we used a strategy for ethnographic research that Zilber (2020) described as “exploring the micro-foundations at pivotal institutional moments” (p. 15), meaning that specific, significant (institutional) episodes were targeted, i.e. we were focusing on moments in a process during which certain institutional dynamics were more evident, such as the introduction of new practices in PublicPrem (Zilber, 2020).…”

Ambiguous practices and conflicting interests: why immigrants end up in uncertain employment

“…The mediators have regulative and normative features (Scott, 2014) with the capacity to influence other practices (Watson, 2017). The practice approach enables an analysis of the interplay of institutional factors, such as the legislative framework and formal policies and actual recruitment-related practices (Scott, 2014;Smets et al, 2017;Zilber, 2020). Beyond documenting how the practices hang together, the purpose of zooming out is to identify the effect the nexus of practices has on those who dwell within them (Nicolini, 2017) in this case, immigrants pursuing secure and stable employment.…”

“…Therefore, previous research has not captured the complexity and connectedness of organizational practices that affect immigrant employment. In line with the recommendation of other researchers (Amis et al, 2018;Janssens and Steyaert, 2019;Ortlieb and Sieben, 2014;Zilber, 2020), this study applies an ethnographic approach and practice theory to investigate further into everyday organizational practices. The use of practice theory as a theoretical and methodological framework enables an analysis of how immigrant employment is interwoven in a nexus of practices, subject to the pressure of conflicting interests and institutional demands.…”