Researching Organizations
The Practice of Organizational Fieldwork
- Matthew Jones - University of Cambridge, UK
Although there are plenty of books that discuss the principles, the philosophy and the techniques of research in organisations, it is much harder to find information on what doing research in organisations actually involves in practice. Yet this is often one of the most challenging, but also most interesting, aspects of a study. Drawing on examples and debates from a broad range of disciplines (such as criminology, education and social anthropology as well management) Researching Organisations explores the issues that researchers may encounter when carrying out fieldwork in organisations. From getting in to an organisation at the start of the research to getting out and maybe back again at the end, the book offers systematic guidance to help researchers navigate the messy reality of fieldwork.
Researching Organisations is designed for graduate level researchers who may be undertaking fieldwork for the first time, but also for those who wish to gain an understanding of research practice.
Great for those students who are undertaking primary research in organisational contexts, recommended to them and to library
This book is primarily aimed at students who are external to the organisation being studied and so deals at length with issues like entry and exit. By contrast, the majority of my students are researching organisations in which they themselves work. The sections on the design and conduct of research are still of interest and I would recommend the whole book to the few students who are not able to (or choose not to) research their own organisation.
I feel my students will love the way this book looks at research.
My course concerns organizational communication, so this book offers important background information but falls somewhat outside the scope of my teaching.
Alternative approach to researching organizations.
Shows the challenge and complexity of researching organisations and gives guidance on how to respond. A very useful resource to any researcher.
This text details how and what to do regarding researching organisations. Both academics and students will find it very helpful. I highly recommend it.
Highly recommended and will be used by colleagues and students alike, in orientating towards research projects addressing organisations and their processes. Some gaps - the lack of engagement with narratiove and sensemaking literature - are noticeable. But the essentials are there.
This text is useful for those wanting to undertake practical research on organisations. It includes a multitude of considerations pertinent to this field.
This is a very useful book for research students.
A clear and well-detailed section is provided on the research process.
There are some valuable practice-based insights.
