Translating nodes of power through reflexive ethnographic writing
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to show the benefit of conceptualizing reflexive ethnographic writing as translation processes across circuits of power that involve researcher, field and audience. For this purpose, a model of translating nodes of power in the ethnographic triangle is developed.
Design/methodology/approach
The author reflects upon organizational ethnography theoretically.
Findings
Ethnographic meaning emerges between researcher, field and audience (the ethnographic triangle). The author conceptualizes their relations as relations of power and draws from Clegg's circuits of power to map these relations. The author argues that ethnographers need to conceptualize power in the ethnographic triangle as three interrelated circuits of power, namely episodic power relations, rules of practice and structures of domination. This approach advances previous work on reflexivity in three aspects. First, it goes beyond individual researcher‐field interaction and integrates agency, practice and structure from a power‐perspective; second, it incorporates exotextual influences; and third, it is also a viable reflexive path if researcher and field cannot establish cooperation.
Research limitations/implications
This paper provides a processual model to interrogate reflexive ethnographic writing. However, this model cannot solve issues of temporal reflexivity.
Originality/value
Reflexive ethnographic practice is viewed as translating nodes of power across circuits of power. This view implies that innocent reflexivity is not possible. Still, it might enable the researcher by providing an alternative reading of ethnographic practice.
Keywords
Citation
Mahadevan, J. (2012), "Translating nodes of power through reflexive ethnographic writing", Journal of Organizational Ethnography, Vol. 1 No. 1, pp. 119-131. https://doi.org/10.1108/20466741211220714
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited