The generative dance with ethnography and the study of talk: understanding workplaces in a morethan- human world

This paper draws on the “generative dance” metaphor to propose a methodological perspective to study the more-than-human world, where human beings and non-humans (artefacts, animals, matter) are entangled. This metaphor builds upon two well-known methods in interpretive organization studies literature: organisational ethnography and the study of talk. The main argument of this article is that ethnography and the study of talk, often considered two distinct methods, can instead entangle in a generative dance that shapes a new perspective on researching (encompassing research design, data collection and analysis, along with ethical issues). In line with a posthuman understanding of the world, and given current developments in ethnographic research, this article posits that researchers are active participants in this dance and there is a process of mutual constitution between researcher and the world which is researched. Using practice theory as a metatheoretical frame of reference, the paper presents four scaffolds which support the following movements: where to dance, learning to dance, mastering the dance, and experimenting with new moves. Thus, the paper encourages researchers to engage with the field so to produce accounts which are able to unveil unnoticed features of the more-than-human. The paper also calls for an ethical engagement with the field, which requires researchers to enhance awareness of their own position and impact in the more-than-human world.

Keywords: ethnography; study of talk; generative dance; more-than-human, practice theory.

Viviana Meschitti, Ilaria Redaelli, The generative dance with ethnography and the study of talk: understanding workplaces in a morethan- human world in "STUDI ORGANIZZATIVI " 1/2025, pp 9-35, DOI: 10.3280/SO2025-001001