Practitioners Rise to the Challenge: A Discussion of Methods in Business Ethnography

CHAIR: TRATNER, Susan (SUNY-Empire State)

ABSTRACT: Many anthropologists are employed by businesses, using excellent methods and appropriate theories and providing valuable results. Others in these businesses or
academic fields believe they are using "ethnography" without really understanding it and are not knowledgeable of either the history or the theories that could assist their
work. Individual papers demonstrate the range of ways that anthropological methods and theories have been used to assist and critique businesses. Participants come from
academia, private consulting and industry. Discussion will focus on the way in which well designed and executed anthropologically generated insights can benefit the business
environment.

Session Participants:
TRATNER, Susan (SUNY-Empire State)
SANDO, Ruth (Barbara Perry Assoc)
De WALL MALEFYT, Timothy (BBDO Worldwide & Parsons, New Sch for Design)
SHAPIRO, Ari (Hall & Partners Healthcare)

Session took place in Memphis, TN at the 68th Annual Meeting of the Society for Applied Anthropology in March 2008.