Organizational ethnography and religious organizations: the case of Quaker decision-making

Burton, Nicholas, Koning, Juliette and Muers, Rachel (2018) Organizational ethnography and religious organizations: the case of Quaker decision-making. Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion, 15 (4). pp. 349-367. ISSN 1476-6086

[img] Text (Full text)
Burton et al - Organizational Ethnography and Religious Organizations AAM.docx - Accepted Version

Download (68kB)
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14766086.2018.1496469

Abstract

How should we study the management practices of religious organizations to do justice to their distinctive religious motivations and traditions? In this article, we articulate how a specific research approach – organizational ethnography – may enable a deeper understanding of religious and/or spiritual organizational practice. We approach our methodological research questions by engaging with the literature on the distinctive decision-making practices of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), commonly known as the Quaker business method. Having shown that the Quaker business method destabilizes a simple binary between “insider” and “outsider” and between believers and nonbelievers, we bring the theory and practice of organizational ethnography into conversation with Quaker accounts of decision-making. We conclude with pathways for future research in the space this destabilization creates.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Organizational ethnography, Quakers, decision-making, Quaker business method, spiritual/religious organizations
Subjects: N200 Management studies
V600 Theology and Religious studies
Department: Faculties > Business and Law > Newcastle Business School
Depositing User: Paul Burns
Date Deposited: 13 Sep 2018 12:43
Last Modified: 20 Jan 2020 03:30
URI: http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/35695

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics