Working with and for social enterprises: the role of the volunteer ethnographer

Abstract

Purpose -This paper considers the specific opportunities and challenges of engaging in ethnographic research with organisations in which the researcher participates as a volunteer ethnographer.Design/methodology/approach -The findings in this paper are based on four years of ethnographic research within a social enterprise.Findings -This paper finds that there are significant benefits of the role of the volunteer ethnographer and suggests ways to address some of the challenges.Research limitations/implications -As the field of social enterprise and ethnography grows and researchers engage with methodological discussions about participant observation, the authors suggest that attention should also be paid to the specifics of the role of the volunteer ethnographer.Originality/value -There is growing interest in the use of ethnography in social enterprises. This paper offers unique insight into how this methodology has been applied in the context of self-reliant groups and the importance of the engaging with discussion about the specific role of the volunteer ethnographer.

Navigating precarity in everyday (sub)urban space in Helsinki, Finland

“…Volunteer ethnography refers to research in which the researcher takes on the dual role of both an ethnographer and a volunteer worker (Garthwaite, 2016; Hill et al, 2017; Johnson‐Schlee, 2019; Rannila and Jaatsi, 2021; Tinney, 2008). Through volunteering, the researcher gains an intimate learning experience of everyday realities and creates “a space in which to form relationships that are not solely focused on the researcher's needs and objectives” (Garthwaite, 2016, 5).…”

“…The first author gave primacy to volunteering, which provided space for people to talk about the aspects of life they wanted to. Informal discussions created trust, which has been considered one benefit of volunteer ethnography (Hill O'Connor and Baker, 2017). Sustaining an open dialogue is, however, demanding for a researcher and requires patience, adaptation, and social skills.…”

Ethnographies of social enterprise

“…O’Connor’s contribution (2017, this volume) creates this sense of sharing the life-world of a vulnerable community. The author experienced one of the eye-opening moments of an ethnographer who is overwhelmed by how deeply engaged she has become.…”

“…Methodologies are accepted as more than just tools, but rather as forms of intervening vis-à-vis societal or community issues, thus highlighting the performative and participative dimension of every research practice (Steyaert, 2011; Steyaert and Katz, 2004). O’Connor (2017, this volume) is particularly attentive to this notion. She questions whether in the field of social enterprise the “volunteer ethnographer” might not be an exception but the norm.…”

“…His narrative unravels a troubling case of compromised ideology and ongoing endeavours to re-establish radicalism, despite institutional pressures towards conformity. Clementine O’Connor (2017) advocates a methodological innovation: the volunteer ethnographer. She suggests accepting ethnographic research in and with social enterprises as what it is: a form of collaboration.…”