Drawing from the cultural anthropological research methodology of ethnography, this course aims at furthering the understanding
of and practicing business ethnography as a tool for solving issues in business. We will discuss the issues of familiar businesses
and organizations. Through the application of business ethnography, we will attempt to find solutions and countermeasures
by bringing together the people working with these issues and the students. Apply ethnography to marketing is relatively easy
and many examples of such application are available. However, application of ethnography to machines, information, and other
technology oriented enterprises has been limited. As such, we can expect new discoveries and results from this endeavor.
This course will teach students how to deal with issues that either lack theory or are not easily theorized to increase transformative opportunities in industries that have been leading in technology or whose focus is manufacturing.
This course will teach students how to deal with issues that either lack theory or are not easily theorized to increase transformative opportunities in industries that have been leading in technology or whose focus is manufacturing.
This course will teach students how to deal with issues that either lack theory or are not easily theorized to increase transformative
opportunities in industries that have been leading in technology or whose focus is manufacturing.
- You will be able to explain ethnography and business ethnography both academically and concretely.
- You will understand the difference between interviewing and ethnomethodological listening. You will be able to practice the latter.
- You will be able to attempt solving and countering familiar problems by applying business ethnography and design thinking.
- You will be able to make suggestions and conduct trials for solving and countering familiar problems by applying business ethnography and design thinking.
| Class schedule | HW assignments (Including preparation and review of the class.) | Amount of Time Required | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Orientation ・Explain the aims and objectives of the course. ・Explain assignments and assessment. ・Explain the lecture plan. |
Investigate an article on ethnography. | 180minutes |
| 2. | Ethnography outline ・History ・Previous research ・Trends ・Submit the communication sheet. |
Write down concisely what you have learned on ethnography. | 180minutes |
| 3. | Business ethnography outline ・History ・Previous research ・Trends Design thinking outline ・History ・Previous research ・Trends |
Write down concisely what you have learned on business ethnography and design thinking. | 180minutes |
| 4. | Understanding real social problems (1) Gather information on everyday life and familiar businesses to understand the situations based on evidence. Organize the information and write a piece that vividly conveys the situation. |
Concisely present what you learned on ethnography, business ethnography, and system thinking. Organize and write down what you learned on real social problems based on factual information. |
180minutes |
| 5. | Ethnography exercises ・Observation ・Participant observation ・Submit the communication sheet. |
Review your notes on ethnomethodology exercises and revise them. | 180minutes |
| 6. | Understanding real social problems (2) Gather information on everyday life and familiar businesses to understand the situations based on evidence. Organize the information and write a piece that vividly conveys the situation. |
Organize and write down what you learned on real social problems based on factual information. | 180minutes |
| 7. | Ethnography exercises ・Listening ・Writing ・Submit the communication sheet. |
Review your notes on ethnomethodology exercises and revise them. | 180minutes |
| 8. | Solving problems by applying business ethnography: discussion We will discuss the workings behind and methods for helping to solve real social problems. ・Draft a plan. ・Discuss the implementation process. |
Write a plan for problem solving. | 180minutes |
| 9. | Solving problems by applying business ethnography: interim presentation ・Q&A ・Discussion ・Submit the communication sheet. |
Conduct fieldwork or construct a prototype based on your plan. | 180minutes |
| 10. | Solving problems by applying business ethnography: implementation ・Investigation ・Gathering information ・Organizing information ・Creating materials ・Discuss the implementation process. |
Organize and report the questions and challenges that arise from the implementation. | 180minutes |
| 11. | Solving problems by applying business ethnography: interim presentation ・Q&A ・Discussion ・Submit the communication sheet. |
Conduct fieldwork or construct a prototype based on your plan. | 180minutes |
| 12. | Solving problems by applying business ethnography: follow up investigation and revision ・Investigation ・Gathering information ・Organizing information ・Creating materials ・Discuss the implementation process. |
Organize and report the questions and challenges that arise from the implementation | 180minutes |
| 13. | Solving problems by applying business ethnography: presentation ・Q&A ・Discussion ・Submit the communication sheet. |
Conduct fieldwork or construct a prototype based on your plan. | 180minutes |
| 14. | Solving problems by applying business ethnography and improving it: final presentation ・Q&A ・Discussion ・Submit the final paper and communication sheet. |
Write the final paper. | 180minutes |
| 15. | Reflection | Reflect all the classes and solve any question about the lessons. | 180minutes |
| Total. | - | - | 2700minutes |
| Contribution in class | Report | Total. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 25% | 25% | 50% |
| 2. | 15% | 15% | 30% |
| 3. | 5% | 5% | 10% |
| 4. | 5% | 5% | 10% |
| Total. | 50% | 50% | - |
＜Materials＞
Materials prepared by the lecturer will be handed out during class.
＜Reference texts＞
Materials will be introduced depending on student interests and ability.
Materials prepared by the lecturer will be handed out during class.
＜Reference texts＞
Materials will be introduced depending on student interests and ability.
Investigate cases of familiar issues in businesses or organizations that relate to communication and collaboration among individuals
or organizations.
You will gain skills for applying your knowledge of identifying and solving real social problems, deepening that knowledge,
and improving your power of execution.
- 11:00-13:00 on Saturday. Please schedule appointment meetings an hour before the class or as needed.
- Course that cultivates an ability for utilizing knowledge
- Course that cultivates a basic interpersonal skills
- Course that cultivates a basic self-management skills
- Course that cultivates a basic problem-solving skills
Last modified : Wed Oct 17 08:01:20 JST 2018