Routledge Ethnographic Thinking: From Method to Mindset (Anthropology and Business)

This book argues that ‘ethnographic thinking’―the thought processes and patterns ethnographers develop through their practice―offers companies and organizations the cultural insights they need to develop fully-informed strategies. Using real world examples, Hasbrouck demonstrates how shifting the value of ethnography from simply identifying consumer needs to driving a more holistic understanding of a company or organization can help it benefit from a deeper understanding of the dynamic and interactive cultural contexts of its offerings. In doing so, he argues that such an approach can also enhance the strategic value of their work by helping them increase appreciation for openness and exploration, hone interpretive skills, and cultivate holistic thinking, in order to broaden perspectives, challenge assumptions, and cross-pollinate ideas between differing viewpoints.Ethnographic Thinking is key reading for managers and strategists specifically wishing to tap-into the potential that ethnography offers, as well as those searching more broadly for new ways to innovate practice. It is essential reading for students of applied ethnography, and recommended for scholars too. Review “This is an extremely valuable book for beginning students of ethnography, graduate students in cultural anthropology and sociology, and practitioners who apply ethnography to real-world issues and commercial ventures. Through closely reported, finely-crafted, wide-ranging, and richly illustrative cases, Jay Hasbrouck demonstrates how well-designed and executed ethnographic fieldwork coupled with anthropologically-informed thinking can generate uncommon insight.”Robert J. Morais, Principal Emeritus of Weinman Schnee Morais Inc. and Adjunct Professor at Columbia Business School, USA "Anyone who is engaged in business or tech innovation should read this book"Ian Smith, Director, Being Guided, UK (Reviewed on Medium) "Hasbrouck has deftly curated the history of anthropology and design thinking paradigms into an applied method of 'Ethnographic Thinking'. Today, curiosity, awareness, and flexibility are often consultancy buzz words used in sales strategies, customer centricity and organizational adaptation experiments. However, Hasbrouck smartly moves our exploration of a theoretical method to a practical mindset for powerful and relevant innovation and creativity practices. The “Ethnographic Thinking” approach expands the design thinking practice to include the social dynamics and interactions in the context of cultural viewpoints and assumptions.”Karen S. Walch, Emeritus, Thunderbird School of Global Management, USA About the Author Jay Hasbrouck is a strategist and anthropologist whose insights drive innovation and strategic direction for companies, non-profits, and government agencies. The principal of Hasbrouck Research Group, he has designed and managed large-scale projects across the world. He has a PhD in Social Anthropology from the University of Southern California, USA.