Juliette Koning

Awkward encounters and ethnography

Purpose – Researchers rarely present accounts of their awkward encounters in ethnographies. Awkwardness, however, does matter and affects the ethnographic accounts we write and our understanding of social situations. The purpose is to bring these hidden sides of organizational ethnography to the fore, to discuss the consequences of ignoring awkward encounters, and to improve our understanding of organizational realities.Design/methodology/approach – This paper presents awkward ethnographic encounters in the field: encounters with evangelizing ethnic Chinese business people in Indonesia (Koning), and visiting an artist village in China (Ooi). Based on analysing their awkwardness, and in the context of a critical assessment of the reflexive turn in ethnography, the authors propose a more inclusive reflexivity. The paper ends with formulating several points supportive of reaching inclusive reflexivity.Findings – By investigating awkward encounters, the authors show that these experiences have been left out f...

Historicizing the ‘ethnic’ in ethnic entrepreneurship: The case of the ethnic Chinese in Bangkok

This paper aims to come to a better understanding of the meaning of ‘ethnic’ in ethnic entrepreneurship for second- and third-generation ethnic Chinese entrepreneurs in Bangkok, Thailand. Research on ethnic Chinese entrepreneurship in Southeast Asia typically investigates the dominance, attributed to specific ‘Chinese’ cultural values and strong intra-ethnic networks, of the ethnic Chinese in business and entrepreneurship. Our research among second- and third-generations shows an inclination of the interviewees to emphasize the irrelevance of their ‘ethnic’ Chinese background in entrepreneurship. To understand the meanings of the expressed irrelevance, we argue that it is constructive to incorporate a historical/generational approach of the ethnic group (migration history, nationalism) and of the business (social organization) into the study of ethnic entrepreneurship. The contribution to ethnic entrepreneurship research is threefold. Firstly, we show how a generational lens provides a more nuanced understanding of the ‘ethnic’ in ethnic entrepreneurship. Secondly, we show how incorporating the historical context helps to position business conduct in the social/societal experiences of entrepreneurs. Finally, our case study of ethnic Chinese entrepreneurs in Thailand brings an Asian perspective to ethnic entrepreneurship debates that generally concern European and North American research studies and thus hopes to inspire future comparative research.

Intersubjective identity work and sensemaking of adult learners on a postgraduate coaching course: Finding the balance in a world of dynamic complexity

This article explores how we make sense of identity in situations of dynamic complexity. It contributes to debates on how dynamic complexity, conceived as periods of heightened uncertainty, disrupts the balance between acting and thinking that is constitutive of sensemaking. The article follows narratives of adult learners (including the first author) aspiring to become academically trained coaches within an emerging industry. We examine dynamic complexity in terms of individuals relating to multiple contexts (e.g. biographical, learning and industry), arguing that each of these creates varying degrees of complexity as individuals relate to a multitude of others within them. We show that heightened uncertainty resulting from such complexity makes greater demands on identity work. This involves both failure (more persistent intransigence of identity) and success (transience of identity). We suggest a mediating role for relationality and reflexivity in making sense of identity as they offer a balance between acting and thinking. By exploring the professional identity work of the first author in relation to the participants, we explicate the intersubjective nature of identity work and sensemaking. The contribution we make is to theorize identity work as intersubjectively conducted.

Beyond the Prosperity Gospel: Moral Identity Work and Organizational Cultures in Pentecostal-Charismatic Churches in Indonesia

This chapter discusses identity work and organizational culture in two Pentecostal-Charismatic churches in Indonesia. Studies on Pentecostal-Charismatic Christianity in Asia point to the close relationship between its prosperity gospel, late modern capitalism, and the rise of middle classes. Much less is known about the moral implications of the newfound religion at a personal and societal level. Based on ethnographic research in the churches and discussions with its members and pastors, the chapter unravels such moral implications through a closer examination of some Pentecostal rituals: leadership and the calling, cell group meetings, social mission activities, and praying and worship services. These rituals support two forms of moral re-embedding: a re-embedding in the family of co-believers and a re-embedding in wider society.

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

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.

Introduction: New Religiosities, Modern Capitalism, and Moral Complexities in Southeast Asia

In the last few decades, the religious and economic landscape in Southeast Asia has been changing rapidly. Growing religious pluralism and antagonisms have gone hand in hand with ever-increasing penetration of the market economy and economic liberalism in society. Whereas debates in economic sociology and the anthropology of religion have concentrated on the commoditized and individualized outcomes of these processes, this edited volume, drawing on arguments from moral economy, cultural embeddedness and religion as lived-experience, argues that much less is known about the moral complexities that arise when religious and economic developments converge. Following an overall ethnographic approach, this edited volume explores such moral complexities for varieties of Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Thailand and the Philippines.

Chinese Indonesians and regime change: Alternative perspectives

This chapter discusses religious conversion among Chinese Indonesians during the turbulent times of the late 1990s, in which Indonesia witnessed a political regime change. It explores conversion to Pentecostal-charismatic Christianity of a group of Chinese Indonesian business people in the city of Yogyakarta. The chapter discusses the empirical data gathering process. This is followed by a brief outline, in a contextual manner, of the socio-political and socio-economic position of Chinese Indonesians as well as the major characteristics of Pentecostal-charismatic Christianity. Next, the chapter presents three cases that show how the converted Chinese Indonesians relate their newfound religion to their personal, business, and nation-state positions. It analyzes these narratives for their role and meaning among Chinese Indonesians in the most recent period of regime change in Indonesia. Keywords:Chinese Indonesians; Pentecostal-charismatic Christianity; Yogyakarta