Organisation, Interaction and Practice

Studies of Ethnomethodology and Conversation Analysis

Ethnomethodology has an elusive relationship with organisation studies. The ethnomethodological work of Harold Garfinkel, and the allied conversation analytic work of Harvey Sacks, is often cited and yet empirical contributions informed by ethnomethodology and conversation analysis remain rare. Organisation studies clearly has a lot to say about work but this is normally related to some broader set of social, economic and political issues. Rarely, if ever, does this research involve an analysis of the mundane and practical details of what actual work consists of. This book acts as an evidence-based corrective by showing how research based on ethnomethodology and conversation analysis can contribute to key issues and debates in organisation studies. Drawing on audio/video recordings from a diverse range of work settings, a team of leading scholars present a series of empirical studies that illustrate the importance of paying attention to the real-time achievement of organisational processes and practices.