Phenomenology 1982 Sanders
Phenomenology 1982 Sanders
Phenomenology 1982 Sanders
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There is a new star on the research horizon. It is tive, or consciousness itself (Atkinson, 1972). In its
phenomenology. In its applied form, phenomenol- purest form, "consciousness" is hardly the matter
ogy can be described as a qualitative research of organizational research. When, however, one
technique that seeks to make explicit the implicit understands consciousness as awareness of what ac-
structure and meaning of human experience (Atkin- counts for managerial excellence or a description of
son, 1972). A strong case has been made for quali- organizational myths, cultures, and symbols, then
tative analysis in the social sciences (Barton & Laz- the possibilities of phenomenology as an organiza-
arsfeld, 1961; Bereleson, 1952; Filstead, 1967; tional research methodology begin to emerge.
Glaser & Strauss, 1967; Lazarfeld, 1972) and, more A second difficulty in adopting phenomenologi-
recently, in organizational research (Downey & Ire- cal approaches is related to the "tribal" language of
land, 1979; Miles, 1979; Morgan & Smircich, 1980; phenomenology. The phenomenologist's vocabu-
Van Maanen, 1979). Yet phenomenological studies lary is a torturous list of technical and sometimes
are infrequent in organizational research. Part of Latin or Greek terms: intentionality, epoche, eidos,
this absence stems from the very nature of phenom- eiditic reduction, noesis, noema, apodictic. Every
enology and its relative "newness" as a research field of scholarship has its share of technical or in-
methodology. digenous terms, and phenomenology is no excep-
The phenomenological movement emerged ini- tion. If its method is to be mastered, its language
tially as a descriptive philosophical method to must be learned.
challenge analytic/deductive philosophies (Cham- A final difficulty inherent in using phenomeno-
berlain, 1974). Analytical methods assume that one logical approaches is related to methodological
first works out or adopts a philosophical position issues. Quantitative research is well formulated,
and then proceeds to discern its implications in and there are concise conventions to guide the
practice. Conversely, phenomenology begins with researcher in analysis. A precise methodology,
"invariant" first principles derived from the however, does not exist for phenomenological re-
primary sources of intuition and insight, which, searchers (Chamberlain, 1974; Miles, 1979). For ex-
may or may not, result in generalizations (Lauer, ample, Chamberlain states, "There is no orthodox
1965). The task of the phenomenological researcher procedure which can be held up as the authoritative
is the descriptive investigation of the contents of phenomenological method" (1974, p. 126). The
conscious phenomena, both objective and subjec- method ultimately varies according to the particular
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3. Problem Formulation
Begins with an attitude of epoche. All personal biases, beliefs, or Begins with a hypothesis of a causal relationship. The hyp
assumptions about causal relationships or suppositions are is checked by the manipulation of one or more independe
suspended or bracketed. Questions are formulated and responses variables in order to study the effect on a specific be
are analyzed. (dependent variable).
4. Research Methodology
Emphasis is placed on describing the world from the point o
view of the persons who live in and experience it. All conc
theories emerge from the data of consciousness, requiring an
ductive approach that cannot be replicated exactly.
6. Generalization of Results
Generalizations
Generalizations concern only the specific subjects(s) underare formulated
inves- based on an analysis of the data
tigation. No generalizations are made beyond regarding
this similar
group. classes or universal tendencies that are express-
Find-
ed in a normative fashion.
ings serve as a data base for further investigation.
Dandridge
predominance of the scientific/normative et al. concluded that current manage-
paradigm
ment research
must be challenged. This is not to advocate thatdoes not study the "deep structure"
of organizations.
phenomenological analysis be substituted for quan- The inability of researchers to
titative approaches, nor is it assumed probe
thatthe "deep structures" of organizations cannot
phenom-
enological analysis is a final solution to be
theattributed
manifest to their unwillingness to engage in in-
void in current research approaches. Rather, itoris
tensive research to a lack of scholarliness but,
hoped that this presentation will serve rather,
as a to the absence of an appropriate research
catalyst
in stimulating organizational researchers to consider phenomenology seeks to study
method. Because
phenomenological analysis to reveal phenomena
the deeperas they are known directly as they are
structures of what is believed to be commonplace. presented to consciousness, the present author
A second implication for organizational research believes that phenomenological analysis is an answer
is that certain types of behavioral phenomena elude to this methodological void.
quantification and statistical inference. For instance, Finally, the value of phenomenological ap-
in a recent paper on organizational symbolism, proaches to organization research is that the emer-
Dandridge, Mitroff, and Joyce lament: gent themes and underlying essences may serve to
A survey of major texts within the field of organiza- validate (or repudiate) and complement quantitative
tional behavior establishes clearly that there are vir-
research findings. The traditional stance has been to
tually no references to the phenomenon that is the
subject of this paper (1980, p. 77). view qualitative research as preliminary or explor-
The authors go on to note an exception in a single atory "ground breaking" work for initiating quan-
text which used an "anthropological" approach in titative research hypotheses (Glaser & Strauss, 1967,
describing organizational symbolism and behaviors. p. 15). This may have been true in the early stages
358
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