Workplace Ethnography - Assignment Example

?Workplace Ethnography Introduction The organization under examination is a public accounting firm. The specific population area within this organization being analyzed is the accounting firm’s computer department. The organization itself is a large firm that handles a number of organizational auditing and accounting needs. Within this company description includes the prevention of company financial waste through developing accounting procedures that reduces and discovers these elements within corporate and business partners. The firm also functions to aid companies in detecting potential fraud based activities through providing internal auditing services that allow companies to self-regulate themselves and meet government accounting standards and regulations. The general functionality of the accounting firm can be understood in terms of its modes of investigation, as it works to evaluate and examine corporate and business information systems to ensure that the accounting procedures conducted therein remain functional and efficient. In these regards, entities within the firm also investigate management procedures and a variety of internal control mechanisms to ensure functionality and adherence to regulation. While these are the general company operations, there also exist specialized entities within the firm. In these regards, the firm has separate sections that work to aid corporate and business entities in terms of environmental accounting, information technology, and general compliance. Physical Description The physical description of the workplace environment has a number of elements that can be symbolically interpreted. As the firm is large it is divided into departments. Each department is located within a different section of the organization, divided by either long hallways or situated on an entirely different floor of the building. It seems there are few qualitative assumptions that can be made regarding the placement of the differing departments, as in the past they have been changed without few if any functional change. The firm’s computer department, which handles both internal computing needs as well as the external company needs, is situated centrally so that the other departments are able to access it with alacrity. It seems that other departments are located adjacently to each other along lines of efficiency. For example, the special service divisions are located next to each other. Furthermore, the higher level executive offices are situated on a floor that is literally above the lower level offices. In these regards, one can symbolically interpret the placement of these offices above the rest of the company as a means of indicating that the individuals residing therein are both hierarchically above the rest of the company in terms of power and control, as well as being located there for the practical purpose of workplace efficiency. In terms of the computer department of the accounting firm, cubicles are built in a square like section with four individuals connected through a compartment that is divided into four contiguous units, separated by a divider. Each unit is contains desk space and a computer for the employee. There is minimal qualitative purpose for the individual employees being situated together in a unit, as oftentimes individuals who are responsible for different elements within the computer division are grouped together. Rather, placement is determined based along space needs and employee seniority. Surrounding each department are office units. In the office units are managers and supervisors of the specific accounting departments in which they surround. The qualitative significance of this placement can be determined to function by allowing employees efficient access to the office units, which are enclosed to add increased privacy. Their position on the exterior of the department room also allows the managers and supervisors inside a privileged perspective on the on-goings of the department floor. This can be argued to function to motivate employees to at least give the appearance of productivity. People in the Work Space As the firm is a large scale company there is a large amount of employees in a number of varying departments and company hierarchical levels. The most active level concerns interaction between employees on the same level within the hierarchy. In these regards, a great amount of interaction occurs between an individual and their close friends and acquaintances, rather than between an individual and everyone in their department. Within this context, communication between these individuals concerns both personal matters as well as business concerns. Discussion topics will cover such things as workplace gossip into the lives of other employees, the perceived attitudes of supervisors, or the general dislike or approval of the current company project. Outside of this immediate level of interaction, employees will interact with individuals that are outside of their immediate friend base. Within these interactions it seems that generally the topics concern less discussion about personal matters or company gossip and is more directly related to aspects of business and company work. In terms of employee relations with managers and supervisors communication is generally along the lines of deferential and restricted to business matters. Within the company there are a wide variety of personalities, however it seems that generally the nature of the work draws a more low key and subdued personality type. It also appears that the general attitude within the work environment is one that doesn’t tolerate loud or flamboyant personality types. Business and Professional Topics There are a great variety of topics that are discussed in this working environment. In these regards, it seems that there are a variety of networks that can be observed among employees and supervisors that determine choice of topic discussion. Company discussions relate to topics about accounting projects that are currently being worked on, deadlines that must be reached, and questions relating to new software platforms that may be introduced. In general business discussions are of primary importance. There are a great many topics that are off limits for discussion, but these topics change in relation to the individuals in the discussion. For instance, while discussions regarding personal matters or company gossip frequently occur between individuals who have a close relationship, in general such discussions are off limits throughout the company. Similarly, there is a general deference in discussions with supervisors and managers. In these regards, discussion topics relate to business topics and to elements of small talk that function to place individuals at ease with each other. It is generally off limits to engage in too personal a discussion with one’s supervisor. Topics of greatest interest to participants are generally topics that go beyond the normal frames of topic appropriateness, or topics that contain new company information or gossip. For instance, one conversation regarding the promotion of a manager into an executive position was of great interest throughout a number of company members. In these regards, it appears that the interest may have been related to these employees desiring a promotion for themselves into the newly empty managerial position. Goals In terms of goals the issue is highly complex. On an individual basis the employees have a variety of goals. It’s clear that a number of individuals are intent on achieving higher levels on the company ladder. In these regards, these individuals are highly ambitious and oftentimes volunteer to take on extra work and engage in after-hours company projects. In terms of communication it’s clear that topics of conversation with these individuals are structured in ways that they are careful to demonstrate their knowledge and company dependability. It’s also clear that these individuals are more political in their communication, attempting to develop relationships throughout the company, as well as impressing their supervisors. Other individuals in the company are satisfied with their position and seem not to have an interest in advancing as the added responsibility would disrupt their family life or outside commitments. In these regards, conversations with these individuals are generally more relaxed and are more apt to include family or personal discussions. In terms of overall department goals, the division contributes to the company in a variety of means. For instance, the computer department processes information that is utilized by accountants for audits and financial management. The department also internally regulates software and hardware throughout the company. In these regards, there is an outward cooperative interest and communication in achieving these company objectives. Rules In terms of company communication rules it’s clear that a number of general guidelines can be derived. One overarching rule is that communication with individuals who are outside of one’s immediate and close social network should generally adhere to workplace protocol. In these regards, communication with these individuals should avoid topics related to company gossip, or issues that may be deemed overly personal. In terms of communication between employees rules generally indicate that individuals who are less concerned with professional advancement are more open to personal discussions and are family centric, which is embodied in discussion. Conversely, individuals interested in promotion generally are more centered on company related topics. In terms of communication between employees and supervisors and managers topics should relate to business matters. Communication with managers and supervisors should also reflect a deferential tone that avoids the casual and leisurely communication that is common among acquaintances and individuals along the same level of the corporate structure. Read More