Emic and etic methodologies in the study of culture in management Cover Image

Metodologie emic i etic w badaniach kultury w zarządzaniu
Emic and etic methodologies in the study of culture in management

Author(s): Łukasz Sułkowski
Subject(s): Economy
Published by: Akademia Leona Koźmińskiego
Keywords: emic; epic; methodology

Summary/Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this article is to analyze the applicability of the distinction between the concepts of "emic" and "etic" methodology in management sciences. The distinction between these two approaches is significant in cultural studies, linguistics, cultural anthropology and sociology. However, this dichotomy is not too common in the sciences of management. It is also very little known in Polish management discourse. Design/methodology/ approach: The approach exploits the terms "emic" and "etic" in relation to issues of organizational culture. This methodology tries to enlighten the concept of organizational culture and examine the possibility of its formation. Findings: The findings indicate that with the current state of knowledge on organizational culture, it is difficult to conclude which of the two concepts (emic - etic) is more effective in terms of methodology. Thus, it is useful to use cognitive and methodological pluralism in research, combining both cultural methodologies.

  • Issue Year: 114/2012
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 64-71
  • Page Count: 7
  • Language: Polish