Ethnography: A Strategy for Understanding Organizational Culture

Ethnographic studies are not based on particular theoretical approaches; likewise, theory test is not a consideration. Theoretical approaches in ethnographical researches are only beneficial for scholars deepening perception of standard conceptual framework in human sciences. Therefore, theoretical approaches are used until an explicit relationship is clarified.This viewpoint is a research method in phenomenology which stresses intellectual and behavioral philosophy. Anthropologists and ethnographists are not interested in simplex or few data collection. They prefer studying people or culture profoundly. In the eyes of ethnography, useful information is obtained in field research among society. This paper is done in a local organization. Witnessing and interview are means of organizational culture cognition which is gained by analyzing 11 factors:1-Respecting religious mottos and values, 2-Subordination3-Official behaviors4-Organization identity5-Physical symbols6-Individualism7-Customer orientation slogan8-Income orientation9-Organization rules emphasis10-New manager forbiddance11-Language, in five levels: artifacts(language), artifacts(symbols), artifacts(behavioral patterns), values and cardinal beliefs