THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A RESEARCH DESIGN BASED ON AN ETHNOGRAPHIC APPROACH TO INVESTIGATE THE CONFIDENTIAL PRACTICES OF COACHING

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to question the relevance of
the usage of methodological devices from the
human and social sciences for human resource
management research. Our purpose is more
specifically to highlight the contributions of
ethnosociology and participant observation as
comprehensive strategies for approaching realities
that are not accessible by more conventional
research techniques, trough surveys or interviews.
Based on research that we have conducted about
coaching, this article discusses the advantages and
pitfalls of ethnographic methodology and the need
to include this type of approach in a rigorous
research design. This approach leads the researcher
to combine different methodological and theoretical
frameworks into a relevant logic in management
science.
This article proposes a number of methodological
recommendations in order to study the human and
social processes involved in management practices.