An Ontology of Empathy: Shadowing as a Method of Affective Ethnography

Une ontologie de l'empathie: la filature sensible comme méthode ethnographique affective

Claire Estagnasié ()
Additional contact information
Claire Estagnasié: UniCA - Université Côte d'Azur, GRM - Groupe de Recherche en Management - EA 4711 - UNS - Université Nice Sophia Antipolis (1965 - 2019) - UniCA - Université Côte d'Azur, RECOR - Groupe de recherche sur la Communication Organisante

Post-Print from HAL

Abstract: This article explores ethnographic shadowing as a sensitive and ontologically empathic method, capable of capturing the affective, material, and relational dimensions of lived experience within organizational contexts. Based on a fieldwork conducted with eight corporate nomads, the analysis highlights subtle tensions observed throughout their daily routines. A custom observation grid, focused on sensory and bodily perceptions, enabled the operationalization of affective ethnography by anchoring the analysis in a fine-tuned attention to weak signals and ambient dynamics. This approach repositions shadowing as a research method, able to convey the complexity of lived experience. Finally, the article reflects on the strengths and limitations of an empathic inquiry, particularly in how it engages the researcher both sensorially and ethically, and calls for more situated and embodied forms of research restitution.

Keywords: reflexivity; shadowing; empathy; sensitive inquiry; affective ethnography; empathie; enquête sensible; ethnographie affective; filature (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-12-31
Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-05508124v1
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Published in Communiquer : Revue de communication sociale et publique, 2025, Numéro spécial Restituer les savoirs : explorer les formes sensibles de diffusion des savoirs scientifiques et leurs limites, 40

Downloads: (external link)
https://hal.science/hal-05508124v1/document (application/pdf)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05508124

Access Statistics for this paper

More papers in Post-Print from HAL
Bibliographic data for series maintained by CCSD ().