1. As the student in the Department of Accounting and Finance, social anthropology is one of the courses in your BA Degree Curriculum. Accordingly, business anthropology is one of the sub-fields of socio-cultural anthropology which the broadest branch of anthropology. What are its historical origin, definition, subject matter, scope, and relationships to other major discipline(s) of social sciences? Write your answers on a maximum of two pages, including those reference materials you have used in addressing these questions using the Seventh Edition of the American Psychologists Association (APA) Referencing Styles (i.e., it is available on the Internet for free).
Business anthropology is a sub-field of socio-cultural anthropology that focuses on the study of business practices, organizations, and systems within a cultural context. It examines how culture influences economic behavior and decision-making processes within the business world. In this paper, we will explore the historical origins, definition, subject matter, scope, and relationships of business anthropology to other major disciplines in the social sciences.
Historical Origins:
Business anthropology emerged in the mid-20th century as a response to the growing interest in understanding the role of culture in economic activities. It was influenced by the work of early anthropologists such as Bronislaw Malinowski and Marcel Mauss, who studied the cultural dimensions of economic behavior in traditional societies. In the 1970s, the field gained prominence with the publication of works by anthropologists such as George Dalton, Brian Moeran, and Robert van Kemper, who applied anthropological methods to studying business organizations and practices.
Definition:
Business anthropology can be defined as the application of anthropological theories, methods, and concepts to the study of business activities and organizations. It seeks to understand how culture shapes economic behavior, organizational structures, and decision-making processes within the business world. Business anthropologists use a holistic approach to examine the interconnectedness of social, cultural, and economic factors in business settings.
Subject Matter:
The subject matter of business anthropology includes a wide range of topics related to business practices, organizations, and systems. Some of the key areas of study in this field include consumer behavior, marketing strategies, organizational culture, globalization, entrepreneurship, and corporate social responsibility. Business anthropologists may also investigate issues such as cross-cultural communication, intercultural management, and workplace diversity.
Scope:
The scope of business anthropology is broad and interdisciplinary, drawing on insights from anthropology, sociology, psychology, economics, and other social sciences. It offers a unique perspective on business phenomena by emphasizing the cultural context in which they occur. Business anthropologists conduct fieldwork in diverse settings, such as multinational corporations, small businesses, non-profit organizations, and government agencies, to gain a deep understanding of how culture influences economic activities.
Relationships to Other Major Disciplines:
Business anthropology is closely related to other major disciplines in the social sciences, such as sociology, psychology, economics, and management. It shares common interests with sociology in studying social structures and institutions, with psychology in examining individual behavior and decision-making processes, with economics in analyzing market dynamics and resource allocation, and with management in exploring organizational behavior and leadership development. By integrating insights from these disciplines, business anthropology offers a holistic approach to understanding the complex interplay between culture, economy, and society in contemporary business environments.
In conclusion, business anthropology is a vibrant and dynamic field that provides valuable insights into the cultural dimensions of economic activities. It offers a unique perspective on business practices, organizations, and systems by emphasizing the role of culture in shaping economic behavior and decision-making processes. By drawing on the rich traditions of anthropology and other social sciences, business anthropology enhances our understanding of the complex relationships between culture, economy, and society in the modern business world.
References
Dalton, G. (Ed.). (1970). Economic anthropology and development: Essays on tribal and peasant economies. Basic Books.
Mauss, M. (1925). The gift: Forms and functions of exchange in archaic societies. Routledge.
Moeran, B. (2005). The business of ethnography: Strategic exchanges, people and organizations. Berg Publishers.
van Kemper, R. (1997). Business and economics as human motives for behavior. AltaMira Press.