2025 Undergraduate Research Showcase
The Language of Appliances: Ethnographic Insights Into Workplace Interactions
Document Type
Student Presentation
Presentation Date
4-15-2025
Faculty Sponsor
Dr. Aiden VanderStouwe
Abstract
In this poster I present an ethnographic study of a local high end appliance company that looks at the linguistic and social interaction between both workers and the company’s customers. An ethnography uses qualitative methods that look at people and culture utilizing observations and participation. This type of research aims to understand social activities, beliefs, and certain interactions that take place in everyday life providing deep and holisitc insights. For my project, I spent 4-5 hours per week observing and participating in the company’s daily activities, spending time mostly within the front end and sales team. Several patterns emerged from my observations such as the different attitudes that the sales team exhibit within the range of their clientele, and the interactional differences between those that are veterans of the company compared to those who are newer. These two patterns help to shed light on how this appliance company operates both externally to customers and internally between its employees. Furthermore, using ethnographic methods enabled me to collect these types of data to better understand the larger cultural and societal framework that such companies exist in.
Recommended Citation
Curry, Gage and VanderStouwe, Aiden, "The Language of Appliances: Ethnographic Insights Into Workplace Interactions" (2025). 2025 Undergraduate Research Showcase. 112.
https://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/under_showcase_2025/112