RETRACTED: Algorithmic management and reflexive ethnography: methodological innovations for practice-theoretical observation

Purpose – This study aims to reveal the alternative methodological possibilities offered by reflexive ethnography in this field, where classical observation techniques are inadequate, by conducting a sociological analysis of algorithmic management systems that have become widespread on digital platforms. Design/methodology/approach – In the research conducted with reflexive ethnography, which is a qualitative method, the researcher’s own experience, position and impact on the observation process are placed at the center of data production. This approach offers a more flexible and multi-layered analysis framework in digital environments shaped by variables and algorithms that replace fixed observation areas. Findings – Algorithmic management constantly controls the workforce with opaque decision processes. This situation creates behavioral orientations that are difficult to capture with classical ethnography. Reflexive ethnography provides a more holistic observation by including the researcher’s intuitive, technical and experiential data in understanding these systems’ internal logic. Research limitations/implications – Reflexive ethnography offers a strong methodological basis that is flexible enough to not only understand today’s governance systems but also to analyze the digital institutions of the future. Originality/value – Regarding future ethnographic research, reflexive ethnography has the potential to address not only algorithmic systems but also the effects of these systems on users, performance evaluation methods and the construction of affect and self. The interdisciplinary collaborations of this method with informatics, media studies, sociology and anthropology will provide methodological depth and analytical diversity. Furthermore, combining with other approaches such as cyber-ethnography, shadow ethnography and autoethnography, it can open up new research paths to understand the multi-layered structure of digital platforms. Thus, reflexive ethnography offers a strong methodological basis that is flexible enough to not only understand today’s governance systems but also to analyze the digital institutions of the future.