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kaufmann-2025-polymorphousengagementwithglobalchina
Journal article

Polymorphous Engagement with Global China: Researching Contested Chinese Companies in Western Europe

BP2-STS

  • 2025
Published in:
  • Global China Pulse. - Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies, Lund University and Global China Lab APS. - 2025, vol. 4, no. 1, p. 66–77
Research methods
Polymorphous approach
Business ethnography
Contested companies
Global China
Switzerland
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) companies
English This essay explores how we can ethnographically study contested Chinese multinationals when access is limited due to geopolitical sensitivities and technological competition. I argue that, despite these challenges, studying Chinese companies is essential to contribute nuanced empirical analysis to geopolitical debates. Drawing on anthropological research on Chinese information and communication technology firms in Switzerland, I reflect on challenges and methodological strategies. Expanding Gusterson’s notion of ‘polymorphous engagement’, I propose a multi-sited approach combining analogue and digital sources, interviews, and participant observation. Attending to both human and non-human actors, I offer a socio-technical framework for researching Global China in Europe and beyond.
Faculty
Faculté des lettres et des sciences humaines
Department
Département des sciences sociales
Language
  • English
Classification
Arts, Human and Social Science
License
License undefined
Open access status
green
Identifiers
Persistent URL
https://folia.unifr.ch/unifr/documents/334074
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