Complexity and opacity of auxiliary tasks in work processes: a comparative ethnographic approach in two hospital services

  • Carlos Lozares Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona Departamento de Sociología
  • Joan Miquel Verd Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona Departamento de Sociología
  • Oriol Barranco Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona Departamento de Sociología
  • Matilde Massó Universidad de la Coruña Departamento de Sociología y CC. Política y de la Administración
  • Sara Moreno Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona Departamento de Sociología
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5209/rev_CRLA.2013.v31.n1.41649
Keywords: work ethnography, complexity, auxiliary work, invisible work, competencies

Abstract

In the article, two auxiliary work processes in a hospital are analysed; namely, the administrative work in the out-patients department and the work in the sterilisation service. The analysis focuses on two aspects. The first one refers to complexity produced by the degree of interactive work in work processes. The second one refers to opacity or invisibility of work and competencies necessary to accomplish it. Data has been obtained using an ethnographic approach, combining the use of observations and semi-directed interviews. The analysis develops reviewing descriptively and interpretatively each work process and deploying comparative reflections among them. The article finishes with conclusions related to the particular characteristics that auxiliary tasks have for workers and the organisation itself.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Article download

Crossmark

Metrics

Published
2013-04-01
How to Cite
Lozares C., Verd J. M., Barranco O., Massó M. y Moreno S. (2013). Complexity and opacity of auxiliary tasks in work processes: a comparative ethnographic approach in two hospital services. Cuadernos de Relaciones Laborales, 31(1), 221-242. https://doi.org/10.5209/rev_CRLA.2013.v31.n1.41649
Issue
Vol. 31 No. 1 (2013): Monográfico: Los cuidados entre el trabajo y la vida
Section
Miscelaneus

License

In order to support the global exchange of knowledge, the journal Cuadernos de Relaciones Laborales is allowing unrestricted access to its content as from its publication in this electronic edition, and as such it is an open-access journal. The originals published in this journal are the property of the Complutense University of Madrid and any reproduction thereof in full or in part must cite the source. All content is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 use and distribution licence (CC BY 4.0). This circumstance must be expressly stated in these terms where necessary. You can view the summary and the complete legal text of the licence.