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Perspectives on oral history for historical research

In: Handbook of Historical Methods for Management

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  • Valeria Giacomin

Abstract

This chapter traces the history of the oral history genre; discusses definitions; reconstructs the major debates on the process and nature of interviews; and addresses its evolution through modern technologies. It also presents the advantages and challenges of using this source and method for business history research in Western and developing economies. As the main takeaway, oral history is a powerful instrument in the historian’s and social scientist’s toolkit to understand individuals’ subjectivity and contexts. It can offer insights unavailable through traditional written sources and add nuance and granularity to the historical reconstruction. Business historians and social scientists interested in longitudinal work should be aware of the intrinsic biases in this type of source. This chapter offers a practical guide involving a comprehensive approach that integrates interviews with in-depth contextualization through grounding techniques typical of the historical process, such as triangulation, source criticism, and hermeneutics.

Suggested Citation

  • Valeria Giacomin, 2023. "Perspectives on oral history for historical research," Chapters, in: Stephanie Decker & William M. Foster & Elena Giovannoni (ed.), Handbook of Historical Methods for Management, chapter 9, pages 121-139, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    • Handle: RePEc:elg:eechap:20588_9
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