Bharatan, Ila S. (2018) The process of transition : becoming legitimate peripheral participants in the practice of seafaring. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

My thesis seeks to develop the theory of legitimate peripheral participation by focusing on how it is accomplished in practice, through exploring the process of transition from novices to (relative) masters. In doing so, the study opens the black box of participation in studies of situated learning and focuses on two aspects that lead to a further development of legitimate peripheral participation. First, it looks at how newcomers undergo legitimate peripheral participation at two sites of practice and how movement between the sites influences the process of transition. Second, it focuses on the ways in which newcomers negotiate access to participation at a site where such access is not readily available.

The research was conducted as a five-month multi-sited ethnographic study in the maritime industry; as such it focuses on the process of transition from cadets (newcomers) to officers (relative old-timers). Two research sites were used for conducting the ethnographic study, a maritime training center, and a merchant shipping vessel. Analysis of the data collected through observations and interviews at the two sites reveals key insights into the practical accomplishment of legitimate peripheral participation. The study shows the influence of movement between sites of practice and theorizes transition as an episodic process. Furthermore, the study explores the ways of doing through which newcomers are able to successfully negotiate access to participation. As such it develops a practice-sensitive concept of proactivity as a way of negotiating access to participation. Overall the thesis develops a more nuanced understanding of participation and shows how legitimate peripheral participation is accomplished in practice.

Item Type:	Thesis or Dissertation (PhD)
Subjects:	V Naval Science > V Naval Science (General)
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Navies -- Officers -- Training of -- Interviews, Merchant mariners -- Interviews, Shipping -- Employees -- Interviews
Official Date:	15 January 2018
Dates:	Date Event 15 January 2018 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Warwick Business School
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Oborn, Eivor : Swan, Jacky.
Extent:	viii, 320 leaves : illustrations.
Language:	eng

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