Follow the labour process: Constructing explanations and making a difference through multi-sited ethnographic methods

This Exchanges commentary adds to recent dialogue in economic geography on how methodological approaches, explanatory goals and political standpoints intersect. Drawing lessons from collaborative projects that have sought to understand the concrete, place-based experiences of labouring in industries amidst capitalist and environmentally induced restructuring, we describe and advocate for a multi-sited ethnographic approach that we call ‘following the labour process’. We highlight three recurring challenges for researchers adopting such an approach to building explanations that purposefully centre labour: (1) developing and maintaining different relationships, (2) making sense of difference and (3) making a difference. Multi-sited following illuminates moral and political aspects of commodity relations, prompting reflection on the ethics of research engagement and knowledge production. While requiring engagement in/across different, interconnected sites, multi-sited ethnographic following can help yield rich empirical insights capable of deepening scholarly explanations, engaging diverse audiences and articulating normative viewpoints.