On the trail of the global green bean: methodological considerations in multi‐site ethnography

Abstract

The need to demystify and ‘ground’ globalization has spurred many calls for multi‐site fieldwork. This article discusses how such fieldwork was used to examine the contemporary restructuring of fresh food commodity chains between Africa and Europe, at a time of increasing European concerns about food safety and quality. Drawing on convention theory and actor‐network theory for conceptual guidance, qualitative fieldwork was conducted at sites of production, import and export in ‘anglophone’ (Zambia–London) and ‘francophone’ (Burkina Faso–Paris) commodity chains. The article also discusses the challenges posed by multi‐site research, especially in realms where secrecy and deception are standard tools of the trade.