Rogat,+SP+-+Memo+2+-+Field+Notes+&+Pivot+Memo

Michelle Rogat Memo 2 - Field Notes & Pivot Memo (noticed that I wrote a lot in here about the reason I chose certain methods in the research, so that information will be in this color to take out for later use.)

__**Field Notes**__ - SOON TO COME - data collected so far - interviews with Audubon International, Empire Zero, and Country Club Superintendent

__**Pivoting of Research**__


 * I am unsure of the aim of the study and whether or not it has changed from being "to increase the acceptance, uptake, and success of sustainability initiatives in the hospitality industry/businesses" to something slightly different. From the data sources, field sites, and the way by which I feel I could break down the data into categories, I think the aim is shifting away from the hospitality industry aspects and is more about within the business rather than including the network. The information that would result kind of feels like a recipe for sustainability in business, or a critique of the current status of sustainability in business, kind of?
 * Data sources/Field Sites - Haven't changed too much from before, except the way in which I will be finding more participants has changed. Before I was planning on going through the different sections of the country club focusing on sustainable projects specific to each one and finding other businesses to interview that could relate and finding professionals that were available to advise the club as the projects progressed. Since I submitted that plan, my role at the country club has changed somewhat, and I don't believe that the club would consider pursuing this many projects (at least not coming from me) and nor do I want to continue close work with the country club any longer than I have to. (Not for any pending reasons, I'm just getting sick of the place.) In order to prevent any bias or prejudice toward these sustainable projects because of my involvement, I have changed the scope of my role in them. Now I will be simply presenting the potential sustainable projects to the club (either their board committee or the specific department head it would include) and I let them take it from there. This way, my involvement is minimized and the results of the research are more likely to mimic real life circumstances. As I was saying before, the data sources/field sites are:
 * A local country club - for now the potential projects I have introduced to them are to get Green Certification for their golf course, and to separate out their food waste from their garbage stream and picked up through Empire Zero
 * Club members - their involvement in what happens at the club and how it's ran, their views on sustainability, and also consider them for studying up - their role in shaping sustainability in the club and in their own businesses (many members of the club are influential affluent members of society, there seems to be a gap in research in studying up as well)
 * club employees - certain waitstaff for their knowledge and experience in working in and trying to improve this industry before, my manager's previous career in the reclaim industry when it just started, the superintendent on his thought on becoming Green Certified through Audubon International, the chef for his thoughts on changing kitchen practices to separate out food waste and their experiences working in other "green" kitchens
 * Club Board Committee and President - for their thoughts on why they allowed my research, their opinions on sustainability, how they presented the Green Certification to the Superintendent, the importance (if any) they put on the environment when making decisions, if they've ever experienced beneficial effects of being so close in communication with all the workers at the club, if they have ever thought of the business structure of the club in that way before
 * Club's local linen service company - (should still hold interview because I have the access and it could be beneficial, not sure how at the moment) apply the same sort of questions asked to the club to this company as well, about their practices, if they consider the environment, any improvements done ad were there any problems that came up during them, etc.
 * local sweets shop/bakery - have heard of their environmental considerations, would like to interview them on their experience (I am assuming that it would be good to have other businesses within the area like this so that it gives more data samples and it's not just concentrated to the club. Also good to keep the field sites within the area because answers to the questions could differ depending on what the local market is demanding, local trends occurring, demographic differences, differences in political affiliation... so keeping it within the same region ensures that they all are coming from the same pool with the same market stressors.)
 * environmental and sustainable professionals in the region - such as Audubon International, this is a good way to get in touch with people full of experience with sust challenges in business, what kind of dynamics within the business seems to help sust, what characteristics they might have that allows them to be successful in their goals/career involving the promotion of sustainability.
 * I will be going to Green Drinks in Albany to hopefully find more participants in this research.
 * Ways I already know I'll be breaking down the data from the interviews:
 * characteristics of a person promoting sustainability in their job or wherever
 * limitations and constraints on a business that holds them back from becoming sustainable
 * ways businesses worked around those issues
 * what about certain dynamics and structures in business or in a working group promotes efficiency and sustainable practices
 * studying up - the role the elite plays in shaping sustainability in business/society
 * **From this it would seem that the aim of the study has shifted somewhat, but I can't quite pin how. Or maybe it's just my methods and approach that has changed? STILL NEED TO DISCUSS THIS WITH NATE**