M.A. in Anthropology: Business and Organizational Concentration

Business and organizational anthropology applies the theories and methods of the discipline to problem-solving in both private and public sectors. By studying "business" (in its broadest sense) as a site for cultural insights, business anthropologists produce robust theory, extend debates on the ethics of applied anthropology and generate transformative insights at the intersection of business, economy and the society.

Wayne State's Master of Arts (M.A.) in Anthropology with a Concentration in Business and Organizational Anthropology applies anthropological insights to the workplace, consumer behavior and organizational structures. Students explore topics such as corporate culture, market research, user experience and innovation through the lens of cultural and social dynamics.

About our program

Wayne State University's anthropology department is the oldest business and organizational anthropology program in the U.S. and is the only institution offering both M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in anthropology with a specialization in business and organizational anthropology. With rigorous training in anthropological theories and research methods, many of our graduates serve as researchers, consultants and academics with strong analytical skills who can manage, evaluate and interpret the large volume and depth of data on human behavior. Detroit's large industrial base and its revitalization movement with numerous innovative entrepreneurial activities, as well as grassroots initiatives, make Wayne State's anthropology program an exciting place to explore and pursue a field of expertise increasingly in demand within the global business world!

What you'll learn

With an M.A. training in business and organizational anthropology, students will be able to:

• Employ anthropological theory and methods to solve business problems in sustainable and ethical ways.
• Translate anthropological insights for application in diverse careers across private and public sectors.
• Transfer graduate training into workplace skills that will make them competitive for jobs centered on understanding human behavior and cultural diversity.
• Develop anthropological perspectives that question cultural assumptions, challenge institutional norms and approach problems creatively in a global business environment.

Courses

Business and organizational anthropology courses blend cultural insights with practical strategies to address real-world business challenges. From studying organizational behavior and consumer cultures to mastering ethnographic methods and design thinking, our curriculum equips students to bridge the gap between people and systems. These courses prepare you to analyze workplace dynamics, improve user experiences, and drive innovation in diverse professional settings.

Your learning incorporates topics and courses such as:

• Anthropology of Business
• Ethnographies of Business and Work
• Shop 'Til You Drop: Consumer Culture and Society
• Globalization and Culture
• Technology and Culture
• Applied Anthropology
• Economy and Culture
• Race and Capitalism
• Organization, Management and Social Justice
• Gender and Work
• Language and the Workplace

Explore anthropology courses

Career outlook for business and organizational anthropology students

Real-world applications include careers in business consulting, market analysis, human resources, design thinking and organizational development. Graduates bring a unique, people-centered perspective to solve complex challenges, improve workplace environments and enhance customer engagement, making them valuable assets in both public and private sectors.

Business and organizational anthropologists work inside some of the leading manufacturing, technology and service companies in the world, including Accenture, Adobe, Apple, Facebook, Ford Motor Company, Gemic, General Motors, Hewlett Packard, IBM, IDEO, Intel, Microsoft, Motorola, Netflix, Nissan, Procter & Gamble, ReD Associates, Spotify, Xerox and J. Walter Thompson.

Graduates are trained to design research and use ethnography and qualitative research skills in career fields such as:

• User experience (UX) research
• Product development and workplace design
• Organizational culture change
• Diversity and inclusion management
• Consumer experience research and analysis
• Intercultural communication and global business
• Development and policy research

Research

Our faculty actively participate in research on globalization and consumption, corporate social responsibility, design anthropology, the food industry, global/international business, critical management studies, diversity and inclusion, critical race studies, studies of capitalism, gender and work, language in the workplace and manufacturing and workplace reorganization.