The contribution of autophotography for cross-cultural knowledge transfer

This paper introduces the use of autophotography in cross-cultural
research and describes the possibilities of knowledge transfer using the research
output directly in cultural training settings. Autophotography is a method used
to compare two cultures on the basis of photographs. Test persons (members of
one culture who live in a second culture) are required to make photos
expressing certain aspects of a culture. In an interview the test persons then
explain their motives, what values they wanted to express and why this photo
was typical of the target culture. This method produces authentic photographs
which offer insights into the perception of artefacts by people from different
cultures. The photographs may then be used in cross-cultural knowledge
transfer processes. One way of incorporating emotions into the training process
is the use of photographs. Since visual material has a stronger and more direct
impact on emotions (Goleman, 1997), photographs can help fill the emotional
gap in trainings.