Cogent Arts & Humanities (Jan 2017)
Transdisciplinarity and the fruitful interplay between social science and science of history
Abstract
On the basis of a research project on the history of the china manufacturer and touristic entrepreneur Ernst Wahliß, who lived and was active in the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy in the late nineteenth century, the article reflects how interdisciplinary cooperation between historical science and an intervention-oriented social science in the framework of transdisciplinary research design can lead to scientifically interesting results and social impact in a local community. This contribution follows two objectives: the first point of emphasis is being placed on the content side of the aforementioned research project. The results of the historical research are presented and their connection to relevant topics today is discussed. As a second point, this article provides methodological descriptions and reflections regarding the project. In the introduction, the historical starting point and the inter- and transdisciplinary aims of the project are delineated. In section two and three an insight into the theoretical basis and methodical approach of the research is provided. In section four central results elaborated by the interdisciplinary team are reported. The story of Wahliß certainly has to be considered in its specific historical and local context, but it also incorporates “universal” aspects, such as investment and enterprising actions as an instrument of intervention into social systems, conflict dynamics in times of changes and their inevitable consequences, as well as tensions between cooperation and competition. These specific elements of Wahliß story can be abstracted to general phenomena in regional development that apply both in the nineteenth century as well as today. Section five of the contribution finally focuses on a methodological reflection of the research process, pointing out that cooperation between historians and social researchers can be challenging, yet extremely interesting and fruitful—not only in analysing historical developments, but also when considering problems of the present.
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