Information experiences of bonsai growers: a phenomenological study in serious leisure
| Date | 12 August 2024 |
| Pages | 1645-1659 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-02-2024-0044 |
| Published date | 12 August 2024 |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Records management & preservation,Document management,Classification & cataloguing,Information behaviour & retrieval,Collection building & management,Scholarly communications/publishing,Information & knowledge management,Information management & governance,Information management,Information & communications technology,Internet |
| Author | Yazdan Mansourian |
Information experiences of bonsai
growers: a phenomenological
study in serious leisure
Yazdan Mansourian
School of Information and Communication Studies, Charles Sturt University,
Wagga Wagga, Australia
Abstract
Purpose–The paper reportsthe findingsof a research project exploring the informationexperiences of bonsai
growers in Australia as an example of a serious leisure pursuit.
Design/methodology/approach –The study used phenomenology as a qualitative approach in an
interpretive paradigm. The data collection technique was a semi-structured interview with open-ended
questions, and 23 volunteers were recruited via a maximum variation sampling strategy. The study employed
the Serious Leisure Perspective and Information Experience as its theoretical frameworks.
Findings –Bonsaigrowers rely on threeprimary sources of information: publications,people, andplants. They
use formal and informal publications across various me dia. They interact with fellow bonsai growers to share
experiencesand seek advice.The shape and conditionsof bonsai trees are sourcesof embedded informationthat
help them to make informed decisions in their practice. They have a cultureof information sharing on many
grounds, such as local clubs, online forums, and workshops. Their embodied information m anifests in their
sophisticatedskills of shaping bonsaitrees to express the aestheticprinciples of this ancientart.
Research limitations/implications –The findings are contextual and cannot be generalised.
A generalisation of the result needs to be tested in a broader population.
Social implications –Engaging in the bonsai hobby often fosters a sense of community among bonsai
enthusiasts. Understanding these social connections can contribute to the development of supportive networks
and enhance belongingness.
Originality/value –The study contributes to understanding the information experiences in serious leisure.
It offers new evidence-based insights that can inform the design of information systems and services tailored to
the needs of leisure pursuers.
Keywords Serious leisure, Hobbies, Bonsai growing, Information experience, Information sharing,
Embedded information, Embodied information, Communities of interests
Paper type Research paper
There are no borders in bonsai. The dove of peace flies to palace as to humble house, to young as to
old, to rich and poor. So does the spirit of bonsai. John Yoshio Naka
1. Introduction
The art of bonsai is a Japanese creative practice of growing trees in pots or shallow containers
to mimic natural scenery on a miniature scale (Chan, 2018;Norman, 2014;Prescott, 2015).
The term “bonsai”is the Japanese adaptation of the ancient Chinese art form called “shanshui
penjing”(Lewis, 1996;Curl and Wilson, 2015)“penjing”or “penzai”(Coussins, 2001;Zhao,
2012). This artistic practice originated in China two thousand years ago and underwent
further development in Japan over the past millennium (Chan, 2006;Tomlinson and
McDonald, 1990). Nowadays, bonsai growing is a popular hobby worldwide (Chan, 2014;
Prescott, 2015) and a proper example of serious leisure (Stebbins, 1982). This hobby has all the
Journal of
Documentation
1645
This paper is part of the author’s ongoing research program on human information behaviour in serious
leisure. The author expresses his deep appreciation to all the participants in this study. What they have
done is an excellent example of generous information sharing. Also, the author is grateful to the
reviewers for their constructive comments.
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
https://www.emerald.com/insight/0022-0418.htm
Received 27 February 2024
Revised 25 June 2024
Accepted 27 June 2024
Journal of Documentation
Vol. 80 No. 6, 2024
pp. 1645-1659
© Emerald Publishing Limited
0022-0418
DOI 10.1108/JD-02-2024-0044
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