An example of how to conduct a narrative analysis on a narrative interview transcript: for MBA students

An example of how to conduct a narrative analysis on a narrative interview transcript: for MBA students (information from perplexity.ai)

My question 1: "Please use a brief example of a narrative interview transcript on "a gen z's description, including an actual episode, of his experience of job stress working in the jewelry retail outlet in Hong Kong in 2025, " to illustrate how to apply narrative analysis on the interview transcript? Also briefly mention the specific narrative interview concepts involved in this example

"

The reply: "Here is a brief example of a narrative interview transcript from a Gen Z worker describing job stress in a Hong Kong jewelry retail outlet in 2025, followed by how to apply narrative analysis and the relevant concepts involved.

Example Narrative Interview Transcript (Excerpt)

Interviewer: Can you tell me about your experience working in the jewelry store?

Gen Z worker (Alex):
"Honestly, it’s been pretty stressful lately. The sales have been slow because fewer tourists are coming, and local customers are more cautious with their spending. One day last month, I had to handle a very demanding customer who wanted a custom piece urgently, but we were short-staffed and the system was glitching. I felt overwhelmed, like I couldn’t meet expectations. I stayed late that night, worrying if I’d lost the sale or made a mistake. It’s exhausting because we’re expected to be friendly and knowledgeable, but the pressure to hit targets is constant. Sometimes I just want to quit and do freelance work instead, something more flexible."

Applying Narrative Analysis to This Transcript

Narrative analysis focuses on how people make sense of their experiences through storytelling. Here’s how it can be applied to Alex’s narrative:

• Identify the plot structure: Alex’s story has a clear structure - a stressful event (handling a difficult customer during understaffing and system issues), the emotional response (feeling overwhelmed and exhausted), and reflection on the broader context (pressure to meet sales targets and desire for flexibility).

• Examine the characters and roles: Alex positions themselves as the hardworking but stressed employee, the customer as demanding, and the workplace as a high-pressure environment.

• Contextualize the story: The narrative reflects broader economic and social factors affecting Hong Kong’s retail sector in 2025, such as declining luxury sales and labor shortages26.

• Analyze the use of language and tone: Alex uses words like “overwhelmed,” “exhausting,” and “pressure,” which convey emotional strain and job dissatisfaction, common among Gen Z workers facing burnout35.

• Look for themes and meaning: Themes of job stress, lack of support, and desire for autonomy emerge, aligning with Gen Z’s preference for flexible, meaningful work rather than monotonous retail jobs3.

Specific Narrative Interview Concepts Involved

• Narrative coherence and structure: How the story is organized with a beginning (setting the scene), middle (the stressful episode), and end (reflection and emotional impact).

• Identity construction: Alex constructs an identity as a competent but stressed worker caught in a difficult environment.

• Emotional expression: The narrative reveals emotional experiences related to job stress, important for understanding mental health in workplace narratives7.

• Contextual embeddedness: The story is situated within the economic realities of Hong Kong’s jewelry retail market and Gen Z’s work values235.

• Temporality: The narrative unfolds over time, focusing on a specific episode but also reflecting ongoing conditions.

This example shows how narrative analysis moves beyond just what happened to explore how the interviewee makes sense of and emotionally processes their work stress, revealing deeper insights into Gen Z’s workplace experiences in Hong Kong’s jewelry retail sector in 2025."

My question 2: "In this example, briefly, what could be the academic and practical values of this research interview finding?"

The reply: "The academic and practical values of the research interview finding on a Gen Z worker’s job stress in a Hong Kong jewelry retail outlet include:

Academic Values:

• It contributes to the growing body of qualitative research on workplace stress among young retail workers, particularly from a narrative perspective that captures lived experiences and emotional dimensions12.

• The finding enriches understanding of how Generation Z’s unique values-such as mental health prioritization, desire for flexibility, and sensitivity to workplace pressures-manifest in stressful retail environments, supporting theories like the Anxious Generation Theory6.

• It offers insights into identity construction and coping strategies in frontline retail jobs, which are underexplored in current literature, especially in Asian contexts like Hong Kong2.

• The narrative approach highlights the temporal, social, and contextual embeddedness of stress experiences, providing a nuanced view beyond quantitative stress measures23.

Practical Values:

• The finding informs retail management and HR practices by identifying specific stressors (e.g., understaffing, high customer demands, pressure to meet sales targets) that affect Gen Z employees, enabling targeted interventions to reduce burnout and turnover157.

• It underscores the need for workplace policies that align with Gen Z’s expectations for mental health support, flexible work arrangements, and meaningful engagement, which can improve job satisfaction and retention6.

• By revealing the emotional impact of job stress through personal storytelling, the research can guide training programs in emotional intelligence and conflict resolution tailored to younger workers’ needs67.

• The insights can help retailers in Hong Kong and similar markets adapt to post-pandemic economic shifts and changing consumer patterns by better supporting frontline staff17.

In sum, this narrative interview finding bridges theoretical understanding and practical application, offering valuable knowledge for scholars studying workplace stress and for organizations aiming to foster healthier, more supportive environments for Generation Z retail employees."

A collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.