Decent work in the Economy for the Common Good reports: a documentary analysis
Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management
ISSN: 1746-5648
Article publication date: 7 January 2021
Issue publication date: 23 February 2021
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to describe and characterise the actions carried out by Italian organisations participating in the Economy for the Common Good (ECG) movement and to analyse these actions through the lens of decent work (DW), identifying patterns leading to a typology and conceptual propositions on the subject.
Design/methodology/approach
A documentary analysis was conducted on 14 reports describing the actions taken by Italian organisations that belong to the ECG movement. Qualitative content analysis was performed using QSR-NVivo12. The descriptive analysis of the codes was made, as well as a cluster analysis based on coding similarity.
Findings
A total of 1,497 actions were coded, and four clusters, grouping sets of the common good reports, were identified. Results suggest that Customers, Business Partners and Staff and Owners are the most addressed stakeholders, human dignity and environmental sustainability are the most addressed values and Fulfilling and Productive Work and Fundamental Principles and Values at Work are the most addressed DW dimensions. Additionally, all clusters are intensive in environmental concerns but have differentiated priorities. Cluster analysis suggests three drivers: recognition, core business closeness and social common good impact. A total of five conceptual propositions are being made useable by organisational leaders who intend to adhere to the ECG movement.
Research limitations/implications
The main limitation is the low number of organisations participating in the ECG movement in Italy, which restricts the scope of the conclusions.
Practical implications
The results are helpful as inputs for designing interventions in organisations that intend to start or strengthen their involvement in the ECG movement.
Originality/value
Identifying DW aspects related to common good indicators and the four approaches to the ECG adhesion corresponding to the four clusters.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of “Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia” (FCT – Portugal), through the Ph.D. Grant SFRH/BD/130894/2017.Authors contributed equally and significantly to the study and there is no conflict of interest.
Citation
Pereira, S.A., dos Santos, N.R., Pais, L. and Zappalà, S. (2021), "Decent work in the Economy for the Common Good reports: a documentary analysis", Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management, Vol. 16 No. 1, pp. 191-217. https://doi.org/10.1108/QROM-02-2020-1896
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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