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1 – 10 of over 2000Bernardo Bignetti, Ana Clara Aparecida Alves de Souza and Maira Petrini
This study demonstrates a practical use of Actor-Network Theory (ANT), showing methodological, predictive and unforeseen issues that emerged during the data collection and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study demonstrates a practical use of Actor-Network Theory (ANT), showing methodological, predictive and unforeseen issues that emerged during the data collection and analysis phases and how they were addressed during the development of this research.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the research of reapplication of a “tecnologia social” (TS) of entrepreneurial education, this article explores the author’s reflections on the adoption of ANT as a theoretical-methodological approach, highlighting the practical implications of a social material theory during fieldwork.
Findings
The adoption of ANT places the researcher in front of methodological issues not always foreseen in the research design. Four moments to a practical path through the engagement of ANT agency are highlighted: the network of actors, monitoring of actors, interpretation of data collected and writing results. These moments correspond to methodological issues that the authors faced during the practical journey of the research. At each moment, the challenge aroused is discussed and the methodological choice chosen to address the issue is presented.
Originality/value
The engagement with ANT has enormous potential in the study of management and organizations phenomenon, but its methodological implications in practice are still challenging. The authors seek to share this investigation and engagement in ANT so that other researchers have a reference and a starting point to employ and engage in this theoretical-methodological lens. Thus, it may be possible to anticipate certain difficulties in future research designs and to glimpse at potential developments and paths that the research may lead.
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Dalia Maimon Schiray, Cristine Clemente Carvalho and Rita Afonso
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the characteristics of creative economies in favelas and their potential in terms of social development from a comparison between the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the characteristics of creative economies in favelas and their potential in terms of social development from a comparison between the theory on creative economy and the characteristics of the initiatives mapped in the Mangueira favelas.
Design/methodology/approach
The research was based on qualitative methodology and literature review. The creative economy initiatives were mapped in the territory of Mangueira and semi-structured interviews and questionnaire of closed questions were applied with the representatives of these. The data collected were treated with the content analysis method.
Findings
The research mapped 17 initiatives associated with creative economy sectors in the Mangueira favelas in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The initiatives develop cultural and artistic activities that make the young people of the community aware of the history of their families, which promotes the strengthening of social ties and individual empowerment, contributing to local entrepreneurship.
Practical implications
The theory used in Brazil for the elaboration of public policies to promote the creative economy points to the presence of cultural and symbolic aspects in economic activities as resources for the generation of income. However, it is important to understand how this applies in different contexts, which may have or lack certain characteristics of human and physical capital pointed as essential by theory to creative economy promotion.
Originality/value
The results of this research go beyond the theory of creative economy and highlight characteristics of project management and impacts on social development that demonstrate how the dynamics of the creative economy in the Mangueira favelas also represent a case of social innovation using social technology tools.
Propósito
O estudo tem como objetivo discutir as características na economia criativa em favelas e seu potencial em termos de desenvolvimento social a partir da comparação entre a teoria sobre economia criativa e as características das iniciativas mapeadas na favela da Mangueira.
Metodologia/Abordagem
A pesquisa utilizou ferramentas de metodologia qualitativa e esteve baseado em revisão de literatura. Foram mapeadas as iniciativas de economia criativa no território da Mangueira e realizadas entrevistas semi-estruturadas e um questionário com perguntas fechadas com os responsáveis. Os dados coletados foram tratados com o método de análise de conteúdo.
Resultados
A pesquisa mapeou 17 iniciativas associadas aos setores da economia criativa na favela da Mangueira, no Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. As iniciativas desenvolvem atividades culturais e artísticas que conscientizam os jovens da comunidade sobre a história de suas famílias, o que promove o fortalecimento de laços sociais e a capacitação individual, contribuindo para o empreendedorismo local.
Implicações práticas
A teoria utilizada no Brasil para a elaboração de políticas públicas de promoção da economia criativa aponta para a presença de aspectos culturais e simbólicos nas atividades econômicas como recursos para a geração de renda. No entanto, é importante entender como isso se aplica em contextos diferentes, que podem ter ou não algumas características do capital humano e físico apontadas como essenciais pela teoria para a promoção da economia criativa.
Originalidade/Valor
Os resultados desta pesquisa vão além da teoria da economia criativa e destacam características de gestão de projetos e impactos no desenvolvimento social que demonstram como a dinâmica da economia criativa nas favelas da Mangueira também representa um caso de inovação social utilizando ferramentas de tecnologia social.
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Silvia Romero-Contreras and Ismael García-Cedillo
Mexico is a large, culturally and linguistically diverse country. More than half of its population lives below the poverty line, a fifth is of indigenous origin, and 5% have a…
Abstract
Mexico is a large, culturally and linguistically diverse country. More than half of its population lives below the poverty line, a fifth is of indigenous origin, and 5% have a disability. This chapter offers a brief description of the general characteristics of the country and the legislative changes toward inclusion and presents the status and progress toward the 2030 Agenda educational goals toward inclusive education. Although efforts have been made to improve the quality of education and inclusion, the country's complexities: poverty, cultural diversity, and political adjustments, among others, have held back progress, as will be explained in this chapter.
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Soledad Analía Ayala and María Cecilia Vila
The present paper analyzes the implementation of Open Digital Television (Televisión Digital Abierta or TDA) in Argentina. It takes up a sociotechnical standpoint and considers…
Abstract
Purpose
The present paper analyzes the implementation of Open Digital Television (Televisión Digital Abierta or TDA) in Argentina. It takes up a sociotechnical standpoint and considers TDA as a public policy designed to foster social inclusion.
Methodology/approach
The ideas presented in this paper are derived from a sociotechnical perspective, both at a theoretical and at a methodological level. The main postulates of this perspective are based on constructivist criteria; they explain outcomes as a result of the constant interplay of technical and social realities. Thus, this relation is intrinsic and continuous. We work with the concept of technology in its broadest sense. That is to say, TDA is not seen as just a mass communication infrastructure, but as a technology which involves knowledge, production practices, and content broadcasting, as a result of the interrelation of cultural, political, social, economic, scientific, and technological factors. The study of TDA in Argentina as a public policy for social inclusion shows how the constant sociotechnical interrelations have to be taken into account (technical standard, antenna features, social actors involved, produced content, etc.) throughout the whole process, from the conception and design of public policies to their implementation, but mainly at the stage of results analysis.
Findings
We concluded that throughout the implementation of the TDA public policy, a determinist view of technology prevailed. This can be seen in relation to both the role of television as a medium for social inclusion and the actions regarding the role of the user. The idea of viewer in the traditional sense prevailed over the idea of an active user. This stage provides significant data to assess the range and the limitations of the current public policy, and to think of improvements to implement in the future. These observations suggest a new challenge lying on the horizon: to construct a new concept of television; that is, to analyze TV as a social actor that is crucial for social inclusion rather than simply a medium of mass communication.
Practical implications
The sociotechnical perspective sheds light on the actors involved in the development, implementation, and production of a public policy designed for social inclusion. It focuses both on the government plan and the usage practices of the users themselves. The approach we propose for the study of the relation between technology and public policy is consistent with the notion of an active government.
Originality/value
The value of this paper lies in its theoretical and methodological approach, since a sociotechnical analysis grounded on relativism is a different view to the one that is dominant in studies in the field of communication and public policies. This view offers innovative insights into the problems regarding TDA by exploring the interrelations between actors and the power relations embedded in the public policy.
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Vijaya L. Narapareddy, Nancy Sampson and S.R. Vishwanath
International Development Enterprises (iDE), a non-profit organization, won numerous awards for its poverty alleviation efforts through the sale of low-cost irrigation…
Abstract
Synopsis
International Development Enterprises (iDE), a non-profit organization, won numerous awards for its poverty alleviation efforts through the sale of low-cost irrigation technologies to the Base of Pyramid (BoP) farmers around the world. This case discusses iDE’s entry into Nicaragua and the challenges this global social enterprise faced in bringing drip irrigation and other water technologies to the rural subsistence coffee farmers in Nicaragua. It presents the tough decisions it faced in 2012 regarding the future of its for-profit social business, iDEal Tecnologias, in Nicaragua. This case captures the tension in hybrid social enterprises.
Research methodology
This case was developed through the following primary sources as well as some secondary sources. Primary: discussions with iDE’s CEO Doerksen, Urs Heierli (Coordinator of iDE’s operations in Nicaragua), and Skype conversations with iDEal Tec’s Country Director, Nadja Kränzlin. Secondary: documents provided by the company and other publicly available sources.
Relevant courses and levels
This case is intended for use in undergraduate, graduate, and executive courses in: social entrepreneurship, non-profit management, and managing sustainable businesses. It may also be used in the sustainability module of courses in international business/management/marketing, and business strategy and policy. It would be best to position this case toward the middle or latter half of the course as it is an integrative case that challenges students to evaluate the sustainability of a social enterprise from multiple perspectives.
Theoretical bases
The theoretical bases for this case are: defining and implementing a sustainable strategy in hybrid social enterprises. Serving BoP customers with a vision of enabling prosperity.
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In this paper, we examine the social stratification in the favelas, urban slums, both in general and how it correlates with technology. The analysis is based on Weberian…
Abstract
Purpose
In this paper, we examine the social stratification in the favelas, urban slums, both in general and how it correlates with technology. The analysis is based on Weberian stratification theory, since it provides for a broad understanding of the different factors that make up the digital inequalities.
Methodology/approach
Based on a 10-month critical ethnographic research dealing with LAN houses and state supported telecenters in the favelas of Vitória, Brazil, we analyze how the use of technology by residents of such marginalized areas expands our understanding of Weber’s axes of stratification, namely class, status and political power. The data was drawn from user observations, Facebook interactions, and 76 semi-structured interviews.
Findings
The drug cartel members belonged to the higher class of favela residents due to their access to material resources and ability to afford smartphones and data plans. However, in terms of status groups, they did not represent the pinnacle of the community. Where status was concerned, the highest stratum of the community was composed of the “Facebook’s celebrities,” the few teenagers who knew how to produce content online, such as images and videos. An additional axis of social differentiation, related to political power, was observed during the 2013 protests in Brazil. Favela residents arrived late to the event and found themselves “fighting” for demands stipulated previously by the organizers who belonged to upper classes.
Originality/value
We highlight what access to ICTs can, and cannot, accomplish in a “highly disorganized,” conflict-ridden, and institution-poor environment. With that we hope to encourage academics and practitioners to do a better job in developing appropriate policies and technologies.
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Francesca Mochi, Rita Bissola and Barbara Imperatori
This chapter explores different strategies implemented by three companies using professional (LinkedIn) and non-professional (Facebook) social networking websites (SNWs) as a…
Abstract
Purpose
This chapter explores different strategies implemented by three companies using professional (LinkedIn) and non-professional (Facebook) social networking websites (SNWs) as a recruitment tool and investigates the influence of their perceived usability and attractiveness on job seekers’ attraction and their intention to apply.
Methodology/approach
First, a laboratory experiment involving 171 MBA students compares the effectiveness of three different social recruitment strategies. Second, a survey among 110 job seekers focuses on the most effective strategy in terms of attraction as an employer and the influence of perceived usability and attractiveness of professional SNW pages on job seekers’ intention to pursue the job.
Findings
The laboratory experiment confirms the key role of LinkedIn as an e-recruitment practice. The survey shows that the overall company image, the usability of the LinkedIn page and the interaction between the attractiveness of the page and the overall company image positively influence job seekers’ intention to pursue the job.
Social implications
The research offers insights on job seekers’ reactions to 2.0 Internet-based recruitment. Companies should focus on and invest in professional social medias, paying attention to the usability of their SNWs pages.
Originality/value of the chapter
Recruitment is a strategic HRM practice to attract talents; however, research lags behind practice and little is known about job seekers’ perceptions and reactions to Internet recruitment. This chapter sheds light on the use of social media for recruitment and identifies two features that contribute to an effective e-recruitment strategy.
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This paper presents the preliminary results of a research which relates two main strands: first, the socialization of scientific knowledge and second, the archaeological heritage…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper presents the preliminary results of a research which relates two main strands: first, the socialization of scientific knowledge and second, the archaeological heritage. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the socialization process by integrating an “inter-approach” strategy in order to cope with the research problem. It also evaluates the potential of an interdisciplinary approach following the hypothesis that it strengthens the democratization process of scientific knowledge production.
Design/methodology/approach
The combination, integration and convergence of different bodies of knowledge seek to collaborate in the construction of an enriching process looking for a stronger relationship between science and society. This is applied to a particular case study: the archaeological heritage of Uruguay. This study relates the concept of socialization of scientific knowledge to the strand of archaeological heritage through the construction of a common structure.
Findings
In this sense, the authors study the socialization process of scientific knowledge in a way that helps illustrate its current features in Uruguay. It also permits us to consider socialization as a more committed process of identity construction in Uruguayan society.
Originality/value
Socialization processes help to build the identity of a society in the interaction with science; socialization of Uruguayan archaeological heritage allows the creation of a shared memory embedded into the historical processes of the country. However, it requires an integrated and multivocal perspective to cope with its inherent complexity. In this sense, this research fills a void.
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