Behind the hype: unfulfilled promises and social consequences of the sharing economy

BEYOND DECLARATIONS: THE REALITY OF INCLUSIVE TRAINING IN POST-SOCIALIST EUROPE

In recent years, organizations operating across different sectors have been facing increasing demands for socially responsible business practices, which also implies the development of inclusive work environments. In an effort to adapt to these changes, many organizations are introducing diversity-oriented training programs. In this paper, research was based on empirical data and examines whether there are differences between private and public organizations in post-socialist countries regarding the implementation of diversity-oriented training. In addition, the analysis explores whether organizational size acts as a moderating factor in this relationship. Overall, the results indicate a low level of diversity training implementation in both sectors. However, performed non-parametric analysis indicates greater engagement and proactivity of organizations operating in the private sector, compared to organizations from the public sector, while the applied hierarchical linear regression showed that the size of the organization does not have a statistically significant moderating effect. The findings suggest that, in the context of developing inclusive and socially responsible human resource management practices, institutional logic is more important than organizational capacities. In addition to presenting the results of the empirical analysis, this paper also provides insights into how diversity-oriented training contributes to organizational adaptability and employee development.

Green and Circular Economy: Old Practices, New Nuances

This paper provides anecdotes and examples on a wide range of topics related to sustainability, circular economy, local governance, and community development in Nepal, and illustrates the disconnect between global concepts like the circular economy and the ground realities of rural Nepal. It discusses the origins of the circular economy concept, its benefits, and the challenges likely to be faced while transitioning from a linear model of production and consumption to one that is cyclical. The role of local governments in adopting new practices like waste management and the potential pitfalls of introducing modern solutions without considering traditional practices and local contexts have been analyzed within the complexities surrounding the circular economy, especially in relation to practicality in implementation in rural areas. Being based on secondary literatures, and the author’s own observation-based reflection, the article also discusses how imported ideas and practices, if not aligned with local traditions and resources, can lead to unintended consequences and challenges. The critique of initiatives that prioritize superficial modernization over addressing core issues like sustainable waste management or preserving traditional farming practices has also been discussed.

The End of DEI

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is one of the most polarizing issues in business and society. Advocates claim that DEI enhances fairness, while critics argue it undermines meritocracy. The problems often stem from the practice of DEI—reducing it to demographic diversity—rather than its principle. This paper proposes an alternative framework—Potential, Synergy, and Inclusion—that preserves DEI's objectives while addressing its weaknesses. Potential emphasizes recruiting individuals for their capacity to create future value rather than past achievements. Demographics can be informative about an applicant's trajectory, but many other aspects of their background are also relevant. Synergy focuses on building teams with complementary skills and perspectives. One such synergy arises from cognitive diversity, for which demographics are only a partial source. Inclusion enables employees to voice ideas, challenge norms, and overcome structural frictions. While DEI is viewed as advancing only minority groups and primarily aligned with one side of the political spectrum, the proposed approach seeks to grow the pie for the benefit of all.

AND THE MARKET OF INCENTIVIZED CULTURAL SPONSORSHIPS: AN ANALYSIS FROM ECONOMIC SOCIOLOGY

“It’s all about the money!”: Challenges and tensions in the institutionalization of a community-based collective

The Protetoras da Leste collective is a social mobilization network made up of more than 200 women from the eastern periphery of São Paulo. The group operates by transforming women’s networks of care and solidarity into a driving force for territorial change, providing support, facilitating access to rights, and offering assistance in times of crisis, such as the recurrent floods that affect the territory where they live. Created during the Covid-19 pandemic to address its impacts on vulnerable families, the collective gained strength and legitimacy through its community-based actions. Its success led a local civil society organization to support and foster new initiatives developed by the group. With financial and institutional backing, the collective expanded its scope of action and established its own headquarters. As the group transitions from an organic support network to a more formalized structure, it faces the challenge of professionalizing its management and accessing public funding opportunities without losing active grassroots participation, while dealing with technical bureaucracy and the emotional burden placed on its leadership. The case thus explores the tensions and challenges involved in the collective’s institutionalization process.

An Introduction to Platform Economy in India

Digital platforms have garnered both apprehension and admiration for their disruptive influence on social systems, structures, and everyday lives. However, research insights on digital platforms and ecosystems, both in theory and practice, largely emerge from the Global North. Pivoting this focus to the Global South, An Introduction to Platform Economy in India explores the operational socio-technical framework of India’s growing platform economy at the confluence of numerous platform ecosystems developed both globally and nationally. Employing an economic sociology perspective, the authors examine the pivotal roles of individuals and collectives, alongside their embedded socio-economic and technical arrangements, to show the multifaceted dimensions of the rapid proliferation of platforms, burgeoning platform memberships, and the ensuing multidimensional social exchanges in India. The chapters respond to growing interest in India’s platform economies by showing how the country figures prominently in visions of platform futures, whether as an emerging market, a critical node in global supply chains, or a catalyst for technological innovation. Promising to be a timely intervention grounded in economic sociological analysis, this introductory text bridges the existing gap in the production of such scholarly literature from the Global South. By shedding light on the intricacies of platform dynamics, adoption, usage, and their impact on the social and economic lives of people in India, readers gain valuable insights that inform our understanding of the broader global dynamics of platform economies.