scholarly journals Online Workers

Author(s):  
Jamie Woodcock

The focus shifts in this chapter towards online workers. It first differentiates between microworkers and online freelancers, discussing the role of automation and the technical composition of these kinds of work. The chapter contrasts the challenges of organising in this kind of work with transport platforms, particularly the lack of opportunities to meet face-to-face. It draws attention to the digital networks that form around this work in response to the challenges of the labour process. Recent struggles involving Amazon Mechanical Turk and Rev (transcription) workers show the potential for these workers to coordinate and build shared subjectivities through online communication. This case study is explored as an example with a significantly more challenging technical composition, yet shows how new moments of struggle are still coming to the fore.

Economics ◽  
2015 ◽  
pp. 1626-1649
Author(s):  
David Tamoschus

New technological opportunities and online communication constantly gain importance for knowledge integration and knowledge creation in any innovation-driven environment. The cooperation between firms and individual actors in biotechnology was characteristically organized in local or regional clusters, based on face-to-face communications and strategic temporary linkages to other clusters. However, this archetypal configuration can change with the emerging use of open innovation models such as online research communities. A qualitative case study including an analysis of forums within an open source biomedical research platform portrays how knowledge integration mechanisms, and hence, innovations are implemented in virtual space. In this newly created environment, a number of geographical patterns are inverted: The strong role of physical co-location is partly substituted by enabled online proximity and new opportunities of virtual “prototype-sharing”; the former global pipelines are transformed to local and virtual cross-community pipelines. Yet mechanisms of creating social coherence and stability illustrate noteworthy similarities with “localized capabilities” of regional agglomerations. Eventually, knowledge integration capabilities ensure that the network can operate as a successful knowledge provider.


Author(s):  
David Tamoschus

New technological opportunities and online communication constantly gain importance for knowledge integration and knowledge creation in any innovation-driven environment. The cooperation between firms and individual actors in biotechnology was characteristically organized in local or regional clusters, based on face-to-face communications and strategic temporary linkages to other clusters. However, this archetypal configuration can change with the emerging use of open innovation models such as online research communities. A qualitative case study including an analysis of forums within an open source biomedical research platform portrays how knowledge integration mechanisms, and hence, innovations are implemented in virtual space. In this newly created environment, a number of geographical patterns are inverted: The strong role of physical co-location is partly substituted by enabled online proximity and new opportunities of virtual “prototype-sharing”; the former global pipelines are transformed to local and virtual cross-community pipelines. Yet mechanisms of creating social coherence and stability illustrate noteworthy similarities with “localized capabilities” of regional agglomerations. Eventually, knowledge integration capabilities ensure that the network can operate as a successful knowledge provider.


Author(s):  
Helen G. M. Vossen ◽  
Maria Koutamanis ◽  
Joseph B. Walther

This study investigated the effect of receiving confirming vs. disconfirming feedback to individuals’ self-disclosure on their self-esteem, the role of giving reciprocal feedback in this relationship, and how these effects differ between online and face-to-face communication. Using a two (communication mode: online vs. face-to-face) by two (feedback valence: confirming vs. disconfirming) between-subjects experiment, we found that feedback had a significant indirect effect on self-esteem, through the receiver’s reciprocal feedback. This indirect effect of feedback differed in online communication from offline: In online communication, participants reciprocated negative feedback when they received it, more than in face-to-face communication. The reciprocal feedback enhanced their self-esteem in online communication, but not in face-to-face communication. Although people tend to respond more negatively to negative comments in online conversations, the process, overall, boosts rather than hinders their self-esteem.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 19-34
Author(s):  
Samuel Nii Attoh Abbey

With the flagship success of M-Pesa, mobile devices have become an important tool to facilitate the financial inclusion of the previously unbanked population in developing countries. Following the success of M-Pesa in Kenya in 2007, mobile money technologies became widespread across Africa. Beginning in 2009, Ghana experienced exceptional adoption of Mobile Money technology. Many studies have examined the influence of mobile money on financial inclusion from a variety of perspectives, and many have concluded that mobile money is a game-changer in this regard. The Mobile Money concept has evolved based on introducing the other value-added services such as microloans, savings, and insurance portfolios. The researcher used a questionnaire and a face-to-face interview to obtain qualitative data for this study. Together with other research, the statistics revealed that Mobile Money transactions in Ghana had more than tripled since it became the most popular payment method. Over the last year, the platform as a service has created over 140,000 jobs and has shown to be the safest channel. It has several advantages, including lowering the cost of printing and keeping cash on hand, as well as decreasing fraud because the technology underlying it gives appropriate audit trails to prevent fraud and boost economic growth.


2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 545-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elina Närvänen ◽  
Evert Gummesson ◽  
Hannu Kuusela

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce a network perspective to the study of collective consumption. The authors examine the characteristics of heterogeneous consumption collectives formed around a Finnish footwear brand. The case is both theoretically and practically relevant. It differs from previous research by featuring consumer grassroot activities, face-to-face interaction and strong pre-existing social relationships. Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative case study research was conducted with different methods of data generation including interviews, participant observation and cultural materials such as newspaper articles and photos. Findings – A new concept of collective consumption network is introduced. Five kinds of consumption collectives are identified, including place focussed, brand focussed, activity focussed, idea focussed and social relations focussed consumption collectives. The strength of ties as well as the role of the brand varies within the collectives. Practical implications – Suppliers should find an appropriate network position, where they can enable and support shared value creation. Developing skills to identify and cultivate weak links as well as mobilize resources are important. Originality/value – The findings illustrate the heterogeneity and complexity of collective consumption. In particular, the paper discusses the way self-organizing and emergent consumption collectives and the supplier interact and integrate resources within the network.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 4621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Chaminade ◽  
Filippo Randelli

Over the last few years, there has been a growing concern among academics and practitioners about the slow pace in which sustainability transformations unfold. While most socio-technical transformations tend to happen over extended periods, research shows that unless some dramatic changes are introduced, we are risking damaging the critical earth systems that sustain human life. In this context, understanding why and how transformations happen at a much faster pace in certain places than in others is of crucial importance. This paper investigates the rapid transformation of Panzano, from traditional wine production to organically produced wine. Using a combination of document analysis, participant observation, and face to face interviews in Panzano in 2019, this article examines the role of the territorially embedded innovation ecosystems facilitating this fast transformation. The study looks at place based-structural preconditions and different forms of agency at different stages in the transformation. Our findings illustrate that a place-based agency is paramount for accelerating sustainability transformations.


Bohemistyka ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jindřiška Svobodova ◽  
Eva Nováková

The paper discusses verbal aggressiveness and (im)politeness in media and online communication. The analysis focuses on transcriptions of communicative acts by participants of the TV reality Spread! ("Prostřeno!", a Czech version of the programme Come Dine with me) and viewers' comments in related online discussions. The analysis indicated that the use of face-threatening acts was determined by a type of communicative interaction and interlocutors' social roles. Striving to construct a positive self-image, the participants in the show did not take the risk of losing their face due to usage of derogatory or vulgar expressions in face-to-face inter- actions. The anonymous online discussions, on the contrary, did not pose any risk for the positive faces of the speakers; therefore, the interlocutors showed clear tendency to either appreciate and support, or attack the contestants as well as other speakers. 


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
RIRIK WORO HAPSARI

Covid-19 virus has an impact on various field, one which is in education field, so that the Indonesian Goverment made a policy of replacing face to face learning with distance learning or known as online learning. In online learning, parents have a double role as a parent and as a teacher for children in accompany childrend in online learning during Covid-19 pandemic. Lack of understanding of the importance of accompanying children to learn during online learning causes parents to pay less attention to their role in accompanying children during online learning. The aim of this reasearch is to know the role of parents to accompanying children in online learning during Covid-19 pandemic. The research use qualitative methods with case study research type. This research was conducted in Temulus Village, Mejobo District, Kudus Regency, with 5 parents and 5 children who attend 1 Temulus Elemantary School, who living around in environment researcher. Data collection techiques in this research was observation, interviews and documentation.  This research use descriptive qualitative data analysis with triangulation methods as a validity test. The step of data analysis is reduction, presentation of data, and conclusions. The result of the role of parents in online learning during th eCovid-19 pandemic is a.) the role  as caregivers and educators; b) the role as mentors; c) the role as motivators; d) the role as facilitators. Therefore, parents should provide time and attention in accompanying children to leaen during online learning. 


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 480-490
Author(s):  
Maryam Abdu Gainaka ◽  
Syed Agil Alsagoff ◽  
Akmar Hayati Ahmad Ghazali

Purpose of the study: The research became necessary to explore the watchdog role of broadcast media in Nigeria. The study was conducted for the purpose of understanding how broadcast media interpret the watchdog function and the reason for its rarity in Nigeria broadcast media. Methodology: The study used the qualitative case study approach. Two broadcast media were purposively selected for the study-FRCN and AIT. Semi-structured face to face interview was used to collect data from ten informants comprising of senior editors and field reporters who were purposively selected for the study. Researchers used thematic analysis for data analysis to interpret and discuss findings. Main findings: The broadcast media perform the watchdog role through reporting of investigations not initiated by them and also through their programs. The absence of watchdog in their media is influenced by the interference of broadcast media owners, enormous economic and commercial pressures on them being a more capital intensive media as well as the failure of broadcast media practitioners to explore the freedom of information Act like their print counterparts do. Application/Implication: The findings offer a reference point for media regulatory bodies to discover broadcast media issues that are useful for making regulations to improve media practice. It contributes to the call for media social responsibility by providing insight into the impediments of fulfilling the media’s social obligation as a watchdog. Novelty/originality: Research in the area of media watchdog role and functions have often focused on audience perceptions and evaluations of print media. This study explored broadcast media and added to the conceptualization of the concept of media as watchdog beyond investigative journalism only.


This case study conducted to investigate the impact of a responsive leadership approach in meeting customers' needs in a higher education institution in the UAE during the COVID-19 pandemic. For this purpose, a mixed-method model has been used. The data has been collected from a convenient sample working and studying at Al Qasimia University Language Center, in fall 2020. This result indicates that the provided responsive leadership support during COVID-19 was effective and helped in motivating learners and customers to keep learning and making progress greater than what was shown before COVID-19, during the face-to-face teaching and physical assessment. Although the qualitative and quantitative results in this case study revealed a significant impact of responsive leadership approach on customers’ progress, there is still a need to conduct other researches to develop and validate a responsive leadership inventory to facilitate measuring of responsive leadership attributes in a large scale sample and/or population.


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