Provided by Thomas Gegenhuber, Leuphana Universität Lüneburg/Johannes Kepler University Linz
Guiding questions: What are new and alternative forms of organizing (e.g. platforms)? What is their role in responding to the crisis?
Lecture
Core readings
Mair, J., & Rathert, N. 2019. Alternative organizing with social purpose: revisiting institutional analysis of market-based activity. Socio-Economic Review, 1-20, in press. PDF
Bauer R.M., & Gegenhuber T. (2015). Crowdsourcing: Global search and the twisted roles of consumers and producers. Organization, 22 (5), 661-681 (only read the pages 661-669 to gain an understanding of crowdsourcing processes). PDF
Contemporary news article
Cunningham, K. (2020). ‘People Need to be Supportive’: Communities Gather Online in the Coronavirus Crisis, The Guardian, March 16.
Post-lecture assignment
Apply the insights from this session to describe a new or alternative form of organizing formed to address a crisis situation (Covid19 or other) in a short memo (350-500 words, excluding references). Explain what problem your example solves and how this form of organizing operates. Describe how various audiences (e.g. politicians, citizens, media) reacted to the initiative. Close the memo with a brief personal assessment: What did you find particularly surprising or interesting? Imagine you were part of this initiative – what could you do to improve it?
You can reference social media and media articles as sources for your description of your chosen initiative. You can write in a personal form (“I”). For inspiration, check out this list.
Organizing in Times of Crisis 