6 research outputs found
âCrusadersâ for democracy : aspirations and tensions in transparency activism in India
Through an ethnographic study of the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) â
an organisation renowned for its persistent fight against corruption in India â this
thesis explores the aspirations and tensions of anti-corruption activists. In their
commitment to improving governance structures by means of campaigning for
transparency and accountability laws and policies, these activists ultimately aspire to
strengthen democratic practice and to improve statecraft. By studying in detail the
forms of actions, dynamics, politics and relationships among anti-corruption
activists, the thesis explores how ideas of the state and democracy come to be
internalised and addressed by civil society actors.
The context is the nation-wide anti-corruption agitation that swept the country
through most of 2011. This agitation gave rise to friction between civil society actors
otherwise working for similar ends, leading to tension and competition on what
constitutes democratic process and procedure. Based on extensive fieldwork, the
thesis examines the ways in which MKSS responded to the shifting political
landscape of anti-corruption activism. Drawing on the notion of relationality, I argue
that political positions and identities are shaped and consolidated circumstantially
through an oppositional stance and through processes of âotheringâ.
In considering the diverging understandings of democracy among civil society
actors, this thesis seeks to expand ethnographically the theoretical concept of
âagonistic pluralismâ (Mouffe 1999), that postulates that political conflict and
disagreement is not only integral, but, moreover, crucial to democratic debate. Based
on this conceptualisation, the conflict over the meaning of democracy among the
anti-corruption activists is considered here as creating space for the expansion and
enrichment of democratic debate. The very essence of democracy in India, as will be
concluded, is constituted by such a productive tension
Disputatio Extraordinaria Iuridico-Politica, Veram Et Falsam Rationem Status Politici, Ex Iure Publico Et Privato Desumptam Complectens
Quam ... Praesidibus Ordinariis ... D. Alberto Rensing, Caesaris Insulano, & D. Conrado Kessel ... submittit Daniel Ab Hatzfeldt zu Schonstein. Anno M.DC.XXXVII. Calend. Octob
The Effects of Digitalization on Managing Project Teams
Background: In various industries, market power is concentrated on a few major companies, which makes competition increasingly challenging for small and medium-sized enterprises. Those SMEs are furthermore impacted by the characteristics of their industry and need to change constantly and adapt to maintain competitive in this challenging market environment. The IT sector is characterized by a high degree of digitalization, quickly changing customer needs, and short lifecycles. Thus, many IT firms apply agile working methods, increase working in teams, and use different digital tools and applications. In many cases, those adjustments also impact the organizational structure of the firm and require a change in management. Purpose: In the context of a medium-sized IT firm, this study aims to evaluate the effects of digitalization on management innovation in project teams. Method: To gain a deep understanding of the researched topic, we chose a qualitative interview-based study. We collected the data for this single-case study in semi-structured interviews and applied purposeful sampling (theory based). For the data analysis, we used content analysis (open code; grouping; categorization). Conclusion: We developed a framework describing the influence of digitalization on management innovation in six dimensions, which emerged in the study. Those dimensions are project teams, virtual teams, communication & collaboration, trust, technology, as well as leadership & management. Digitalization strongly influences management innovations in all six identified fields. Digitalization, management innovation, and the respective field are interdependent. In our case, we found that digitalization acts as an enabler or simplifier for management innovation in all six dimensions