The potential of a ‘data-driven life’, together with the realization of Weiser’s vision of ‘the disappearing computer’ have been embraced by many. However, the increasing invisibility, virtuality and complexity of data systems also come with a variety of concerns, such as issues of sensemaking, ownership, representation and control. Although data and technology is all around us, its virtual and invisible nature, thereby its lack of material and tangible forms has implications on the way data systems are (mis) used, understood, experienced and perceived. This paper presents craft-based approaches for physical sense making –widely ranging from physical artefacts to show and hide from monitoring, to crafting data physicalizations for critical thinking, communication and creativity. In doing so, this paper discusses how crafting physical forms can be used as a way to grasp and understand ‘invisible’ data systems.
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We developed and tested a teaching case and teaching note on the challenges that a small sustainable fashion brand faces when implementing a circular business model. We target bachelor and master students of international business, entrepreneurship, strategic management, circularity/sustainability courses. This teaching case challenges students to think about how circular business models can contribute to sustainability and highlights opportunities and barriers to adopting circular strategies. The case is based on publicly available sources and interviews with sustainable fashion brand Kuyichi. The main learning objectives for students are: 1) to understand the concept of circular economy (CE) and how circular business models differ from linear business models; 2) demonstrate in what way circular business models can contribute to sustainability; 3) evaluate rental and/or resale business models and the challenges and opportunities involved; 4) make recommendations on adopting circular strategies or business models that support the transition to a circular economy. The teaching note highlights academic and practitioner literature, such as circular business models (Bocken et al., 2016; Circle Economy, 2021; Lüdeke-Freund, Gold, Bocken, 2019), strategies (Konietzko et al., 2020), transition theory (Geels, 2002; Nambisan and Baron, 2013), organizational inertia (Sydow et al., 2009) and dynamic capabilities (O’Reilly and Tushman, 2004; Teece et al., 1997), and makes suggestions for classroom discussion and assignments. The teaching case and note will be published as a free case with The Case Centre. We are grateful for the support of the Dutch Research Council, RAAK.PRO03.038, that made the development of this case possible.
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This paper theorizes the spiritual processes of community entrepreneuring as navigating tensions that arise when community-based enterprises (CBEs) emerge within communities and generate socio-economic inequality. Grounded on an ethnographic study of a dairy CBE in rural Malawi, findings reveal that intra-community tensions revolve around the occurrence of ‘bad events’ – mysterious tragedies that, among their multiple meanings, are also framed as witchcraft. Community members prepare for, frame, cope and build collective sustenance from ‘bad events’ by intertwining witchcraft and mundane socio-material practices. Together, these practices reflect the mystery and the ambiguity that surround ‘bad events’ and prevent intra-community tensions from overtly erupting. Through witchcraft, intra-community tensions are channelled, amplified and tamed cyclically as this process first destabilizes community social order and then restabilizes it after partial compensation for socio-economic inequality. Generalizing beyond witchcraft, this spiritual view of community entrepreneuring enriches our understanding of entrepreneuring – meant as organization-creation process in an already organized world – in the context of communities. Furthermore, it sheds light on the dynamics of socio-economic inequality surrounding CBEs, and on how spirituality helps community members to cope with inequality and its effects.
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