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As economies have reopened after the COVID-19 pandemic, resumption of pre-pandemic normalcy in work has not been uniform. For each worker and leader, an essential question is whether the world of work has changed irreversibly, or if prior careers and business models can be resumed. A philosophical inquiry into theories of the world of work provides a framing that separates everyday changes from systems changes.

A metatheoretical approach to world theories from 1942 is revisited. Attention is drawn to systems of knowledge along the dimensions of analytic-deductive treatments, and dispersive-integrative treatments. Socio-Technical Systems relate to Organicism, and Socio-Ecological Systems relate to Contextualism. Reworking a processual philosophy, an alternative World Hypothesis is proposed.

(Con)texturalism-dyadicism reframes causal texture theory as (1) rhythmic pacing; (2) dyadic diachrony; and (3) transformative reifying. New insights into the effects with the onset and passing of the pandemic disruption are gained.

Updating systems theories of socio-technical and socio-ecological perspectives invokes a post-colonial constructivist philosophy that appreciates roots in American pragmatism, ecological anthropology, and Chinese philosophy of science. The emphasis of systems rhythms prioritizes a processual orientation, compatible with a yinyang material-immaterial onto-epistemology.

As the world recovers from the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the changed nature of work is only one of many aspects that been altered. Systems perspectives both of parts inside an organization (i.e. socio-technical individuals in groups) and wholes alongside other wholes (i.e. socio-ecological groups co-responding with their (con)textures) are not independent, but interrelated. Disruption of work systems may result in only incremental adaptation for some, with transformative shifts in world theory for others. Recognizing that organizations change from within, persistent pathologies may be diagnosed.

Systems theories of work from the 1960s were based on pragmatism from the 1940s. The metatheoretical contextualism of Stephen C. Pepper is complemented by a 21st century constructivist philosophy that is post-colonial and non-anthropocentric. Reifying organizational systems theories for audiences founded on a Western philosophy of science requires extended explanations bridging over to a non-Western (i.e. Classical Chinese) lineage.

In the era of rapid urbanization, fostering an inclusive housing market system for most low-income urban residents remains a challenge in Sub-Saharan African countries. This study aims to investigate the realities of housing markets in Hawassa City, Ethiopia, and interrogate whether these markets foster social inclusion for households at the lower end of the market in the post-1990s.

The study used a mixed research approach. Primary data was generated using household surveys and key-informant interviews administered to residents and officers. The study also reviewed the municipality’s policy documents and reports. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and theme-based qualitative interpretation.

Hawassa City exhibited formal and informal housing market patterns guided by national, regional and city-wide policy and regulatory frameworks. Nevertheless, trends in these markets do not seem to capture the realities of residents’ ability to pay for housing and demonstrate social exclusions. The yawning gaps between demand and supply of housing largely necessitated the black market and the subsequent commercialization of housing by visible and invisible actors.

The study suggests further research on ethnographic understanding of the visible and invisible actors operating in the housing markets and adverse impacts on peri-urban farmers. The present study did not address rental housing markets adequately, and this could be open for further research.

The study has implications for revisiting housing policy-making, especially for understanding the policy and practical gaps and thus promoting a socially inclusive housing market system targeting low-income people.

The study provides a comprehensive analysis of housing markets in Hawassa City through the lens of operational values of social inclusivity (Elsinga et al., 2020). The findings provide baseline data on policy and implementation gaps for promoting a socially inclusive housing market system, especially for low-income people. In this regard, the contribution is empirical. In addition, this manuscript renders a conceptual framework for analyzing housing markets in other similar contexts of sub-Saharan Africa.

This study explores the evolving role of preprint servers within the scholarly communication system, focusing on their relationship with peer-reviewed journals. As preprints become more common, questioning and understanding their future role is critical for maintaining a healthy scholarly communication ecosystem. By examining the values, concerns and goals of preprint server managers, this study highlights the significant influence these individuals have in shaping the future of preprints.

A qualitative, interview-based approach was used to gather insights from preprint server managers on their roles, challenges and visions for the future of preprints within the broader scholarly communication system.

The findings point to a lack of consensus on how preprint servers and journals should interact and to diverging views on how the certification and curation functions are best performed and by whom. Concerns about credibility and long-term financial sustainability are increasingly driving independent and community-run preprint servers to align more closely with journals, potentially undermining the disruptive and emancipatory potential of preprints.

This study is the first to examine the relationship between preprints and journals from the perspective of preprint server managers in the later stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. It sheds light on how preprint servers are navigating external pressures and market dynamics, how they are seeking to establish credibility and trust, and how, in doing so, they are reshaping the core functions of scholarly communication.

Cuteness has grown to be a global phenomenon fueled by the explosive usage of social media. Cute stimuli are ubiquitous, but few have explored their effects on consumer decision-making; direct evidence is particularly lacking in the area of risky choices. In this research, the authors theorize and demonstrate the unintended effects of cuteness exposure on people’s risk preference.

Across five experimental studies situated in various risk contexts, including health, financial and safety, the authors demonstrate that exposure to cuteness makes consumers more risk-seeking due to the reduction of situational conscientiousness. Study 1 used an experimental lab study with a real circumstance to test the effect on the risk associated with food consumption. Study 2 used a classical gambling experiment to test the effect on financial risk. Studies 3a and 3b used a mass shooting news article to test the effect on safety risk. Lastly, study 4 tested the mediating role of low conscientiousness with the classical gambling experiment.

The findings show that exposure to cuteness makes people more likely to take risks in various domains (e.g. food consumption, safety and financial decisions).

This study tested the effect of cuteness on risk-seeking with a limited number of domains of risk. In addition, the authors tested the effect with visual cuteness stimuli, while individuals may perceive cuteness through other senses, such as sound.

The findings have implications for business owners and marketers when deciding whether and how to use cuteness to promote their products and brands, as well as to avoid potential repercussions. For example, a marketer for a new extreme sports company could use videos or images of cute animals participating in sports on the company’s social media channels to expand its market share. In addition, findings from this research would make consumers more attentive when facing cute appeals as they gain a better understanding of how exposure to cuteness could impact their own decision-making.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first to demonstrate that exposure to subtle, cute environmental cues has a robust effect on consumers’ risk preferences across various domains, regardless of age and gender.

This chapter responds to recent calls for a more in-depth examination of the crucial role played by non-managerial employees, including those in various strata such as blue and gray collars, from an alternative neo-human relations perspective. By exploring recent initiatives aimed at developing a new theory of management or extending existing ones, the goal is to broaden the conceptualization of management to include non-managerial perspectives, thereby contributing to the advancement of management theory. From this, the recent efforts in management theory—universalistic, strategic/contingent, and value-based—are evaluated for their potential. Utilizing the method of synthesizing, the aim is to introduce a significantly reconceptualizing of existing efforts toward a candidate explanation that leads to default theory enabling to generate and solve problems concerning the phenomenon of non-managerial employees in management processes. Toward this end, two arguments are put forward. First, the constrictions inherent in current management theories devalue and underestimate the significance of blue- and gray-collar employees in the overarching management processes. Second, the future trajectory of management will involve three integral dimensions: the universal dimension of cooperation and coordination inherent in management, the strategic responses to continuously evolving environmental changes as the management of contingencies, and the normative dimension of value-creation to address the specific needs of blue- and gray-collar employees. By synthesizing these three dimensions, we provide insightful signposts for the prospective evolution of management theories.

The resurgence of VR began in 2009 with Palmer Luckey's project to create a head-mounted 3D VR gaming device, leading to the development of Oculus. This movement was heavily influenced by hardcore gaming values, particularly those of John Carmack, a pioneer in first-person shooter games. The Oculus Kickstarter in 2012 emphasised VR for hardcore gamers, aiming for high graphical fidelity and immersive experiences. However, this focus has limited VR's potential. The chapter examines two case studies: SuperHot VR and Beat Saber. SuperHot VR challenges the emphasis on photorealism by offering immersion-through-proprioception, providing a unique VR experience without relying on high graphical fidelity. Beat Saber, though often seen as a casual game, has become the bestselling VR game by offering a pleasurable, short-play experience reminiscent of Nintendo Wii's casual games. The success of these games suggests that VR can thrive by appealing to a broader audience beyond hardcore gamers. By focusing on embodiment rather than purely visual immersion, these games highlight the potential for diverse VR experiences. This chapter argues that the fixation on hardcore gaming values, characterised by hyper-realistic graphics and intense gameplay, has restricted VR's growth. The success of games like SuperHot VR and Beat Saber demonstrates that VR can achieve broader appeal and greater success by catering to more varied gaming preferences and moving beyond the narrow confines of hardcore gamer culture.

The paper explores the notion of worker voice in terms of its implications for supply chain justice. The paper proposes the value of the recognition perspective on social justice for framing workers’ experiences in global supply chains and identifies opportunities for the advancement of the worker voice agenda with recognition justice in mind.

The paper adopts a conceptual approach to explore the notion of worker voice in supply chains in terms of the recognition perspective on social justice.

Sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) scholarship has considered worker voice in terms of two key paradigms, which we term communication and representation. To address recognition justice for workers in global supply chains, the worker voice agenda must consider designing worker voice mechanisms to close recognition gaps for workers with marginalised identities; the shared responsibilities of supply chain actors to listen alongside the expectation of workers to use their voice; and the expansion of the concept of worker voice to cut across home-work boundaries.

The paper offers conceptual clarity on the emerging notion of worker voice in SSCM and is the first to interrogate the implications of recognition justice for the emergent worker voice agenda. It articulates key opportunities for future research to further operationalise worker voice upon a recognition foundation.

This paper aims to develop a methodology for the spatiotemporal analysis of urban household waste data and a geographic information system (GIS)-based dashboard for interactive outcomes that identifies emerging trends and spatial distribution.

The study visualized the emerging hotspot analysis of household waste data covering the waste in selected areas from 2014 to 2019 in New South Wales, Australia. Through analyses in ArcGIS Pro, multiple maps and diagrams can be created to display these results in ArcGIS Insights. To enable the spatial waste analysis outcomes accessible, a GIS-based dashboard including maps and charts, spatiotemporal visualization of household waste tonnage, and emerging hotspots was created.

Based on the development of the dashboard in the ArcGIS Suites, there is an accessible data pipeline from ArcGIS Pro to Insights. The cloud-mapping system in ArcGIS online serves as a foundation for temporary data storage. The results also show the emerging hotspots of recyclable, residual and organic (RRO) waste in the Greater Sydney Region, Wollongong, Newcastle and Tweed. This study found an emerging cold spot in Wagga Wagga.

A dashboard for monitoring waste streams can be developed to enable GIS specialists to use historical spatiotemporal datasets in ArcGIS suites easily. Policymakers, strategy developers, urban waste managers and organizations dealing with urban waste can utilize this analytical dashboard to identify the issues, patterns and trends concerning urban waste for better decision-making in allocating required resources to overcome the identified issues to make informed decisions and develop strategies to alleviate the trends and patterns of ongoing problems. Indeed, the GIS-based dashboard developed in this research provides deep analysis and insights from the spatial waste data, allowing them to understand the included insights at a glance quickly.

Deriving location information for urban household waste data is crucial for waste management since it offers a better understanding of urban household waste data patterns, issues and historical trends. Small-scale studies have examined spatial waste patterns, but the investigation of urban household waste focusing on RRO waste is limited. Moreover, there is a lack of GIS-based dashboard development to enable spatiotemporal waste analysis outcomes to be publicly accessible.

Social protection states the public-mandated (strategies and programmes) to address the vulnerability and risk among poor and near-poor households. Social protection must not only help people meet their basic needs but also contribute to the long-term well-being and broader societal goals of equity, social justice and empowerment. The role of social protection in achieving these goals has not been adequately documented. This paper examines the performance of the social protection mechanism from the perspective of the regional structural and institutional performance indicators. Social protection outlay dynamics are synthesized in the structural and institutional conducts.

A world regional comparability is made by considering the panel dataset for the time interval 1995–2020. In empirics, the unconditional and conditional ranks are constructed, and regression analyses are made subject to (1) the fiscal constraint of social protection, (2) structural performance indicators and (3) the institutional performance indicators of the targeted regions across the globe. The fully modified-ordinary least square (FM-OLS) method is used to construct the ranks.

The rank analysis demonstrates that the developed regions (i.e. Europe, Central Asia and North America) have relatively good welfare standards and fiscal capacity for social protection drives compared to the developing/underdeveloped regions (i.e. Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia). The structural/institutional performance indicators have shown their significance in determining/utilizing their budget for social protection and maintaining welfare standards. Interestingly, most developed regions are relatively reluctant to maintain the structural/institutional performance for the determination/execution of the funds for social protection as compared to the developing and underdeveloped regions.

In policy discourse, this research suggests that governments must make some market operations to enhance their regions’ structural and institutional performance to get better outcomes of social protection spending in the form of attractive welfare standards.

Multiple studies have been done considering the social protection dynamics at nano, micro and macro levels, while this study considered the mega dataset across the globe to analyse the social protection dynamics in consideration of structural and institutional performances.

The hoped-for “just recovery” from the COVID-19 pandemic has not occurred. This chapter examines socioeconomic disparities laid bare by the pandemic in the United States. They have left a marked impression, suggesting that the concept of “American exceptionalism” has negative as well as positive connotations especially when compared with other high-income countries. Strikingly, democracy is not delivering for many Americans, and yet that is not a new situation, as much scholarship shows. These findings challenge received wisdom about how this country is in the aggregate labeled “developed” when many Americans live in conditions similar to or worse than those the World Bank categorizes as “developing.” Against this background, the chapter assesses experiential learning models for engaging students on the SDGs to assess these disparities. While researching social justice gaps in Pittsburgh and Atlanta with Carnegie Mellon students, however, the lack of disaggregated data emerged as a human rights issue and major barrier to fulfilling the SDG principle to “leave no one behind” (LNOB). These findings suggest a paradigm shift is needed, using the SDGs to advance human rights, elevating socioeconomic rights, localizing issues, generating disaggregated data to drive policy recommendations, and scaling up the community of practice that is engaged in this paradigm shift. Field building these aspects of sustainable development has the possibility to positively shape policies, outcomes, and help this democracy actually deliver for all, not just for some. For the United States to lead and bolster human rights and democracy around the world, inequalities at home must be addressed.