Matthew Aplin-Houtz, Emily Lane, April Rowsey, Gordon Schmidt and Bahar Javadizadeh
This study explores working mothers’ perceptions of fairness in work and home environments through real-world social media discussions. It examines how these perceptions shifted…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores working mothers’ perceptions of fairness in work and home environments through real-world social media discussions. It examines how these perceptions shifted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a naturalistic approach, we analyzed 13,560 comments from 4,076 unique users on Reddit to convert qualitative data into quantitative variables. A nonparametric factorial ANOVA was employed to assess the relationship between fairness perceptions and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these perceptions in both work and home settings.
Findings
The analysis revealed that working mothers predominantly express negative perceptions of fairness in both environments. Contrary to initial expectations, the pandemic did not exacerbate these perceptions. However, conversations involving both work and home contexts showed a more positive tone, suggesting the benefits of remote work scenarios introduced by the pandemic.
Originality/value
This study uniquely applies sentiment analysis to naturalistic social media data, offering real-time insights into how working mothers discuss fairness. Unlike traditional survey methods, this approach captures daily lived experiences, particularly in a crisis context, revealing new aspects of the work–family conflict.
Details
Keywords
Ingyu Oh, Li Fei and Chris Rowley
Unintended consequences of knowledge management (KM) can be harmful if they are calamitous. However, they can occasionally be advantageous during catastrophes. The purpose of this…
Abstract
Purpose
Unintended consequences of knowledge management (KM) can be harmful if they are calamitous. However, they can occasionally be advantageous during catastrophes. The purpose of this study is to investigate how KM can be accidentally propitious during the COVID-19 pandemic using the case of Netflix.
Design/methodology/approach
Explanatory factor analysis, multilevel and multiple regressions were used with a sample of 45 countries.
Findings
In the authors’ sample, the hypothesized direct relationship between culture (i.e. individualism, power distance and indulgence) and collective pandemic resilience (CPR) was found. In addition, the hypothesized moderating effect of Netflix KM on the relationship between culture and CPR was partially confirmed. The findings suggest that KM during the pandemic can generate an unintended consequence of intensifying the degree of CPR.
Research limitations/implications
Small sample size, data paucity and the constructed variable of CPR might limit the generalizability of this study’s results. Nonetheless, one important research implication is that KM qua unintended consequences can have a significant moderating effect on the relationship between culture and resilience.
Practical implications
This paper highlights how organizations and society can cocreate the value of KM accidentally for the benefit of a larger public during calamities. Also, firms should proactively search for a wider application of their KM beyond their original intention.
Originality/value
This paper initiates a new discussion of positive consequences of unintended KM. Unlike individual-level studies of collective resilience in the past, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study generates country-level implications for the first time.