Click the star to add/remove an item to/from your individual schedule.
You need to be logged in to avail of this functionality,
and to see the links to virtual rooms.
Log in
- Convenor:
-
Raphael Ng
(HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management)
Send message to Convenor
- Chair:
-
Paola Velasco Herrejon
(University of Oslo)
- Discussants:
-
Christina Schade
(Universidade Federal da Bahia)
Erdal Bayraktar
- Format:
- Thematic Panel
- Theme:
- Social solidarity, grassroots approaches, and collective action
Short Abstract:
This thematic panel explores the role of collective capabilities in addressing the complex challenges of multiple crises and fostering commitments for systemic change. For this, it explores the ethical dimensions of collective agency, the reach of cultural manifestations in strengthening collective identity and agency, and the impacts of collective budgets on agency and capabilities enhancement.
Long Abstract:
This thematic panel explores the roles of collectivities and the importance of collective capabilities to mitigate impacts and to foster human development and systemic transformation in the face of multifaceted crises. For this, scholars explore the ethical dimensions and moral foundations of collective agency, the reach of cultural manifestations in fostering collective identity and agency, and the implications of collective budgets on enhancing individual agencies and capabilities.
The first paper emphasizes the moral agency of organizational groups as indispensable for facilitating productive activities and empowering individuals through meaningful work, for implementing economic policies pertaining to sustainability practices, labor rights, and social protection. It delves into the ethical dimensions of group capabilities, arguing for their intrinsic value as 'ends' rather than merely instrumental 'means', and that formal organizational groups should be taken as a unit of moral concern because we hold organizational groups morally accountable and responsible. The article draws from the attitudes of what people value on the group level to establish 'moral agency' (where an agent actively holds moral responsibility, exercises moral initiative and action, and is held morally accountable) as the ethical basis for organizational groups. The paper then proceeds to examine some of the trade offs and limitations in terms of influences of organizational authority structures and collective decision-making mechanisms on individuals' motivations, reasons, and actions within group processes. In elucidating the concept of group moral agency, this article posits formal organizational groups as morally responsible entities capable of influencing societal norms and fostering commitments. This perspective reframes collective capabilities as integral components of societal resilience and transformation.
The second article investigates the reach of cultural manifestations in fostering collective identity and agency, with particular focus on rock and metal music. Through the capabilities approach, the study highlights how music opens spaces for social critique and public reasoning, fostering collective agency and the ability to challenge norms. The contribution analyzes song lyrics and musicians' perspectives to explore their role in shaping collective capabilities by establishing a platform for social demands and collective action in crisis environments and by promoting collective identity formation, empowerment, and mobilization, inspiring social change and challenging injustices. Through this, the article underscores the cultural significance of music in inspiring commitments to social change and collective transformation.
The panel's third contribution extends the discussion on the crucial role of collective capabilities in addressing socio-environmental challenges in cities and strengthening resilience to multiple and overlapping crises ranging from endemic outbreaks to extreme climate phenomena. Using the capabilities approach to support the imperative for collective interventions and tailored support as advocated by the United Nations, it elaborates how collective budgets enhance capabilities to enhance individual well-being and create collective opportunities to influence external shocks and determinants. Through theoretical insights and empirical data from participatory urban planning processes in Brazil, it then examines the interconnections between personal, social, and environmental conversion factors, to propose interventions that address urban challenges effectively.
Together, these contributions shed light on the multifaceted nature of collective capabilities and highlight the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing complex challenges arising out of multiple crises and the reach of group commitments for confronting systemic issues and effecting systemic change.
This way, this thematic panel serves as a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration, uniting scholars from diverse fields to explore the transformative potential of collective capabilities in navigating crises. By integrating theoretical insights with empirical research and cultural analyses, the panel contributes to advancing our understanding of collective capabilities as catalysts for human development and social transformation in an increasingly complex world.
Accepted papers:
Paper short abstract:
The paper explores the ethical foundation of organizational group capabilities, arguing for their intrinsic value beyond mere instrumental means. It delves into collective moral agency and its role in shaping organizational decisions, contributing to societal resilience and systemic change.
Paper long abstract:
The paper delves into the intricate relationship between organizational groups, their capabilities, and the ethical considerations surrounding their actions. It underscores the importance of recognizing organizational groups not merely as instrumental means but as entities with intrinsic value and moral agency. Drawing from debates within capabilities scholarship, the paper navigates discussions on whether group capabilities should be perceived solely as means to individual ends or possess intrinsic worth as ends in themselves. This exploration leads to an examination of the ethical foundation for valuing group capabilities, particularly within the context of formal organizational groups.
By considering formal organizational groups as units of moral concern, the paper argues for a shift in perspective towards viewing these groups as morally responsible entities. It highlights the unique role of organizational groups in influencing societal norms and fostering commitments, emphasizing their significance in societal resilience and transformation. The concept of group moral agency emerges as a central theme, with the paper elucidating how organizational groups possess the capacity to actively respond to moral demands and shape collective moral responsibilities.
Furthermore, the paper delves into the implications of group moral agency within the realm of corporate moral agency. It examines standard and contemporary approaches to corporate decision-making, shedding light on how organizational authority structures mediate individual motivations and actions. Through the lens of collective decision-making mechanisms, the paper explores alternative models of corporate agency grounded in joint intentionality, contributing to the broader discourse on collective capabilities.
Aligning closely with the conference theme of 'Crises, Capabilities, and Commitments,' the paper underscores the pivotal role of organizational groups in shaping the moral landscape and ensuring accountability, particularly during economic crises. It highlights the indispensable role of organizational entities in implementing economic policies, promoting sustainability practices, and fostering social transformations. Moreover, the paper resonates with specific conference topics such as recalibrating economic policies and promoting social solidarity through grassroots approaches.
In conclusion, the paper contributes valuable insights into the ethical basis of organizational group capabilities and their role in fostering cooperation, confronting systemic issues, and effecting systemic change. By emphasizing the significance of collective moral agency and organizational commitments, it offers a nuanced understanding of how organizational groups navigate ethical dilemmas and contribute to societal well-being.
Full abstract with citations: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TK4j86qpty4F6kFmKRmpXMj0gY16UmiLW41oCkL0sys/edit?usp=sharing
Paper short abstract:
Based on theoretical reflections on conversion factors and insights from empirical data on participatory urban planning processes, the paper elaborates how collective budgets enhance capabilities for individual well-being and collective agency to build resilience to multiple and overlapping crises.
Paper long abstract:
As cities worldwide are experiencing multiple health, security, and environmental crises, interpersonal variations in accessing opportunities result in increasing urban poverty, threatening “important matters as the freedom to live long, or the ability to escape avoidable morbidity, or the opportunity to have worthwhile employment, or to live in peaceful and crime-free communities” (Sen 1999, 291).
Expecting the rise of global shocks, the United Nations advocate for commitment and tailored support for collective interventions (UN-HABITAT 2022, xxvii-18) to respond to complex socio-environmental challenges. Highlighting the “force of social influences on the extent and reach of individual freedom” (Sen 1999, xi-xii), scholars identify collective capabilities as composition of “various personal capability structures” arising out of social interaction (Ballet et al. 2007, 198) that create capabilities sets beyond personal reach (Ibrahim 2020, 213f), benefitting “the collectivity at large” (Ibrahim 2006, 398). Understanding collective capabilities as socially dependent individual capabilities, Sen (2009, 245) recommends distinguishing “adequately between the individual characteristics that are used in the capability approach and the social influences that operate on them”.
To reason on possible influences of collectives on the different determinants for capabilities, the article develops a “conversion factor taxonometry” (Sebastianelli 2016, 1-4) with homogeneous, value-neutral categories based on Heidemann’s (1981, 1992, 2004)reflections on regime-budget-interrelations, who specifies budgets of time, tools, and skills that need to be employed in sufficient quantities to enable activities under circumstances established by valid regimes, composed of external time slots, standards of social interaction, and set of locations. Heidemann states that members of collectivities can pool individual budgets and share returns to collectively meet needs and spread risks: Additional time spent to coordinate group members creates a collective ability to engage in parallel activities for effective division of labour. The pooling of tools ensures their effective use in operating on the environment. Skills and knowledge are transmitted through inter-individual relationships and verbal communication, especially during early childhood or under conditions of illiteracy. Rigid time slots can be met by adapting the collective time budget. Standards of social interaction as common beliefs, aspirations, values, norms, or orders, with their behaviour-regulating prohibitions, permissions, and obligations are influenced by groups. Finally, the collective use of a common territory shapes the set of locations.
Those theoretical reflections of the instrumental and intrinsic role of collectives in enhancing individual well-being and addressing socio-environmental challenges are verified by means of empirical data of a participatory urban planning process in Brazil.
Paper short abstract:
This study analyses rock/metal music's impact on collective identity/agency through lyrics and musicians' views. It uses the capabilities approach to show its role in social critique, empowerment, and mobilisation, highlighting its significance in social change and justice.
Paper long abstract:
This study delves into the pivotal role of rock and metal music culture in fostering collective action, particularly during times of crisis. It examines the synergy between this musical genre and the capabilities approach, offering a fresh perspective on how rock and metal music can be instrumental in critiquing social issues and promoting collective mobilization in the face of social, environmental, and political upheavals.
According to the capabilities approach, individuals need to be free to achieve things they value and valuable outcomes (Nussbaum, 2018; Sen, 2004). Freedom is the freedom of individuals and social groups from obstacles to using their agencies and taking action towards what they deem meaningful (Frediani, Clark & Biggeri, 2019: 4-5). Collective capabilities, as discussed by Ibrahim (2013) and Pelenc, Bazile, & Ceruti (2015), emerge through collective action and agency facilitated by shared experiences and motivations. In this context, rock and metal music serve as a catalyst for the formation of such collective capabilities by inspiring and motivating masses towards collective action.
Historical and contemporary instances underscore the significant influence of rock and metal music in inspiring social critique and collective mobilization. The genres have consistently served as a medium for social commentary, from the civil rights and anti-war songs of the 1960s and 1970s (Heilbronner, 2016) to more recent expressions of resistance against political and religious oppression, as seen in the metal scenes of countries like Indonesia (Wallach, 2005). Moreover, rock and metal music foster a sense of solidarity among their audiences, facilitating the emergence of social movements through shared experiences at concerts and festivals (Gardikiotis & Baltzis, 2012).
This research focuses on analyzing the role of rock and metal music in facilitating collective action through content analysis of 20 songs from the 1960s to the present and interviews with 12 musicians active in Turkish rock and metal scenes. The selection of songs will prioritize metal bands and aim to reflect the most listened to tracks over the decades. The thematic coding of these songs, alongside musician interviews, aims to explore the nexus between collective action and the musicians' lyrical content.
This paper reveals rock and metal's power in driving social change, spotlighting its potential to address injustices and inspire collective action for a fairer society.
Keywords: Metal, rock, collective capabilities, music.
Please click for the references:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Oc5DD_aPnGofPJtWvsGOfNDNZljwxPQ3670AmC87sJs/edit?usp=sharing