Using the radical structuralist and radical humanist perspectives to analyse organisations and work
Assessment Task: Using the radical structuralist and radical humanist perspectives to analyse organisations and work
This case study focuses on the interests and lived experiences of the “non-employed”, gig-app driver workforce, versus the interests and strategies of the companies (e.g. Uber, Amazon) that use the services of these workers. In this case study you will critically analyse the employment relationship between the gig-app driver workforce and the companies that use the services of these workers, and you will weigh the merits of both parties’ claims. You will identify the implications of this relationship, and you will consider the merits of radical change to the status quo. You will also reflect on the contemporary relevance and value of the two conflict / radical change paradigms, which you will be drawing on throughout your report.
For each section of your entire report you must draw explicitly on:
• The two conflict / radical change paradigms – that is, radical structuralism and radical humanism/neo-humanism; and
• At least one concept / theory discussed between Weeks 6 to 11.
ASSESSMENT REQUIRMENTS
1. Listen to the podcast (in its entirety), “My boss is an app”, available on The Uncertain Hour, Season 5, Episode 8, March 24, 2021, Marketplace:
2. You must draw on radical structuralism, radical humanism/neo-humanism paradigms, and at least one other concept/theory from Weeks 6 though to 11 throughout each section of your report, which is to fulfil the following requirements:
Report format:
Executive summary
Introduction
Part 1: Conflict of interest (conflict raised in the podcast)
• Describe the conflict of interest between gig-app workers and the companies that use their services. You must articulate this conflict of interest in theoretical terms – that is, you must explicitly draw on the stated theories to help you understand and express the nature of this conflict. Wordcount guideline: 330
• 2 paradigms (radical structuralism and radical humanism/neo-humanism)
• 1 relevant theory from week 6-11(e.g. critical theory)
Part 2: implications of the current conditions
• Identify the implications of the current conditions of gig-app work for workers, their families, and communities. Wordcount guideline: 330
• 2 paradigms (radical structuralism and radical humanism/neo-humanism)
• 1 relevant theory (Thoughts diversity week 7)
Support questions
What is the impact of the workers and families?
What about the communities?
How to engage in multi-paradigmatic perception
Part 3: claims made by the companies
• Discuss and weigh the merits of the claims made by companies in support of laws such as Proposition 22* (do not forget to draw explicitly on the relevant theories). Wordcount guideline: 330*Proposition 22 is a law passed in California which designates gig-app drivers as independent contractors, rather than as employees of the companies that use their services, thereby denying gig-app drivers the rights and protections that are usually available to employees.
• 2 paradigms (radical structuralism and radical humanism/neo-humanism)
• 1 relevant theory. (Organisational boundaries week 10)
Support questions
What is proposition 22? In depth
How does that support the claim made by the company?
What could be the intention of the companies in support of the law?
Part 4: dismantling the status quo
• Discuss and weigh the merits of dismantling the status quo (by status quo, what is meant is the current societal, political, and economic order, which includes, for example, a power imbalance between large corporations and gig-app workers). We are asking you, here, to consider the merits of ‘radical change’. Endeavour to construct an argument as to why it might be in the interests of the companies who use the services of gig-app workers to respond meaningfully to their concerns and claims. Do not forget to draw explicitly on the relevant theories. Wordcount guideline: 660
• 2 paradigms (radical structuralism and radical humanism/neo-humanism)
• 1 relevant theory.(epistemology week 6)-epistemic vice-epistemic virtue
Support questions
Where does the power imbalances derive from? Identify and describe clearly with supportive evidences
Why should company’s response to workers’ claims?
How to see beyond organisational boundaries
Part 5: insights
• What kind of insights have the two conflict paradigms and your chosen theories/concepts allowed you to see in this case study? In what ways are these insights valuable? Wordcount guideline: 330
• 2 paradigms (radical structuralism and radical humanism/neo-humanism)
• 1 relevant theory (ontology & epistemology)
Support question
Which aspect of the respective paradigms (radical structuralism & neo-humanism) help you to analysis the case study?
Draw out the strength of the radical structuralism & neo-humanisms
ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS, IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS
• You must explicitly draw on both the Burrell and Morgan text and the Hirschheim and Klein paper to help you analyse the case and respond to the assessment brief. The Hirschheim and Klein paper, focus on the “two stories” told by the authors: Story 3 (a depiction of radical structuralism in action) and Story 4 (a depiction of radical humanism/neo-humanism in action).
• You must also draw on at least five other scholarly sources (excluding the texts above, this means you will be drawing on seven scholarly sources at a minimum) to help construct the assessment. While for this assessment you may cite videos, newspaper clippings, and industry publications, please note that they are are NOT considered scholarly sources and will not count toward your minimum scholarly references.
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