Challenges of the Future

Pragmatic View of Research of Organisations

2024-05-15T12:51:52+00:00

Research question (RQ): Is pragmatic research the answer to researching complex, uncertain, and irrational organisational landscapes?

Purpose and originality: This article explains a mechanism-based pragmatic approach to organizational science. A comprehensive examination of core approaches to organizational research reveals that traditional organizational theories and classical models prove inadequate in providing a holistic understanding of the escalating complexity and multimodality of organizational phenomena. This underscores the novelty and potential of the pragmatic approach in tackling these complexities.

Method: The research used organizational source criticism as a historical methodology to analyse the shift in organizational science beyond classical objectivist conceptualizations. Mechanism-based research explored and understood the contingency of knowledge and action using a pragmatic approach to organisation research.

Results: This study's findings underscore the practical implications of pragmatic research in organizational science. It is not a static method but a dynamic and evolving one that effectively addresses organizations' changing needs, societal trends, and technological advancements. This emphasis on adaptability and relevance keeps pragmatic research at the forefront of organizational science, making our findings all the more significant and interesting.

Limitations/Further research: It's important to note that this research is based on conceptual views of organizational pragmatic research. While it involved a systematic analysis of the application of pragmatic research methods in the empirical field, it's crucial to acknowledge that further analysis is not just a suggestion but a necessity to fully understand the method's role in explaining complex organizational phenomena. This acknowledgement of the need for more research encourages the reader to delve deeper into the topic, fostering a sense of curiosity and engagement.

Challenges of integrating artificial intelligence into testing laboratories

2024-07-10T10:38:55+00:00

Research Question (RQ): How do testing laboratories use artificial intelligence (AI) and what challenges arise from the use of AI tools?

Purpose: To investigate the use of AI in Slovenian and Croatian testing laboratories, to analyse the impact of the complexity of measurement methods and equipment and to predict trends in this area.

Method: A questionnaire was developed for the study. Representatives of 125 randomly selected testing laboratories in Slovenia and Croatia performing accreditation activities according to SIST EN ISO/IEC 17025:2017 were invited to participate. In addition to descriptive statistics, the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to analyse the data.

Results: 44 laboratories responded. The survey shows that most testing laboratories expect increased use of AI tools in the future and that laboratory staff recognise the benefits in terms of efficiency, accuracy and error reduction. However, according to the participants, the use of AI in Slovenian and Croatian laboratories is still limited due to the lack of qualified personnel, technical limitations and high initial costs. Laboratories that have more sophisticated measuring equipment perceive AI tools differently than laboratories that do not operate such equipment. The challenge for the future is to use AI to improve the quality of laboratory services, increase efficiency, improve progress and limit costs.

Organisation: The use of AI enables the development of new business models based on the automation and digitalisation of laboratory processes. Research enables organisations to better understand and exploit the potential of AI.

Society: For society, research can bring many benefits that improve the quality of life, promote economic and technological development and contribute to sustainable development and progress.

Originality: The research topic is unexplored in Slovenia and Croatia, and even in the international environment such concrete research is still quite limited.

Limitations / further research: Only a limited number of Slovenian and Croatian testing laboratories were included in the study, which could limit the generalization of the conclusions at the global level. It would make sense to carry out further research in a wider geographical area. As well as focus further research on determining the economic impact of using AI in laboratories, on determining the effectiveness and reliability of measurements, on studies to identify long-term research opportunities, the development of analytical methods using AI, a more in-depth analysis of differences between laboratories taking into account AI approaches and the analysis of cultural, economic and regulatory factors.

Temporary Protection and Continuation of Remote Work for the Country of Origin

2024-02-14T11:18:08+00:00

Research Question (RQ): Refugee status is denied to persons who cooperate with authorities of a country of origin. However, it is unclear whether this rule also applies to displaced persons, or whether Directive 2011/95/EU regulating subsidiary protection should be applied in their cases.

Purpose: This research focuses on a legal situation of displaced persons who benefit from Directive 2001/55/EC regulating the EU temporary protection mechanism. This law can be activated in case of mass arrivals of persons in need of international protection. The research examines whether displaced persons can continue working for the authorities of their country of origin.

Method: Dogmatic-legal analysis was used. Critical analysis of the law (1951 UN Refugee Convention, and EU law) was made. Historical method was used to support an interpretation of the text of that Convention with that treaty aims. Thanks to this, it was possible to deduce intentions of the drafters and first interpreters of the 1951 Refugee Convention from Travaux préparatoires and subsequent conclusions of the EXCOMM.

Results: The 1951 Refugee Convention applies to persons who are unwilling or unable to be protected by their country of origin. However, incidental contacts with that state do not deprive these persons of protection. Directive 2001/55/EC does not contain an explicit reference to a need to terminate all contacts with a country of origin. Still, some relationships may contradict with the UN values. The asylum caseworker should be able to verify if these activities do not violate refugee law. Hence, the answer to the research questions depends on the scope of activities performed by a displaced person.

Organization/Society: The answer to the research question would help to determine whether providing work for the authorities of a country of origin is always an obstacle to benefiting from temporary protection. Therefore, it can have an impact on the practice of public administration bodies regarding their approach to providing international protection.

Originality: 28% of displaced persons in Poland work remotely in Ukraine. This innovative factor has not been noted in the context of other military conflicts, but the popularization of remote work increases the likelihood that persons seeking protection would not break their ties with a country of origin. Although an issue of a need to terminate relationship with that country has already been researched in literature, there are significant differences between the 1951 Refugee Convention and Directive 2001/55/EC. These differences have not yet been analyzed.

Limitations / further research: A comparative analysis of the EU Member States’ national legislations could help to determine whether there are prospects for amending EU legislation to make it clear if work performed for authorities of a country of origin in the country where the contract is concluded can be used to deny and revoke temporary protection or to limit social assistance in case of persons who perform such work.

Employee loyalty in the platform economy: Does it exist?

2024-02-25T11:02:39+00:00

Research Question (RQ): In this paper, we answer the research question of whether platform workers harbour a sense of loyalty towards the platform they work for, despite the transient nature of this work form, the absence of traditional employment benefits and the often-impersonal relationship between the platform and its workers.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to expand the discussion on employee loyalty to the context of platform work, due to the crucial role employee loyalty plays for both organisations and their workers – employee loyalty helps organisations retain their workforce and avoid the harms of employee turnover, while also fostering a sense of belonging and fulfilment among employees.

Method: 20 in-depth semi-structured interviews were performed with food delivery couriers (working for Wolt and Glovo) from Slovenia.

Results: Our findings show that while this group of workers does display some behaviours which indicate their loyalty to their platform, such as the fact they mostly speak of the platform positively, they actively recommend it to their peers and they display relatively high levels of trust towards it, they do not feel loyal to the extent where they would intent to stay working for the platform indefinitely.

Organization: These findings are important for the sustainability of the platform economy model, as they can help reduce employee turnover and consequently improve the consistency and profitability of digital labour platforms.

Society: Findings on employee loyalty within the platform economy have the potential to decrease employee turnover, which is currently one of the biggest limitations to collective action in this sector.

Originality: This is one of the first papers to discuss the phenomenon of employee loyalty in the context of platform work, as the concept is typically explored in traditional employment relationships. It contributes to our understanding of whether individuals, platform, or non-platform economy participants, can develop a sense of loyalty even towards employers who offer suboptimal working conditions.

Limitations / further research: The current body of knowledge would greatly benefit from a longitudinal study which could explain how platform workers’ sentiments towards their platform change over time.