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Bothness Despite Otherness: A Synergistic Approach in a North-South Social Enterprise fusing Mutual Collaboration with Degrowth Values

Becker, Ricarda LU and Kaupp, Ladina Laura LU (2024) BUSN49 20241
Department of Business Administration
Abstract
Title: Bothness Despite Otherness: A Synergistic Approach in a NorthSouth Social Enterprise fusing Mutual Collaboration with Degrowth Values
Authors: Ricarda Becker and Ladina Kaupp
Supervisor: John Murray, Lund University, Sweden
Purpose: This thesis aims to identify how mutual collaboration practices are
infused with degrowth values within a business context that spans the
Global North and the Global South. By examining the nature of intraorganizational collaboration practices among managers of a GermanKenyan company, we aim to enhance the understanding of degrowth values from theory with practical work examples.
Methodology: Our qualitative study follows the interpretive tradition and applies an iterative single-case approach... (More)
Title: Bothness Despite Otherness: A Synergistic Approach in a NorthSouth Social Enterprise fusing Mutual Collaboration with Degrowth Values
Authors: Ricarda Becker and Ladina Kaupp
Supervisor: John Murray, Lund University, Sweden
Purpose: This thesis aims to identify how mutual collaboration practices are
infused with degrowth values within a business context that spans the
Global North and the Global South. By examining the nature of intraorganizational collaboration practices among managers of a GermanKenyan company, we aim to enhance the understanding of degrowth values from theory with practical work examples.
Methodology: Our qualitative study follows the interpretive tradition and applies an iterative single-case approach based on abductive logic. We collected our data through twelve semi-structured interviews on-site in Kenya and over Zoom. Further, we carried out participative observations in Kenya.
Theoretical Framework: Our research builds on Froese et al.’s (2023) theoretical framework for degrowth-oriented organizational value creation. Based on a systematic literature review of 220 papers, this framework defines seven distinct patterns and provides a managerial perspective on degrowth. By focusing on one of the seven patterns, namely the pattern G3 of joining forces in rewarding and mutual collaboration, we can investigate managers’ (inter)actions and reflect on how they are infused with three central degrowth values narrowed down and
defined by Froese et al. (2023).
Conclusion: Key findings include the relevance of alternative terms contributing
to a degrowth understanding in a north-south context. By introducing the concept of bothness, we suggest a degrowth understanding that builds on the alternative terms welfare, relocalization, and empowerment. These terms were reflected in practice by a strong team feeling of family, friendship, support, and a common drive for change and improvement. The compatibility of degrowth values with business operations in a German-Kenyan context underscores the potential for a mutually rewarding collaboration. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Becker, Ricarda LU and Kaupp, Ladina Laura LU
supervisor
organization
course
BUSN49 20241
year
type
H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
subject
keywords
Organizational Degrowth, Business, Case Study, Social Enterprise, Management, Kenya, Germany, Global North and South, Alternative Organizing, Mutual collaboration
language
English
id
9155258
date added to LUP
2024-06-10 14:36:05
date last changed
2024-06-10 14:36:05
@misc{9155258,
  abstract     = {{Title: Bothness Despite Otherness: A Synergistic Approach in a NorthSouth Social Enterprise fusing Mutual Collaboration with Degrowth Values
Authors: Ricarda Becker and Ladina Kaupp
Supervisor: John Murray, Lund University, Sweden
Purpose: This thesis aims to identify how mutual collaboration practices are 
infused with degrowth values within a business context that spans the 
Global North and the Global South. By examining the nature of intraorganizational collaboration practices among managers of a GermanKenyan company, we aim to enhance the understanding of degrowth values from theory with practical work examples.
Methodology: Our qualitative study follows the interpretive tradition and applies an iterative single-case approach based on abductive logic. We collected our data through twelve semi-structured interviews on-site in Kenya and over Zoom. Further, we carried out participative observations in Kenya.
Theoretical Framework: Our research builds on Froese et al.’s (2023) theoretical framework for degrowth-oriented organizational value creation. Based on a systematic literature review of 220 papers, this framework defines seven distinct patterns and provides a managerial perspective on degrowth. By focusing on one of the seven patterns, namely the pattern G3 of joining forces in rewarding and mutual collaboration, we can investigate managers’ (inter)actions and reflect on how they are infused with three central degrowth values narrowed down and 
defined by Froese et al. (2023).
Conclusion: Key findings include the relevance of alternative terms contributing
to a degrowth understanding in a north-south context. By introducing the concept of bothness, we suggest a degrowth understanding that builds on the alternative terms welfare, relocalization, and empowerment. These terms were reflected in practice by a strong team feeling of family, friendship, support, and a common drive for change and improvement. The compatibility of degrowth values with business operations in a German-Kenyan context underscores the potential for a mutually rewarding collaboration.}},
  author       = {{Becker, Ricarda and Kaupp, Ladina Laura}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Bothness Despite Otherness: A Synergistic Approach in a North-South Social Enterprise fusing Mutual Collaboration with Degrowth Values}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}