Is your data project unintentionally causing harm? Use the 5 dimensions of data justice as a guide during design and review. Data justice refers to fairness in the way people are made visible, represented and treated as a result of the ways in which data are made and used. For a discussion of data justice in a humanitarian context, see https://lnkd.in/e9u8vSR9

Managing knowledge effectively is key to achieving your organisation's objectives. The conventional view is that you start with data - i.e., the basic raw facts. This data is then sorted, analysed, and contextualised to create information. This information is then used to guide decisions and actions that lead to outcomes. These outcomes then inform learning, which develops knowledge. However, reality is more complex than that. The number of basic raw facts in existence is pra

Is your organisation trying to square a circle? Paradox theory offers a useful lens for analysing how organisations navigate equally important but contradictory demands. In my own research, I tried to make sense of the behaviour of international NGOs that advocate for local empowerment in aid, yet retain control over strategy, monitoring, and funding. Paradox theory in organisation and management studies approaches the conflicting demands organisations face as ongoing tension

I increasingly encounter colleagues without a background in qualitative social research methods who want (or need) to make sense of qualitative materials. Thematic network analysis is an established approach that is easy to implement. Here is a step-by-step guide. For a detailed discussion, see: Attride-Stirling, J. (2001). Thematic networks: An analytic tool for qualitative research. Qualitative Research, 1(3), 385–405.

How does power operate in organisations? There is an extensive literature on this topic in organisation and management science. Here's a brief overview of three different forms of power: visible, hidden, and invisible. 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 (situational): refers to actors' ability to force compliance through direct coercion. They posses this power due to 1) their position, 2) their control over resources, or 3) their personality. 𝐇𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 (situational): re

Organisations are increasingly seeking the perspectives of local communities affected by their plans and actions to help ensure positive outcomes. Here’s why considering networks is vital to these efforts. Not everyone in a local community shares the same opinion. People have different interests and perspectives, some of which may conflict. A common problem I’ve observed is that organisations often treat the views of the most well-connected individuals as representative of th

Convincing people that your organisation and its activities are legitimate is work. In organisation and management science, these efforts are referred to as 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤. What does this work entail in the humanitarian sector? Humanitarian organisations must • Reflect current ideas and discussions (𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞) around positive social change in their image and actions. • Adhere to sectoral norms and guidelines (𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬) around positive

In qualitative social research, researchers play an active role as "research instruments". They are not just observers, but participants in the process of making sense of data. Understanding their 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 is therefore key. Positionality refers to a researcher’s life experiences and how these shape their position in relation to the people or setting they study. In qualitative social research, it is important to reflect critically on one’s positionality beca

When power is unequal, some people and groups are treated unfairly in knowledge related collaborations. This is called epistemic injustice. How can it be prevented? Create Space for Different Perspectives When knowledge is created collectively but presented as a single, unified perspective, conflicting views have often been reframed or left out—usually those of less influential groups, whose priorities then become invisible. This undermines trust and collaboration. Managing k

There is a widespread belief that disasters cause looting, theft, violence, and a breakdown of social order. However, decades of social...