[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fogRgyOoslIr3aOI1phOLRQoQfduFPY7OKib7Qc1ZTGU":3,"_apollo:default":12},{"id":4,"title":5,"featuredImage":6,"date":9,"content":10,"excerpt":11},"cG9zdDo2Mzg=","Platform work: The power of communities and social networks",{"node":7},{"sourceUrl":8},"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.qhala.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F06\u002F2E0AA594-D58B-4A17-AB0E-6DE6C222EF3D.jpg","2022-06-15T17:47:52","\u003Csection class=\"section section--body\">\n\u003Ch2 class=\"section-divider\">\u003Cstrong class=\"markup--strong markup--p-strong\">Beyond creating connections to establishing impact networks of shared interests\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cdiv class=\"section-content\">\n\u003Cdiv class=\"section-inner sectionLayout--insetColumn\">\n\u003Cp class=\"graf graf--p\">\u003Cstrong class=\"markup--strong markup--p-strong\">While platform work is redefining the future of work, there exists reduced organized belonging\u003C\u002Fstrong> compared to traditional jobs where the employer gathers employees and provides perks and benefits, assets of work, upskilling resources, and team-building initiatives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp class=\"graf graf--p\">Figuring out how to use the ever-changing digital tools and gathering resources needed to participate are among the top priorities for people doing platform work think of when \u003Ca class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.platformlivelihoods.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.platformlivelihoods.com\u002F\">working, trading, renting, and creating \u003C\u002Fa>online. These are key to adapting, surviving, and thriving in the nascent digital economy, which has its share of opportunities and challenges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cfigure class=\"graf graf--figure\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" class=\"graf-image alignnone\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn-images-1.medium.com\u002Fmax\u002F1600\u002F1*kRnM2mt--AILzirGnUMuZA.jpeg\" alt=\"platform work\" width=\"596\" height=\"910\" data-image-id=\"1*kRnM2mt--AILzirGnUMuZA.jpeg\" data-width=\"596\" data-height=\"910\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"imageCaption\">a poster of our first inquisitive \u003Ca class=\"markup--anchor markup--figure-anchor\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002F_PJOpmz2tJs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002F_PJOpmz2tJs\">event\u003C\u002Fa> on gig work, our aim is to host more of these as we encourage discussions on creating enabling environment for the future of work\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003Cp class=\"graf graf--p\">Many people doing platform work are independent workers working gig to gig and project to project. Speaking to platform workers in Kenya, we noticed a growing use of communities, for belonging, as a way to share tips and resources, for ease in navigating the system, and as a channel to coordinate collectively for system change or member support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp class=\"graf graf--p\">WhatsApp and Facebook groups are among the top community networks utilized by those working online. Outside the major cities (Nairobi), communities and especially on WhatsApp groups are equally stronger if not better in peri-urban areas of Nakuru and Kitale when it comes to sharing job opportunities and work tips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp class=\"graf graf--p\">This membership-based organization is not a new phenomenon, Africa is highly communal. There are however \u003Cstrong class=\"markup--strong markup--p-strong\">limited assessments on the impact of communities\u003C\u002Fstrong> and \u003Cstrong class=\"markup--strong markup--p-strong\">how these communities can be improved to be more impactful and action-oriented \u003C\u002Fstrong>beyond connection and belonging in the digital economy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003C\u002Fsection>\n\u003Csection class=\"section section--body\">\n\u003Cdiv class=\"section-divider\">\n\u003Chr class=\"section-divider\" \u002F>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003Cdiv class=\"section-content\">\n\u003Cdiv class=\"section-inner sectionLayout--insetColumn\">\n\u003Cp class=\"graf graf--p\">These communities go beyond convening the people to;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul class=\"postList\">\n\u003Cli class=\"graf graf--li\">Acting as learning networks, where tips and useful sector-relevant knowledge are shared openly.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli class=\"graf graf--li\">Creating channels to cultivate trust, where for instance, members share information to spotlight a problematic client.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli class=\"graf graf--li\">Enabling collective action by coordinating for systems change (albeit slow at the moment) including having timely discussions on what is working or not and contributing internally to support members.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp class=\"graf graf--p\">From our research on what \u003Ca class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedium.com\u002Ffrontier-technologies-hub\u002Fperks-gg-flexible-affordable-portable-social-safety-nets-for-gig-workers-fff6888a7f3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedium.com\u002Ffrontier-technologies-hub\u002Fperks-gg-flexible-affordable-portable-social-safety-nets-for-gig-workers-fff6888a7f3\">perks and benefits \u003C\u002Fa>for independent workers look like, it was clear that most need collective action initiatives that work. \u003Cstrong class=\"markup--strong markup--p-strong\">Lack of bargaining power, possible worker exploitation through intermediaries, or contracts that lack transparency, \u003C\u002Fstrong>was among the top need to unionize. Beginners mentioned benefitting hugely from communities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp class=\"graf graf--p\">If utilized well, collective efforts would enable them to access services at discounted prices and establish more defined relationships with service providers like insurance, and financial institutions as well as set clear terms of engagement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp class=\"graf graf--p\">Many independent workers are having to figure out ways to unionize as there are no trade unions set up for this. We believe there exists untapped potential among most of these communities that should be employed to advance the digital economy as a whole. These communities and social networks can be utilized as channels to thrive in a complex environment. This can be done through short time pilot studies to learn what works and what doesn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003C\u002Fsection>\n\u003Csection class=\"section section--body\">\n\u003Cdiv class=\"section-divider\">\n\u003Chr class=\"section-divider\" \u002F>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003Cdiv class=\"section-content\">\n\u003Cdiv class=\"section-inner sectionLayout--insetColumn\">\n\u003Cp class=\"graf graf--p\">What communities lack and need moving forward;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul class=\"postList\">\n\u003Cli class=\"graf graf--li\">Advancing shared interests — There is a need to move beyond self-interests among members to shared interests. Those we spoke to felt that the communities they belong to would be more effective if there were more strategic shared interests.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli class=\"graf graf--li\">Active contribution by all — For maximum outcome, continuously advance the space for shared benefits and have members define what they will offer to the community and what they expect from the community.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli class=\"graf graf--li\">Increase collaborative engagement with stakeholders to effect change through co-creation. Move beyond internal discussions to advocating for policy changes.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003C\u002Fsection>\n\u003Csection class=\"section section--body\">\n\u003Cdiv class=\"section-divider\">\n\u003Chr class=\"section-divider\" \u002F>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003Cdiv class=\"section-content\">\n\u003Cdiv class=\"section-inner sectionLayout--insetColumn\">\n\u003Ch2 class=\"graf graf--p\">\u003Cstrong class=\"markup--strong markup--p-strong\">Future of platform work\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp class=\"graf graf--p\">In an evolving economy, platform work will be among the top jobs of the future. We can’t plan how this all works out in advance but we can assemble different actors across the system to make sense of the different opportunities and challenges that this work presents. Through that, we will collaborate to \u003Cstrong class=\"markup--strong markup--p-strong\">create a network of impact\u003C\u002Fstrong> that can be tapped into, and learn what works and what doesn’t. We propose tapping into communities and social networks to advance collective action in the digital economy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp class=\"graf graf--p\">Applying \u003Ca class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ilo.org\u002Fwcmsp5\u002Fgroups\u002Fpublic\u002F---europe\u002F---ro-geneva\u002F---ilo-lisbon\u002Fdocuments\u002Fevent\u002Fwcms_667247.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ilo.org\u002Fwcmsp5\u002Fgroups\u002Fpublic\u002F---europe\u002F---ro-geneva\u002F---ilo-lisbon\u002Fdocuments\u002Fevent\u002Fwcms_667247.pdf\">ILO\u003C\u002Fa>’s decent work agenda for sustainable development and as guided by the four pillars of promoting jobs and enterprise, guaranteeing rights at work, extending social protection, and promoting social dialogue, at \u003Ca class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fqhala.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fqhala.com\u002F\">Qhala\u003C\u002Fa>, we will continue to focus on research and development projects tailored to advancing economic participation for the youth in both urban and rural areas in Kenya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was originally posted on \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedium.com\u002Fqhalahq\u002Fthe-power-of-communities-and-social-networks-in-platform-work-b95aeb2a0b50\">medium.\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003C\u002Fsection>\n","\u003Cp>What communities lack and need moving forward;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Advancing shared interests — There is a need to move beyond self-interests among members to shared interests. Those we spoke to felt that the communities they belong to would be more effective if there were more strategic shared interests.\u003Cbr \u002F>\nActive contribution by all — For maximum outcome, continuously advance the space for shared benefits and have members define what they will offer to the community and what they expect from the community.\u003Cbr \u002F>\nIncrease collaborative engagement with stakeholders to effect change through co-creation. Move beyond internal discussions to advocating for policy changes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"Bizzbar:cG9zdDoxNDcw":13,"ROOT_QUERY":24},["null","__typename",14,"id",15,"status",16,"bizzbars",17],"Bizzbar","cG9zdDoxNDcw","publish",["null","__typename",18,"ctaButtonText",19,"description",20,"enabled",21,"link",22,"external",23],"Bizzbar_Bizzbars","Get it here","Gates Report: Bridging Africa’s Smartphone Divide Insights from 10 Countries",true,"\u002Freports\u002Fgates-report-bridging-africas-smartphone-divide-insights-from-10-countries",null,["null","__typename",25,"bizzbars({\"where\":{\"status\":\"PUBLISH\"}})",26,"focusAreas",31],"Query",["null","__typename",27,"nodes",28],"RootQueryToBizzbarConnection",[29],{"__ref":30},"Bizzbar:cG9zdDoxNDcw",["null","__typename",32,"nodes",33],"RootQueryToFocusAreaConnection",[34,45,52],["null","__typename",35,"title",36,"slug",37,"focusAreas",38],"FocusArea","Health Care and Life Sciences","health-care-and-life-sciences",["null","__typename",39,"banner",40],"FocusArea_Focusareas",["null","__typename",41,"bannerCenter",42],"FocusArea_Focusareas_Banner",["null","__typename",43,"sourceUrl",44],"MediaItem","https:\u002F\u002Fblog.qhala.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F12\u002Fhealth-life-sciences-focus-area-center@3x.jpg",["null","__typename",35,"title",46,"slug",47,"focusAreas",48],"Financial Services","financial-services",["null","__typename",39,"banner",49],["null","__typename",41,"bannerCenter",50],["null","__typename",43,"sourceUrl",51],"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.qhala.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F12\u002Ffinancial-services-focus-area-center@3x.jpg",["null","__typename",35,"title",53,"slug",54,"focusAreas",55],"Digital Economy","digital-economy",["null","__typename",39,"banner",56],["null","__typename",41,"bannerCenter",57],["null","__typename",43,"sourceUrl",58],"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.qhala.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F12\u002Fdigital-economy-focus-area-center@3x.jpg"]