Department of Communication and Culture

Gender and Intersectional Inequalities in the Platform Economy p. 116-141 Doi: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003627753-7

Extant research on the platform economy has largely focused on worker perspectives, the nuances of platforms’ individual labour processes, and client dynamics. However, the broader social embeddedness of platform work is under-researched, especially regarding how these new forms of work are societally perceived in terms of their value to society and overall prestige. In recent empirical research, we showed that digital economy occupations (broadly defined beyond the platform economy) suffer from a prestige and social value deficit compared to comparable but more established occupations. In this contribution we explore further the intersectional dynamics at play, particularly how gender and ethnicity impact the social structuration of work. Thus, we ask in this chapter: How are perceptions of the prestige and social value of platform economy work gendered? How do these perceptions depend on social categories such as age, ethnicity and socio-economic status? To answer these questions, we rely on high-quality and comprehensive survey data on the prestige and social value landscape of 576 occupations in the United Kingdom, including many platform economy occupations such as Online Freelance Care Worker (e.g., Care.com), App-Based Ride-Hail Driver (e.g., Uber), App-Based Food Delivery Courier (e.g., Deliveroo), and Social Media Travel Influencer. We use descriptive statistics and regression analyses to relate prestige and social value scores to demographic information, contextualize our analyses within literature on inequalities and intersectionality in the platform economy, and discuss the policy implications of our findings.

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management p. 1-20 Doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/ijchm-05-2025-0741

Purpose This study aims to examine the relationship between place solidarity, hospitality attitudes and mental health outcomes in the context of the Ukraine−Russia conflict. Despite the conflict’s profound effects on global hospitality operations, this is an initial exploration of the influence of place solidarity on hospitality brand attitudes and guest well-being. Design/methodology/approach Structural equation modeling is used to analyze the relationships among place solidarity, hospitality attitudes and mental health outcomes, based on two cross-sectional surveys of 758 US individuals. Findings The two studies show that place solidarity is a double-edged sword by improving hotel brand responses (Study 1) but challenging guests’ well-being (Study 2). Study 1 shows that place solidarity increases perceived brand social responsibility, brand trust and personal reputational benefits while also heightening decisional fatigue. Study 2 identifies the impacts of higher place solidarity on emotional exhaustion, poorer sleep quality, fear of expressing Russia opposition on social media. Practical implications The finding that place solidarity produces dual outcomes in hospitality contexts underscores the need for sensitivity to guests’ psychological states, especially in situations where solidarity and solidarity signaling is happening. Originality/value This research contributes to the hospitality literature by exploring the complex relationships among place solidarity, hospitality attitudes and mental health outcomes during international conflicts. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to show that place solidarity influences both hospitality decisions and psychological well-being in a geopolitical crisis.

Journal of Communication Management 30(2) p. 271-286 Doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/JCOM-10-2024-0216

Teaching and Teacher Education : An International Journal of Research and Studies 179 Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2026.105601

Professional development (PD) programmes aim to ensure high-quality educational practices in early childhood to support children's development. To understand the mechanisms behind improved educational practices, it is necessary to gain knowledge about how teachers experience change following PD programmes. This study examined the impact of a PD programme with coaching – the OEES – on teachers' reports of pedagogical competence, and their approaches to emotion socialisation and scaffolding practices. Multilevel linear mixed models with 308 head teachers and 240 assistant teachers from 56 child-care centres indicated a significantly higher increase in reported pedagogical competence among teachers in the intervention group compared to the control group, particularly among the assistant teachers. Effects on teachers' approaches to emotion socialisation and scaffolding were not found. The results support the coaching model in OEES as effective PD for teachers' competence, and encourage the inclusion of both head and assistant teachers in PD programmes.

Proceedings of the Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS) 59 Doi: https://doi.org/10.24251/hicss.2026.767