Explores how engineering supports platform cooperativism in Brazil's solidarity economy, suggesting pathways for cooperation-centered design.
Key Points
The aim is to examine how engineering can aid productive collectives in transitioning to platform cooperatives while addressing the challenges-specific to Brazil's solidarity economy.
Conducted case study with the Landless Workers’ Movement (MST)
Utilized action-research and grounded theory approaches
Analyzed semi-structured interviews for insights
Identified organizational and technical challenges within the cooperatives
Conventional digital platforms limit worker collectives by hindering participatory decision-making
Identified that such platforms restrict collective agency and the development of vital resources like trust
Emphasized the necessity for technologies that align with Solidarity Technology and Economy principles to promote autonomy
Highlighted persistent challenges requiring an expanded view of the problem