Call for Papers

Social movement activism continues to be a dynamic force that transcends the realms of politics, business, and culture and that exerts a profound impact on society.

• Within today’s polarized political sphere (Finkel et al., 2020), movements such as Black Lives Matter or the Covid policy resistance movement have risen to prominence, representing the divergent ideologies that shape our contemporary political landscape, while older movements around polarized issues have gained renewed salience (e.g., the pro-choice vs. pro-life movement in the United States). On one side, the left champions racial justice and equality, while on the right, resistance to governmental policies underscores a broader discontent with state intervention perceived as infringing on individual liberties. On the extreme end of right-leaning ideology, authoritarian movements have arisen, potentially destabilizing conservative parties and geopolitics (Caiani & Della Porta, 2018).

• In business, the #MeToo movement has left an indelible mark on workplace dynamics, fostering an environment that demands accountability for sexual harassment and discrimination. Concurrently, the labor movement has experienced a resurgence in the wake of rising inflation, with workers demanding fair wages, better working conditions, and a more equitable distribution of resources. Beyond the labor movement, new forms of workplace activism have emerged with highly paid tech workers staging walkouts and other employees using the workplace as a platform to advance broader societal causes and employees raising their expectations on employers to “take a stance” on social issues or judging their actions as greenwashing or hypocrisy (Lauriano et al., 2022). Other activists have sought to be more collaborative, seeking industry and government partners, in developing solutions for environmental and social problems (Parker & Hackett, 2012; Odziemkowska & McDonnell, 2024). These developments underscore the interconnectedness of movements and their ability to catalyze change across diverse sectors of society.

• Culturally, activism has woven itself into the fabric of our daily lives, influencing the media we consume and shaping our online and offline interactions. The digital age has provided a platform for individuals to amplify their voices and connect with like-minded activists globally. Social media has emerged as a powerful tool, facilitating campaigns, organizing protests, and disseminating information at an unprecedented scale (Barberá-Tomás et al., 2019). At the same time, “culture wars” have arisen in more traditional organizations such as higher education and corporate settings, over issues related to woke politics, ESG, and the appropriate exercise of speech (Hartman, 2019).

As we navigate this complex landscape of social movement activism, it is imperative to recognize the emergence of new resources and tactics available to activists. For one, the ability to mobilize resources and support across geographical boundaries has transformed the nature and efficacy of social movements. Simultaneously, social media campaigns have become a linchpin in the activist toolkit, enabling rapid dissemination of information and mobilization of supporters. The viral nature of these campaigns has the potential to bring about swift and widespread change, as seen in movements such as Fridays for Future, Black Lives Matter or Climate Strikes. At the same time, the prominent role of technology and social media in activist campaigns also raises questions about the veracity of information, the echo-chamber effect, and the potential for misinformation to spread.
 
In light of these developments, our goal is to reflect on the trajectory of social movements and to ask “What next?” This sub-theme aims to showcase new scholarship on social movement activists who are actively shaping our political, economic, and cultural landscapes. Central to these discussions will be a focus on the ways in which technology and evolving media landscapes are influencing and, in turn, being influenced by social movements.
 
The shifting ideological landscape of social movements is another pivotal aspect that warrants examination, especially with the rise of right-wing movements that look similar to historical progressive movements in terms of tactics and targets. The consequences of polarization within and between movements, as well as within society more broadly, present complex challenges. Understanding how these ideological shifts manifest and their implications for the effectiveness and sustainability of social movements is essential for devising strategies that foster inclusivity and constructive dialogue.
 
The multifaceted influence of social movement activism persists as a driving force in shaping the trajectory of our societies. This sub-theme serves as a timely exploration into the evolving dynamics of activism, providing a platform for scholars to engage in meaningful discussions about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. As we stand at the intersection of technology, media, and ideology, the insights gleaned from this sub-theme promise to illuminate the future of activism in the 21st century.
 
Example questions to be addressed are (but are not limited to):

• What are the relationships between online and offline forms of activism? Are they complementary, substitutive, contradictory?

• How has activism evolved over the last 20 years? Has activism become more collaborative in movement communities, and if so, what are the drivers of these efforts? Have new forms of online activism emerged and what are the implications of these different forms of activism for activists’ choice of targets and for the effectiveness of their actions?

• If social media campaigns allow activists to reach millions of people across geographies with relatively little cost and effort, what role do local relationships and interactions play for mobilization and countermobilization?

• Traditional media have played a gate-keeper role for social movements in the past. Can they still play that role today? Are there new gatekeepers emerging which can counter polarization, echo-chamber effects and the potential spread of misinformation that have come to characterize the social media age?

• What are the differences and similarities between online and offline forms of activism in conservative versus liberal/progressive movements, for instance in terms of mobilization, targeting, or movement effectiveness?

• How are traditional (e.g., protests, marches, strikes) and novel forms (e.g., social media campaigns, hacktivism) of activism used in the context of democratic societies versus autocratic societies?

• How has the rise of authoritarian movements shifted the political landscape and influenced markets and business?

References

• Barberá-Tomás, D., Castelló, I., de Bakker, F.G., & Zietsma, C. (2019): “Energizing through visuals: How social entrepreneurs use emotion-symbolic work for social change.” Academy of Management Journal, 62 (6), 1789–1817.

• Caiani, M., & Della Porta, D. (2018): “The Radical Right as Social Movement Organizations.” In: J. Rydgren (ed.): The Oxford Handbook of the Radical Right. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 327–347.
• Finkel, E.J., Bail, C.A., Cikara, M., Ditto, P.H., Iyengar, S., Klar, S., Mason, L., McGrath, M.C., Nyhan, B., & Rand, D.G. (2020): “Political Sectarianism in America.” Science, 370 (6516), 533–536.
• Hartman, A. (2019): A War for the Soul of America: A History of the Culture Wars. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
• Lauriano, L.A., Reinecke, J., & Etter, M. (2022): “When aspirational talk backfires: The role of moral judgements in employees’ hypocrisy interpretation.” Journal of Business Ethics, 181 (4), 827–845.
• Odziemkowska, K., & McDonnell, M.-H. (2024): “Ripple Effects: How Collaboration Reduces Social Movement Contention.” Strategic Management Journal, 45 (4), 775–806.
• Parker, J.N., & Hackett, E.J. (2012): “Hot Spots and Hot Moments in Scientific Collaborations and Social Movements.” American Sociological Review, 77 (1), 21–44.