When the time is right, the universe makes things happen.
I did the project featured in this article back in early 2022 (a couple of months before I learned about Nostr). The first draft of the article was written over the course of about 10 days I spent in Melbourne (AU) in July 2023. It took time to find the right journal and editor—plus revisions along the way—but it’s finally out in the world.
The Tl;dr (a/k/a Abstract)
Amidst the rise of Web3, a technology transforming user interactions and challenging corporate control, this study uses a hybrid model of appreciative inquiry that matches the remote and decentralized nature of Web3 communities, to investigate the formation of a blockchain startup and its emergent culture and values. Despite limited resources, the company has built a diverse, global community via digital platforms, exceeding stakeholder expectations. This appreciative inquiry uncovers a community manifesting five core values: excellence, sustainable innovation, inclusivity, continuous learning, and creativity, challenging stereotypes often associated with the Web3 industry. This work advances participative research by introducing a hybrid model of appreciative inquiry tailored for remote and decentralized Web3 communities. By adapting appreciative inquiry to the unique dynamics of blockchain-dependent organizations, this study extends the methodology’s applicability and demonstrates its effectiveness in uncovering and fostering core communal values within cutting-edge technological contexts.
Asia Pacific Academy of Science Pte. Ltd.
Off the chain: An appreciative inquiry into the emerging culture and values of a new layer 1 blockchain organization
Amidst the rise of Web3, a technology transforming user interactions and challenging corporate control, this study uses a hybrid model of appreciat...


