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  • March 2025
  • Case
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Fostering Community at Airbnb (A)

By: Jeffrey T. Polzer, Heather Whiteman and Sarah Mehta
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:15
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Abstract

Set in November 2020, this case explores Airbnb’s efforts to foster a culture of belonging, particularly given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the company’s workforce. It details how Airbnb used employee surveys and organizational network analysis (ONA)—a systematic approach for identifying and mapping connections among people—to assess workplace inclusivity and employee connections.

Keywords

Change; Communication; Competency and Skills; Human Resources; Information; Information Technology; Accommodations Industry; Technology Industry; Travel Industry; United States; California

Citation

Polzer, Jeffrey T., Heather Whiteman, and Sarah Mehta. "Fostering Community at Airbnb (A)." Harvard Business School Case 425-045, March 2025.
  • Educators

About The Author

Jeffrey T. Polzer

Organizational Behavior
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Related Work

    • March 2025
    • Faculty Research

    Fostering Community at Airbnb (B)

    By: Jeffrey T. Polzer, Heather Whiteman and Sarah Mehta
Related Work
  • Fostering Community at Airbnb (B) By: Jeffrey T. Polzer, Heather Whiteman and Sarah Mehta
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