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Nagurney, Anna, and Dae-Shik Kim. "Parallel Computation of Large-Scale Nonlinear Network Problems in the Social and Economic Sciences." Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Operations Research Center, 1990. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/5400.
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In this paper we focus on the parallel computation of large - scale equilibrium and optimization problems arising in the social and economic sciences. In particular, we consider problems which can be visualized and conceptualized as nonlinear network flow problems. The underlying network structure is then exploited in the development of parallel decomposition algorithms. We first consider market equilibrium problems, both dynamic and static, which are formulated as variational inequality problems, and for which we propose parallel decomposition algorithms by time period and by commodity, respectively. We then turn to the parallel computation of large-scale constrained matrix problems which are formulated as optimization problems and discuss the results of parallel decomposition by row/column.
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Kitala, Fatuma S. "Family policy in Lithuania : Changes and problems." Thesis, Södertörn University College, School of Social Sciences, 2005. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:sh:diva-392.
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<p>This study endeavours to make an analysis of the major issues that Lithuanian families are facing. In doing so, it is the purpose of the research to uncover the changes and problems that have taken place in Lithuanian society since the country gained independence from the Soviet Union. The Lithuanian case will be compared with Tanzania and other eastern and western European countries. This helps to identify and understand problems that Lithuanian society and families with dependent children have been experiencing.</p><p>The current situation of families in Lithuania is based on traditional model, where men are breadwinners and women are the ones who take care of the households. However, families are undergoing changes whereby, dual model support is taking over, especially to young generation. The two models are functioning in the country but majority of the population prefer traditional model. It is observed that, due to changes and difficulties in life, people have no other way than accepting dual model support. </p><p>Families with children are facing problems which hinder them to develop well in life style. Although the family policy in Lithuania provides family benefits to the families which deserve allowances, still children are in danger of lacking proper care and guidance. Families with dependent children have been experiencing poverty at a high rate that the rest of the population. Families with more than three children are more affected than the ones with fewer children. </p><p>The analysis of this study has shown how the issue of unemployment affects the raising of children. Many citizens have lost their jobs due to privatisation although on the other hand, privatization has been proved to increase the economy of the studied countries.</p><p>This study has also shown that women in Lithuania are more disadvantaged than men. Even if women labour force participation is quite high in Lithuania, still there are many problems. Namely, women in Lithuania have lower wages compared to men; there also few women in the decision making bodies and the parliament. Both Lithuanian and Tanzanian governments have taken measures to encourage women to participate in political arena and labour market. Good relationships within the families have proved to be crucial in good bringing up of the children. The responsibility of bringing up the children is also extended to the relatives.</p><p>All in all provision of family benefits is not the only solution but it has to be associated with education to families and community on how to raise children morally, physically and psychologically so that they become responsible adults. </p>
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Anderson, Jan D. "Financial Problems as Predictors of Divorce: A Social Exchange Perspective." DigitalCommons@USU, 2000. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/2445.
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By using a conceptual framework derived from social exchange theory, this study examined the relationship between financial problems and divorce. Nationally representative data from the " Maritallnstability Over the Life Course" panel study was used to determine if financial problems reported at one interview could predict those who would divorce by the subsequent interview. A self-replicating design allowed data analyses for three separate time periods: 1980-1983 , 1983- 1988, and 1988-1992.
The sample used in this study consisted of l ,620 married men and women under the age of 55. Additionally, the participants were in their first marriages.
Divorce was the only dependent variable. The independent variables included eight financial problems: (a) husband's job interferes with family life, (b) husband 's job satisfaction, (c) wife's job satisfaction, (d) wife's work preference, (e) satisfaction with spouse as breadwinner, (f) satisfaction with financial situation, (g) spending money foolishly/unwisely, and (h) financial situation getting better or worse. Additionally, total number of financial problems, age at marriage, gender, income, and presence of children under age 6 were used as independent variables in the analyses. Bivariate correlation and discriminant analysis procedures were used to analyze the data.
The results indicated statistically significant relationships between financial problems and divorce for all independent variables except wife's job satisfaction, gender, and income. However, none of the independent variables (singularly or in combination) explained more than 5% of the variance in divorce;·financial problems were inadequate predictors of divorce.
Although the results of this investigation did not provide substantive support for the popular belief that money problems are a major cause of divorce, this research filled a gap in the divorce literature, posited a clearer definition of financial problems, and provided a more complete conceptual model of the relationships between marital problems and divorce. Finally, the unanswered questions raised by this study indicate the need for continued investigation of the impact that financial issues have on marital relationships.
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Andersen, Jan D. "Financial Problems as Predictors of Divorce: A Social Exchange Perspective." DigitalCommons@USU, 2000. http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/2685.
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By using a conceptual framework derived from social exchange theory, this study examined the relationship between financial problems and divorce. Nationally representative data from the " Marital Instability Over the Life Course" panel study was used to determine if financial problems reported at one interview could predict those who would divorce by the subsequent interview. A self-replicating design allowed data analyses for three separate time periods: 1980-1983 , 1983- 1988, and 1988-1992.
The sample used in this study consisted of l,620 married men and women under the age of 55. Additionally, the participants were in their first marriages.
Divorce was the only dependent variable. The independent variables inc luded eight financial problems: (a) husband's job interferes with family life, (b) husband 's job satisfaction, (c) wife's job satisfaction, (d) wife's work preference, (e) sat isfaction with spouse as breadwinner, (f) satisfaction with financial situation, (g) spending money
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Pichler, Marie Helen. "Copyright problems of satellite and cable television in Europe." Thesis, McGill University, 1986. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=65445.
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Heap, Victoria. "Understanding public perceptions of anti-social behaviour : problems and policy responses." Thesis, University of Huddersfield, 2010. http://eprints.hud.ac.uk/id/eprint/9209/.
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Anti-social behaviour (ASB) has emerged as a major community safety concern over the past decade. Reducing the number of incidents of ASB and lessening the impact these have upon the publics’ quality of life have become key components of criminal justice policy. The British Crime Survey has provided evidence of the types of ASB being experienced and quantified the proportion of people perceiving high levels of ASB in their local area. This research suggests strong links between high levels of deprivation and perceiving high levels of ASB. Attempts have also been made to determine what factors drive these perceptions, in order to produce evidence-based ASB reduction policies. This thesis builds upon existing research into public perceptions of ASB by exploring public perceptions in-depth, using a mixed methods strategy. A three phase, explanatory sequential design was employed. Phase one quantified public perceptions in selected hardpressed ACORN areas. These findings were utilised to inform the topics for further qualitative elaboration in phase two. The third phase qualitatively explored how practitioners address public perceptions of ASB. Inferences were generated from all three phases of data collection, providing a holistic, coherent and contextualised discussion of potential policy implications of the findings. The findings presented within this thesis uncover new attitudinal based factors that are statistically and independently associated with public perceptions of ASB. In addition, primary and secondary drivers of public perceptions were qualitatively identified in the hardpressed areas studied. New insight has also been provided into the methods practitioners use to address public perceptions, particularly into the difficulties associated with measuring perceptions and the reciprocal relationship that exists between practitioners and the public. The inferences generated suggest that public perceptions of ASB are complex, with the factors influencing perceptions often interconnected. This thesis calls for greater strategic clarification regarding the role perceptions play in ASB policy, in order for accurate, locally applicable perception measurement to be achieved and a reduction in perceived high levels of ASB to be obtained.
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Karver, Christine L. "Neuropsychological Functioning, Social Information Processing, and Parent-Reported Behavior and Social Competence in Internationally Adopted Girls with a History of Institutionalization." University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1427797253.
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Franzen, Ewaldz Lena, and Mikael Sjögren. "Beteendeproblematik utifrån ett klientperspektiv"Behavioural problems from a clients perspective"." Thesis, Kristianstad University College, Department of Health Sciences, 2007. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hkr:diva-4179.
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<p>ABSTRACT </p><p>Behavioural problems are a compound conception for emotional difficulties at different levels. Individuals with behavioural problems could have difficulties with social relations, low self-esteem, anxiety and worry. </p><p>The purpose with the examination was to describe how clients apprehend their behavioural problems and what they consider could be the causes of it. </p><p>The examination was based on the qualitative interviews with 5 clients and a professional helper. We came in contact with our clients through our practice. The results showed that the clients experienced their behavioural problems as a hidden handicap in various ways. Our clients were aware of their problems but they kept it to themselves. </p><p>One of the difficulties that behavioural problems can lead to are problems in the social relations. The clients consider them selves to have succeeded in dealing with their situation in a satisfying way and believe their future to be positive. </p><p>Keywords: Behavioural problems, growth, mental health, future prospect, parent/child relation, substance abuse, a parent psychological illness, low self-esteem, emotional difficulties, attachment theory. </p><p> </p>
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Auchinleck, Jennifer. "Enforcing the right to healthy housing: recourse for Montreal tenants facing health and safety problems at home." Thesis, McGill University, 2012. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=106292.
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This exploratory study examined the recourse available to Montreal tenants facing housing problems that affect their health and/or safety. Strengths and weaknesses of the Quebec Rental Board and the borough-level city inspection service were explored through qualitative interviews with key informants and brief analysis of statistics. Findings suggest that, although the Rental Board has certain strengths and it is possible for tenants to achieve a positive outcome, particularly if represented by a lawyer, there is a major gap between tenants' rights under the Civil Code and their ability to enforce these rights in practice. Issues discussed include access, hearing procedures, challenges in providing proof, and results ultimately obtained. At the level of the borough inspection service, this study suggests both strengths and weaknesses, as well as variation between boroughs; time, resources, and the philosophy of intervention emerged as important themes. Ideas for improvements for both of these recourses were also discussed.<br>Cette étude exploratoire visait à examiner le recours disponible aux locataires montréalais vivant des problèmes de logement touchant leur santé et /ou leur sécurité. Les forces et les faiblesses de la Régie du logement du Québec ainsi que du Service d'inspection de la Ville de Montréal (arrondissements) ont été explorées par le biais d'entrevues avec des acteurs–clé ainsi qu'une analyse brève de statistiques. Les résultats suggèrent que, malgré certaines forces et bien qu'un résultat positif soit possible à la Régie du logement (surtout avec la représentation par avocat-e), il existe un écart important entre les droits accordés aux locataires en vertu du Code civil et leur capacité de faire respecter ces droits en pratique. L'accès, les procédures, la preuve, et les résultats ultimement obtenus sont parmi les enjeux discutés. Au niveau du service d'inspection, ce projet suggère des forces et des faiblesses, ainsi qu'une variation entre arrondissements. Le temps, les ressources et la philosophie d'intervention ont apparu comme thèmes importants. Des suggestions visant l'amélioration de ces deux recours ont également été discutées.
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Kristoffersson, Marcus. "Efficient treatment of adolescents with behavioural problems." Thesis, Malmö högskola, Fakulteten för hälsa och samhälle (HS), 2010. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-24551.
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The purpose of this essay is to investigate which components previous scientific studies suggest that an efficient treatment for adolescents with behavioural problems should contain. For this purpose, an extensive review of scientific research conducted in Scandinavia has been read and will be presented in this essay. This essay also present an introduction to residential care in Sweden as well as to an alternative form of treatment for adolescents with behavioural problems called Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care (MTFC). The result of this essay suggest that treatment of adolescents with behavioural problems should be based on the emphasis of risk/resilience factors of the youth and that the treatment should be adapted to the youth’s individual personality and way of learning. Furthermore should the method of treatment be well incorporated within the staff and be based on methods proven effective by scientific research. Based on the scientific research previously conducted, one could argue that the MTFC treatment is more efficient when it comes to treatment of adolescents with behavioural problems than residential care due to the residential cares inconsistency in treatment methods.
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Law, S. L. "Financial optimization problems." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2005. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.426391.
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The major objective of this thesis is to study optimization problems in finance. Most of the effort is directed towards studying the impact of transaction costs in those problems. In addition, we study dynamic meanvariance asset allocation problems. Stochastic HJB equations, Pontryagin Maximum Principle and perturbation analysis are the major mathematical techniques used. In Chapter 1, we introduce the background literature. Following that, we use the Pontryagin Maximum Principle to tackle the problem of dynamic mean-variance asset allocation and rediscover the doubling strategy. In Chapter 2, we present one of the major results of this thesis. In this chapter, we study a financial optimization problem based on a market model without transaction costs first. Then we study the equivalent problem based on a market model with transaction costs. We find that there is a relationship between these two solutions. Using this relationship, we can obtain the solution of one when we have the solution of another. In Chapter 3, we generalize the results of chapter 2. In Chapter 4, we use Pontryagin Maximum Principle to study the problem limit of the no-transaction region when transaction costs tend to 0. We find that the limit is the no-transaction cost solution.
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Erten, Mustafa Güven Supervisor :. Ersoy Melih. "Property problems in post-earthquake urban redevelopment process : a case study in city of Adapazarı." Ankara : METU, 2004. http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12605621/index.pdf.
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Olsson, Victoria. "Wet storage of timber : Problems and solutions." Thesis, KTH, Industriell ekologi, 2005. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-32677.
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Syftet med timmerbevattning är att undvika angrepp av skadeinsekter, blånads- ochrötsvampar samt för att förebygga sprickbildning. Bevattningen leder till att en radförorenande ämnen urlakas, till största delen ur barken, vilket medför att man får ett lakvattensom kan förorena yt- och grundvatten i omgivningen om inga åtgärder vidtas.Det här examensarbetet är ett uppdrag av IKEA/Swedwood och syftet var att kartlägga degenerella miljöeffekterna orsakade av lakvatten från timmerupplag och att skapa ett underlagför riskbedömning och eventuella saneringsavktiviteter på Swedwoods timmerupplag vidsågverket Inčukalns Timber i Lettland. Rapporten inkluderar även förslag på rutiner ochbeskriver nödvändig utbildning av personalen vid införandet av de nya metoderna.En studie av lagstiftningen gällande utsläpp av lakvattnet i Sverige, Lettland och EU harockså gjorts, och visade att varken svensk, lettisk eller EU:s lagstiftning säger någontingspecifikt om gränsvärden för lakvatten från timmerupplag. Det finns dock lagstiftninggällande exempelvis försurning och övergödning, även om denna mer generella lagstiftninginte har studerats närmare i denna rapport. Riktvärden finns däremot för vissa av substansernasatta av Naturvårdsverket. Det finns även en lista på prioriterade kemikalier, men ingen avdessa förväntas förekomma i lakvattnet. I den rådande lagstiftningen finns dock en radhänsynsregler. Miljöbalken säger att våtlagringen av timmer måste lokaliseras på sådant sättatt inte fara för människor eller omgivande miljö uppstår. Av samma anledning måstelakvattnet renas eller på annat sätt tas om hand. Miljöbalken säger också att regelbundnakontroller av lakvattnet måste göras, och att de anställda på sågverken måste ha tillräckligkunskap för att förhindra skador på människor och miljö. Bästa möjliga teknik måsteanvändas, och sågverken måste hushålla med energi och vatten. Sågverk är ansvariga för attreparera skador som uppstår i samband med oförutsedda händelser.Kunskap om miljöeffekterna av lakvatten från timmerupplag erhölls genom att samla in faktafrån litteratur och genom att intervjua personer på olika sågverk i Sverige. De möjligametoderna för att minska miljöpåverkan av lakvattnet har studerats dels genom litteratur ochdels genom de företag som tillverkar utrustningen för detta.Resultaten visar att de främsta miljöeffekterna orsakade av lakvatten från timmerupplag ärökad halt av BOD och COD och höga halter av kväve-, fosfor och fenolföreningar. De störstaproblemen vid Inčukalns Timber i Lettland var de höga halterna av COD, BOD och TSS.Utformningen av terminaler och bevattningsanläggningar varierar. Vissa svenska sågverklåter sitt vatten passera en sedimenteringsdamm eller en infiltrationsbädd innan det går tillrecipienten, medan andra samlar upp vattnet för recirkulation. I Sverige är de flestatimmerplaner asfalterade och de flesta bevattningssystem klimatanpassade. Krav finns ocksåibland från myndigheter på regelbunden städning av timmerplanen från bark och annat skräp,på grund av att den största delen av de urlakade föroreningarna kommer från barken.Lämpliga åtgärder för att minska miljöpåverkan av lakvattnet vid timmerupplaget i Lettlandär först och främst att minska vattenförbrukningen. Det kan bäst göras genom att installera ettklimatanpassat bevattningssystem. När det gäller metod för rening av lakvattnet är den bästalösningen för Inčukalns Timber en sedimenteringsdamm i kombination med eninfiltrationsanläggning. Vilken sorts infiltrationsanläggning som är den mest passande försågverket bör utredas närmare.<br>Timber is wet stored during the warm summer season to protect the logs from bacterial andinsect attacks, blue stain and to prevent checking. Timber sprinkling gives rise to largeamounts of polluted leach-water. The leach-water is able to cause damage to both surface- andgroundwater in the surroundings if no measures are taken.This thesis is a commission by IKEA/Swedwood and the aim was to get knowledge aboutenvironmental impacts caused by leach-water from wet storage of timber and to create a basisfor risk-assessment at Inčukalns Timber in Latvia. The aim was also to evaluate possiblepurification methods for the run-off water. Suggestions of routines and a description of therequired education of the employees when implementing the new methods are also includedin the report. The purpose was also to evaluate the situation at Swedish sawmills today and toinvestigate legislation for wet storage of timber in Sweden, Latvia and EU. Results show thatnot the Swedish, Latvian nor the EU legislation says anything specific about concentrationlimit values for leach-water from wet timber storage. EU legislation contains a list ofprioritised chemical substances, but none of them are expected in this leach-water. There ishowever legislation concerning acidification and eutrophication even though it has not beenfurther investigated in this report. Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has made someguiding lines for some of the substances. The Swedish legislation includes some considerationrules; according to the Swedish Environment Code, a location has to be chosen for wetstorage of timber where there is no risk for negative impacts on human health or surroundingenvironment. For the same reason, run-off water from timber storage has to be purified or insome other way be taken care of. It also says, regularly controls have to be done, and thatpeople working at sawmills must have enough knowledge to avoid damage on human beingsand environment. The best available technique has to be used, and sawmills have toeconomise with energy and water. Sawmills are responsible to repair damage caused byunforeseen accidents.Knowledge about the environmental impacts caused by leach-water from timber storage wasobtained by literature and also by interviewing employees at Swedish sawmills andauthorities. Information about the methods for purifying the run-off water was obtained by themanufacturing companies.This report further evaluates different purification methods available for sawmills, and alsoother methods and recommendations for reducing impacts caused by the leach-water.Results show that environmental impacts are caused mainly by increased concentrations ofBOD, COD, nitrogen, phosphorus and phenols. The main problems at Inčukalns Timber inLatvia were large amounts of COD, BOD, and TSS in the outlet. Design of terminals andwatering-constructions vary. Some Swedish sawmills are using a sedimentation-pond or aninfiltration construction to purify the run-off water before it is let out in the recipient, andothers are using recirculating systems. In Sweden, it is common to store timber at asphaltedgrounds, and to use a climate-adapted sprinkling system. Authorities often require regularcleaning of storage sites from bark and debris since most of the polluting substances comefrom the bark.The first thing that has to be done at Inčukalns Timber in Latvia to reduce the environmentalimpacts is to reduce the water consumption. This can be done by installing a climate-adaptedsprinkling system. The best solution for purifying the run-off water at Inčukalns Timber is toinstall a sedimentation pond combined with an infiltration construction.<br>www.ima.kth.se
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Fransolet, Aurore. "Knowing and Governing Super-Wicked Problems: A Social Analysis of Low-Carbon Scenarios." Doctoral thesis, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, 2019. https://dipot.ulb.ac.be/dspace/bitstream/2013/286373/4/TDM.pdf.
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Since various public and private actors at the international, supranational, national and subnational levels started to adopt long-term targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, low-carbon scenario analyses have flourished. Literature reveals an increasing number of analyses envisioning and exploring alternative images of low-carbon futures, as well as their adjacent transition pathways. Scenario approaches or “foresight” is intended to help policy-makers to navigate the maelstrom of confusion and conflicts associated with highly complex societal challenges such as climate change – i.e. the “super-wicked” problems. Typical scenario exercises aim at coping with uncertainty and conflicting values, and hence are often claimed as a suitable approach for knowing and governing super-wicked problems. When reviewing the scenario literature published over the recent years, we observe significant methodological developments, in particular at the level of the calculus or data-sets. These contributions have generated an increasing technical sophistication of scenario building methods, and contrast with the relative absence of social sciences research on scenarios. Scenario analyses have received little academic attention from social sciences, whether they are political science, sociology, philosophy of science or science and technology studies. By providing a SHS-analysis of low-carbon scenarios, the present thesis contributes to bridge this research gap. Scenarios are here understood as “boundary objects” linking different social worlds: science and policy, but also natural and social sciences. This thesis aspires to create an enhanced understanding on how scenario analyses perform such “boundary work”. More specifically, the following analysis of low-carbon scenarios is based on a twofold perspective focusing, on the one hand, on the interactions between low-carbon scenarios and governance (i.e. link between science and policy), and, on the other hand, on the making of knowledge about governance in low-carbon scenarios (i.e. link between natural and social sciences). In other words, it explores “scenarios in governance” and “governance in scenarios”. The thesis project includes three research axes, each based on its particular empirics. A first study explores the interactions between low-carbon scenarios and governance on the basis of a multiple case study analysing the role of four energy foresight studies in policy-making. The other two studies focus on the making of knowledge about governance in low-carbon scenarios. One of them provides an assessment of the knowledge needed to steer the low-carbon transition. The other one aims at contributing to the debate on the relations between quantitative modelling and social sciences by exposing a critical review of socio-technical energy transition models. The objective of the present thesis thus consists in providing an empirical contribution to social sciences research on low-carbon scenarios.<br>Doctorat en Sciences<br>info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished
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Brassas, Kristina. "Single mothers. Problems and solutions." Thesis, Malmö universitet, Fakulteten för hälsa och samhälle (HS), 2018. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-24705.
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This degree project reports on how single mothers talk about their own situation, with the focus on those problems and solutions that they use to meet. The reason for chosen subject was that previous researches and other information origins gave a contradictory picture of the single motherhood: certain meant that single motherhood is an expression for freedom, while others see it in terms of exposure and obstacles. Therefor I performed my own study that should answer three questions: which problems do single mothers face with in their situation, which solutions do they use and what help do they get from the social environment. To come up so close to mothers own interpretations as possible, I chose to investigate an internet discussion forum for the single mothers. Thus, the qualitative content analysis was selected as a research method for my study. Previous researches about single mothers and theories about coping strategies and locus of control, have been implemented in analyses of womens own interpretations that I got from the internet forum. Five main themes that women touch in the discussion platform and that coincide with the themes in previous researches are: economics, work, balance, social network and physical with psychical health. Problems that mothers mention are related to that themes and involve burnout, tiredness, attitude of society, time deficiency, financial troubles and difficulties with work. Result of analyses has shown that mothers own solutions are more than help they use to get from the social environment. This solutions are especially based on their own will-power, planning ability, organizational skills and self-devotion.
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Stapleford, Richard J. "Digital and social media : the panacea of transformative engagement with young people : rhetoric or reality? : qualitative based research exploring police led digital and social media engagement with young people in Nottinghamshire." Thesis, London Metropolitan University, 2017. http://repository.londonmet.ac.uk/1252/.
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The disengagement of young people from community participation is a debate that pervades the literature and is a concern for UK policing whose strategic aim is to secure the efficient and effective engagement of young people in an operational landscape that is shaped by austerity. Digital and Social Media is seen as offering immense potential to deliver enhanced participation at a fraction of the cost of traditional engagement, but there is a distinct lack of empirical research associated with the police use of digital and social media to engage young people. The aim of this research is to allow young people to shape the way Nottinghamshire Police engage with them via digital and social media. To this end, a 40-point engagement framework based on the principles of ‘Quid Pro Quo’ reciprocal engagement is offered as the product of this youthful insight. The theoretical positioning of the research is within the Interpretivist paradigm and social control theory and procedural justice theory justify why engaging young people is so important to the survival of the British style of policing. A qualitative methodology frames the research design, which includes the use of the semi-structured interview and four focus groups involving young people. The thesis suggests that young people are not disinterested, lackadaisical or apathetic when it comes to police engagement, they are simply disconnected from the police engagement framework, which appears to have failed historically to understand how and why young people wish to participate in policing. Whilst participants felt that Nottinghamshire Police’s digital offer is suitable for young people, it is concluded that digital and social media is not the ‘Holy Grail’ or indeed the panacea for police engagement and therefore young people may not yet be ready to accept such technology and swap physical visibility and accessibility for their virtual counterparts.
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Parsons, S. D. "Reason finitude and time : The social sciences and the problem of Kant." Thesis, University of Southampton, 1985. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.379176.
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Culliney, Martin. "Going nowhere? : rural youth employment, social capital and migration in Britain." Thesis, University of Birmingham, 2013. http://etheses.bham.ac.uk//id/eprint/4624/.
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This thesis addresses the lack of literature on rural youth employment prospects. Using data from the British Household Panel Survey and fieldwork conducted in the West Midlands, I ask to what extent is rural location a labour market disadvantage for young people? Social capital, identified as a pertinent concept in the few previous studies, is operationalised in terms of two constituent elements: norms, affecting youth earnings, and networks, determining one’s ability to find work – more so in rural areas than in urban, due to the relative absence of big business, and nepotistic recruitment practices. Transport is also a more significant barrier to employment for rural youth. I find that rural youth earn less than urban counterparts despite rural wages being higher overall. This pay penalty is a distinctly rural youth disadvantage, and can last well into adulthood for those who do not relocate to urban areas. In conclusion, I argue that investment in rural jobs and public transport or vehicle lease schemes would improve rural youth employment prospects. If such investment is not forthcoming, relocation schemes might extend opportunities to those willing to migrate for work.
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Burton, Jennifer. "Perceptions of practice educators in social work : exploration of the effects of change." Thesis, Bucks New University, 2018. http://bucks.collections.crest.ac.uk/17534/.
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The dissertation explores lived experiences of practice educators, to capture their impressions of recent social work reforms affecting the assessment of social work students. A three-stage research study was conducted, aiming to gain the views of practice educators before, and then during the early stages of implementation, followed by a review of the data gathered involving social work professionals, to incorporate peer feedback, cross reference data and add research rigour. The rationale for the three-staged approach was to understand how participants perceived their changing role, explore personal and professional motivators for assessing students and identify ways of strengthening the available infrastructure of support. The strength based methodology, Appreciative Inquiry, was selected to shape the three stages of the study, seeking to draw out peak experiences as a catalyst for managing change. Data collection started with four small group interviews, progressing six months later to the completion of twelve individual interviews, culminating in sharing research findings with social work professionals six months hence, to validate emerging data about how practice educators could be better supported. By reframing the challenges expressed by participants, such as limited support, role marginalisation and low extrinsic reward, research findings have captured aspirations for increased support to sustain the climate of change and uncertainty for practice education. Solutions emerging from findings include strengthening local and national drivers to raise the profile of practice education, building research capacity, streamlining regional channels of support for individual, peer and group support and championing the practice educator role by raising awareness through inter-agency training and building more robust local partnerships.
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Duxbury, Catherine Louise. "Animals, science and gender : animal experimentation in Britain, 1947-1965." Thesis, University of Essex, 2017. http://repository.essex.ac.uk/19887/.
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This thesis is an historical analysis of the culture of science and its use of animals in experiments by the British military and in medical scientific research, and its regulation by law, during the period 1947 to 1965. The overall aim of this thesis is to demonstrate the gendered nature of scientific experimentation on animals in mid-twentieth century Britain. To do this, it addresses two aspects of animal experimentation; firstly, exploring how scientific research forms power-knowledge relations through the use of nonhuman animals. Secondly, this thesis analyses the intersection of animal use in science with that of the broader socio-cultural context, asking was science in mid-twentieth century Britain gendered? As a consequence, it explores the effects of this knowledge production upon animals and women. My findings are twofold: that the construction of scientific knowledge through the use of nonhuman animals was one that created subject-object binaries, and this had powerful and detrimental consequences for nonhuman animals. Secondly, this objectification of the nonhuman had resultant power-knowledge effects that reinforced the continuation of specific kinds of scientific knowledge and its associated masculinist ontology of positivism. Consequently, the effects of these power-knowledge relations were gendered and had implications for (and intersections with) normative representations of women at the time.
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Chow, Kit Ling Lina. "Residential care for frail and marginalised older people in Hong Kong 1990-2006 : targeting and efficiency?" Thesis, University of Kent, 2015. https://kar.kent.ac.uk/48992/.
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Rapid growth in the number and proportion of older people in Hong Kong is shown to have taken place since the late nineties. The substantial increase in the number of older people (particularly the old-olds) and their declining ability levels accelerated the need for long-term care, including residential care. This has exerted heavy financial pressure on the government. Subsequently a new policy - the ‘Standardised Care Need Assessment Mechanism’ (SCNAM) - for elderly services was introduced in November 2000; giving rise to both intended and unintended consequences. In this cross-sectional and longitudinal study of the populations of two older peoples residential homes, the focus is on evaluating the outcome of the policy (SCNAM), which intended to target care on older people ‘in greatest need’. It explores how the profile of residents in long-term care has changed since this policy implementation. Specifically, the dependency characteristics of residents (including their physical health, functional status, cognitive levels, and degree of frailty) in two care homes of the Helping Hand charity in Hong Kong between 1990 and 2006 are compared. Moreover, the study explores whether the changed populations in these homes suggest greater efficiency and effectiveness in the allocation of residential care. It examines impacts on the costs of care, particularly relating to staffing and funding across a 16-year interval. Furthermore, the outcomes of residential care are assessed in terms of the quality of interaction between staff and residents, and participation in various kinds of social activities within the home. Efficiency is judged not by cost per person alone, but by the ratios of costs to outcomes. Findings in the study show that the quality of publicly-funded residential care in Hong Kong fell over the period, and this evidence puts any suggestion of greater efficiency in doubt. Most importantly, the quality of life of residents has been adversely affected and this is an ‘unintended consequence’ that needs to be taken into account by the policy-makers. Throughout its recent history Hong Kong has adopted a residual model of welfare, in which the government’s paramount focus has been on economic development. This is clearly reflected in the provision and financing of long-term residential care homes as operated under ‘a mixed economy of welfare’ system, in which the government only assumes a role as a funder. Other crucial issues such as the quality of care by front-line personal care staff as well as the quality of life of residents are largely outside of its policy concerns. Current evidence shows that better targeting and lower unit costs have been achieved in the two Care Homes of the Helping Hand, but at the expense of the effectiveness of care. The policy shift has produced new winners and losers. A focus on controlling the costs of public support for older people amounts to what Titmuss (1968, p.133) called a price that some pay ‘for the costs of other people’s progress’.
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Wilkins, David. "The use of theory and research knowledge in child protection social work practice : a study of disorganised attachment and child protection assessment." Thesis, University of Kent, 2015. https://kar.kent.ac.uk/48930/.
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This thesis seeks to examine how child protection social workers use theory and research knowledge related to disorganised attachment in the course of their practice with potentially abused or neglected children. In order to facilitate this understanding, three supplementary research questions are posed – (1) ‘how do child protection social workers use the theory and research knowledge related to disorganised attachment in work with children who may be at risk of significant harm due to abuse or neglect?’ (2) ‘how do child protection social workers use theory and research knowledge related to disorganised attachment when assessing children who may be at risk of significant harm due to abuse or neglect?’ and (3) ‘how do child protection social workers incorporate the theory and research knowledge related to disorganised attachment into their existing social work practice?’ The research described in this thesis consists of the use of two methods – guided conversation interviews and Q-method. In answer to the primary research aim, it was found that child protection social workers, suitably trained, are able to usefully apply the theory and research knowledge related to disorganised attachment in practice and that they may do so in a small variety of ways related to developing a better understanding of the children and carers they work with; as a way of aiding them to help and support the carers of the child being assessed, and as a way of completing better assessments. Thematically, it was notable that all of the participants described their use of the theory and research knowledge related to disorganised attachment by reference to the methods and techniques they were able to put into practice, such as Adult and Child Attachment Interviews, and how their use of this theory and research knowledge was thus mediated or applied via the use of these and other similar techniques. As a result of these findings, further research would be useful as to how the development of new techniques (or co-option of existing techniques) may be helpful as a way of facilitating the transfer of theory and research knowledge into social work practice. Further research regarding the impact of the use of theory and research knowledge related to disorganised attachment in child protection social work practice would also be useful, particularly whether the outcomes for children and families are improved as a result.
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Lane, Rhiannon. "Diagnostic identity and the legitimisation of mental health problems : an ethnographic study, with a focus on bipolar disorder." Thesis, Cardiff University, 2018. http://orca.cf.ac.uk/117487/.
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Psychiatric diagnosis has become a pervasive aspect of modern culture, exerting an increasing influence on forms of personhood, identity practices, and modes of self-governing. Debates surrounding the classification of psychiatric disorders are also prevalent, with particular disputes surrounding the relative merits of ‘biomedical’ vs ‘psychosocial’ understandings of mental health difficulties. There is arguably a need for further empirical exploration into the social and cultural implications of psychiatric classification and categorising practices within mental health service interactions. Drawing on ethnographic research conducted within several UK mental health settings, this thesis considers the role of diagnosis in constituting patient identities and in shaping professional categorisation practices, with a particular focus on bipolar disorder. Observations were conducted within sites where diagnostic identities are particularly salient: Psychiatric diagnostic and screening assessments, and a psychoeducation programme for bipolar disorder. Focusing on the formal and informal categorisation practices of service users and professionals, this study highlights the way in which psychiatric classifications can be negotiated, ascribed, and withheld in order to legitimate and contest particular kinds of suffering; in particular, it explores the way in which diagnostic categories – in particular bipolar disorder - can be used to interpret and medicalise morally problematic forms of experience and behaviour. Whilst diagnosis itself can function to medicalise aspects of moral life, its ability to perform this function is also shown to depend upon its conceptualisation as a biomedical disease entity. Findings suggest that bipolar disorder gives rise to particularly somatic concepts of personhood; its conceptualisation as an essentialised and reified illness category, with its cause located within the brain, enables a legitimisation of psychiatric ‘symptoms’ for both patients and professionals. In seeking access to more specialised mental health services with limited resources, potential patients can face trivialisation and deligitimisation of their problems by professionals, which at times manifests in the withholding of diagnosis. This is particularly the case within a mental health policy context which has increasingly moved towards the prioritisation of those with ‘severe mental illness’. As such, the study shows how the legitimising function of diagnoses such as bipolar disorder, can lead to a tendency for it to be both sought after by patients, but contested by professionals and amongst patients. In light of the apparent advantages conferred by this diagnosis, the moral and personal consequences of diagnostic membership, exclusion, and uncertainty are considered; in particular, the potential for this essentialised category to create divides between those considered to ‘have’ the disorder and those who are not, is contemplated.
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Tubb, Christine. "War in the classroom : a philosophical treatment of the problems posed by war for educators." Thesis, University College London (University of London), 1998. http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/10021958/.
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This thesis addresses the problems inherent in teaching on war in schools. The focus is on the moral acceptability of killing in war, and the issues this raises for educators. It argues that war can only properly be presented in the curriculum as a controversial issue. In the first chapter it is maintained that war is undeniably a moral matter. Beliefs about aggression are explored to show that international military conflict is not an unavoidable feature of human existence and that war is a prima facie evil. Grounds for the absolute prohibition on taking life are then examined in Chapter 2, to demonstrate that pacifism is not an uncontestable stance. Just war thinking is investigated in Chapter 3. The immunity of civilians demanded by just war theory is shown to present particular difficulties in relation to twentieth century warfare. From the analysis in the first three chapters, the controversiality of war becomes plain. Some reactions to Peace Education, explored in Chapter 4, reflect the anxieties felt by many at the prospect of the moral dilemmas of war being debated in the classroom. The problems for the educator are exacerbated by fears of indoctrination and doubts over the value of teaching on war in schools. In Chapter 5 principles which ought to inform all teaching on war are identified. It is claimed that war must be explicitly presented as a controversial issue and that the teaching should be unbiased, balanced and impartial, adhering to coherence and consistency. Application of these principles to methodology is followed by reflection, in Chapter 6, on the selection of content for teaching on war. Consideration is given to knowledge and understanding, skills, values and dispositions. It is argued that nuclear war should be included and that the value of peace can legitimately be taught.
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Crowe, Heather. "The impact of political corruption on social welfare in the Federal Republic of Nigeria." Master's thesis, University of Central Florida, 2011. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/4876.
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The purpose of this study is to understand to what extent political corruption affects social welfare in Nigeria using a qualitative case study design. This thesis argues that political corruption leads to a concentration of wealth among a minority of elite government officials, resulting in extensive deficiency of social welfare. In addition, political corruption has secondary and tertiary effects throughout society that further exacerbate social welfare conditions. For this study, social welfare is measured by a comprehensive range of social indicators including but not limited to: level of poverty, income inequality, level of infrastructure, and health. Political corruption can only be measured by the sole available gauge of corruption to date: Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index. Research limitations regarding the conceptualization of corruption as well as complexities in defining and measuring social welfare are also addressed. This study concludes that political corruption is a significant factor contributing to poor social welfare in Nigeria, resulting in nothing short of a protracted human tragedy.<br>ID: 030422825; System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader.; Mode of access: World Wide Web.; Thesis (M.A.)--University of Central Florida, 2011.; Includes bibliographical references (p. 86-91).<br>M.A.<br>Masters<br>Political Science<br>Sciences
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Hurley, Mary E. "Premium blend : a polysemic approach to contemporary problems in public radio." Scholarly Commons, 1998. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/511.
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The thesis is a case study of KUOP, FM, Stockton- Modesto, an affiliate of National Public Radio (NPR) and Public Radio International (PRI). The study employed rhetorical criticism, a member survey, and participant observation. First, a critical review of the audience research literature and the electronic discussions of public radio professionals revealed the discursive struggles concerning mission, service, community, and audience. Second, a survey of KUOP's members was used to compare KUOP with the national "norm," as developed within public radio audience research. Third, these findings were discussed from the perspective gained through participant-observation as a part-time worker at KUOP for more than two years. The study used both national and local research to develop specific strategies for programming, marketing, and positioning KUOP, utilizing a polysemic approach to media performance. Member preferences and positioning themes were derived from the KUOP
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Okello, Angoma Sunday. "Post-war social recovery in northern Uganda : grassroots perspectives and non-governmental organisations." Thesis, University of Birmingham, 2013. http://etheses.bham.ac.uk//id/eprint/4340/.
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From mid-2006 to 2010 grassroots perspectives of Acholi people in Northern Uganda followed Non-Governmental Organisations’ roles in post-war social recovery. For over 20 years of war between the Lord’s Resistance Army and Uganda Government, displacement and home-returns, Acholi people relied on NGOs. This study explores how far NGOs can transform and rebuild social authority structure and support social reconciliation in Acholiland. Using a qualitative methodology, Acholi returnees’ views were triangulated with those of NGOs, Government officials and relevant actors following grassroots perceptions on roles NGOs played. From this study, NGOs play participatory political and social roles at grassroots level; fail to address the root causes of conflicts. The contentious NGO roles involve a separation of inflated expectations from what is achievable. Social realities of Acholi people are in theory and ideally over-ridden by practical NGOs’ levels, typologies, activities, budgets, policies and codes of conducts. NGOs played key roles in the interlocution and encouragement of a discourse for rebuilding Acholi lineage-based authority without middle-class elites that links grassroots population. With NGOs’ withdrawal from post-war reconstruction, Acholi remained in a weak social authority and loose social bonding with lesser meaning and reality of social reconciliation. With raised disappointments on NGOs, Acholi people are stuck between a rock and hard place in respective villages.
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Heggenberger, Kajsa, and Annelie Nilsson. "Att göra sociala problem av tjejers sexualitet, en kritisk studie av synen på unga tjejers sexualitet i det sociala arbetet." Thesis, Malmö högskola, Fakulteten för hälsa och samhälle (HS), 2010. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-26910.
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AbstractForskning har visat att kön spelar roll för hur ungdomar bedöms inom det sociala arbetet. Mot bakgrund av detta har ett intresse väckts för hur socialarbetare arbetar med och förhåller sig till den könade praktikens ojämlika villkor. Uppsatsens syfte är att utforska om, och i så fall hur, tjejers sexualitet görs till sociala problem inom några delar av det sociala arbetet, med hjälp av socialarbetares egna berättelser. Inledningsvis diskuteras centrala frågor som vad ett socialt problem är, vem som har makt att definiera detta, hur tjejers sexualitet historiskt har gjorts till problem i högre grad än killars samt vilken betydelse kön har för det sociala arbetet. Genom djupintervjuer med olika socialarbetare utforskas vidare föreställningar och konstruktioner av problem, förhållningssätt till dessa och förändringspotential för arbetet. Socialarbetarnas egna tankar knyts här till teori och sätts därigenom i ett större sammanhang. Att det finns skillnader för hur tjejers och killars sexualitet bedöms i socialt arbete med ungdomar blir genom undersökningen uppenbart, men också socialarbetarnas försök att på ett bra sätt jobba under dessa förutsättningar, och till viss del tänka utanför ramarna. Ungdomsarbetet utgår i hög grad från heteronormativa föreställningar om önskvärd och icke önskvärd sexualitet, enligt vilka tjejer bedöms enligt snävare ramar än killar. Tjejer förväntas vidare ta ansvar för både sin egen och killars sexualitet genom att inte klä eller bete sig på ett sätt som kan misstolkas, och fortfarande är det tjejers sexualitet som problematiseras medan killars sexualitet ses som ”naturlig” och därmed oproblematisk. Arbetet är inget försök att på ett allmängiltigt sätt förklara de komplexa, samhälleliga processer som skapar kön, sociala problem eller orättvisor inom det sociala arbetet, utan syftar istället till att ge en möjlig förståelse för hur man som socialarbetare kan förhålla sig till det sätt tjejers sexualitet görs till sociala problem i sitt eget arbete.
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Stone, Philip R. "Death, dying and dark tourism in contemporary society : a theoretical and empirical analysis." Thesis, University of Central Lancashire, 2010. http://clok.uclan.ac.uk/1870/.
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Despite increasing academic and media attention paid to dark tourism – the act of travel to sites of death, disaster and the seemingly macabre – understanding of the concept remains limited, particularly from a consumption perspective. That is, the literature focuses primarily on the supply of dark tourism. Less attention, however, has been paid to the consumption of ‘dark’ touristic experiences and the mediation of such experiences in relation to modern-day mortality. This thesis seeks to address this gap in the literature. Drawing upon thanatological discourse – that is, the analysis of society’s perceptions of and reactions to death and dying – the research objective is to explore the potential of dark tourism as a means of contemplating mortality in (Western) societies. In so doing, the thesis appraises dark tourism consumption within society, especially within a context of contemporary perspectives of death and, consequently, offers an integrated theoretical and empirical critical analysis and interpretation of death-related travel. The study adopts a phenomenological approach and a multiple case studies design with integrative and complementary methods of covert participation observation, semi-structure interviews (n = 64) and survey research (n = 419), as well as a focus group and a diarist account. As a result, the thesis explores the fundamental interrelationships between visitors and sites that offer a representation of death. In particular, the research examines these relationships at Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum & Memorial (Oświęcim, Poland), WTC Tribute Visitor Centre at Ground Zero (New York), Body Worlds exhibition at the O2 Arena (London), and the Dungeon visitor attractions (York and London). The research finds that in a contemporary secular age where ordinary and normal death is sequestered behind medical and professional façades, yet abnormal and extraordinary death is recreated for popular consumption, dark tourism plays a mediating role between life and death. Ultimately, therefore, the thesis argues that dark tourism is a (new) mediating institution within secularised death sequestered societies, which not only provides a physical place to link the living with the dead, but also allows the Self to construct contemporary meanings of mortality, and to reflect and contemplate both life and death through consuming the Significant Other Dead.
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Fillingham, Joy. "Changing needs and challenging perceptions of disabled people with acquired impairments." Thesis, University of Birmingham, 2013. http://etheses.bham.ac.uk//id/eprint/4298/.
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The point at which individuals acquire impairments can be a challenging one, for instance people may encounter shifts in financial circumstances, a need to find information, support and services while negotiating with physical changes and for some the ‘stigma’ of disability. The study adopts an individualised diary method combined with semi-structured interviews to collate in depth qualitative data, organised and presented using participants’ voices to chart the experiences and challenges encountered in relation to finding appropriate help at this time. A critical realist perspective is applied to identify what factors affect the participants’ successes and limitations in getting needs met in relation to recently acquired impairments. The data collection method ensures that this material presents the people involved holistically and looks beyond simple representations of disability and identity. It explores how perceptions of identity shift and how participants negotiate these changes over time. The model of the ‘Process of Disillusionment’ is developed as a key finding and consideration given as to how individuals can break free of such a process. Recommendations are then made as to ways in which this cycle of frustration may be resolved both on a collective and individual basis.
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Ndubueze, Okechukwu Joseph. "Urban housing affordability and housing policy dilemmas in Nigeria." Thesis, University of Birmingham, 2009. http://etheses.bham.ac.uk//id/eprint/298/.
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Given the increasing importance of affordability in housing policy reform debates, this study develops a new composite approach to measuring housing affordability and employs it to examine the nature of urban housing affordability in Nigeria. The data used in this study are based on the Nigerian Living Standards Survey 2003-2004. The aggregate housing affordability model developed here measures housing affordability problems more accurately and classifies the housing affordability status of households more appropriately than the conventional affordability models. Findings show very high levels of housing affordability problems in Nigeria with about 3 out of every 5 urban households experiencing such difficulties. There are also significant housing affordability differences between socio-economic groups, housing tenure groups and states in Nigeria. The current national housing policy that de-emphasises government involvement in housing provision does not allow the country’s full potential for tackling its serious affordability problems to be realised and, hence, the laudable ‘housing for all’ goal of the policy has remained elusive. Nigerian socio-economic realities demand far more vigorous government involvement in housing development, working with a more committed private sector, energised civil societies and empowered communities to tackle the enormous housing problems of the country
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Richardson, Erica Clare. "Health promotion in the field of substance misuse in post-Soviet Russia." Thesis, University of Birmingham, 2002. http://etheses.bham.ac.uk//id/eprint/232/.
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This thesis is an investigation into health promotion in post-Soviet Russia in the field of substance misuse defined as the problematic and chaotic as well as recreational use of alcohol, solvents and both prescription and illicit drugs. The thesis outlines and analyses developments in the provision of health promotion in Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 in two areas: institutional shifts in the provision of health promotion (the relative and changing roles of state, non-state and international actors); and changes in content and form of health promotion messages. The hypothesis that health promotion in the field of substance misuse in post-Soviet Russia remains fixed within a medical model of health is tested through an analysis of the way in which health promotion is developing in two regions – Saratov and Sverdlovsk oblasts. The relative and changing roles of state, non-state and international actors in the development of health promotion interventions, and the way health education materials framed the issue of substance misuse, both illuminated significant barriers to the development of alternative community empowerment approaches and confirmed that the medical model of health is indeed still hegemonic among approaches to health promotion in post-Soviet Russia.
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Ugolini, Laura. "Independent Labour Party men and women's suffrage in Britain, 1893-1914." Thesis, University of Greenwich, 1997. http://gala.gre.ac.uk/6325/.
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This thesis is a study of the attitudes towards women's enfranchisement, and involvement within the British women's suffrage movement, of the male members of the Independent Labour Party, a mixed sex socialist organisation. The period covered ranges from 1893, the year of the party's foundation, to the outbreak of the First World War in 1914. The aim of this study is to contribute to our understanding of a hitherto neglected aspect of suffrage history: the male supporters. Suffrage historians have generally considered Independent Labour Party men's attitudes towards women's enfranchisement to have been positive: their ideas and activities are now placed under careful scrutiny. The theoretical underpinnings of the thesis lie in gender history, most especially in the field of historical studies of masculinities, which in themselves have been informed by the ideas and writings of women's history. Independent Labour Party men are viewed not as a group of individuals with certain physical characteristics in common, but as sharing gendered identities as socialists and as men, which influenced their attitudes towards the roles deemed appropriate for men and women within society, and towards women's emancipation in particular. Furthermore, the thesis assesses how their ideas and identities were themselves challenged by developments within the suffrage movement. Chapter 1 considers the years between 1893-5, a period characterised by few formal links between Independent Labour Party men and the suffrage movement, and assesses how supportive attitudes towards women's enfranchisement fitted into prevailing understandings of socialism and independent labour representation. Chapters 2 and 3, focusing respectively on the periods between 1895-1905, and 1905-1911, consider the impact of a burgeoning suffrage movement, active within the ranks of the labour movement itself, and characterised by its own priorities, objectives and tactics. Chapter 4, dealing with the years between 1911-1914, concludes by assessing Independent Labour Party men's responses to a shift in the suffrage debate, as the introduction in Parliament of adult suffrage became a practical proposition.
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Dickeson, Kelly. "No quick fix : analysis of organisation : an exploration of a mismatch between business management and the individual." Thesis, University of Essex, 2016. http://repository.essex.ac.uk/16839/.
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Business management includes a quick fix type of practice that promotes programatic shortcuts applied to individuals in an attempt to produce immediate business results. These quick fixes are adopted and abandoned with changes to time, industry, or culture. Despite the promise of the quick fix, the individual worker can be unaffected or even disaffected by attempted changes. This thesis looks at quick fix practice and the assumptions made about the individual. It is these assumptions that drive the programs aimed at modifying behaviour in order to increase work effort and meet business objectives. Looking at the assumptions that underlie the quick fix practice of business management, this thesis compares them to a sample of individuals to assess their accuracy. A repertory grid methodology is used to generate unconscious content from the internal world of the individual. An internal world that reflects the individual’s experience at work. It is the unconscious phantasies in this internal world that shape the actions of individuals. Psychoanalysis is the framework used to interpret the unconscious content to determine if the unconscious of the individual is a mismatch with the practice of quick fix business management.
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Williams, Sasha. "Drawing the line : an explanation of how lay people construct child neglect." Thesis, University of Huddersfield, 2015. http://eprints.hud.ac.uk/id/eprint/25505/.
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This thesis uses a Foucauldian approach to explore how lay people construct child neglect in England. The concept of child neglect developed after the Industrial Revolution in conjunction with the construction of ‘normal’ childhood. Both depend on developmental models of childhood produced by psy-complex discourse. However, the knowledge producing the ‘normal’ family and the disciplinary institutions producing and protecting the ‘normal’ childhood have been challenged by late modernity, with a potential impact on what can be considered ‘abnormal’ and therefore neglectful. Recent years have seen an increasing professional and political focus on both the importance of child neglect, and the role of lay people in child protection – ‘everybody’s business’. It is unclear how lay people construct child neglect, a category that properly results from political and moral choices made by society. To analyse how lay people construct child neglect, data was collected from focus group discussions between 46 self-defined ‘lay’ people. Children were constructed as having developmental needs during childhood, which, if unmet, could cause long term problems for child and society. Four clusters of needs were identified: physical, emotional, training and supervisory. If these needs were unmet, children could be seen as Deprived, Unloved, Uncontrolled or Escaping. However, this did not mean they were positioned as neglected. Neglect required some abnormal adult/parent behaviour. The normal parent was non-neglectful although sometimes temporarily Overburdened, the abnormal parent was neglectful, categorised as Clueless, Underinvested or Unsuitable. Lay people were constructed as having a responsibility to support parents and families within their midst. However the forces of late modernity, particularly globalisation, challenged the normal/abnormal family binary, leaving lay people unclear about where society and/or child protection professionals draw the line between normal and neglectful childhoods. The implications of these constructions for children, parents, state, professionals and lay people are examined and recommendations made.
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Armitage, Rachel. "Secured by Design : an investigation of its history, development and future role in crime reduction." Thesis, University of Huddersfield, 2004. http://eprints.hud.ac.uk/id/eprint/6912/.
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Secured by Design (SBD) is an award scheme, managed by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and supported by the Home Office, which aims to encourage house developers to design homes so as to minimise the crime opportunities which they present. Unlike many crime reduction measures, particularly those addressing the behaviour of offenders or potential offenders, the SBD initiative is proactive - the aim being to intervene prior to a crime problem emerging as opposed to reacting after the event. The implementation of SBD requirest he co-operation of a variety of agenciesf rom police and local authorities to architects and housing developers,and the mechanisms through which it aims to reduce crime have the potential to impact upon the victim, the offender and the location. Recent legislation,in the form of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and the Human Rights Act 1998, have placedcrime reduction on the agenda of many agencies for whom the issue had historically been of little importance. In the current climate of multi-agency working, initiatives such as SBD have the potential to flourish, but do they actually impact upon crime, disorder and the fear of crime, and are they being used to their maximum potential? This thesis addresses the past (history), present (current practice) and future (potential refinements) of SBD. How did planning become encapsulated in to criminology?Does SBD reduce crime, disorder and the fear of crime?What are the current weaknesses within SBD and how can the initiative be improved? The findings presented within the thesis reveal that properties built to the SBD standard experience lower levels of crime (and their resident's lower levels of fear of crime) than Non-SBD estates matched according to age, housing tenure, location and environmental factors. Whilst the difference in crime rates is not strongly statistically significant, the improving performance of the scheme suggests that a more recent sample would reveal a stronger relationship between SBD status and crime levels. Having established that SBD estates confer a crime reduction advantage the thesis focuses upon identifying how the scheme can be improved as well as the enablers and constraints which exist for those within the social and private sector in deciding whether (or not) to build to the SBD standard. Areas of improvement include ensuring that the scheme implements its own principles, incorporating repeat victimisation packages in to its standards and considering the threat to revoke the scheme for estates found failing to maintain the SBD standards. Levers to encourage social and private sector developers to build to the SBD standard include enhanced funding from the Housing Corporation, the appeal of additional security for homebuyers and the savings incurred through reduced levels of crime and disorder. Continuing its improvement orientation, the thesis presents a risk assessment mechanism to be used by crime reduction practitioners as a means of idenffying which properties will become vulnerable to crime if built (therefore allowing them to challenge planning applications)or in the case of properties already developed, allowing resources to be directed towards properties at most risk. The environmental factors which emerge as associated with elevated crime levels (and therefore score highly on the checklist presented)suggest that higher levels of movement past a property are generally associated with higher levels of risk. Thus in the somewhat heated debate about the role of permeability in enabling crime, the general thrust of the data suggests that high permeability (as proxied by the presence footpaths, levels of pedestrian and vehicular movement and road network) is indeed associated with higher levels of crime.
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Trotman, Jemmott Ena. "A grounded theory to understanding police officers' and child care officers' responses to child sexual abuse in Barbados." Thesis, University of Huddersfield, 2012. http://eprints.hud.ac.uk/id/eprint/17503/.
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The complexities inherent in managing child sexual abuse stem from the intersection of micro factors (e.g., personal values, histories of learning and trauma in some cases), exo level factors (such as agency mandates and professional codes) and macro factors (e.g., socio-economic and societal attitudes). Professionals in Barbados who deal with gender-based violence (including sexual exploitation) have a key role to play in addressing this problem. The ways in which they respond, through their criminal investigations, child protection assessments and interventions, are critical in assisting with the amelioration of the effects of CSA and reducing its prevalence. This study furthers our understanding and expands knowledge on the subject by examining professional behaviours in responding to child sexual abuse. Factors such as professional identity and codes of ethics, together with institutional regulations and cultural mores, determine how professionals are likely to respond. A grounded theory approach was employed, in an interpretative constructionist manner, to explore the responses of twenty one (21) participants, comprising ten police officers, eight child care officers and focus group members comprising three new participants and four others previously interviewed individually. Two theoretical paradigms were employed as conceptual lenses to assist data exploration and analysis of emerged meanings. These were the socio-cultural theory of ‘community of practice’, and the feminist perspective, which helped to inform how gender and power might impact on responses. Sitting alongside these approaches is the ecological systems theory, which I have used to ensure that the problem (child sexual abuse) has been located within its wider socio-cultural context. The grounded theory to emerge from the study is that professional responses to CSA result in, and from, multisystem actions within hierarchies of power and status, which validate particular narratives of abuse and minimise others. Professionals are embedded within these systems and, therefore, often find it difficult to respond to CSA in ways that address root causes and provide justice to its victims. The study highlights the need for the training of police officers and social workers to facilitate a greater level of reflection on issues such as power and gender inequality, and to create opportunities for collaborative practice.
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Seruwagi, Gloria K. "Examining the agency and construction of 'Orphans and Vulnerable Children' in rural Uganda." Thesis, University of Huddersfield, 2012. http://eprints.hud.ac.uk/id/eprint/17506/.
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The increasing number of “orphans and vulnerable children” (‘OVC’) in sub-Saharan Africa has been the subject of much inquiry and intervention in research, policy and practice. Two major concerns have been highlighted: i) traditional mechanisms for their care and support are overstretched and ii) ‘OVC’ have poor socioeconomic outcomes. Dominant discourses emphasise adults’ central role in ‘OVC’ wellbeing while ‘OVC’ are cast as helpless, passive victims and not active social agents who demonstrate resilience and ingenuity in dealing with difficult circumstances. Focussing on Sheema district in rural Uganda, this study sought to give voice to ‘OVC’ and use their lived experiences to develop a robust framework of care and support. ‘OVC’ were engaged as producers of knowledge and agents of change using innovative child-centred approaches to explore representations of their care and support through verbal and visual representation of their lived realities. This methodology enabled the development of narratives and critical dialogue about social issues with grassroots social activism. For example participatory methods such as draw-and-write, community mapping and daily-routine-diagrams located the conceptual tools and analytic skills in the hands of ‘OVC’. This study found that the majority of existing ‘OVC’ representations are adult constructs not necessarily subscribed to by ‘OVC’ themselves. Acknowledging their difficult circumstances, most ‘OVC’ have devised solutions to their challenges and are optimistic despite being constrained by structural and cultural barriers. Traditional care mechanisms have evolved and require strengthening, particularly at community level. The lens through which most interventions have been commissioned, implemented and evaluated is paternalistic and does not acknowledge ‘OVC’ competencies. ‘OVC’ voices and lived experiences should inform interventions; also they should be constructed in a more balanced light – showing their challenges while acknowledging their agency in dealing with these challenges. This study proposes a more nuanced label for ‘OVC’ and also develops a robust theoretical framework for their care and support.
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Kaur, Harjinder. "Attitudes of South Asian men in the UK toward women and their understanding of, and justification for, domestic violence." Thesis, London Metropolitan University, 2015. http://repository.londonmet.ac.uk/1004/.
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To date nothing is known about the attitudes of South Asian men in the UK toward women and domestic violence. Issues related to South Asian men and communities have remained largely under the surface due to religious and cultural sensitivity. The aim of the research is to examine the attitudes of South Asian men in London and the South East of England toward women and their understanding and justification of domestic violence. More specifically, the research explores a range of cultural and religious actions and behaviours in relation to women and domestic violence that have specific reference and are pertinent to South Asian communities. This includes a focus on: educational and employment attainment; domestic labour/household duties; type of and freedom to choose clothes worn; living away from home; relationships before marriage; marriage; divorce; and domestic violence. The research applies an intersectional gender perspective as the key analytical concept to undertake the first dedicated multi-methodological study to explore South Asian men’s attitudes across a range of cultural and religious issues. It provides a baseline for understanding South Asian men’s perspectives, enabling policy and practice to tailor interventions to better assist South Asian women and engage in prevention. The first stage of the research consisted of piloting and constructing a new survey instrument; the South Asian Attitudes Toward Women and Domestic Violence Scale (SAATWDVS). South Asian men were approached in a range of locations to obtain diversity across socio-demographics such as age, ethnicity, religious affiliation, and country of birth or migration, and asked to complete the SAATWDVS survey instrument. The sample is 190 South Asian men. The second stage comprised nine in-depth face-to-face interviews with South Asian men to explore the issues in more depth. Concepts such as masculinity, tradition, culture, religion, and honour were explored. The findings show that whilst the majority of men held liberal attitudes, they were still setting the parameters of appropriate female behaviour. There appeared to be a difference, albeit small, between the public and private sphere. Where behaviour was deemed to be unacceptable this was often framed within concerns for the protection and well-being of women. Gender and gender relations are not static but evolving and becoming more progressive within the UK’s South Asian community. Men’s attitudes are understood as located in a complex interplay of factors: gender socialisation; religion; ethnic origin and country of birth; traditions; cultures; family/upbringing; the role of female family members; education; and interactions with female peers.
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Lundqvist, Anastasia. "Contemprorary Russian Environmental policy: problems, players and priorities. The case of Pskov Region and environmental agenda-setting process." Thesis, Linköping University, Department of Management and Economics, 2003. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-1870.
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<p>From the beginning of nineties, when significant changes took place, Russia began to elaborate new environmental policy and designed new patterns for responding the environmental problems. The paper tried to make a contribution to our understanding of environmental policy and policy processes within the Russia in general terms and to the nature of environmental agenda setting in Pskov region in more specific terms. This thesis is therefore explores environmental agenda setting process in Russia taking into consideration contemporary trends in the analysis of policy- making, such as inclusion of non-state actors as well as role of ideas shaping actors attitudes and behaviour. The purpose of the thesis is to study the relationship between transnational forces and interactions, national policy and local political developments and the role of various agents and institutions in agenda setting of the regional environmental policy-making. The frame of reference is constituted by a theoretical combination of the agenda-setting model with constructivist approach in order to broaden our investigation of the implications of environmental policy-making, impact of political culture upon construction of environmental issues, and transformations in the public policy. By focusing on Pskov region case, the paper identifies and discusses a number of reasons why environmental issues are found on the margins of the political agenda. A central argument is that in the absence of effective governance in the Pskov region, international agents together with regional interest groups formulate environmental agenda. The paper concludes that, even though, the mentality of environmentalism is set through the foreign assistance, the processes of learning from international cooperation may contribute to attainment of regional environmental objectives.</p>
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Karlström, David. "Frames in a social movement for safe public spaces : Problems meeting new solutions." Thesis, Umeå universitet, Statsvetenskapliga institutionen, 2017. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-145224.
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Safety in public spaces has become an issue of increased concern and attention in India, after incidents of sexual harassment and violence against women. The need for safe public spaces was formulated in the civil society in New Delhi and can be described as a social movement. Mobilization and mechanisms behind is studied in a theory-based analysis to learn more about social movements. Results can be of general importance in understanding the role social movements may play in work for safe public environments, not only in New Delhi, but elsewhere as well. The purpose of the thesis is to i) describe the work by social movement on safe public spaces among three central actors within the movement and ii) analyze the movement´s success in its mobilizing efforts and highlight mechanisms of importance. The study is a qualitative case study in New Delhi. The empiric material was collected through a document study and semi-structured interviews. Frame theory was used in study design and data analysis. The analysis showed common problems perceived by the actors as overall fear, patriarchy and urbanization, while working methods and solutions differed. The main difference was a result of digitalization and activities on social media in a cycle of protest. Motivational frames portrayed vulnerabilities, challenges and opportunities for women getting attention and motivated to engage. It has resulted in a diverse movement, shaping new ways to reach out taking advantage of new technology.
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Hallett, Sophie. "Child sexual exploitation in South East Wales : problems and solutions from the perspectives of young people and professionals." Thesis, Cardiff University, 2013. http://orca.cf.ac.uk/58234/.
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The thesis examines a social phenomenon that has come to be referred to within UK policy discourse as ‘child sexual exploitation’. It is a qualitative, inter-disciplinary study, presenting new data drawn from a series of semi-structured interviews. Two groups of interviewees feature in the thesis: young people with personal experience of sexual exploitation; and professionals with varied responsibilities for identification and onward referral in this area. The aim of the thesis is to provide an in-depth understanding of child sexual exploitation through a thematic analysis of the rich accounts provided by those directly involved. The thesis is about child sexual exploitation. At the same time it is about a range of problems – personal, social and professional – that beset and inform this public issue. The thesis explores the wider problems experienced by young people with particular experience of child sexual exploitation, and also the problems experienced by professionals seeking to work effectively with young people identified in this way. However, at root the thesis addresses the possibility that (further) problems might arise from the way in which ‘child sexual exploitation’ itself is conceptualised within policy frameworks in Wales. In particular, the thesis develops an analysis that is critical of policy that wholly defines and provides an explanation for ‘child sexual exploitation’ according to a ‘grooming model’ – and one in which children and young people figure predominantly as the passive victims of predatory adult perpetrators. The findings suggest that there are multiple forms of sexual exploitation, and central to any understanding of sexual exploitation is that underpinning the exchange of sex is the meeting (and taking advantage) of unmet needs. The findings also relay broader messages about the role of care in prevention and intervention work. Whilst the thesis acknowledges and in no way dismisses ‘grooming’ as a way of understanding child sexual exploitation, it is argued that a re-articulation of the grooming model is needed in order to recognize that children and young people can be aware of the coercive nature of their relationships, and to give greater weight to the reasons why they may choose to stay in exploitative relationships. In addition, it is argued that ‘child sexual exploitation’ (as a policy concept) should include other kinds of transactional sex which may be more transient, but equally raise questions about the range of choices available to young people that prompt them to exchange sex for financial, emotional or material reward. The thesis is exploratory and critical in its contribution to an understanding of child sexual exploitation and professional practice, and seeks to provide insights and understanding to a mixed audience, both academic and professional.
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Snape, Dee. "The differences in being different : a narrative analysis of the nature of epilepsy in adults and its problems." Thesis, University of Liverpool, 2015. http://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/2013040/.
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Epilepsy is not just a medical condition but a social label; successful clinical treatment is therefore only one aspect of epilepsy management. However, the particular ways in which features of an individual’s background and clinical condition influence the impact that epilepsy has on them is not yet fully understood. The voice of the individual living with epilepsy is at the core of this study. Drawing upon research on illness narratives, this qualitative study is embedded in the perspective that knowledge construction relies upon the socially crafted tool of language which facilitates a broader range of perspectives and promotes greater subjectivity. I draw upon the illness stories of fourteen adults with epilepsy to explore how the condition impacts directly or indirectly on daily living and life trajectories, and to re-present the diverse nature and meaning of having epilepsy, including its stigma potential. I conducted in-depth interviews with seven male and seven female participants attending epilepsy outpatient clinics. Interview transcripts were subjected to paradigmatic and narrative analysis in order to examine thematic similarities and differences. Participant stories were identified using Mishler’s theoretical model of ‘Core Narrative’. Narrative encounters with participants reflected both their recent and more distant experiences of epilepsy. What emerged from the stories was a discourse of disruption and difference, with epilepsy often imposing barriers to daily living and to maintaining a positive sense of self as participants searched for meaning. While the stories told were uniquely individual, collectively a dominant plot was seen to emerge. For the adults with epilepsy in this study the plot takes the individual from a beginning of ‘discovery and diagnosis’, through the process of ‘searching for a cause’, ‘negotiating risk and uncertainty’, and, ‘striving for control’. As individuals communicate what is significant to them, attention to patient stories provides insight into how experience is constructed and evolves over time. Due consideration of such stories by health professionals can offer direction in which intervention(s) can occur to ensure the interests and needs of the individual with epilepsy are holistically considered and met.
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Ferguson, Christopher J. "The moderating role of externalizing behavior problems as a predictor of treatment outcome for children with phobic disorders." FIU Digital Commons, 1996. http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/3293.
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This study examined the role of impulsive and oppositional behaviors in the treatment of phobic disorders. Children and adolescents with phobic disorders were randomly assigned to one of three treatment conditions: 1) Self- Control, which focused on training the child in the use of appropriate cognitive strategies to facilitate child exposure toward feared stimuli; 2) Contingency Management, which focused on training the parent in the use of appropriate contingencies to facilitate child exposure toward feared stimuli and 3) Education/Support, a control condition. Children were assessed for externalizing behavior problems using the CBCL externalizing sub-scale. It was hypothesized that children who were rated as having high externalizing behavior problems will show less treatment success for anxiety, particularly within the self-control treatment condition, than children without high externalizing behavior problems. Significant moderating effects on treatment effectiveness were found for high externalizing behaviors with respect to severity of clinical diagnosis, as well as on child-report measures. Furthermore, an examination of means indicated that children with high externalizing behavior problems showed less improvement in treatment across all treatment conditions.
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Hansson, Ferreira Emelie. "MORE THAN JUST A FRIEND - The significance of animals in the social work practice." Thesis, Malmö universitet, Fakulteten för hälsa och samhälle (HS), 2018. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-25919.
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This is a qualitative study based on interviews held with three professionals working in the field of Animal Assisted therapy. The study looks at the effect of Animal Assisted therapy in work with people experiencing different issues or health problems, mainly children and young adults. The purpose has been to get an understanding of the work and the different relations that occur in sessions using animals and how the participation of an animal in the session can be beneficial in the healing process. The results have been related to previous research and analysed using the Attachment theory and the Self-Determination Theory.Animals are known for spreading calmness and help with self-esteem, things that can be very useful in work with humans. The animals become a bridge to create a relationship and a trust between caregiver and client which leads to faster being able to get started with the therapeutic work. In the field of social work the caregiver will come in contact with people with all different sorts of history and need for help and support. This study shows positive effects of Animal Assisted therapy in multiple different settings and target groups. This should be reason enough for the method to be a solid part of the social work practice. Despite this, the method is not as established as the caregivers in the field would have wished. They all report seeing great advantages in using animals in their work and a high recovery rate with their clients. This is also seen in the studies made in the field.
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Meade, Rosemary Raphael. "Analysing collective action : intersections of power, government and resistance." Thesis, London Metropolitan University, 2018. http://repository.londonmet.ac.uk/2980/.
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This research takes the form of ten journal articles and book chapters that were published between June 2008 and February 2018. This body of work encompasses outputs that are focused on community development, community arts, youth work and social movement praxis. These fields of praxis are understood as constituting a vital part of a variegated and differentiated Irish civil society and, while acknowledging their specificities, the body of work situates them together within the contested terrain of collective action. The Covering Document elucidates how, across the ten outputs, collective action is theorised: as the site of and target for complex and dynamic power relationships; as imbricated with various governmental projects through which multiple societal actors seek to mobilise citizens; as a potential site of and resource for resistance to particular expressions of government, ideology and power; and as developing alternative social relationships, organisational forms and modes of communication. The boundaries between the state and civil society are imprecise and fluid: civil society and state actors seek to induce desired forms of conduct and relationships from each other. This research exposes and critically interrogates associated power dynamics, overlaps, and contestations, and how they in turn shape expectations of collective action. Drawing together findings from youth work, community development, social movement, and community arts praxis, the research illuminates; how and by whom collective action is rationalised and (de)legitimised; the changing role of the state in governing civil society; and the potential for collective action to prefigure alternative forms of relationships and to resist particular forms of government. Therefore, the body of work analyses how the meanings, forms and purposes of collective action are constantly reworked, just as they give expression to important societal struggles. The Covering Document details the theory, methodology and methods that have underpinned the research. It offers an integrated thematic overview of the ten research outputs, highlighting their coherence, originality, and relevance for a critical analysis of the dynamics of collective action in contemporary Ireland. The research analyses the discourses of collective action as they have been expressed in key policy documents, in newspapers such as the Irish Independent and in the documents of protest of social movement organisations. It highlights and interrogates the political, economic and cultural context for collective action in 21st Century Ireland, paying particular attention to the ways though which the recent regime of austerity has impacted on civil society, the state and on relations between these spheres. The research is critical in orientation, but it draws upon and articulates diverse critical traditions as it analyses the power dynamics associated with collective action. Gramscian style, cultural materialist and Foucauldian governmentality perspectives are variously adopted and adapted within specific outputs. The Covering Document also outlines how and why the body of work troubles the boundaries between community development, community arts, youth work and social movement research and praxis. It calls for an articulated and dialogical theory and practice that challenge the assumed estrangement of these fields. As the Covering Document outlines, the research records how state policy now seeks to govern youth work, community development and community arts organisations through an increasingly intrusive and prescriptive set of policy ordinances, self-reporting techniques, and accountability measures. Against that, it also points to the potential for collective action to re-politicise issues otherwise framed as non-political by policy-makers and media, to build and be based upon reflexive forms of solidarity, and to reclaim the arts and tactics of protest.
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Elgert, Laureen. "The politics of evidence : towards critical deliberative governance in sustainable development." Thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), 2011. http://etheses.lse.ac.uk/146/.
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Recent debates about environmental governance emphasize the roles of participation, evidence and deliberation. Authors have discussed how deliberative theory can deepen commitments to public participation in policy debates. Evidence, however, is often presented as neutral and objective fact, and on this basis is privileged in policy debates, preemptively defining environmental problems and solutions. Under this circumstance, how can policy processes take deliberation seriously? How can the politics of evidence be identified and openly addressed by participants in policy processes? These research questions are addressed by analyzing three cases of environmental governance mechanisms, in the developing country context of Paraguay. The cases were selected for their emphasis on evidence and participation in decision-making. Also, each brings into question the politics of evidence, as their policy implications have raised debate and contention. The specific governance mechanisms explored in this study are: 1) land classification for conservation and rural development; 2) land use planning scenarios generated with a computer modeling program; and, 3) the development of global certification standards for soy production within the ‘Roundtable on Responsible Soy’. Each is seen as a means of addressing what is widely seen as rapid and extensive environmental degradation in Paraguay, and also the historic and continued exclusion of much of the public in environmental decision-making. The principal findings of my analysis are that i) public participation in environmental governance is often constrained by what is considered evidence; and ii) evidence is considered such because it is assumedly based on fact, but evidence-based arguments are influenced by social and political factors. As a result of these findings, I argue for a new approach to environmental governance – critical deliberative governance. A reflexive, non-essentialist approach to knowledge strengthens deliberation, by making explicit the social basis for authority and credibility, and opening up its tenets to debate. This critical approach to knowledge is vital for a democracy in which normative arguments are not effectively closed off by formal and authoritative expertise.
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Thomas, Gareth. "Constructing the hydrogen fuel cell community : a case study of networked innovation governance." Thesis, University of Birmingham, 2016. http://etheses.bham.ac.uk//id/eprint/6630/.
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This thesis presents the findings of an actor-centred constructivist case study into the policy community emerging around Hydrogen and Fuel Cell innovation. Emerging at the intersection between increasingly networked energy; climate and industrial policy, innovation has been the focal point of literatures advocating transitions towards more sustainable socio-technical systems. The thesis develops an interpretivist-constructivist methodology to sketch how actor interpretations of competency and context inform the interests and strategies in innovation policy processes. Drawing on interviews and extensive documentary research it argues that while innovation governance is, in part, a product of networked interactions between HFC community members, these interactions are circumscribed by prevailing policy paradigms. Expressed via a commercial logic and empowered by the resources of large industrial firms, such paradigms de-politicise governance practices and align innovation priorities around those compatible with the interests of large industrial interests. The thesis contributes to our understanding of interpretation as the means by which ideas and resources shape strategic interaction, and serves to remind us that networked governance can close down as well as open up spaces of participation in policy processes.
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Towns, Felicity. "Volunteering and place-belonging : the case of historical and environmental interest groups in the National Forest." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2014. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/28242/.
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This thesis investigates volunteering and place-belonging amongst historical and environmental interest groups in The National Forest. With the main focus on the nature of environmental and local historical interest groups, the volunteers who are involved with these groups and their senses of belonging and relationships with place. Based on a review of 59 environmental and historical interest groups, 41 interviews, seven ethnographic participations and consideration of various group documents this study investigates the composition of these environmental groups, the volunteers who choose to be involved with these groups and their senses of belonging and relationships with the changing places they are active within. The geographical study area focuses on a specific place which has recently undergone significant landscape changes in relation to the designation of the area as The National Forest. Within The National Forest there are a number of voluntary environmental and historical interest groups operating, which have, through the nature of their interests, developed particular relationships with places. This thesis is based within the wider context of environmental and historical interest volunteering. The groups considered are centred round often interrelated local historical and environmental interests, involving active volunteering in and around the area designated as The National Forest. The scene is set for this research with a critical review of literature relating to volunteering, relationships with place and the development of voluntary environmental and historical interests.
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Cutforth, Claire Louise. "Understanding waste minimisation practices at the individual and household level." Thesis, Cardiff University, 2014. http://orca.cf.ac.uk/69484/.
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Over recent years, the issue of how to manage waste sustainably has intensified for both researchers and policy makers. From a policy perspective, the reason for this intensification can be traced to European legislation and its transposition into UK policy. The Welsh Government in particular has set challenging statutory targets for Local Authorities. Such targets include increases in recycling and composting as well as waste reduction and reuse targets. From a research perspective there has been dissatisfaction with behavioural models and their willingness to explore alternative social science thinking (such as leading approaches to practice). Despite policy interest in sustainable waste practices, there remains little research which focuses specifically on waste minimisation at the individual or household level. What research exists focuses on pro-environmental or recycling behaviour, and tends to focus upon values, intention and behavioural change, rather than on what actual practices occur, and for what reasons. This research focuses on what practices take place in order to access a more complex range of reasons why such practices take place. The methodology adopts a qualitative approach to uncovering practices in a variety of contexts, and discovers a number of key insights which underpin waste minimisation practice. This thesis demonstrates that waste minimisation performances take place, but often do so ‘unwittingly’. Coupled to this, many witting or unwitting waste minimisation actions occur for reasons other than concern for the environment. Furthermore, this research suggests that practices (and their motivations) vary dependent upon the context in which they occur. In general, three key themes were found to be significant in influencing the take up and transfer of practice: cost, convenience, and community. As a waste practitioner, the researcher is able to engage with these themes in order to suggest future directions for waste minimisation policy as well as research.