'Prying open the space for social work in the new millennium: four theoretical perspectives on transformative practice'

Houston S, Skehill C, Pinkerton J & Campbell J (2005) Social Work and Social Sciences Review 12 (1) 35-52.

David Farnham, The Changing Faces of Employment Relations: Global, Comparative and Theoretical Perspectives

David Farnham, The Changing Faces of Employment Relations: Global, Comparative and Theoretical Perspectives, London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2015; 672 pp., ISBN 978-1-137-02712-2, £42.99 (pbk).

An Affordance Based Approach to Decision Making in Sport: Discussing a Novel Methodological Framework

Decision making is a fundamental clement of any sport, particularly open, fast, dynamic team sports such as football, basketball and rugby. At the elite level, athletes appear to consistently make good decisions in situations that are highly temporally constrained. To further understand how this is done has been the aim of researchers within the perception-action field for several decades. The purpose of this article is to present novel contributions, both theoretical and methodological, that are pushing the boundaries of this area of research. The theoretical framework (Ecological psychology) within which the work is posited will be described, followed by a description of Virtual Reality (VR) technology and how it relates to the theoretical aims. Finally, an applied example will be summarised in order to demonstrate how the theoretical approach and the methodological approach come together in practice.

Reparation or retribution: an investigation into regulatory compliance in planning

It is an axiom of good planning practice that procedure is informed by up-to-date research. Consequently, it is surprising to discover that there remains a dearth of specialised planning-enforcement literature relating to theory and implementation. In this paper an evaluation is given of the effectiveness of planning enforcement in Britain by reviewing existing legislative mechanisms and strategies employed by officials. Theoretical perspectives are drawn upon to suggest how the system might be improved through attention to the structural factors underpinning it.

Sheriffs and outlaws: in pursuit of effective enforcement

Compliance has emerged as a key component of regulatory control, but has been subject to limited research. This paper examines compliance in relation to planning control in the jurisdiction of Northern Ireland. It draws upon a review of practice and procedure used to deal with planning enforcement cases and interviews conducted with professional planners. Many of the options considered emerge from the Review of Planning Enforcement System in England published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (2002). The findings are incorporated with theoretical perspectives of regulatory compliance and provide a platform for more effective control of development.

Contravention and Conformity in EIA: an investigation into regulatory compliance in Northern Ireland

Regulatory compliance has emerged as a central feature in the legitimisation of the planning system, yet it remains relatively marginalised from academic scrutiny. This paper investigates the relationship between regulatory compliance and projects subjected to Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs). It reviews, through empirical field study, the levels of conformity with EIA driven planning approvals and considers, with the assistance of inputs from experienced professionals and theoretical perspectives of regulatory compliance how these might be improved.

Understanding Security

This broad-ranging new text introduces a wide range of theoretical perspectives with a central focus on their application to understanding key issues in global, state and human security in the contemporary world.