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The paper aims to assess the strengths and weaknesses of sustainable return on investment (SuROI) to determine it suitability as a means through which social value can be predicted in line with public procurement directives and the Social Value Act, whilst at the same time as fitting the developer’s business model and CSR commitments.

Using a multi-case design, findings from a comprehensive evaluation of three major housing-led mixed-use regeneration developments are presented. The three case study locations were selected on the basis of the developer’s strong commitment to place-making and social sustainability. Together with a strong strategic desire to reposition their organisation away from the traditional business as usual profit-led model.

Whilst the social return on investment methodology is applicable to the charity sector, its use in the built environment is highly questionable. When applying the model to the mixed-use housing projects, the authors identified a number of technical limitations to the model, inter alia a lack of suitable proxies and especially proxies relating to the built environment for the valuation of identified outcomes; the use of monetisation as a evaluating measure which did not support some of the more abstract or softer benefits identified; problems collecting, identifying and evaluating data to inform the model given the complexity and scale of the project; and significant time and expense associated with the valuation and finally the inability to benchmark the report on completion. These findings have implications for the social housing providers and local authorities looking to use SuROI to evaluate potential built environment projects.

The paper offers unique insights into the viability of using existing social value measurement methodologies. The paper identifies the significant limitations associated with the SuROI methodology.

The UK Government is spending an increasingly large sum on flood protection to protect communities and businesses. Flood events are predicted to become more frequent and severe as a result of global warming, and the government is seeking to find ways to ensure that individual householders are prepared for this. Attitudinal studies have shown that there is an interest by homeowners to respond to motivational behaviour change strategies and accept incentives such as non-cash rewards in return for investing in flood protection measures for their houses. This paper builds on a study trialling the measures suggested in the earlier attitudinal studies in a flood-threatened community in North West England.

The hypothesis of the research has been formulated from the findings from the earlier phase of the project and was further supported with a comprehensive literature review. The data collection was carried out using survey strategies. During the data analysis, the research adopted descriptive statistical methods. The information gathered by the survey of 50 householders in the study area was analysed using statistics software.

Policymakers in the UK are beginning to consider the theories and methods that have been proposed by behavioural economists and social psychologists when designing strategies to influence action on climate change. The Timperley Green Homes trials and the attitudinal work that underpinned it are examples of how some of this thinking can be applied in the field. A combination of information delivered at key moments in the decision-making process, incentives and norm-based influences have the potential to help motivate the owners of domestic property to invest in flood protection measures. However, this strategy needs to be delivered within the context of affordable materials and installer costs. In addition, regulators and local government will need to devise more effective ways to communicate both the likelihood and the significance of a flood incident on householder’s properties because, at present, there is little evidence to suggest that the population thinks that flooding is a high priority concern.

The Trial was designed to be a limited sample experiment that was commissioned as a proof of concept study. However, policymakers may require a larger sample and an extended period before the proposals are rolled out on a national scale.

The study was commissioned by the UK flood management regulator and a local authority to help design future strategies to influence householders who are sceptical or are underactive to messages about the effects of climate change. The study provides evidence for some fresh thinking on how to mount future-influencing strategies by government bodies.

There have been some attitudinal studies around flooding and behaviour, but the authors know of none that have used non-cash incentives as the central proposition to be tested. The Trial was also original in the way it incorporated other influencers including norm-based tactics and facilitation in a combined strategy with incentives.

Government policies in many countries are trying to accelerate conservation of energy as part of wider carbon management or energy security strategies. This paper aims to describe a trial that tested a behaviour change strategy that combined three different influencing components designed to motivate home owners to invest in energy‐saving measures in the UK.

The research design was based on the findings from an earlier phase of the project and was further supported with a comprehensive literature review. Data collection was carried out using survey strategies, interviews and capturing the actions of the participating households. Data analysis was undertaken using descriptive statistical methods and the most appropriate software.

The project results reflected that a combination of information delivered at key moments in the decision‐making process, incentives, and norm‐based influences have the potential to help motivate owners of domestic property to invest in energy‐saving measures. However, this strategy needs to be delivered within the context of affordable materials and installer costs.

The trial was designed to be a limited sample experiment that was commissioned as a proof of concept study. However, policy‐makers may require a larger sample and an extended period before the proposals are rolled out on a national scale.

Although there are many behaviour change studies, there are far fewer on pro‐environmental behaviour in relation to climate change. This study places an emphasis on non‐cash incentives as the central proposition and this cannot be found within the relevant knowledge domain. The trial was also original in the way it incorporated other influencers including norm‐based tactics and facilitation in a combined strategy with incentives.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the effect of methods derived from the study of social psychology to motive better sustainable behaviour in the workforces of built environment companies.

The paper outlines the multi‐methodological approach used to obtain the conclusions about the use of social psychological techniques. It also describes why case studies were the most appropriate framework for the study, based on the complex nature of both the companies that participated in the research, and the complex nature of sustainable development.

The study shows that the application of motivational methods based on social psychology are effective in raising awareness of sustainability issues and, in one case, had a marked effect on the future path of the company. Leaders of built environment companies that are interested in improving sustainable performance should study these techniques and, in particular, consider their leadership style and method of message transmission. The juxtaposition of hard evidence about the effects the company is having on the environment and on society, combined with the use of theatre and role play to make this serious message palatable and even enjoyable has a significant effect on the way the messages are received, and the ability to receive positive support from the workforce in the future.

The techniques used in the study are based on an understanding that fact‐based motivation alone is insufficient to create lasting sustainable change. The use of techniques that involve more intuitive or emotional methods is unusual in a predominantly conservative sector, and the application of certain theatre‐based techniques, and Forum Theatre in particular is an original approach. The value of showing the efficacy of these techniques may be to accelerate the adaptation of those built environment organisations that have been slowed to adopt a whole company approach (including employee engagement) to sustainable performance.

The inevitability of climate change and its consequences brings on the need to find new ways of adapting to extreme events, such as floods. One immediate measure would be to make physical improvements to houses to either prevent their inundation or minimise the damage when flood waters enter premises. Currently, the level of implementation of these measures is low. This paper aims to assess the willingness of house owners living in flood risk zones to carry out works that make their homes better protected against flooding.

Householders (101) in low‐ and medium‐income areas of Salford, north west of England were interviewed on their perceptions of climate change consequences, willingness to make physical improvements to their properties and preparedness to pay for them.

The homeowners are concerned about the climate change effects on their homes, feel responsible for protection of their properties against flooding and express interest in several flood protection measures. The median value respondents are willing to pay is under £100.

This study is carried out on a small sample of respondents and national‐scale survey is recommended.

There is a need for action to increase the motivation to invest in property‐level flood measures among house owners, which should include awareness raising actions, subsidies and incentives promoting sustainable behaviour.

The paper investigates the new subject of property‐level flood protection and provides a comprehensive analysis of homeowners' perceptions of climate change risks and willingness to act.

The purpose of this paper is to analyze how political leaders can rhetorically use social media to construct their leadership, with a special focus on character – rhetorical ethos.

The authors used a qualitative case study which consisted of two political leaders’ activities on Twitter. The leaders were chosen on the basis of similarity – both foreign ministers in Scandinavian countries and early adapters to ICT. All tweets, including photos, for selected period were analyzed qualitatively with the classical rhetorical concept of ethos.

Social media is the virtual square for political leadership. The two political leaders studied use social media similarly for rhetorical means and aims, with ethos as rhetorical strategy. The rhetorical ethos they constructed differs radically though: busy diplomat vs a super-social Iron man. There is no single constructed ethos that political leaders aim for.

Even though this is just one qualitative case study, it shows a variety of rhetorical means and constructs of ethos in political leadership.

The study shows a possibility for political leaders to construct their own image and character through social media, for a potentially large audience of voters, without being filtered by political parties or media.

This study contributes to the evolving area of rhetoric in leadership/management and it adds to knowledge about how political leaders use social media.