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Construction organisations are becoming increasingly aware of the impacts of their operations, from both an environmental and, more recently, a social viewpoint. Sustainability standards can enable an organisation to evidence a benchmarked level of performance against a particular issue. To date, research on standards has largely focused on the operational and administrative aspects of their enactment, rather than how they might affect – and be appropriated by – organisational actors. The purpose of this paper is to examine how capacity for learning can affect the success of implementing standards within two construction SMEs.

Taking an organisational learning and absorptive capacity (ACAP) perspective, this research uses the case study approach and abductive logic to understand what role learning plays with regard to sustainability standard implementation.

The results reveal that strong communication channels and commitment to training programmes increase the capacity for implementing standards, but that SMEs tend only to approach standards if they see immediate financial benefits stemming from their implementation.

SMEs provide a challenging context for the implementation of sustainability standards unless there are significant external levers and extrinsic motivation for them to be embraced. Care should be taken in incorporating these aspects into the future design of standards that are more aligned with SME needs.

Stakeholders should seek to apply pressure to firms to positively influence engagement with sustainability standards.

The role and importance of ACAP is an underdeveloped debate in the certification field. This study is the first that links the process of implementing a standard with the ACAP of an organisation.

This purpose of this paper is to introduce the new Smart and Sustainable Built Environment (SASBE) journal to readers by discussing the background and underlying principles of its establishment, the editorial visions, and the range of papers selected in this first issue. It will encourage readers and potential authors to consider the need for integrated approaches to sustainability problems, to take on emerging challenges in the built environment and to join the SASBE journal in finding and promoting optimum solutions.

This paper explores the evolving nature of sustainability, the recent trends of sustainability endeavours in built environment and the current knowledge gaps. The need to bridge these gaps is then discussed in the context of suggested remedies and justifications. This leads to the development of a smart and sustainable built environment as a R&D philosophy for world researchers as part of their interactions with professional bodies and agencies such as CIB, UNEP and iiSBE, and the establishment of the SASBE journal.

Sustainable development in the built environment requires holistic thinking and decision making and innovative solutions that enhance sustainability and result in mutually beneficial outcomes for all stakeholders. A dedicated forum, through the journal of SASBE, is much needed for the exploration, discussion, debate, and promotion of these integrated approaches.

Through presenting an overview of the current issues and identifying gaps in the understanding and pursuit of sustainability in the built environment, this paper suggests potential areas for future research and practice as well as possible topics for authors to make new contributions.

The rise of corporatisation poses a new challenge for equal opportunities as women struggle to participate in corporate governance. Traditionally, the corporate model was confined to the private sector which is now strongly driven by a prevailing ideology of economic de‐regulation. A consequence of laissez faire economics is that the private sector is assuming greater responsibility for political and economic development as the state sheds power and loses its legitimacy for some functions. Market liberalism has also widened the ambit of the corporate model which is now increasingly applying to the public sector. For example, in New Zealand 56 crown companies have converted to the corporate model with compelling legislation which prioritises profitability over social responsibility (Taggart, 1993). Both private and public sector trends elevate the social and political significance of how corporates are governed and the question of women's participation in the process as directors of boards.

This study aimed to evaluate the “Out of the Box” initiative, by investigating any impacts on participants’ wellbeing. Aimed at general population adults, Out of the Box comprised two art‐oriented groups and one social group, led by a community art worker.

Individual semi‐structured interviews were undertaken with 14 group members (six men, eight women; age range 36‐71 years) from a potential pool of around 30. Data were analysed thematically.

Dramatic benefits in confidence, outlook and happiness were reported by people who had experienced poor mental or physical health, or adverse life events. Participants believed Out of the Box to have facilitated social contact and friendships. They appreciated the opportunity to get out of the house and take part in activity. They described feeling accepted and encouraged. Artistic skills were developed to the extent that work was exhibited and sold.

The focus on contemporaneous Out of the Box participants, and a level of awareness of funding uncertainty, could have biased findings towards beneficial outcomes. The relative importance of the group leader and other contextual features was unclear. Community‐based art may offer opportunities for effective cheap public mental health interventions.

As well as providing evidence of benefits to wellbeing from Out of the Box, new knowledge was generated on mental health benefits of community‐based art including becoming more outgoing, improved self‐efficacy, worrying less and not panicking.

The purpose of this paper is to highlight gendered media constructions which discourage women's acceptability as political leaders and trivialise or ignore their contribution.

Media analysis of UK newspapers, government web sites, worldwide web relating to the UK 2010 government election, women MPs and in particular representations of Harriet Harman and Theresa May.

Media constructions of UK women political leaders are gendered and powerful in messaging women's (un)acceptability as leaders against embedded stereotypes. Being invisible via tokenism and yet spotlighted on the basis of their gender, media constructions trivialize their contribution, thus detracting from their credibility as leaders.

UK‐based study grounded in opportune “snapshot” media analysis during election and resultant formation of UK coalition Government. Focus on two women political leaders, results may not be generalisable.

Raises awareness of the numerical minority status of UK women political leaders, the invisibility‐visibility contradiction and the power of the media to construct women leaders against gender stereotypes. Call for continued challenge to gendered leader stereotypes and women's representation in UK political leadership.

Highlights power of media to perpetuate gender stereotypes of UK women political leaders.

This article considers the recent public debate in the UK on drug classification and the role of the Advisory Council of the Misuse of Drugs, particularly following David Nutt's departure as Chair of the ACMD. It suggests that there have been flaws in the arguments on both sides, and considers some of the implications for wider debate on regulation and control.

Discrimination matters Volume 22 Number 2 of Health Manpower Management contains an article with this title by Catherine M. Prest, which outlines the changes in legal restrictions on the eligibility of dismissed employees to pursue unfair dismissal claims. Includes a discussion of recent decisions in this area and assesses the impact of these decisions on personnel practice and disciplinary procedures.