Some sociologists are more interested in using quantification as a source of legitima‐tion than in confronting mathematics as a central element of culture. Yet mathematics may be…
Abstract
Some sociologists are more interested in using quantification as a source of legitima‐tion than in confronting mathematics as a central element of culture. Yet mathematics may be viewed as an institution with a normative core developing alongside experience of the physical world, susceptible of both “internalist” and “externalist” program‐mes of investigation.
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Pauline Anne Loewenberger, Mark Newton and Kylie Wick
This paper aims to demonstrate the effective development of creative and innovative capability in a rigid bureaucratic public sector environment of an area of the British…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to demonstrate the effective development of creative and innovative capability in a rigid bureaucratic public sector environment of an area of the British Transport Police, championed by the Area Commander and informed by extant literature.
Design/methodology/approach
The focus is on an intervention that addressed two related issues suggested by extant literature, cognitive blocks to creative thinking and organisational barriers. A diagnostic assessment of the climate for creativity prompted reflection leading to simultaneous interventions, combining supervisory and senior management support with a structured process of creative problem solving focusing on problems generated at a strategic level.
Findings
This has proved highly effective. At the end of the first year, five six-week cycles had already resulted in more than 600 new ideas, of which 52 were in the pipeline and 13 had already been endorsed. Few required financial investment and have increased effectiveness and optimised use of resources – literally doing more with less. Evidence is emerging of a climate more supportive of creativity and innovation.
Practical implications
Positive outcomes have significant implications for the enhancement of creativity and innovation through intrinsic motivation. This example has potential for other public service organisations.
Originality/value
Simultaneous interventions across multiple levels are rare. That this has been achieved in a rigid bureaucratic environment public sector organisation adds to the unique value of this contribution.
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This paper aims to describe how military‐style activities in the mountains of Snowdonia helped to break down barriers and establish a common purpose among the 16 operating‐board…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to describe how military‐style activities in the mountains of Snowdonia helped to break down barriers and establish a common purpose among the 16 operating‐board members of UK home‐shopping company Shop Direct.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper explains the reasons for the training, how it was conducted and the benefits it has brought.
Findings
The paper details the exercises the board members undertook, including: blindfolded exercises where group members had to develop their own non‐verbal communication system and navigate through a densely populated wooded area while maintaining a magnetic bearing and while being led by a sighted leader; common‐goal tasks, where each group member had to reach an allocated location in the Welsh hills at a set time, navigating the terrain and battling the elements, to successfully complete the task and avoid forfeits for the whole group; and a series of rapid‐fire exercises, constantly changing with an interchange of leaders’ roles and positions.
Practical implications
The paper outlines how these exercises helped to develop communication skills, group cohesion and mutual understanding of strengths and weaknesses within the team.
Social implications
The paper highlights the benefits of outdoor training over more conventional approaches.
Originality/value
The paper explains how, drawing on aspects of military training – discipline, timing, structure, teamwork and communication – team members can be aligned to the vision and values of their organization.
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Phyllis Gray‐Ray, Christopher Hensley and Edward Brennan
Rape is one of the most heinous and underreported crimes against women. However, if women knew about recent technological advances in the war on rape, maybe they would report the…
Abstract
Rape is one of the most heinous and underreported crimes against women. However, if women knew about recent technological advances in the war on rape, maybe they would report the crime more often. For example, biting incidents in connection with violent rapes are not rare. Consequently, bite mark evidence should be carefully searched for and uncovered early on in the beginning stages of all violent rape/murder investigations. The present case study analysis of nine serial rapists and murderers reveals and captures these criminals through the modern use of odontology. Modern technology in the form of alternate lighting, the skills of the criminal investigator, odontologist, and pathologist are combined in a team effort to bring these offenders to justice. Thus it is necessary to train law enforcement officers and to educate women to make them more aware of such crucial evidence, since many of these rapists are often repeat offenders.
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Presents the scientific methodology from the enlarged cybernetical perspective that recognizes the anisotropy of time, the probabilistic character of natural laws, and the entry…
Abstract
Presents the scientific methodology from the enlarged cybernetical perspective that recognizes the anisotropy of time, the probabilistic character of natural laws, and the entry that the incomplete determinism in Nature opens to the occurrence of innovation, growth, organization, teleology communication, control, contest and freedom. The new tier to the methodological edifice that cybernetics provides stands on the earlier tiers, which go back to the Ionians (c. 500 BC). However, the new insights reveal flaws in the earlier tiers, and their removal strengthens the entire edifice. The new concepts of teleological activity and contest allow the clear demarcation of the military sciences as those whose subject matter is teleological activity involving contest. The paramount question “what ought to be done”, outside the empirical realm, is embraced by the scientific methodology. It also embraces the cognitive sciences that ask how the human mind is able to discover, and how the sequence of discoveries might converge to a true description of reality.
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Attempts to indicate good practice within national examining boards and professional bodies with various GCSE and A level boards, considering the codes of practice issued by the…
Abstract
Attempts to indicate good practice within national examining boards and professional bodies with various GCSE and A level boards, considering the codes of practice issued by the QCA. Covers setting the paper, the role of the chief examiner, consistent marking standards, the examining team, co‐ordination of marking standards, and post marking checks. Suggests that the procedures are quite robust and other examining boards and professional bodies have begun to emulate these procedures which should reassure the general public regarding quality.
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Attempts to prove, in this second chapter of the author’s monograph, that with a new research programme, it is possible to build a methodological bridge between economics and all…
Abstract
Attempts to prove, in this second chapter of the author’s monograph, that with a new research programme, it is possible to build a methodological bridge between economics and all other natural sciences and the scientists should address this challenge. Reviews basic principles that govern nature, including Einstein’s findings along with such luminaries as Copernicus, Newton, Galileo and Jeans. Concludes that the future is safe, as a new generation of scientists is now emerging in the East and the West, and that the new methodology should provide enough space for new roads, ideas and interpretations, which may occur in the future. Closes by saying a new spirit should be initiated in economics and transplanted into natural sciences.