UVicSpace | Institutional Repository
UVicSpace is the University of Victoria’s open access scholarship and learning repository. It preserves and provides access to the digital scholarly works of UVic faculty, students, staff, and partners. Items in UVicSpace are organized into collections, each belonging to a community.
For more information about depositing items, see the Submission Guidelines.
Recent Submissions
Social constructionism in psychology: the road to solipsism and an alternative
(2000) Kenwood, Christine Jessica; Tolman, Charles W.; Bavelas, Janet Beavin
Theories of social construction ism developed in psychology bear little resemblance to the original theory of construction ism proposed by Berger and Luckmann (1967). Some differences, most importantly those concerning how language is conceived, are at the root of problems suffered by the theories proposed by psychologists Kenneth J. Gergen and John Shotter. The critical literature suggests that psychological constructionism suffers from problems associated with relativism. It is argued, however, that the problem is more serious in that the theories of language proposed by Gergen and Shott er lead to solipsistic rather than relativistic consequences. The solution to the problematic aspects of their theories lies in returning to the use of action rather than language as a starting point for theory development. Berger and Luckmann (1967) avoid the problems suffered by their psychological counterparts by beginning with action. How problems are avoided by the use of action and how a viable theory becomes possible are discussed.
The value sieve: a decision system for complex environments
(2000) Corbett, John Christopher; Protti, D. J.; Cutt, Jim
The Value Sieve is a framework for making resource allocation decisions in complex environments. The theory and research methodologies employed in its development are founded in the social sciences. Given the social psychological nature of organizational problems, an open systems approach is taken. This approach requires that the target system be considered in the context of its operating environment and that the design includes the ways in which each subsystem interacts with others through inputs and outputs. This approach is intended to avoid the problems created when analysts treat organizations as closed systems and so invest their efforts in determining a detailed internal structure without considering the external environmental forces and the --natural'' features demonstrated by open systems. The Value Sieve is an optimization methodology and gets its name from the perspective that optimization in a complex environment requires accountable decision-makers to accept that there will be a series of tradeoffs that are ultimately determined by which outputs and outcomes they value most. This decision framework assists decision-makers in distilling their choices to achieve maximum expected utility for the scarce resources available for allocation. The framework is particularly useful where choices must be made among alternatives with incommensurable output or outcome performance measures. The Value Sieve framework is developed theoretically and conceptually in the first half of the thesis. In the second half. the framework is applied to a set of complex decisions in health and childcare in the public sector and human services in the private non-profit sector.
An analysis of recent Japanese economic involvement in three Southeast Asian countries: Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia
(1976) Thompson, David George; Edgell, Michael C. R.
This thesis is concerned with Japanese economic involvement during the 1970' s in three Southeast Asian countries, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. The forms of economic involvement examined are aid, trade, and, most importantly, investment. The basic conclusion of the thesis is that, while Japan's economic presence has caused some degree of discontent in these countries, the problems are not insurmountable, and the Japanese presence can continue if certain measures are taken to improve the situation.
The first two chapters look at Japan's historical involvement in Southeast Asia, with emphasis on the three countries concerned, dating from the fourteenth century to the present decade. Chapter three examines Japan's position in the 1970's regarding its economy, aid, trade, and foreign investment policies. Chapters four to six investigate Japan's economic involvement in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia respectively during the 1970's, and also try to give the reactions to this involvement in each country. The final chapter looks at some of the measures that Japan is taking to improve its image in Southeast Asia, and, in addition, offers some recommendations to further improve the situation.
Sustainable trade: the case of coffee in North America
(2002) Waridel, Laure; M'Gonigle, R. Michael
This thesis investigates the potential of "sustainable coffee" initiatives to counter the negative impacts of conventional practices in the current context of global trade and neo-liberal policies. The analysis focuses on the situation in Canada, Mexico and the USA. Existing barriers to the penetration of fair-trade, organic and shade-grown coffees into the North American market are identified based upon participatory research. Recommendations for the further development of sustainable coffee are also provided. The relationship between government policies and community-based efforts are also explored. The latter provide the basis for the elaboration of a North American framework of actions.
Ultimately, this thesis recognizes the contribution organic, fair-trade and shade-grown coffee initiatives make in concretely addressing the negative impacts of conventional practices. It also argues that major barriers must be overcome before sustainability can become a norm for the mainstream industry.
Farmer's markets: connecting citizen's with local agriculture in B.C.
(2003) Neumann, Jenyfer L.; M'Gonigle, R. Michael
A spatial analysis within a political ecology framework is used to assess policies associated with farmers' markets in British Columbia. In this light, I examine farmers' markets with two objectives in mind: decreasing energy throughput and dispersing institutional power. I develop four categories of policy recommendations for supporting farmers' markets as a component of alternative food systems: 1) support for the development and management of farmers' markets, 2) support for local agriculture, 3) support for civil society initiatives bolstering food security, and 4) provision of educational opportunities. Within each category, I provide specific recommendations for both provincial and local/regional policy implementation. These need to be implemented with respect to an overall framework that ensures that all farmers' markets lead to reduced and circular throughput and power. Farmers' markets are an example of a component of alternative food systems that should be supported by provincial, regional and local policy.