Elgar Research Agendas outline the future of research in a given area. Leading scholars are given the space to explore their subject in provocative ways, and map out the potential directions of travel. They are relevant but also visionary. Presenting cutting-edge thoughts on media economics, its history and development, and looking forward to its future, this timely book investigates the changing face of the field. With contributions from some of the most prominent media economics scholars in the world, this provocative and visionary Research Agenda covers theory development, consumer and audience demand, information and cultural goods, and technological dimensions. Chapters explore globalization, industry organization, social and ethical aspects of media firms, new media viability and the historical eras of media economics. Presenting a range of streams of inquiry and topics needing more study and development, this Research Agenda looks at new and innovative ways to stimulate thought around key research questions and designs. PhD students and scholars of media studies and media economics will benefit from the expansion of basic concepts, theories and methods found in this key book. It will also be critical reading for media professionals looking to understand more about the impact and importance of contemporary media relations. Contributors include: A.B. Albarran, �. Arrese, M. Barrett, A.J. Coffey, C.A. Hollifield, W.-y. Hsu, C. Kolo, Y.-l. Liu, M. Medina, B.I. Mierzejewska, M.E. Gutiérrez-Rentería, U. Rohn, A. Sánchez-Tabernero, C. Shao, X. Zhang

This innovative Handbook offers a wide-ranging overview of the multi-faceted field of public administration and management. It provides a broad approach to the discipline, addressing the range of descriptive, normative and critical theories required to diagnose public service issues and prescribe administrative action. Chapters assess the state of the field, presenting a comprehensive roadmap for future theoretical development. Featuring contributions from top international experts, the Handbook considers the key theories on the role, function and organization of public administration. It further offers critical insights on the people who work in public management, and a broad range of significant perspectives on the field. Interdisciplinary and comprehensive, it applies leading and emerging theories in public administration and management and applies them to latent and developing issues of public service and the relationship between government and society. This Handbook provides a far-reaching analysis of the field for scholars, researchers and graduate students of public administration and management, particularly those interested in an international or comparative approach to the field. Its theoretical insights will also benefit policymakers and practitioners working in public service provision in need of both trusted and innovative public management solutions.

This engaging and timely book provides an in-depth analysis of work and labour relations within global platform capitalism with a specific focus on digital platforms that organise labour processes, known as labour platforms. Well-respected contributors thoroughly examine both online and offline platforms, their distinct differences and the important roles they play for both large transnational companies and those with a smaller global reach. Chapters explore how labour platforms have become controversial and ambiguous as they increasingly appear to provide important sources of work and income globally but conversely raise concerns over exploitation of workers and the lack of legal protection provided to them. Offering a global perspective and including studies from different continents, the book covers three key areas: platform work in the wider context of contemporary capitalism, labour platforms from an international division of labour perspective, and labour processes and relations. This informative and thought-provoking book is an excellent resource for scholars with a particular interest in political economy, the sociology of work, labour relations and labour policies. Policymakers and regulators looking to understand how to effectively apply existing regulations for platform workers when creating new business models will also find this an invigorating read.

Information technology research - a practical guide for computer science and informatics is targeted at senior students in any of the many branches of information technology, including computer science, informatics and information systems. It is intended to introduce the student to the operation of the research process in these subjects to an extent that will enable them to identify, observe and master the methods used in their particular fields of specialty. Students who need such guidance are, primarily, likely to be those embarking on a study for the purpose of a research-based qualification and those who are busy with a formal research-methods course to prepare them for research.

This title is intended as a manual for environmental education practitioners. It provides theoretical background with the view of improving environmental education practitioners' practice. Environmental education addresses topics such as: The origin of the term/concept environmental education in southern Africa; a philosophical perspective of environmental education; teaching for the environment; environmental issues; education for sustainability; environmental education in the informal sector; environmental education in business and industry; research in environmental education.

This comprehensive volume of the Elgar Encyclopedia of Environmental Law provides an overview of the major elements of energy law from a global perspective. Based on an in-depth analysis of the energy chain, it offers insight into the impacts of climate change and environmental issues on energy law and the energy sector. This timely reference work highlights the need for modern energy law to consider environmental impacts and promote the use of clean energy sources, whilst also safeguarding a reliable and affordable energy supply. Featuring 65 entries written by leading international scholars and practitioners in the field, the volume is organised into eight thematic parts, each focusing on a specific area of the energy sector. Topics covered include international energy cooperation, the regulation and governance of energy markets, legal regimes governing renewable energy sources, regulation of the transport and supply of energy, consumer protection, and energy savings mechanisms. Providing an authoritative analysis of key developments in this significant area of law, this volume will be an invaluable resource for researchers, academics and students. Its insights into governance and regulation in the sector will also prove useful to practitioners and policymakers.

This innovative book sheds light on two key questions at the forefront of government-nonprofit partnerships: How are nonprofits performing? And does the involvement of nonprofits in a public service add public value? International contributors approach these questions through the conceptual lens of the "hollow state", highlighting the diminished role of government and the implications of the growing reliance on nonprofits in delivering public service. Through a set of empirical studies in public education, public health, urban sustainability, public parks and public social welfare services, chapters identify contributing factors to the success of nonprofits in mitigating public problems through performance measurement. Identifying challenges encountered by nonprofits in their roles as government partners, as well as the challenges posed to public organizations in generating nonprofit accountability, this insightful book takes stock of performance and public value of the hollow state. This methodologically-rigorous book is critical reading for scholars, researchers and students of public governance and public management, particularly those focusing on the long-term effects of the New Public Management. Its practical insights will also benefit policymakers, as well as managers of nonprofits interested in the implications of new partnerships with government bodies.

This insightful book provides readers with an in-depth discussion of the use of benchmarking in regulation in the European transport sector. It argues that benchmarking is invaluable to regulators, particularly in the transport sector where the pressures of competition in - or for - the market are often absent. Written by a range of expert contributors, chapters offer an analysis of methodology and data requirements, as well as practical examples of the use of benchmarking in the main transport modes (such as road, rail, seaports, airports and local public transport). Utilising illuminating case studies, the book also reviews the importance of benchmarking in the application of European competition law and considers the issue of obtaining appropriate and reliable data to achieve this. Benchmarking and Regulation in Transport will be an essential read for researchers, scholars and students in the fields of economic regulation, governance, transport economics and transport law. It will also be useful for policymakers and regulators who wish to further their understanding of the benefits of benchmarking in an efficiency-enhancing public policy strategy, especially within transport infrastructure.

Bringing together over fifty leading global experts, this Research Handbook provides a state-of-the-art overview of research findings regarding Human Resource Management (HRM) in the public sector. Original chapters provide useful insights from two different disciplines: public administration and HRM. They illustrate that the public context of organisations matters and discuss research findings detailing how this plays out in practice. Divided into six distinct parts, this Research Handbook covers the key areas of strategic HRM, the HRM cycle, HRM and the outcomes, linking mechanisms in the HRM value chain, as well as HRM and context. Providing crucial information, Part VI examines the main future challenges for HRM in public organisations and provides extensive knowledge across different areas for future research. This engaging Research Handbook will be an excellent resource for scholars in public administration as well as HRM practitioners and scholars with interests in the public contexts and how this affects HRM. It will also provide obligatory reading for advanced students to understand the distinctiveness of HRM in public organisations.

Elgar Research Agendas outline the future of research in a given area. Leading scholars are given the space to explore their subject in provocative ways, and map out the potential directions of travel. They are relevant but also visionary. Exploring the social, economic and environmental impacts of events on people, places and communities, this timely Research Agenda highlights the links between theory and practice in event impacts research. Top scholars critically assess events, looking at who benefits from hosting them, and focusing on issues surrounding sustainability, the need to define legacies, and the need to extend regeneration efforts to secure economic and socially sustainable futures. The Research Agenda first outlines key theories and concepts in the field, addressing the three impacts recognized in triple bottom line considerations of sustainability. Chapters then move to analyse a range of types and scales of event, including: conventions and business events, sports tourism, cultural and religious events, intangible cultural heritage, and events in rural locations. This forward-looking Research Agenda further analyses event hosting in emerging economy nations, disability access and inclusion, climate change and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Covering a broad range of types, scales and settings of events, this will be a crucial read for event studies and event management scholars. The critical insights to practical impacts of events will also be beneficial for policy-makers and event practitioners.

There is a dire need for a comprehensive pedagogical resource both on diverse approaches to teaching sports economics and the use of sports to teach broader principles of economic concepts. This book does exactly that. The contributions from leading scholars and teachers in both fields will help all instructors looking to raise their teaching game. The pedagogy in this book covers a wide array of active and engaged teaching techniques to demonstrate interesting ways to engage students and to get them excited about sports economics and economic concepts in general. Chapters cover topics such as legal case studies that impact North American leagues, discrimination and gender bias in sports economics and best practices for supervising undergraduate student research. The innovative approaches and methods presented are applicable to both small and large class sizes. Practical advice for designing field trip-, guest speaker-, and case-study-based classes, and techniques for using data-driven exercises, film and straightforward classroom experiments are included. This book will appeal to two primary audiences: undergraduate economics instructors and sports economics/management instructors. The teaching methods may be easily adapted to most economic classes, and the breadth of material provides instructors with assistance in creating course syllabi, outlining teaching plans, generating student interest, and increasing the efficacy of their pedagogy.

This timely Modern Guide offers critical insights into developments in both professional and recreational sports through the lens of the economic forces that determine them. It explores the benefits of the relationship between sports and economics, highlighting ways that economic research can help to understand sports better and the ways that sport provides opportunities to test economic theories. With both theoretical and empirical chapters, the book looks at the development of European sports economics over the last 20 years, the relationship between competitive balance and attendance, and the potential economic impact of sports events. Chapters further examine specific issues in sports from an economic perspective, including labour market restrictions on professional leagues, refereeing, team dynamics, the importance of good players versus good results and the sports analytics revolution due to big data. The use of state-of-the-art empirical methods makes this Modern Guide a crucial read for economists and sports science researchers looking to better understand both the relationship between the two fields and their own area of research. Sports policy makers will also appreciate the in-depth discussion on a range of different recreational and professional sports.

Developing Sustainable and Health Promoting Cereals and Pseudocereals: Conventional and Molecular Breeding reviews the most recent developments in the fields of cereal and pseudocereal breeding, with particular emphasis on the latest biotechnological techniques likely to lead to breakthrough changes in plant breeding. The book provides comprehensive information on the use of genetic resources or pre-breeding activities to improve health-related properties of cereals and pseudocereals. The text also explores targeted field-management practices and the latest in biotechnological methodologies, and offers a cohesive overview necessary for understanding the potential impacts and benefits of improved production of cereals and pseudocereals with high-nutritional value.

Water, Land, and Forest Susceptibility and Sustainability, Volume 2: Insight Towards Management, Conservation and Ecosystem Services brings an interdisciplinary perspective to solving complex problems in sustainability, utilizing the latest research and technologies, and includes case studies that emphasize the applications of remote sensing, GIS, and image processing for addressing the current state and future needs to achieve sustainability. As forests, land, and water are among the most precious resources on earth, emphasizing the need to conserve them for future generations and, of course, a safe and sustainable planet. The assessment of the susceptibility of all these three precious resources must therefore be addressed to inform their sustainable management. This second volume focuses on environmental management, conservation, and ecosystem services and provides information on forest, land, and water resources, presenting in integrated manner various aspects of their characterization, susceptibility, and sustainability.

This cutting-edge book charts the latest ideas and concepts in employment relations research. Mapping out the intellectual boundaries of the field, The Future of Work and Employment outlines the key research and policy outcomes for work and employment in the age of digitisation and artificial intelligence. Internationally renowned contributors unpack the implications of the latest developments in employment relations, from the rise of the gig economy to the role of platform companies, from perspectives such as employment (in)security, equity, fairness, wellbeing and voice. Reviewing the extant literature on the future of work, and exploring the biggest issues facing the modern workforce, this book argues for a research base that allows more sober reflections on the grand claims that dictate the future of work. Empirically-grounded and incisively-argued, the book forms critical reading for both undergraduate and postgraduate students of business and human resource management, featuring insight into the latest developments in the field. Researchers, policymakers and practitioners will also benefit from its implications for policy and its blending of theory and practice.

This incisive Research Handbook examines the relationship between energy and society, across both macro- and micro-scales, in the context of the climate crisis. Featuring an extensive examination of current research in the field from fifty expert international contributors, it offers important insights into the inter-connections between the globally organised fossil fuel energy system and the changing structures of society. Structured in four thematic parts, the Research Handbook begins with an analysis of the evolution of large-scale energy production and consumption using coal, oil and gas. Chapters then explore social divisions and inequalities in energy systems in different countries, before moving on to discuss energy governance, policy and politics, along with strategies to achieve transformation. In the final part, the Research Handbook investigates forms of knowledge, stories and public engagement being used to re-make energy futures, concluding that social sciences are identifying the inter-locking societal and technical changes needed to enable rapid systemic changes in energy. The Research Handbook on Energy and Society will be a crucial resource for social science scholars and students interested in the intersections of energy, climate change and society, including aspects of governance, policy and politics, social identity, social justice and inequalities.

Elgar Research Agendas outline the future of research in a given area. Leading scholars are given the space to explore their subject in provocative ways, and map out the potential directions of travel. They are relevant but also visionary. This timely Research Agenda provides a state-of-the-art review of existing research on manufacturing, as well as highlighting key areas of study to advance the field. Expert contributors from across the globe analyse the central role of manufacturing industries in the global economy, considering it as a multi-scalar process and assessing the impact of climate change in necessitating the decarbonization of production processes. Chapters identify and explore disruptive innovations in production technologies, including additive manufacturing, and their implications for future research. The book further highlights megatrends in automotive, electronics and emerging industries, including small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises, Asian electronics production networks, global production networks, and operations and supply chain management. It develops a framework for accessing corporate elites and for guiding the process of undertaking qualitative semi-structured interviews. This Research Agenda will be a critical collection for economic geography, urban studies, city and regional planning, and business and management studies scholars seeking a forward-looking approach to the topic. It will also be useful to policymakers and practitioners working in regional economic development and planning.

Mathematics for Physical Chemistry, Fifth Edition includes exercises that enable readers to test their understanding and put theory into practice. Chapters are constructed around a sequence of mathematical topics, progressing gradually into more advanced material, before discussing key mathematical skills, including the analysis of experimental data and-new to this edition-complex variables. Includes additional new content on Mathematica and its advanced applications. Drawing on the experience of its expert authors, this book is the ideal supplementary text for practicing chemists and students wanting to sharpen their mathematics skills and understanding of key mathematical concepts for applications across physical chemistry.

This work deals with international principles regarding the use of language in the administration of justice, and looks at the way in which multilingual countries such as Belgium and Switzerland approach this complex problem. The title then compares language practice in the judiciary and security services in South Africa and some countries of the Southern African Development Community against the background of evolving language policy in the region. This title discusses the use of official languages in a specific domain of government from the point of view that a language cannot be regarded as official simplu because a constitution prescribes it. Important conclusions are drawn regarding the role of the multilingual state.

Exploring the multiple aesthetic and cultural links between French and Japanese cinema, The Cinematic Influence is packed with vivid examples and case studies of films by Akira Kurosawa, Jean-Luc Godard, Hirokazu Kore-eda, Claire Denis, Naomi Kawase, Michel Gondry and many others. It illustrates the vast array of cinematic connections that mark a long history of mutual influence and reverence between filmmakers in France and Japan. The book provides new insights into the ways that national cinemas resist Hollywood to maintain and strengthen their own cultural practices and how these national cinemas perform the task of informing and enlightening other cultures about what it means to be French or Japanese. This book also deepens our understandings of film's role as a viable cultural and economic player in individual nations. Importantly, the reader will see that film operates as a form of cultural exchange between France and Japan, and more broadly, Europe and Asia. This is the first major book to investigate the crossover between these two diverse national cinemas by tracking their history of shared narrative and stylistic techniques.

The image of western ranchers making a stand for their "rights"-against developers, the government, "illegal" immigrants-may be commonplace today, but the political power of the cowboy was a long time in the making. In a book steeped in the culture, traditions, and history of western range ranching, Michelle K. Berry takes readers into the Cold War world of cattle ranchers in the American West to show how that power, with its implications for the lands and resources of the mountain states, was built, shaped, and shored up between 1945 and 1965. After long days working the ranch, battling human and nonhuman threats, and wrestling with nature, ranchers got down to business of another sort, which Berry calls "cow talk." Discussing the best new machinery; sharing stories of drought, blizzards, and bugs; talking money and management and strategy: these ranchers were building a community specific to their time, place, and work and creating a language that embodied their culture. Cow Talk explores how this language and its iconography evolved and how it came to provide both a context and a vehicle for political power. Using ranchers' personal papers, publications, and cattle growers association records, the book provides an inside view of how range cattle ranchers in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana created a culture and a shared identity that would frame and inform their relationship with their environment and with society at large in an increasingly challenging, modernizing world. A multifaceted analysis of postwar ranch life, labor, and culture, this innovative work offers unprecedented insight into the cohesive political and cultural power of western ranchers in our day.

Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world's leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas. This Advanced Introduction provides a concise yet thorough guide to understanding and planning advertising, while answering the key questions at the forefront of this modern topic: what is advertising? What is its role in businesses and organizations? And what are the implications of the offline-online shift? Key Features include: Theoretical analysis of how advertising works with specific research insights and practical cases Discussion of the ethical ramifications, pitfalls and societal consequences of current advertising practice An overview of the many contemporary advertising formats that are present today, discussing the various stages in the advertising planning process, and analyzing their effects. This Advanced Introduction will be a valuable resource for higher education students and teachers in business, marketing and communication sciences. It will also be beneficial for advertising professionals and brand managers who are interested in a concise structured overview of the important issues that matter in planning, carrying out and measuring the results of advertising campaigns.

Databook of Surface Modification Additives, Second Edition contains data on ten groups of additives, including anti-scratch and mar-preventing additives, additives for surface tension reduction and wetting, hydrophobization additives, gloss enhancement and surface matting additives, additives for the formation of tack-free surface and tackifiers, and stain inhibiting additives. The information on each is divided into five sections, including General Information, Physical-Chemical Properties, Health and Safety, Ecological Properties, and Use and Performance. This data is provided for approximately 360 of the most important surface modification additives produced and used today. This databook will be an extremely useful resource for engineers, researchers and technicians interested in using additives to modify and improve the surface properties of materials.