Stephen Morse – författare

This book offers a comprehensive analysis of the background, practice, potential and challenges associated with developing and using perceptual indicators for assessing sustainability.

Sustainability Indicators (SIs) are usually described and portrayed as quantitative metrics that rest above the human realm of subjectivity, opinion and bias. Thus, they are the basis for objectively measuring progress towards the attainment of targets in sustainable development. Unlike the "hard" metrics described above, the way in which we experience the world and frame our personal decisions based on that experience, past and present, is founded on perceptions and these can be inherently subjective. This book argues that perception-based indicators are an important subset of SIs in assessing sustainability, environmental quality and well-being. The chapters draw upon examples such as the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) produced by Transparency International (TI), and a variety of happiness indices, amongst many others. The chapters in the book can be thought of as comprising two parts. The first section provides a broad review of the field of SIs, addressing the challenges involved in identifying, defining and populating SIs, especially for countries in the Global South. The second part of the book summarises the range of participatory approaches that have often been used to develop perception-based indicators of sustainability, along with their respective pros and cons.

This book will be useful for students studying social sciences, economics, environmental studies, human geography, politics and international development. The book may also appeal to students taking courses in business studies.

Stakeholder or public participation has become something of a modern mantra employed in all sorts of contexts to give people a voice. There are many variants on this ''participation'' but traditionally they all share a desire to maximise involvement and provide desired ''outputs'' of a required quality as quickly and as cheaply as possible. Difference tends to be reduced and compromise encouraged as the outputs or even just the appearance of participation are emphasised.

This book explores the large and diverse range of participatory methods currently in use, examines the problems and gaps in these methods and sets out an innovative new methodology which overcomes these shortcomings. Uniquely, this method builds from the assumption that it is not just the outputs that matter in participation - it is also the journey. ''Triple Task'' is designed to help groups explore their current situation and develop a path by which they can improve their functioning and ultimately make a positive contribution to the lives of others.

The book includes in-depth case studies of Triple Task in action across a range of contexts and countries, with particular focus on an EU project concerning indicators in policy-making. This new approach can be used in any context and with any sort of group to help them produce more informative ''outputs'' in which a deep reflection of how the group works is allied to an analysis of how problems can be solved.

Stakeholder or public participation has become something of a modern mantra employed in all sorts of contexts to give people a voice. There are many variants on this ''participation'' but traditionally they all share a desire to maximise involvement and provide desired ''outputs'' of a required quality as quickly and as cheaply as possible. Difference tends to be reduced and compromise encouraged as the outputs or even just the appearance of participation are emphasised.

This book explores the large and diverse range of participatory methods currently in use, examines the problems and gaps in these methods and sets out an innovative new methodology which overcomes these shortcomings. Uniquely, this method builds from the assumption that it is not just the outputs that matter in participation - it is also the journey. ''Triple Task'' is designed to help groups explore their current situation and develop a path by which they can improve their functioning and ultimately make a positive contribution to the lives of others.

The book includes in-depth case studies of Triple Task in action across a range of contexts and countries, with particular focus on an EU project concerning indicators in policy-making. This new approach can be used in any context and with any sort of group to help them produce more informative ''outputs'' in which a deep reflection of how the group works is allied to an analysis of how problems can be solved.

'' Measuring the sustainability of development is crucial to achieving it, and is one of the most actively studied issues in the area. To date, most studies of measurements or indicators have been largely theoretical.

However, this book, a follow-on to Bell and Morse''s highly influential Sustainability Indicators (1999), presents valuable practical advice on how to develop measurements that will work in real-life development contexts. It describes and analyses how to derive, validate and apply indicators in the course of an actual development project - in this case the Mediterranean Action Plan in Malta.

The authors explain the trade-offs and constraints involved and how it is possible to combine the open-ended and flexible perspectives of sustainability with the more linear processes and fixed targets of specific projects through the use of pragmatic and reflective methodologies.

'' Measuring the sustainability of development is crucial to achieving it, and is one of the most actively studied issues in the area. To date, most studies of measurements or indicators have been largely theoretical.

However, this book, a follow-on to Bell and Morse''s highly influential Sustainability Indicators (1999), presents valuable practical advice on how to develop measurements that will work in real-life development contexts. It describes and analyses how to derive, validate and apply indicators in the course of an actual development project - in this case the Mediterranean Action Plan in Malta.

The authors explain the trade-offs and constraints involved and how it is possible to combine the open-ended and flexible perspectives of sustainability with the more linear processes and fixed targets of specific projects through the use of pragmatic and reflective methodologies.

The use of numbers to condense complex systems into easily digested ''bites'' of information is very much in fashion. At one level they are intended to enhance transparency, accountability and local democracy, while at another they provide a means of enhancing performance. However, all indicators suffer from the same basic problem that, ironically, is also their biggest advantage - condensing something highly complex into a few simple numbers. Love them or hate them, there is no denying that people use indicators to make decisions.

Indices and Indicators explores the use of indicators within the field of human development. Part I provides a brief outline of the contested meaning of ''development'' and how indices and indicators have been used as means of testing the realization of these development visions in practice in a range of institutional contexts. Part II discusses the limitations of such indices and indicators and illustrates how they are dependent upon the vision of development adopted. The book also suggests how indices and indicators can best be employed and presented.

Given our overwhelming reliance on indices and indicators for measuring progress, directing policy and allocating resources, this book is essential core reading for academics, undergraduate and post-graduate students in social science, economics, geography and development studies as well as development practitioners, policy-makers and donor and international funding agencies.

The use of numbers to condense complex systems into easily digested ''bites'' of information is very much in fashion. At one level they are intended to enhance transparency, accountability and local democracy, while at another they provide a means of enhancing performance. However, all indicators suffer from the same basic problem that, ironically, is also their biggest advantage - condensing something highly complex into a few simple numbers. Love them or hate them, there is no denying that people use indicators to make decisions.

Indices and Indicators explores the use of indicators within the field of human development. Part I provides a brief outline of the contested meaning of ''development'' and how indices and indicators have been used as means of testing the realization of these development visions in practice in a range of institutional contexts. Part II discusses the limitations of such indices and indicators and illustrates how they are dependent upon the vision of development adopted. The book also suggests how indices and indicators can best be employed and presented.

Given our overwhelming reliance on indices and indicators for measuring progress, directing policy and allocating resources, this book is essential core reading for academics, undergraduate and post-graduate students in social science, economics, geography and development studies as well as development practitioners, policy-makers and donor and international funding agencies.

This handbook provides researchers and students with an overview of the field of sustainability indicators (SIs) as applied in the interdisciplinary field of sustainable development. The editors have sought to include views from the center ground of SI development but also divergent ideas which represent some of the diverse, challenging and even edgy observations which are prominent in the wider field of SI thinking.

The contributions in this handbook:

• clearly set out the theoretical background and history of SIs, their origins, roots and initial goals

• expand on the disciplines and modalities employed to develop SIs of various kinds

• assess the various ways in which SI data are gathered and the availability (over space and time) and quality issues that surround them

• explore the multiplex world of SIs as expressed in agencies around the world, via examples of SI practice and the lessons that have emerged from them

• critically review the progress that SIs have made over the last 30 years

• express the divergence of views which are held about the value of SIs, including differing theories on their efficacy, efficiency and ethics

• explore the frontier of contemporary SI thinking, reviewing ante/post and systemic alternatives

This multidisciplinary and international handbook will be of great interest to researchers, students and practitioners working in sustainability research and practice.

This handbook provides researchers and students with an overview of the field of sustainability indicators (SIs) as applied in the interdisciplinary field of sustainable development. The editors have sought to include views from the center ground of SI development but also divergent ideas which represent some of the diverse, challenging and even edgy observations which are prominent in the wider field of SI thinking.

The contributions in this handbook:

• clearly set out the theoretical background and history of SIs, their origins, roots and initial goals

• expand on the disciplines and modalities employed to develop SIs of various kinds

• assess the various ways in which SI data are gathered and the availability (over space and time) and quality issues that surround them

• explore the multiplex world of SIs as expressed in agencies around the world, via examples of SI practice and the lessons that have emerged from them

• critically review the progress that SIs have made over the last 30 years

• express the divergence of views which are held about the value of SIs, including differing theories on their efficacy, efficiency and ethics

• explore the frontier of contemporary SI thinking, reviewing ante/post and systemic alternatives

This multidisciplinary and international handbook will be of great interest to researchers, students and practitioners working in sustainability research and practice.

Rich Pictures focuses on the value of developing visual narratives – Rich Pictures – as an important component and starting point for community participation. A key device for the community to share ideas and perspectives on current and potential future situations, Rich Pictures provide a shared space for members to set out ideas and negotiate.

While Rich Pictures are widely and globally used, this is the first book discussing their use, and how and when to use this technique for maximum participatory value. A valuable read for community engagement professionals, planners, politicians, and members of affected communities, Rich Pictures is richly illustrated with examples and authors’ testimonials.

Rich Pictures focuses on the value of developing visual narratives – Rich Pictures – as an important component and starting point for community participation. A key device for the community to share ideas and perspectives on current and potential future situations, Rich Pictures provide a shared space for members to set out ideas and negotiate.

While Rich Pictures are widely and globally used, this is the first book discussing their use, and how and when to use this technique for maximum participatory value. A valuable read for community engagement professionals, planners, politicians, and members of affected communities, Rich Pictures is richly illustrated with examples and authors’ testimonials.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become an important concept in the last few decades. Although it originated in the developed countries of the West, the concept has been embraced and adapted by corporations and policy-making agencies in many developing countries. Not surprisingly, given the importance of growth and development as policy objectives in these countries, CSR has had a significant impact on sustainable development.

Sustainable Development and Corporate Social Responsibility explores the evolution of CSR across the developed and developing world, with a particular focus on China and sustainable development. Through an extensive review of the literature and relevant case studies, the book examines whether CSR can make a contribution to sustainable development, how the patterns of CSR in developed Western economies compare to that in the rapidly growing economy of China, what trade-offs take place between CSR and economic growth as well as the future of CSR and its possible impact on the global sustainable development agenda.

This book is a valuable resource for academics and upper-level undergraduate and postgraduate students in the fields of human/social geography, economics, business studies, sustainable development, development studies and environmental studies.