This book presents a biographical history of the field of systems thinking, by examining the life and work of thirty of its major thinkers. It discusses each thinker’s key contributions, the way this contribution was expressed in practice and the relationship between their life and ideas. This discussion is supported by an extract from the thinker’s own writing, to give a flavour of their work and to give readers a sense of which thinkers are most relevant to their own interests.

The 2nd edition of Strategy in Practice presents a practitioner focused approach to strategy. It is increasingly recognised that the ability to adapt classic formulas to changing circumstances and develop fast, sound strategic thinking is what differentiates the successful corporate leader. Developed from experience in industry this successful text will include an instructor site with PowerPoint slides, extra examples and exercises, and links highlighting changing business practice. While rigorously founded on current thinking and theoretical concepts in the field of strategic management it aims to: • provide the strategy practitioner with a systematic and insight-driven approach to strategic thinking • establish and translate the relevance of strategy theory to its application in the practice field • lead the reader through the strategic thinking process, beginning with the formulation of compelling and clearly articulated strategic questions that set the scene for practical issues • provide tools of strategic analysis in combination with informed intuition to understand the strategic landscape.

From one of the world’s most celebrated moral philosophers comes a thorough examination of the current political crisis and recommendations for how to mend our divided country. For decades Martha C. Nussbaum has been an acclaimed scholar and humanist, earning dozens of honors for her books and essays. In The Monarchy of Fear she turns her attention to the current political crisis that has polarized American since the 2016 election. Although today’s atmosphere is marked by partisanship, divisive rhetoric, and the inability of two halves of the country to communicate with one another, Nussbaum focuses on what so many pollsters and pundits have overlooked. She sees a simple truth at the heart of the problem: the political is always emotional. Globalization has produced feelings of powerlessness in millions of people in the West. That sense of powerlessness bubbles into resentment and blame. Blame of immigrants. Blame of Muslims. Blame of other races. Blame of cultural elites. While this politics of blame is exemplified by the election of Donald Trump and the vote for Brexit, Nussbaum argues it can be found on all sides of the political spectrum, left or right. Drawing on a mix of historical and contemporary examples, from classical Athens to the musical Hamilton, The Monarchy of Fear untangles this web of feelings and provides a roadmap of where to go next.

Doing Practitioner Research focuses on helping practitioners conduct research in their own organisations, and attention is given to the best methods for doing this effectively and sensitively. The authors also attend to the theoretical, political and organisational context of doing research, as well as addressing the ethical and practical issues of undertaking research. The authors cover in detail the range of skills and techniques necessary to make a successful start to the process of becoming an effective practitioner researcher. This is an ideal text for growing number of practitioners working in health, education and social care who are undertaking research. Fox et al have provided the perfect introduction to why practitioners are in the unique position to conduct research that actually improves professional practice. This book will be essential reading for those professionals/practitioners engaged in research in their own organisation or undertaking a post-graduate qualification in Health, Social Care, or Education.

Sandra Smidt takes the reader on a journey through the key concepts of Lev Vygotsky, one of the twentieth century’s most influential theorists in the field of early education. His ground-breaking principles of early learning and teaching are unpicked here using every-day language, and critical links between his fascinating ideas are revealed. Introducing Vygotsky is an invaluable companion for anyone involved with children in the early years. The introduction of Vygotsky’s key concepts is followed by discussion of the implications of these for teaching and learning. Each chapter also includes a useful glossary of terms. This accessible text is illustrated throughout with examples drawn from real-life early years settings and the concepts discussed include: mediation and memory culture and cultural tools mental functions language, concepts and thinking activity theory play and meaning. Essential reading for all those interested in or working with children, Introducing Vygotsky emphasises the social nature of learning and examines the importance of issues such as culture, history, language, and symbols in learning.

The aim of this work is to provide a correct and up-to-date understanding of the practical aspects of crucial, yet little- understood core database issues. The author identifies fundamental concepts, principles, and techniques and assesses the treatment of those issues in SQL (both the standard and commercial implementations) and gives advice on how to deal with them. Topics covered include complex data types, missing information, data hierarchies, and quota queries. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Being, Becoming and Thriving as an Early Years Practitioner captures the authentic and often humorous experiences that occur when working with young children, providing a comprehensive and accessible guide to the reality of early years practice. Designed to support practitioners through the early stages of their careers, it reveals what child development theory looks like in practice through real-life examples and case studies alongside guidance on practitioner wellbeing, continuous professional development (CPD), and studying alongside work. The book is structured around three key themes: BEING, BECOMING, and THRIVING. Each theme is divided into several chapters, and they cover a range of topics which will support you on your academic and professional journey including: ● Being a reflective practitioner ● Inclusion ● Key theorists ● Creativity ● The foundations of Play ● Reflection and Reflective Practice ● Continuous professional development Aligned to some of the core components for Early Years and Education with additional depth for level 4 students, the book blends theory and practice with humour and honesty, revealing what makes the Early Years such a magical sector in which to work. Including tools and activities to support your professional and academic journey, this is essential reading for early years students and practitioners.

Systems Concepts in Action: A Practitioner's Toolkit offers out a wide range of systems methods to help readers investigate, evaluate and intervene in complex messy situations.

This book provides a guide to narrative theory and practice; a form of therapy which views people as the experts on their own lives. Rooted in the ideas of Michael White and David Epston from the famous Dulwich Centre, it offers a rich source of thinking and techniques for counsellors, psychotherapists, social workers and others working in the people professions. Based on the author's teaching, practice and research experience, this book provides a bridge between theory and the basic principles and methods of narrative therapy. The book assists the reader in implementing the key ideas and techniques into everyday practice contexts, with the support of real-life case studies and conversation maps. Uniquely, it covers important subjects such as ethics and values, supervision and self-care.

Sport and exercise psychology has grown exponentially as an academic discipline and profession in the past decade. The dominant approach to sport and exercise psychology practice is the cognitive-behavioural approach that stems from cognitive behavioural therapies (CBTs). CBTs are the most widely used counselling approaches in the world. Through this approach developed rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT), a cognitive-based theory and therapy that incorporates many of the techniques that defines CBTs to this day (e.g., cognitive restructuring, rehearsal, imagery, self-talk). The Rational Practitioner: The Sport and Performance Psychologist’s Guide to Practicing Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy develops innovative concepts that are particular to the performance milieu, whilst sticking rigorously to core theory. This book is fundamental to applied practice and offers practitioners, scholars, and researchers of sport psychology and REBT, theoretical and detailed practical information from an experienced and qualified sport and exercise psychologist. This book provides a comprehensive portrayal of REBT applied within sport and performance and is key reading for current and trainee sport and exercise psychologists, but also to psychologists from other disciplines who wish to work with athletes and other performers.