The Affectively Extended Self: A Pragmatist Approach

This paper investigates the nature of the boundaries between the extended self and possessions (including potentially extended possessions) in the context of gift giving for Hong Kong Chinese consumers. Our findings showed that informants narrated stories not only about the gifts that they themselves had received as being their important possessions and thus constituting part of their extended self, but they also described objects that they had given as gifts to close others as part of their own possessions. These extended possessions potentially constituted part of their own extended selves. In addition, by the virtue of their material presence, these extended possessions acted as continuous reminders of these extended selves. The extended possessions hence provided the informants with an anchoring point to increase the relatively stability of their relationships with others, thereby countering the labile nature of ever-changing identity narratives. This paper contributes to current debates concerning the relationships between the self, possessions, and gift giving providing a richer explanation and extending previous work on possessions and the extended self.

Book Reviews

A central theme in both current theoretical debate within planning and policy statements by the British Government is the perceived need for enhanced public involvement. Implicit in these concerns is the assumption that the existing structures of local governance should be modified. Government in the form of politicians and their paid staff acting on behalf of the wider community is increasingly conceptualized as unrealistic, ineffective and out-moded. Consequently, terms such as 'decentralization', 'community empowerment', 'collaboration' and 'public participation' have become the phrases of the moment. There is considerable ambiguity surrounding these terms but at their core lies the notion that those outside the town hall should be given more influence over local decision making. The parallels between New Labour's rhetoric about community empowerment and normative theorizing in planning which stresses the importance of open inclusionary dialogue is striking. Much of the existing literature concerning public involvement focuses on the failure in practice of many initiatives to achieve an often unspecified notion of 'true' or 'full' participation. As a result there has been a tendency to concentrate on attempting to refine the approach adopted, frequently leaving to one side how community-led initiatives can be reconciled with the existing structure of representative democracy. Most of the reasoning underlying current debate about public involvement seems to be founded on the belief that it is simply a good thing. Research in the Bay Area of California is drawn upon, where public willingness to articulate views and the associated mechanisms to foster such an activity are a much more taken-for-granted part of local government practice than is usually the case in Britain. The purpose is to look beyond the operational concerns to explore in detail what happens to government when people participate. The analysis is based on a conceptual framework which focuses on the interests served by public involvement. The findings emphasize the need for planners to be much more sophisticated in the way they handle the problematic of balancing personal interests with the collective good, including how different forms of knowledge can be reconciled.

The article expresses skepticism on the alleged affinity between Hegel’s theory of conceptuality and conceptual pragmatism. Despite the intriguing philosophical impetus underlying the latter, the author formulates doubts about its compatibility with logical and metaphysical principles of absolute idealism. The criticism is articulated in four theses: (1) pragmatism’s concerns with (ultimately empirical) concept-acquisition and concept-application are largely alien to Hegel’s logical-metaphysical theory of conceptuality; (2) the interchangeability of ‘word’ and ‘concept’ in the pragmatist discussion is incompatible with Hegel’s notion of thinking; (3) the distinction of Vertsandesbestimmung and Vernunftbegriff, while ignored in practice in the pragmatist approach, is pivotal to Hegel’s understanding of the nature of conceptuality; (4) finally, pragmatism’s use of the recognition-thesis from the Phenomenology of Spirit ignores the noncontractarian, non-negotiative function of the same in Hegel’s work.

Executive Overview The concept of open innovation has recently gained widespread attention. It is particularly relevant now because many firms are required to implement open innovation, despite the difficulties associated with managing these activities. After providing a definition of open innovation delimiting it from open source, an overview of prior research is given, which identifies the following important topics of earlier open innovation research: technology transactions, user innovation, business models, and innovation markets. In light of current controversial debates about the value of the open innovation framework, we evaluate the literature and assess whether open innovation is a sustainable trend rather than a management fashion. On this basis, we present a conceptual framework that provides the foundation for discussing critical open innovation processes and their implications for managing open innovation at the organizational, project, and individual level. Thus, we assess the multilevel de...

Executive Overview The concept of open innovation has recently gained widespread attention. It is particularly relevant now because many firms are required to implement open innovation, despite the difficulties associated with managing these activities. After providing a definition of open innovation delimiting it from open source, an overview of prior research is given, which identifies the following important topics of earlier open innovation research: technology transactions, user innovation, business models, and innovation markets. In light of current controversial debates about the value of the open innovation framework, we evaluate the literature and assess whether open innovation is a sustainable trend rather than a management fashion. On this basis, we present a conceptual framework that provides the foundation for discussing critical open innovation processes and their implications for managing open innovation at the organizational, project, and individual level. Thus, we assess the multilevel de...

There is a growing body of literature addressing the challenges of transdisciplinary research – how to do it, what it is and who is doing it. At the same time there is growing discussion and awareness in international research about wicked problems and how to deal with problems such as sustainability, inequity, inequality, food (in)security, climate change and natural resource management. These problems are described as wicked since they defy complete definition, there are no final or simple solutions and any solutions are generally contested. A third body of the research literature focuses on transformational learning and knowledge creation capable of tackling contemporary social and environmental challenges. Through the study of the lived experience of transdisciplinary researchers combined with theory synthesis, this thesis contributes to further understanding of all of these inquiry areas that I propose are inseparable from the practice of transdisciplinary research. The primary aim of the thesis is to improve understanding of transdisciplinary research practice and to bring together, synthesise and test a range of frameworks that can inform and guide this practice. The guiding aspiration for my research is to access the untapped potential of transdisciplinary research practice (the practice of the researchers) to investigate wicked problems in complex systems. While the context of the thesis is research for rural development, the application of the resulting methodology is far wider, including transdisciplinary research, sustainability science and other inquiry endeavours that tackle wicked problems. Based on my own philosophical framing, one that combines constructivism with elements of critical theory, adopting a relational ontology and a pragmatist approach, I propose a relational and overarching transdisciplinary methodology in this thesis based on the following five principles: Principle number 1: A collective, inclusive approach to appreciative, contextbased problem framing is needed to embrace the richness of complexity. Principle number 2: Co-production of knowledge across the boundaries of knowledge cultures and worldviews requires an inclusive, shared language for human and social inquiry. Principle number 3: Working constructively with tension is a catalyst and foundation for transformational learning and change. Principle number 4: An iterative or recursive research inquiry process is essential for transformational learning, and for theory and practice to constructively inform each other. Principle number 5: Reflection and reflexivity (both habitual and systemic) are essential to enable the researcher to constructively capture transformational knowledge co-production. These principles guide strategies to bring together vastly different worldviews, modes of inquiry and knowledge systems to create, not empty consensus, but a rich and innovative synergy for more constructive, engaged and effective problem solving. It is relational because the research practice focuses on relationships and networks and is dynamic. Underpinning this methodology (and the conceptual framework for this thesis) is an adaptation of Christopher Alexander’s pattern language (Alexander, 1977) combined with elements of Layder’s adaptive theory (2005). These two frameworks underpin my thesis research strategy with a cyclical, adaptive research approach where theory and practice inform each other, and where I synthesise sets of provisionally universal patterns as frameworks to identify and bring together specific patterns, and relationships between patterns, to form a series of ongoing solutions to wicked societal problems. The empirical research in this thesis is based on a study of three case study research for rural development projects and the transdisciplinary researchers and participants in these project teams. Case Study 1 (seasonal climate forecasting for farming to enhance food security) is the pilot study, with Case Study 2 (family poultry production and crop integration for food security and nutrition) providing the canvas for the initial development and testing of the ideas and theory. The third case study (multi-scale climate adaptation for rice farming communities) is used to test the emergent theory and is studied in greatest depth, culminating in a detailed analysis using the principles that form the basis for the transdisciplinary methodology.

This investigation departed from the premise that there is increasing interest in introducing design approaches for public policy innovation worldwide. To date, this has been primarily achieved through the use of design at the policy implementation stage, typically resulting in new public services. Moreover, the introduction of design for policy has been associated with the creation of ad-hoc structures termed ‘policy labs’ in which design thinking is utilised to explore and co-create policy solutions.Although the literature on policy innovation has recently started to shift, the focus has historically been determined by the novelty of the policy content instead of the process through which policies come into being. In innovation management theory, this is represented by the product vs process innovation perspectives. Design, on the other hand, has been associated with the development of innovative products and services in the private sector. In order to exploit creativity to produce these innovative outcomes, the most successful organisations have integrated design at more levels than just product development. However, this has not been reflected in its integration in the public sector. Thus, this constrains its potential for contributing to policy innovations.The overall purpose of this research is to respond to the primary question concerning the role of design in innovative public policymaking, as the effects and requirements of this role remain mostly unexplored. After building a conceptual framework to provide a rationale for introducing design-led approaches into public policymaking, the inquiry first of all explores the design practices which are currently being utilised in the policymaking process; secondly, it describes how design is instilled in public policymaking; and thirdly, it explains the conditions for the successful integration of design in the policymaking process.The research design adopted for this investigation is based on a pragmatist approach through which qualitative data was obtained by online surveys, participant observations, and in-depth semi-structured interviews with key informants. Three studies which addressed recursively the research aim were implemented in different settings. The first study maps the design activities of policy labs in Europe against the stages of the policymaking cycle. The second study relies on participant observations to explore the introduction of design thinking in policymaking by a UK government team of policy designers. The third and last study consists of a set of interviews with policy analysts, policymakers, and design scholars participating in a project examining the future of governments in the EU. The analysis of the data gathered was primarily conducted through a framework and thematic analysis. Additionally, minor descriptive statistics were used to assist in drawing comparisons within the dataset.The key findings reveal that the introduction of design faces resistance to reach mainstream policymaking due to cultural differences between the two professional fields. To overcome some of these barriers, design is introduced in different guises, often as the operationalisation of the open policy government agenda.The main conclusions drawn from this study are the need for specific design tools and techniques for intervening in the public sector, as well as specific design training programmes to equip policymakers with the appropriate skills and mindsets. The contribution to knowledge of the research presented in this thesis is the provision of a new understanding of the role of design as a mode of inquiry and the part it plays in bringing about policy innovation by participating in either reactive, coactive, or proactive policymaking.

The paper contrasts two different approaches to the educational challenges of the ubiquitous, rapidly developing information and communication technologies (ICT). The first is the constructivist ‘knowledge building’ theory spearheaded by Carl Bereiter and Marlene Scardamalia and recently further developed by Kai Hakkarainen and Sami Paavola; the second is a pragmatist standpoint drawing in particular from John Dewey’s ideas about learning as a natural part of human social actions and transactions. The knowledge builders have set their approach out as a suitable answer to the challenges of the present-day, ICT-characterised ‘Knowledge Age’. But here it is argued that a pragmatist approach can be advanced that avoids the over-intellectualisation of education characteristic of knowledge builders and thereby offers a viable alternative for improving present-day educational practices in ways that promote appropriate utilisation of ICT in schools in particular.

The main objective of this research is to explore collaboration in the Malaysian pineapple supply chains. The research focuses on understanding the key factors that determine inter-organizational collaboration and the interaction of these factors on the level of collaboration and its performance. The basic research question is “How does supply chain collaboration improves the performance of the Malaysian pineapple supply chain?” The review of literature shows that supply chain management is acknowledged as having a positive impact on chain performance, particularly in the highly competitive agri-food environment. Effective supply chain management is imperative for the success of the companies involved and collaboration is the driving force. Despite the benefits of implementing collaboration, which has been examined in different ways and under different condition, little is known about collaboration from the holistic viewpoint. Therefore, this investigation identifies the supply chain management’s main components (i.e. product characteristics, business process, information sharing, chain position and embedded business relationships). Furthermore, collaboration in the agri-food sector in developing countries has yet to be fully described. The concept of supply chain management is embedded with Relationship Marketing and Transaction Cost Theory to underpin the conceptual framework for the research. The framework, that provided the focus and boundaries of research, was designed to integrate the identified components of supply chain management and the interaction of these factors on the level of collaboration and its performance. In this research, the paradigm is mainly constructivist and blended partly with the pragmatist approach. Two pineapple supply chains (PSC1 and PSC2) were selected as case studies in the Malaysian context; ones focuses on the local market and the other focuses on the export market. The research takes a qualitative approach and the primary data used in this research was obtained from semi-structured interviews. In total, 53 interviews were conducted with a range of people within focal supply chains and networks during the three field trips, between September 2011 and December 2012. The research used thematic analysis to examine the data. The levels of analysis were dyadic exchange, supply chain and network. The research produced a number of findings. First, it provided empirical evidence that trust and commitment are the two most important variables in business relationships that lead to collaboration. Second, it found that there are various levels of collaboration along the chain and between chains and these influence the performance outcomes. Third, that collaboration is perceived to have a positive impact on supply chains performance although the perceptions of performance are different from one actor to another. In one of the supply chains, collaboration is practiced as a ‘culture’ of their businesses. Lastly, a conceptual model was developed based on the framework and adapted in parallel with the findings. Overall these findings provide evidence of the importance of collaboration in improving the performance of supply chain. In addition, this research develops recommendations in order to improve collaboration within the Malaysian pineapple industry.

Pragmatist Doubt, Dogmatism and Bullshit

This article reexamines the theory of monetary power to explain the role of the Bundesbank (and Germany) in the emergence of the rules-based low-inflation regime in the late1980s and early 1990s. Our theory of monetary power draws on the notion of institutional power and the concept of monetary leadership, understood as the capacity to attract foreign investment, and thereby explains how domestic institutional features and contingent historical events affect countries’ external monetary power. This theory is employed to trace how the Bundesbank go-it-alone strategy in 1989 triggered a cross-national sequence of events that changed the international monetary order in a way that was consistent with the German interests. The transition was marked by a shift from the US-led pragmatist approach of international macroeconomic coordination to a rules-based approach founded on the principle of low-inflation–targeting. The article argues that this change took place despite the opposition of the Federal Reserve System (Fed) and the US Treasury. The article contributes to the literature on the decline of US hegemonic power as well as the literature on the mechanism of institutional change at the international level. It also sheds new light on current debates about the putative decline of the rules-based world order.

This conference paper discusses the theoretical landscape of service design. It will illustrate how service design is situated in a discourse on design research and outline the theoretical background of this multidisciplinary approach from a constructive and generative research perspective. In this paper, the foundation for the conceptual service design framework is based on current debates in the field. Identification of the conceptual framework is based on an analysis of co-creating service design cases that were implemented at the Service Innovation Corner (SINCO) laboratory at the Faculty of Art and Design, University of Lapland. The conceptual framework presents five themes that are closely connected with service design: (1) design research, (2) value co-creation, (3) user experience, (4) learning, and (5) citizen engagement. Using the perspective of service design, this paper attempts to elucidate the effects of service design on development and innovation processes in private and public sectors.

PurposeThis paper aims to evaluate non-financial reporting (NFR) frameworks insofar as risk reporting is concerned. This is facilitated through analysis of the adequacy of climate- and pandemic-related risk reporting in three industries that are both significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and are at risk from climate change. The pervasiveness of pandemic and climate-change risks have been highlighted in 2020, the hottest year on record and the year the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Stakeholders might reasonably expect reporting on these risks to have prepared them for the consequences.Design/methodology/approachThe current debate on the “complexity” of sustainability and NFR frameworks/standards is critically analysed in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and calls to “build back better”. Context is provided through analysis of risk reporting by the ten largest airlines and the five largest companies in each of the hotel and cruise industries.FindingsRisk reporting on two significant issues, pandemics and climate change, is woefully inadequate. While very little consideration has been given to pandemic risks, disclosures on climate-related risks focus predominantly on “risks” of increased regulation rather than physical risks, indicating a short-term focus. The disclosures are dispersed across different corporate reporting media and fail to appreciate the long-term consequences or offer solutions. Mindful that a conceptual framework for NFR must address this, the authors propose a new definition of materiality and recommend that sustainable development risks and opportunities be placed at the core of a future framework for connected/integrated reporting.Research limitations/implicationsFor sustainable development risks to be perceived as “real” by managers, further research is needed to determine the nature and extent of key sustainable development risks and the most effective mitigation strategies.Social implicationsThis paper highlights the importance of recognising the complexity of the issues facing organisations, society and the planet and addressing them by encouraging robust consideration of the interdependencies in evolving approaches to corporate reporting.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the current debate on the future of corporate reporting in light of two significant interconnected crises that threaten business and society – the pandemic and climate change. It provides evidence to support a long-term oriented and holistic approach to risk management and reporting.

PurposeThis paper sets out to provide insight into the current debate on art, science and the new net generation of young professionals with the usage of the conceptual framework of cybernetics that will look into the dynamics of this netgeneration.Design/methodology/approachLiterature review will set the stage of the current debate on design education in the creative industries, which aims to provide a reflection. The theory and approaches are then applied to a case study in which the conceptual framework of cybernetics will be unfolded. These concepts are then evaluated in order to provide a proposal for continuing research.FindingsThe paper provides insight into the mechanisms of knowledge management systems in particular for the context of design‐making processes by the netgeneration. The findings are reviewed and concluded by proposing a method for continuation of research. The case study will benefit from the findings and as such design education itself.Research limitations/implicationsIt is not an exhaustive scope of literature review as the literature chosen is in particular very applicable to the case study in this paper. However, the point of departure is the current debate within the creative industries on design education and the netgeneration.Originality/valueThis paper interconnects different elements which are the subject within different venues such as within design, science, pedagogy, and knowledge management. Therefore this paper might be applicable within these different articulated venues.