Question Of Effectiveness Research Articles

Improving asset confiscation: in the quest for effective and just solutions

The quest for effectiveness in criminal law results in creating non-punitive sanctions based on evidentiary facilities and lowered standard of proof. European courts, while focusing on procedural safeguards, perceive the structure of criminal sanctions as an element of national penal policy and leave it to the national authorities. The latter may, however, be ready to sacrifice certain important aspects of criminal law, like judicial discretion or individual guarantees, for the sake of unspecified ‘effectiveness of legal regulations’. In case of asset confiscation such approach can result in forfeiture of significant quantities of property without the certainty that it actually comes from a crime. Therefore, it seems necessary to identify the framework of criminal law principles applicable to non-punitive sanctions, in order to receive – while interpreting legal provisions – an effect that is not only a (presumably) effective, but also a just solution. This paper contributes to this issue with particular emphasis on extended form(s) of asset confiscation.

Professionalism: The Quest for Effective, Efficient, Accountable and Responsive Public Service in South Africa

Professionalism: The Quest for Effective, Efficient, Accountable and Responsive Public Service in South Africa

Automated Mobile Hot Mist Generator: A Quest for Effectiveness in Fruit Horticulture.

The study relates to the use of automated plant protection systems in agriculture. The article presents a proprietary automated mobile platform with an aerosol generator of hot mist. Furthermore, the cause of the loss of a chemical preparation in the spraying of plant protection products on the tree crown was determined in the course of field research. A statistical analysis of the results of experiment was carried out and the effect of droplet size on leaf coating density was determined. The manuscript presents a diagram of the degree of penetration of the working solution as it drops into the crown of the tree, as well as a cross-sectional graph of the permeability of the spray from the projection of the fruit tree crown. The most effective modes of operation of the automated mobile platform for spraying plant protection products with a mist generator aggregate were established. Analysis of the results shows that the device meets the spraying requirements of the procedure for spraying plant protection products. The novelty of this research lies in the optimal modes identified by movement of the developed automated mobile platform and the parameters of plant treatment with protective equipment when using a hot mist generator. The following mode parameters were established: the speed of the automated platform was 3.4 km/h, the distance to the crown of the tree was 1.34 m, and the flow rate of the working fluid was 44.1 L/h. Average fuel consumption was 2.5 L/h. Effective aerosol penetration reduced the amount of working fluid used by up to 50 times.

The Role of Instructional Resources amongst Social Studies Teachers in Nigeria: The Quest for Effectiveness in Classroom Pedagogy

This paper aims at discussing the role, awareness and use of instructional materials/resources as a prerequisite for attaining effective social studies education in Nigeria. In doing this a conceptual clarification of the concept of social studies education as given by experts in the field was taken. The origin of social studies in Nigeria was analyzed. The objectives of social studies education at the post-primary education level and its characteristics were discussed. The concept of Social Studies instructional materials and resources were elaborated. A critical look was taken at instructional materials and its types as well as their relevance to Social Studies education. A look was also taken at constrains of utilization of instructional materials and resources. Criteria for selecting materials and resources for Social Studies classroom as well as sources of social studies resources instructional materials were touched. Instructional materials for effectiveness in classroom pedagogy were carefully discussed. Recommendations were not left out.

Multilateralism in the 21st Century: Europe’s Quest for Effectiveness, edited by C. Bouchard, J. Peterson and N. Tocci (London, Routledge, 2014, ISBN 9780415520041); xiv+307pp., £27.99 pb.

JCMS: Journal of Common Market StudiesVolume 53, Issue 3 p. 699-700 Book Review Multilateralism in the 21st Century: Europe’s Quest for Effectiveness, edited by C. Bouchard, J. Peterson and N. Tocci (London, Routledge, 2014, ISBN 9780415520041); xiv+307pp., £27.99 pb. Iulian Romanyshyn, Iulian Romanyshyn IMT Institute for Advanced Studies, LuccaSearch for more papers by this author Iulian Romanyshyn, Iulian Romanyshyn IMT Institute for Advanced Studies, LuccaSearch for more papers by this author First published: 12 April 2015 https://doi.org/10.1111/jcms.12229_7Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Volume53, Issue3May 2015Pages 699-700 RelatedInformation

A EFICÁCIA HORIZONTAL DOS DIREITOS FUNDAMENTAIS NO BRASIL: UMA ANÁLISE SOBRE O JULGAMENTO DO RECURSO EXTRAORDINÁRIO 201.819-8 À LUZ DO CONSTITUCIONALISMO CONTEMPORÂNEO

The new constitutional right – contemporary constitutionalism or neoconstitutionalism – arising after the end of World War II is an undeniable reality of the doctrine. The strengthening and the quest for effectiveness of fundamental rights is one of its main goals. From this ideal, there are various phenomena and institutes, such as the horizontal effect of fundamental rights, which is the production of effects of these rights not only in relations involving the government, but also in relations of individuals. This study aims to verify that the ideals of the neoconstitutionalism, especially the appreciation of fundamental rights in the main figure of the horizontal effectiveness of these rights, have been inserted in the decisions of the Brazilian courts, specifically the Brazilian Supreme Court, and how this new constitutional motion in judicial decisions can be observed. The answer is sought by analyzing the judgment of the Extraordinary Appeal 201.819-8. As for the approach, the method is deductive, as a part of general concepts about the new constitutional law and the horizontal effect of fundamental rights, to subsequently verify the presence of these effects in this case. In the background, the method used is mainly the monographic, since it works with a concrete case. Finally, the decision in the case had its majority voted in favor of recognition of the horizontal effect and can be seen clearly in the arguments used by the Ministers, the acceptance and application of neoconstitutionalism phenomena.

Contemporary Global Issue of Rising Water Scarcity for Agriculture: The Quest for Effective and Feasible Soil Moisture and Free-Water Surface Conservation Strategies

There is the need to take seriously the task of conserving soil moisture in agricultural fields and free-water surfaces in reservoirs, especially in recent years of climate change. Many strategies exist for achieving this task and improving the productivity of arable soils. These strategies traditionally come under biological and physical or mechanical measures. Some other relatively new techniques operate neither on physical nor on biological principle. All these measures which operate on different principles frequently overlap. The principles involved, together with the prospects and constraints of the key techniques of conserving soil moisture found in the literature, are reviewed in this paper. Among other considerations, the effectiveness and/or practicability of any one of the techniques depend upon soil type, topography, climate, scale of production, level of technology, and socio-economic status. Such agronomic practices as conservation tillage and live vegetation mulch that maintain infiltration rates often appear to be more beneficial in the long run than engineering structures, especially those that lead to blocking of waterways on the soil surface. However, this review reveals that none of the soil moisture conservation strategies could be credited as universally applicable. Consequently, an integrated approach to soil water management and conservation, where feasible, is considered more appropriate. This is because the different principles involved in the techniques identified to be compatible would readily complement and strengthen one another. Such a multi-mechanistic approach is expected to result in improved efficacy in conserving water resources in soils and open reservoirs.

Requestioning, Reimagining, and Retooling Philanthropy

The quest for effectiveness in American philanthropy is a work in progress with inconclusive results. The best way to answer the question of how philanthropy can improve its chances for creating important social impacts is by asking a series of questions.Foundation leaders who question their institutional strategies and assumptions are best positioned to improve their own institutions and the wider field. Based on his own work as a foundation president, the author reflects on a series of critical questions—about theory of change, grantee-grantor relations, and institutional change—that prompted a radical redesign in the foundation’s strategy and practices.

A Configurational Approach for Assessing Organizational Effectiveness of the Architectural/Construction Firm

An assessment method of organizational effectiveness which considers the important organizational attributes of the archi- tectural/construction firm is described. The method is based on a vali- dated configurational approach identified as the competing values ap- proach. In this paper, theoretical approaches used to model organizational effectiveness and the logic of using the selected ap- proach is discussed. The selected approach consolidates most criteria of effectiveness into four ideal models each with dominant criteria that are pursued by the firm during its various life cycle stages. These criteria are utilized to define four groups of organizational variables relevant to examining effectiveness: structural context; person- oriented processes; strategic means; and organizational flexibility, rules and regulations. Different levels of these variables occurring to- gether are hypothesized to define multiple configurations that are pur- sued by firms in their quest for effectiveness. Once the configuration pursued by the firm is identified, the existing levels of variables in the firm can be compared to those in the configuration to yield a reliable assessment. Further research steps are outlined as how to validate such a methodology.

Introduction to the Special Issue: “Psychotherapy Integration” and Cognitive Psychotherapy

There has been much recent attention and debate over the possibility of unified or "integrative" approaches to psychotherapy. Cognitive therapy stands at the center of this important controversy. Its unifying nature has been recently highlighted (Alford & Norcross, 1991; Beck, 1991; Lyddon, 1993), and Arnkoff and Glass (1992) comprehensively document how " . . . cognitive therapy has fostered the movement to the integration of psychotherapies." Reflecting this increased attention, a new journal (Journal of Psychotherapy Integration) and two major edited volumes (Norcross & Goldfried, 1992; Strieker & Gold, 1993) have appeared, and a new professional organization has been formed, the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration (SEPI). The three areas or foci of integration include technical eclecticism, atheoretical integration, and the identification of common factors (Arkowitz, 1991). Briefly, eclecticism refers to the relatively atheoretical selection of clinical treatments on the basis of predicted efficacy rather than theoretical considerations (Beutler, 1983; Lazarus, 1989). By contrast, integration refers to the conceptual synthesis of diverse theoretical systems as exemplified by the work of Wachtel (1977, 1987). The third approach, common factors, seeks to identify the core ingredients different therapies have in common, with the goal of developing more efficacious treatments based on these components (e.g., Frank, 1973; Garfield, 1980). It should also be noted that-in addition to the three areas cited by Arkowitz (1991)-a fourth (and probably the most important) approach to integration seeks to refine cognitive therapy through the integration of basic psychological science into clinical practice (Alford et al., 1994; Beck, 1991). In seeking consensus and unification, advocates of integration have vigorously promoted the value of diversity in clinical approaches to treatment of psychopathology. Other core values include openness to other perspectives, equality among psychotherapy systems, and a zealous drive to move "beyond the confines" of the contemporary scientific systems of psychotherapy and behavior change (cf. Arkowitz, 1991). Integrationists are emphatic regarding such values, as can be seen in the following comments: (1) It has been the hallmark of those involved in SEPI to remain distant from any signs of conceptual imperialism . . . we would hope that those involved in the pursuit of psychotherapy integration adopt the following French motto: I admire those who search for the truth. I avoid those who find it (Goldfried, Castonguay, & Safran, 1992, p. 611). (2) Psychotherapy integration is not for rigid, ideological clinicians who put their professional narcissism before their client's welfare (J.Norcross, quoted in Dryden, 1991, p. 5). At the same time, there has been much debate regarding whether greater consensus and agreement is possible. For example, A. A. Lazarus concludes that, as a result of psychotherapy integration, "a state of even greater chaos now prevails. Instead of seeking unification, different schools of eclectic and integrative therapies seem to be proliferating" (Lazarus & Messer, 1991, p. 144). However, this may be neither surprising, nor undesirable. Competition among theories is at the heart of the scientific enterprise. Indeed, integrationists themselves would appear to agree on this point. For example, Goldfried (1991) describes the aim of integrationism as follows: "The ultimate goal for research in psychotherapy integration is to develop empirically based procedures . . . which are then demonstrated to be more effective than current pureform therapies" (emphasis added) (p. 21). There now exists a large body of work addressing clinical, experimental, and theoretical issues in the cognitive therapies. Consistent with Goldfried's (1991) point regarding the quest for effectiveness, most of the published work to date has been designed to extend the cognitive approach to the various clinical disorders, thus broadening the scope and empirical support for cognitive therapy. …

Niger: Anatomy of a Neotraditional Corporatist State

The apparent failure of competitive party politics to take root in much of contemporary Africa has not curtailed efforts by military regimes to extend popular participation. Curiously, current scholarship does not adequately reflect the range of such initiatives.' While analysts periodically look for liberalizing trends in Africa's soldier states and are primed to consider the prospects for a return to civilian rule,2 few have examined participatory institutions under indeterminate military tutelage.3 Indeed, the literature reflects a tendency to assume that officers who tarry in government regard the modem bureaucratic army as a paragon for the organization of society as a whole.4 There is growing evidence to suggest, however, that in the future Africa's military rulers will have greater recourse to corporatist models of state-society relations as they seek to avoid a return to the barracks. Why this is so and what characteristics these structural alternatives are likely to assume are central questions addressed in this essay. Following a brief typology of corporatist systems, my purpose here is to relate the installation of corporatist modes of representation and policymaking in Africa to the quest for effectiveness and legitimacy by regimes faced with a crisis of governance which is inseparable from the international context of capitalism. This proposition will be developed more fully in a case study of neotraditional corporatism in Niger. Distinctions among several frequently occurring varieties of corporatism establish the parameters for elaborating the special case of neotraditional corporatism, a mode of governance that draws heavily on indigenous cultural patterns of authority, interest aggregation, and leader-follower relations as prime sources of legitimation. By examining Niger's recent experience with participation fostered through a five-tier hierarchy of development councils, we shall see how a corporatist-style representational system was installed by the military rulers in a two-step process. First the system was presented as transitional; it served to draw civilian constituencies into preparations for a return to constitutional government. Then, when Niger's domestic economy began wrenching from the shocks of a precipitous decline in the price and market for uranium, the existence of these purportedly transitional participatory structures preempted the formation of class-based parties or pluralist political alternatives. The. final section of our analysis, which links the onset of a crisis in Niger's political economy of development with the new politics of participation, explores the regime's recourse to corporatist intermediaries in the implementation of structural and policy reforms. Following a discussion that highlights the interactive relationship between economic policy dilemmas and the problems of governance, we conclude with a few theoretical and empirical observations about neotraditional corporatism and regime legitimation in Niger.