Social Interaction Systems

by Robert Freed Bales

2001 · Transaction Publishers

Social Interaction Systems is the culmination of a half century of work in the field of social psychology by Robert Freed Bales, a pioneer at the Department of Social Relations at Harvard University. Led by Talcott Parsons, Gordon W. Allport, Henry A. Murray, and Clyde M. Kluckhohn, the Harvard Project was intended to establish an integrative framework for social psychology, one based on the interaction process, augmented by value content analysis. Bales sees this approach as a personal involvement that goes far beyond the classical experimental approach to the study of groups. Bales developed SYMLOG, which stands for systematic multiple level observation of groups. The SYMLOG Consulting Group approach was worldwide as well as interactive. It created a data bank that made possible a search for general laws of human interaction far beyond anything thus far known. In his daring search for universal features, Bales redefines the fundamental boundaries of the field, and in so doing establishes criteria for the behavior and values of leaders and followers. Bales offers a new "field theory," an appreciation of the multiple contexts in which people live. Bales does not aim to eradicate differences, but to understand them. In this sense, the values inherent in any interaction situation permit the psychologist to appreciate the sources of polarization as they actually exist: between conservative and liberal, individualistic and authoritarian, libertarian and communitarian. Bales repeatedly emphasizes that the mental processes of individuals and their social interactions take place in systematic contexts which can be measured. Hence they permit explanation and prediction of behavior in a more exact way than in past traditions. Bales has offered a pioneering work that has the potential to move us into a new theoretical epoch no less than a new century. His work holds out the promise of synthesis and support for psychologists, sociologists, and all who work with groups and organizations of all kinds.

The Once-Only Principle Project: Drivers and Barriers for OOP

by Tarmo Kalvet, Maarja Toots, Robert Krimmer

2017 · TOOP

This deliverable presents the TOOP pilot participants’ perception of the key barriers and drivers for the cross-border implementation of the once-only principle (OOP), which were studied on the basis of a literature review, survey, focus group interviews and workshops. In regards to legal challenges, key concerns for cross-border OOP implementation include meeting the requirements of lawfulness and compliance, legal value and validity of data exchanged, privacy, data protection and protecting confidentiality. Key technical barriers are found around technical and semantic interoperability. The study also identified that reluctance to change existing systems may act as a barrier; it is therefore expected that the architecture for cross-border OOP is compatible with existing national solutions. Organisational and political barriers relate to organisational inertia, low political prioritisation of the OOP, multiple stakeholders and interests, limited resources, organisational interoperability and different pricing policies. Last but not least, demonstrating the benefits for businesses and public administrations is perceived very important. Tarmo Kalvet, Maarja Toots, Robert Krimmer. 2017. The Once-Only Principle Project: Drivers and Barriers for OOP

Hawaiian Plant Life

by Robert J. Gustafson, Derral R. Herbst, Philip W. Rundel

2014 · University of Hawaii Press

Hawaiian Plant Life has been written with both the layperson and professional interested in Hawai‘i’s natural history and flora in mind. In addition to significant text describing landforms and vegetation, the evolution of Hawaiian flora, and the conservation of native species, the book includes almost 875 color photographs illustrating nearly two-thirds of native Hawaiian plant species as well as a concise description of each genus and species shown. The work can be used either as a stand-alone reference or as a companion to the two-volume Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawai‘i. Learning more about threatened and endangered plants is essential to conserving them, and there is no more endangered flora in the world today than that of the Hawaiian Islands. Striking species complexes such as the silverswords and the remarkable lobeliads represent unique stories of adaptive radiation that make the Hawai‘i a living laboratory for evolution. Public appreciation for Hawaiian biodiversity requires outreach and education that will determine the future conservation of this rich heritage, and Hawaiian Plant Life has been designed to help fill that need.