Triadic exchange as design practice

Contemporary “dyadic” perspectives on symbolic and material exchange emphasize reception or consumption in place of longstanding concentration on transmission or production. Analysis of the dyadic model reveals its limitations and suggests a triadic approach to specify how the resource environment—the integrative “field”—of exchange provides material‐symbolic support for creative action. The historical example of the Hawthorne Studies, in organizational communication, and the contemporary effort of hardware and software designers to derive user‐based approaches to computer‐mediated communication illustrate how (a) consumption‐production; (b) textual; and (c) ritual models can usefully inform (d) a participatory design approach that expands comprehension of the dynamics of triadic exchange.     

Metaphorical duality: High school subject departments as both communities and organizations

This article investigates the metaphorical duality that exists when school subject departments are concurrently conceptualized as both communities and organizations. Employing a narrative methodology, we use the metaphorical duality to examine the manner in which science teachers negotiate two key aspects of their work; professional learning and teacher leadership. The reified meanings that the department (as community) negotiates are the foundations for the actions that the department (as organization) takes. It is this sense of understanding and commitment to the department as community that provides the department as organization with its political power within a school.     

The English Football Association Charter for Quality: the development of junior and youth grassroots football in England

In this article, we provide a practitioner’s account of the work undertaken by the English football association (FA) in the field of junior and youth grassroots football over the past two decades. We cover The FA’s main achievements and challenges in implementing strategies and changes in the delivery and provision of grassroots football. In doing so, we draw upon some of the research The FA has commissioned and undertaken to inform the developments that have been and continue to be made. It is rare for organizations such as The FA to communicate their work and contextualize the challenges and innovations within which this work takes place. As such, we hope this contribution will inform the reader of the past and future innovations that are central to sustaining and developing the grassroots game.     

Thailand's Department of Agricultural Extension and Agrochemical Dependency: Perspectives on Contributing Factors and Mitigation Strategies

Purpose: This paper discusses theoretical, policy and practical issues concerning the problem of ‘agrochemical dependency’ in Thailand, including roles that public extension services play in advocacy or mitigation of agrochemical use.Methodology/Approach: Our research aimed to better understand department of agricultural extension (DOAE) institutional and officials’ perceptions of contributing factors to agrochemical dependency as well as strategies for mitigating agrochemical use. We reviewed relevant policies, web materials and technical cooperation agreements. We supplemented theoretical and document analysis with interviews totalling15 DOAE managers or senior officers comparing Bangkok headquarters and Nan Province perspectives. We refer to relevant secondary literatures for explanatory context.Findings: Results showed differences as well as similarities between views of DOAE officials in Bangkok headquarters and those from one province (Nan) about DOAE priorities, responsibilities and perceived reasons why farmers overuse agrochemicals or do not adopt organic agriculture (OA). A national policy encouraged ‘safe use’ of agrochemicals but not (necessarily or effectively) mitigation while the DOAE still (to a much lesser extent) promoted self-sufficiency and OA alternatives. Interviews and documentary evidence revealed DOAE public–private partnerships with corporate advice, technical support, human resources and learning activities that encouraged or normalized agrochemical use and dependency.Practical Implications: Study results should be useful for governments, donors, international agencies and department officials in policy development, program planning, training design, budgeting and delivery.Originality/Value: This study is unique for: better understanding implications of agrochemical dependency and privatization of public extension services; analyzing factors inhibiting OA adoption; and examining contentious policies, partnerships, and training activities.