Poner la cuerpa: The Body as a Site of Reproductive Rights Activism in Peru

The issue of the body is central to feminist theory and activism. This article draws on social movement and performance theory to analyse the role of the body as a site of activism in performances and as a site that is subject to patriarchal and racial oppression. Through embodied activism, feminists reclaim their bodies as a contested site of oppression to reframe the terms of the debate on abortion and demonstrate the possibility for embodied and creative politics to create new, more inclusive forms of activist practices.     

The return of the regulator: Kazakhstan’s cotton sector reforms since independence

What would a ‘good’ industrial policy in the realm of cotton production look like? This article seeks to address this question through a focus on reforms to the cotton sector in Kazakhstan. In contrast with neighbouring Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, administrators in Kazakhstan had widely freed the cotton sector from government control as early as 1998. Agricultural collectives had been replaced by small private farms, and commercial cotton processors and traders entered the sector. However, in 2007, regulation tightened again and forced ginneries to use a complex warehouse receipt system without making sure that it was accepted by stakeholders and without appropriate institutions for implementing it in place. Moreover, it imposed financing restrictions on ginneries, which were major loan and input providers to farmers. In the following years, private producers and investors turned away from cotton, and cotton area and output fell substantially. We position our analysis in the broader debate about the right approach to industrial policy and argue that the cotton sector performance after 2007 shows how ill-designed regulation and government interference can turn a promising economic sector towards decline.     

Landfill externalities and property values dilemma – emerging insights from three Ghanaian cities

Though debates about the negative impact landfill exerts on land and property values are by no means historically new, research into the case of developing countries has only recently begun. This article attempts to synthesise existing literature on the subject through the analysis of three case studies to enhance our understanding, especially the contextual conditions surrounding the relationship. Applying this theoretical framework to the disposal practices occurring in three cities in Ghana, this article offers insight into the culpability of landfills in negatively impacting property values. In an illuminating analysis, we argue that most engineered landfills in the country serve as a catalyst in correcting the ills of uncontrolled urbanisation (governance, attitudinal and financial constraints, etc.). We opine that landfills’ relationship with host communities must be understood in relation to our overall underdevelopment, coupled with the increasing economic and technical challenges shaping much of the country’s history.     

Union Carbide and James Hardie: Lessons in Politics and Power

In terms of industrial disasters, the chemical release at Bhopal and the long-term production and use of asbestos products are two of the largest and most controversial cases. Both events backfired on the companies responsible, namely Union Carbide and James Hardie (which, in Australia, largely controlled the asbestos products market). Yet in the case of Bhopal most victims have not been adequately compensated and, while compensation seems more assured for Australian asbestos victims, it has been a long and bitter battle for justice. How, in a globalised world, can we ensure that corporate negligence backfires and victims receive justice? This paper presents a framework for understanding how global corporations attempt to inhibit outrage and how to counter their tactics.     

La gestion axée sur les résultats: Comparaison des cadres de gestion de huit juridictions

Au cours des deux derniéres décennies, plusieurs gouvemements ont voulu réformer leur administration publique en mettant en place un cadre de gestion axée sur les résultats. Jusqu à tout récemment, la documentation scientifique n'abor‐dait que trés peu ce théme et, outre les travaux de l'OCDE, le concept de gestion axée sur les résultats et son contenu n' avaient pas été définis. Nous avons donc voulu éla‐borer une définition générique de la gestion axée sur les résultats et comprendre la façon dont elle s'intègre à différents aspects de la gestion des organisations. Pour ce faire, nous avons exploré le cadre de gestion proposé par les réformes mises de l'avant dans huit juridictions. Les pays et provinces canadiennes choisis ont une approche‐type de gestion anglo‐américaine, soit le Canada, le Québec, l'Ontario, l'Alberta, les États‐Unis, l'Australie, le Royaume‐Uni et la Nouvelle‐Zélande. Les modèles étudiés présentent plusieurs similarités. On observe que la gestion de la performance dans ces juridictions se déploie dans des cycles de gestion composés de plusieurs étapes. Les éléments communs de ces cycles sont la planification stratégique, la planification opérationnelle, la réalisation des plans et des programmes, la mesure ds résultats, la reddition de comptes et l'analyse et l'interpréta‐tion des résultats. Ces processus se concrétisent par la publication de documents. Par ailleurs, ces cadres de gestion ont tendance à s'intégrer aux autres enjeux de la gestion des organisations tels que la qualité du service à la clientèle, la gestion des res‐sources humaines et financières et la vérification. Abstract: Over the last two decades, several governments have wanted to reform their public administration by implementing a results‐based management framework. Until very recently, the scientific literature hardly addressed this issue and, other than the OECD work, the concept of results‐based management and its content had not been defined. We therefore wanted to develop a generic definition for results‐based management and to understand how it fits into various aspects of organizational management. To do so, we explored the management framework put forward through reforms introduced in eight jurisdictions. The countries and Canadian provinces chosen, i.e., Canada, Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, United States, Australia, United Kingdom and New‐Zealand, use the typical Anglo‐American management approach. The models considered have several similarities. We found that performance management in those jurisdictions was implemented throughout several steps of management cycles. Common elements in these cycles include strategic planning, operational planning, plan and program delivery, results measurement, accountability, and results analysis and interpretation. The process is documented through published documents. Moreover, these management frameworks tend to become part of the other organizational management components, such as quality of customer service, management of human and financial resources, and auditing.     

Book Review

Investigative psychology: Offender profiling and the analysis of criminal action D. Canter and D. Youngs Chichester: Wiley, 2009. 470 pp. Price: U/K. ISBN: 978‐0‐470‐02397‐6     

'Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind': Assessing The Impact Of Markets For Children's Residential Care

This article is concerned with assessing the effectiveness of markets for complex professional services in social care. The issue is explored through an account of developments in the children's residential care sector. Over the past five years there has been a steady expansion in the role of external markets in this area. However, this was not required by the Children Act 1989 and has become the subject of considerable debate between policy makers and practitioners. While some favour an extension of choice, others argue that a further decline in local authority run provision will be both costly and detrimental in terms of meeting key policy goals. In order to assess these claims, reference is made to the findings of a study of purchasing practices for children's residential care in twelve local authorities in England and Wales. The impact of the emerging market is analysed along two dimensions. Firstly, we assess how far it is operating efficiently, concentrating on market structure, information and transaction costs. Secondly, attention is given to the impact of market changes on the policy objectives of: localized placements; ensuring adequate safeguards; and matching needs and services. The results reveal that there have been significant costs associated with markets in children's services. In a context of government efforts to promote modes of service delivery on the basis of 'what works', these difficulties have certain implications. Not only do they draw attention to the need for greater collaboration between purchasers and providers, they also point to the continued relevance and usefulness of local authority managed provision.