A study into the feasibility of generic programming for the construction of complex software

A high degree of abstraction and capacity for reuse can be obtained in software design through the use of Generic Programming (GP) concepts. Despite widespread use of GP in computing, some areas such as the construction of generic component libraries as the skeleton for complex computing systems with extensive domains have been neglected. Here we consider the design of a library of generic components based on the GP paradigm implemented with Java. Our aim is to investigate the feasibility of using GP paradigm in the construction of complex computer systems where the management of users interacting with the system and the optimisation of the system’s resources is required.Postprint (author's final draft

Environmental Pricing in Transport

Transport activity is inextricably linked with environmental damage. Economists traditionally urge policy makers to adopt pricing solutions, in particular taxes, to reduce environmental damage rather than quantity restrictions or standards. This chapter examines environmental pricing, defined broadly to include emission taxes, product taxes and subsidies and compares it to alternative approaches. We begin with a simple formal model to demonstrate the relative efficiency properties of pricing solutions, before highlighting some of the associated implementation problems. We then extend the scope and realism of the analysis by examining the choice between regulatory instruments in the presence of several market distortions. The basic case for environmental taxes, set at the correct level, is shown to remain. It is impossible to cover all modes and all real world case studies of pricing in this text. Rather, we illustrate our central point in the context of air pollution from car use. However, as we stress in the concluding section, the essential insight from the model applies to a whole range of enviromental problems in the transport sector. Readers interested in surveys of practical experiences are referred to The Policy Issues chapters of Handbook 6. A general introduction to the choice of regulatory instruments to tackle environmental damage can be found in Kolstad (1999).Transport; environment; emission taxes

Triple Wins from Foreign Direct Investment: Potential for Commonwealth countries to maximise economic and community benefits from inward investments case studies of Belize and Botswana

The findings of the case study on Botswana indicate that mining companies in Botswana have adopted the philosophy of CSR and are prepared to link social and environmental initiates to their core business. Particularly impressive is the comprehensive approach taken by the diamond mining company Setswana to develop and decentralise its strategy on Corporate Social Investment. In so doing, the company demonstrated preparedness to go beyond business as usual' approach of merely creating jobs and provide Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

Smoke and Mirrors: The National Lottery and the Non-Profit Sector

In a context of massive reductions in government consumption spending, the National Lottery is intended to provide a sustainable source of funding for non-profit organisations providing much needed sporting, arts, cultural, social and environmental services to the South African public. This funding, it is hoped, will help secure a better life for all citizens

Maybe Definitely – Definitely Maybe? EC Competition Law – Is the Time Ripe for Reform?

[Summary]. The aim of this article is to discuss whether the timing for the Commission’s Proposal for reforming the implementation of Articles 81 and 82 of the EC Treaty is appropriate based on legal certainty considerations. The Proposal suggests to decentralise the day-to-day application of the EC antitrust rules further than is the case today and to abolish the present notification system whereby undertakings can apply for exemptions pursuant to Article 81(3) and negative clearances. The article provides examples showing that presently, the answers to certain legal questions of EC competition rules are vague or contradictory, and that if the proposed reform were to be implemented in its present form, the undertakings would have to carry the full risk for compliance with the competition rules but without a simple or straightforward way of obtaining guidance or legally binding exemptions or negative clearances. While recognising the need for a reform of the implementation system of the EC competition rules, the article argues that consistency and coherence in the understanding and application of the competition rules are a prerequisite to ensure legal certainty which, in turn, is a prerequisite for the implementation of the Commission’s plans to decentralise EC competition law application. It is therefore suggested that the time is not yet ripe for the type of reform proposed by the Commission and that efforts should instead focus on creating the basis for such a reform by adopting clear guidelines and/or binding legislation that secure the legal certainty of the undertakings that have to operate under the EC competition law framework

Business parks and town centre workplaces in England: a comparative analysis of commuting-related energy consumption

To fully appreciate the environmental impact of a workplace the transport-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions resulting from its location should be considered in addition to the emissions that result from the occupation of the building itself. Since the first one was built in the early 1980s, business parks have become a significant workplace location for service-sector workers; a sector of the economy that grew rapidly at that time as the UK manufacturing output declined and the employment base shifted to retail services and de-regulated financial services. This paper examines the transport-related CO2 emissions associated with these workplace locations in comparison to town and city centre locations. Using 2001 Census Special Workplace Statistics which record people’s residence, usual workplace and mode of transport between them, distance travelled and mode of travel were calculated for a sample of city centre and out-of-town office locations. The results reveal the extent of the difference between transport-related CO2 emitted by commuters to out-of-town and city centre locations. The implications that these findings have for monitoring the environmental performance of workplaces are discussed

Efficient Allocations, Equilibria and Stability in Scarf's Economy

Scarf's economy has been a vehicle in understanding stability properties in exchange economies. The full set of market equilibria and Pareto optimal allocations for this economy has not been analysed. This paper aims to do that. Firstly, we examine the Pareto optima and we find three different classes. Only Class I exhausts the aggregate endowments of all the goods. Class II and III involve throwing away partially or totally one good in order to achieve Pareto efficiency. Secondly, we explore the price and endowment distribution combinations which sustain the different Pareto Optima as market equilibria. A Pareto optimum which involves throwing away the whole endowment of one of the goods is globally stable.Exchange economy, Complements, Stability

The Big Society and community development: Neighbourhood planning under the Localism Act

Bringing into force crucial aspects of the Coalition's ‘Big Society’, the Localism Act 2011 introduces changes to neighbourhood planning through which it seeks to decentralise power to the lowest possible level and afford local communities the opportunities to take the initiative with regards to developing local areas in line with local needs and issues. This article examines the neighbourhood planning provisions of the Act and considers the extent to which they achieve their aims and realise the objectives of the Big Society. It argues that, whilst seeking to decentralise power and empower communities to lead forward local development, the Act leaves a great deal of autonomy in the hands of central government and local authorities, meaning that the communities themselves are constrained by higher authority; it fails also to tackle sufficiently, issues relating to citizen and community engagement

Business Parks and Town Centre Workplaces in England: a Comparative Analysis of Commuting-related Energy Consumption

To fully appreciate the environmental impact of a workplace the transport-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions resulting from its location should be considered in addition to the emissions that result from the occupation of the building itself.  Since the first one was built in the early 1980s, business parks have become a significant workplace location for service-sector workers; a sector of the economy that grew rapidly at that time as the UK manufacturing output declined and the employment base shifted to retail services and de-regulated financial services.  This paper examines the transport-related CO2 emissions associated with these workplace locations in comparison to town and city centre locations.  Using 2001 Census Special Workplace Statistics which record people’s residence, usual workplace and mode of transport between them, distance travelled and mode of travel were calculated for a sample of city centre and out-of-town office locations.  The results reveal the extent of the difference between transport-related CO2 emitted by commuters to out-of-town and city centre locations.  The implications that these findings have for monitoring the environmental performance of workplaces are discussed.