The Implications of Drug Treatment Practitioner Favourable Bias towards Illicit Drug Users, on Client Treatment Outcomes

This thesis is based around eight inter-related studies examining drug treatment practitioners’ (DTP) actual and perceived favourability towards illicit drugs and illicit drug users (IDU), and the impact it may have on clients’ drug treatment outcomes. Furthermore, the extent to which individual differences moderate levels of favourability are explored. It is impossible to study aspects of treatment success, without recognising the importance of the dyadic therapeutic alliance (TA) between DTP and IDU client. Consequently, this thesis draws upon the theory of symbolic interactionism (SI), which purports that social interactions shape, modify and develop the self, by aligning ones identity with the interpretations and performances with others. Thus, the TA can potentially be a fundamental aspect of recovery success. SI pertains to the notion that a blend of both quantitative and qualitative research brings strength to theoretical development, and provides an understanding of the connection between meanings and behaviour. Thus a mixed-method technique was employed to quantitatively develop and validate an ‘attitudes towards illicit drugs and drug users scale’ (ATIDDUS), so as to explore the association between actual and perceived favourability (in a number of different population samples), on clients’ drug treatment outcomes. Then, to qualitatively evaluate aspects of treatment that were considered to influence recovery success. The findings support the view that there is an association between TA rapport and clients’ treatment outcomes; particularly that DTPs do exhibit favourable bias towards IDUs, and that perception of DTP favourability was potentially associated to certain treatment outcomes (i.e. employment and no longer requiring aftercare). Further, aspects of the TA, such as continuity, trust and support were considered by current clients as aiding their treatment outcomes. The clinical implications of this research are, (1) on the recruitment of new DTPs; as individual differences in the general public were found to influence levels of favourability (e.g. personal/direct, and vicarious/non-direct experience with illicit drugs and IDUs improved favourability), (2) on the training and education of DTPs; DTPs were found to exhibit higher levels of favourability (when compared to the general public), yet it was significantly underestimated by clients. Thus indicating a requirement to address and enhance the disparity between actual and perceived favourability, so that clients can be positively influenced by DTPs’ favourable bias

Intelligence et transculture de l’information

En tant que démarche organisationnelle d’appréhension du monde dans sa complexité, l’intelligence économique trouve ses assises dans des concepts issus de plusieurs champs disciplinaires, dont les sciences de l’information et de la communication. Un retour aux sources d’inspiration de l’intelligence économique facilite une mise en perspective transdisciplinaire des concepts constituants du processus d’information‑communication, ainsi que de la place occupée dans ce modèle par les technologies qui leur sont dédiées. Cette étude permet aussi de proposer pour la première fois le concept de transculture de l’information, englobant la littératie, la culture et l’intelligence de l’information.Defined as an organization’s structured approach towards attempting to fully apprehend the world in all of its overreaching complexity, the competitive intelligence model stems from the crossroads between concepts originating from various disciplinary fields, chief amongst which is information and communication science. By revisiting the sources of inspiration which have led to this information strategy, this allows us to put into a transdisciplinary perspective the concepts constitutive of the information-communication process, as well as the place which the related technologies occupy within this model. This paper also introduces for a first time the concept of information transculture, which includes information literacy, information culture and information intelligence

Reinventing treaty compliant ‘‘safety zones’’ in the context of space sustainability

This paper questions the concept of safety zones, tracing it to maritime and military law, in order to unpack its potential legal uses, applications and implications in the current context of the New Space economy. To achieve this, it starts by investigating the historical foundations of safety zones rooted in the Cold-War-era legal literature and then move on to a larger discussion of how such zones can be balanced with the non-appropriation principle. Then, this paper examines a number of legal analogies, as they appear in maritime law, aviation law as well as relevant examples in outer-space law. Lastly, it attempts to sketch the outline of a “solution ”that identifies the criteria, to be used in order to model a potential safety zone that strikes a balance between the industry’s growing concerns and requirements on one hand, and the legal prohibitions that preclude sovereign claims on outer space on the other hand. Particular attention is given to the special case of the United States’ extraterritorial jurisdiction in outer space

Reinventing treaty compliant ‘‘safety zones’’ in the context of space sustainability

This paper questions the concept of safety zones, tracing it to maritime and military law, in order to unpack its potential legal uses, applications and implications in the current context of the New Space economy. To achieve this, it starts by investigating the historical foundations of safety zones rooted in the Cold-War-era legal literature and then move on to a larger discussion of how such zones can be balanced with the non-appropriation principle. Then, this paper examines a number of legal analogies, as they appear in maritime law, aviation law as well as relevant examples in outer-space law. Lastly, it attempts to sketch the outline of a “solution ”that identifies the criteria, to be used in order to model a potential safety zone that strikes a balance between the industry’s growing concerns and requirements on one hand, and the legal prohibitions that preclude sovereign claims on outer space on the other hand. Particular attention is given to the special case of the United States’ extraterritorial jurisdiction in outer space

Which jurisdiction for private in-space assembled autonomous platforms?

This article builds a model for determining the law applicable to in-space assembled autonomous platforms and the services they are likely to provide. It makes a comprehensive inventory of the new challenges and emerging industry trends in the field of in-space assembly. It identifies some of the most significant industrial projects, which are currently engaged or contemplated. It then examines the status of such private platforms assembled in space in terms of both international rules and state jurisdiction. It suggests an approach that distinguishes the service provided from the physical platform itself, which would enable States to regulate service operation. The conclusion sets out a series of practical recommendations that could be implemented at different levels

Which jurisdiction for private in-space assembled autonomous platforms?

This article builds a model for determining the law applicable to in-space assembled autonomous platforms and the services they are likely to provide. It makes a comprehensive inventory of the new challenges and emerging industry trends in the field of in-space assembly. It identifies some of the most significant industrial projects, which are currently engaged or contemplated. It then examines the status of such private platforms assembled in space in terms of both international rules and state jurisdiction. It suggests an approach that distinguishes the service provided from the physical platform itself, which would enable States to regulate service operation. The conclusion sets out a series of practical recommendations that could be implemented at different levels