Imperfect Control

In her remarkable national bestseller, Necessary Losses, Judith Viorst explored how we are shaped by the various losses we experience throughout our lives. Now, in her wise and perceptive new book, Imperfect Control, she shows us how our sense of self and all our important relationships are colored by our struggles over control: over wanting it and taking it, loving it and fearing it, and figuring out when the time has come to surrender it. Writing with compassion, acute psychological insight, and a touch of her trademark humor, Viorst invites us to contemplate the limits and possibilities of our control. She shows us how our lives can be shaped by our actions and our choices. She reminds us, too, that we sometimes should choose to let go. And she encourages us to find our own best balance between power and surrender.

Fundamental and technological topics are blended uniquely and developed clearly in nine chapters with a gradually increasing level of complexity. A wide variety of relevant problems is raised throughout, and the proper tools to find engineering-oriented solutions are introduced and explained, step by step. Fundamental coverage includes: Kinematics; Statics and dynamics of manipulators; Trajectory planning and motion control in free space. Technological aspects include: Actuators; Sensors; Hardware/software control architectures; Industrial robot-control algorithms. Furthermore, established research results involving description of end-effector orientation, closed kinematic chains, kinematic redundancy and singularities, dynamic parameter identification, robust and adaptive control and force/motion control are provided. To provide readers with a homogeneous background, three appendices are included on: Linear algebra; Rigid-body mechanics; Feedback control. To acquire practical skill, more than 50 examples and case studies are carefully worked out and interwoven through the text, with frequent resort to simulation. In addition, more than 80 end-of-chapter exercises are proposed, and the book is accompanied by a solutions manual containing the MATLAB code for computer problems; this is available from the publisher free of charge to those adopting this work as a textbook for courses.

Reproduction of the original: Ethics by Aristotle

Published in 1999. Originally published in 1981, Control and Power in Central-Local Government Relations set out to provide a re-interpretation of central-local relations in Britain. The book reviewed the (then) existing literature; redefined the subject of intergovernmental relations (IGR); and developed a theory linking IGR to broader issues in the study of British Government. It rapidly became a classic in the study of local government. The link to broader issues what achieved through the power-dependence model and the focus on policy communities. The book underpinned the vast growth in the study of policy networks in British government. This revised edition includes four new chapters, two of which have been specially written. The new Preface traces the fortunes of the power-dependence model, commenting on and updating the individual chapters. A new part II continues the story. It contains a 1986 essay reviewing criticism of the original model (chapter 6); a 1992 article discussing unresolved issues in the study of policy networks (chapter 7); and a new chapter assessing where we are now in the study of networks. It argues, provocatively, for an ethnographic focus on traditions and narratives; on how individuals construct networks. The book remains essential reading for all students and academics concerned with the study of IGR and policy networks.

Organizations: Management Without Control provides a comprehensive understanding of the functions of formal organizations and the challenges they face. The most effective organizations provide members with opportunities to achieve their personal goals while pursuing the organization's objectives. Using a practical approach with minimal jargon, author Howard P. Greenwald covers the basic features of organizations such as roles, structure, reward systems, power and authority, and culture and introduces important theoretical perspectives related to these features. Key Features Emphasizes the theme of "management without control": This volume differs from most standard texts by highlighting both the challenges and opportunities that result from the independence of the individuals in the organization's ranks. Stresses the importance of individual motivation and self-fulfillment: Recognizing the individual's responsibility for their own success, the book helps readers evaluate clues to whether the organization to which they belong is an adequate opportunity. Offers a critical perspective on current fads and management ideologies: Proposing no formulaic solutions, the book provides the perspectives required to understand each organization's uniqueness and to develop remedies to issues as they arise. Makes theory accessible through numerous real-life examples: Chapters include examples from life in business organizations, government agencies, non-profits, clubs, friendship groups, and families. Examines multinational corporations: Challenges involved in management on an international scale are explored as the book applies the principle of individual and group independence to global matters. Underscores multidisciplinary interest in organizations: Content is drawn from sociology, social psychology, anthropology, and management science. Intended Audience This introductory textbook on formal organizations is designed for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses such as Organizational Behavior, Managing Complex Organizations, Sociology of Organizations, and Government/Non-profit Management in the departments of business, public administration, health administration, social work, sociology, and psychology. Instructor's Resources An Instructor's Resource CD is available upon request. This CD provides PowerPoint presentations, test questions, additional examples and cases, suggested exercises, and much more!