The role and impact of decision-making (DM) has evoked much research interest. The link between philosophy and behaviour via the decisions that practitioners make has also been established. In elite sport however there has been little research to show how philosophy can shape and impact DM in this high performance domain. Furthermore, to this point epistemology has not been considered as a potential tool that could help guide and directly influence DM in such an environment. Given the pressures evident in elite golf, the demand for success, and the need to make decisions that will have positive outcomes for players, coaches and the sport itself the focus of this thesis was on developing a bespoke understanding of how those working in elite golf can make "the right decisions". In order to support the investigation an Epistemological Chain (EC) that links the higher order beliefs to practical behavioural outputs was conceptualised. Reflecting a growing interest and awareness of how practitioners and organisations make decisions the aim of this thesis was therefore to provide an exploration of DM in elite golf with a specific focus on the EC. Accordingly interviews were undertaken with coaches in order to gain a better understanding of the ECs existence, operation, application and potential utility. To further understanding of the EC’s wider impact on DM, a series of studies were undertaken, this time examining the EC at the coach-player, inter-coach, and organisational level. Findings from these studies demonstrated that the EC did exist, as did many potential benefits for its implementation. To further test these assumptions and propositions that had emerged an action research project was undertaken with England Golf. This study supported and confirmed the value and practicality of the EC as a reflection tool for uncovering existing interactions and as a framework against which to initiate change and base organisational management operations and decisions. Overall, this thesis represented an interesting study of DM interpretations in the elite golf domain. More significant however is that it has provided elite golf with an evidence-led framework against which to base its decisions.

Shared residential outdoor space (ROS) is an important resource, especially in urban areas where outdoor space is limited. This study investigates how well shared ROS is used by residents. Data was collected from 129 developments and streets using a postal questionnaire. 346 different areas within the selected sites were measured using the Carto tool of EDINA’s Digimap. Different types of layout were identified; the area of residential outdoor space available per dwelling was calculated and the distance along a walking route to the nearest shop and public open spaces was measured for each area. Aerial and birds-eye view satellite photographs from www.bing.com were used to assess greenness and tree cover and to confirm the layout and era of the buildings. 1328 valid questionnaires were returned. These are considered in three sets: shared ROS only; individual ROS only and both shared and individual ROS. Respondents with only shared ROS available report significantly lower levels of usage than respondents in the other two sets. Variables that vary across the sets and with levels of usage are identified. These are investigated using a casebased, rather than a variable-based method, using fsQCA software developed by Ragin (2008). This enables sets of variables linked with high and low usage of shared ROS to be identified. The most influential attributes are: area of ROS per dwelling, number of households sharing the ROS, greenness, maximum floor level of the dwelling and concerns about noise and privacy. Six interviews and consideration of nine specific developments show that uncertainty about what is ‘allowed’ and concerns about not upsetting neighbours are also inhibitors to using shared ROS. Recommendations are made for improving how well shared residential outdoor spaces are used.

This is a history of the development of the manager in English football from 1880 until the mid-1960s. It is predicated on two main arguments. First, that football management in England has largely reflected the practical tradition of British management where managers are employed more for their experience than any qualifications that they might hold. Second, that the management of players during this period mirrored prevailing attitudes within society towards the handling of young, working-class men and because they lacked any management training, managers imposed their personality and authority on them. The thesis has a chronological structure. The first chapter provides a broad overview of British management up to 1970. Its aim is to provide an overall context for the rest of the thesis by analysing the history of British management, its culture, and also the role of education. Chapter 2 charts the early development of football management in the years up to 1914. The following chapter examines the emergence of early football managers during the same period. It examines, first, the relationship between a manager and his directors and how this has developed in light of football's commercialisation process; second, how the training and background of managers has reflected trends within British management; and third, the manager's relationship with his workers, the players. This framework will be used throughout the thesis. Chapter 4 is a case study of Herbert Chapman. Chapter 5 deals with the inter-War period and Chapter 6 looks at the emergence of modem football management from 1945 up to the Sixties. Chapter 7 assesses the socio-economic impact of a manager on a team's performance during this period. The conclusion will briefly draw together the main themes and arguments of the thesis.

This thesis sets out to examine the creative process in developing large TV console video games. Using methods based on the philosophy of Grounded Theory, interviews were conducted at four game development studios. From these interviews and the extant literature, a Model Set was constructed to reflect the creative process. The underlying premise of the Model Set is that a Darwinian process of variation, selection, and retention, is the kernel of the creating process. The Model Set is comprised of four components: a rigorous domain specific definition of the creative process, a defined perspective, a Core Creating Model, and a Creative Continuum. The Core Creating Model is the mechanism of the creating process, while the Creative Continuum provides a platform to evaluate the video game in terms of the creative definition. Following from the Model Set are four key research findings as contributions to knowledge and current research directions. These findings are: 1) Creativity is not all about ideas, as commonly perceived. Decision-making is a fundamental element of creativity, 2) The Core Creating Mechanism provides a distinction between Creativity and Discovery, while placing both within an understandable context, 3) The Model Set challenges the common assumption that more creativity is better, 4) The creative process is structured in multiple ways. It is of critical importance to understand these difference structures when researching and managing the creative process. The creative process in video game development is not monotonic: it is bimodal, that is, there is creativity both at the beginning and at the conclusion of the development process. Not all creative processes follow this pattern. The Model Set and four key research findings are a contribution to knowledge as they expand and deepen our understanding of the creative process. From these findings, the thesis discusses the theoretical and practical implications of the research.

A variety of econometric models have been created, including a travel cost model, contingent behaviour models and a contingent valuation model. Based on these models a “typical” day at Loch Lomond is valued at £20.53, with visitors willing to pay an additional £1.76 to fund environmental improvements. Looking at the particular environmental issues of noise, crowding and environmental damage, noise pollution appears to have the greatest influence on recreation enjoyment. Noise pollution is caused primarily by the use of personal watercraft (“jet-skis”). It was found that an asymmetrical conflict exists between jet-skiers and non jet-skiers. The research project reveals that there is no simple relationship between the perception of and reality of environmental damage. Although visitor perception of environmental damage often differs from actual levels of environmental damage, the relationship is complex. In terms of “real” environmental impact around the loch area, the visitor-induced environmental damage survey estimates that just over 9% of the loch shore suffers from severe environmental impact. Ecological vegetation surveys also confirm that recreation pressure is a statistically significant influence on the presence/absence of plant communities, but that this ecological impact is spatially limited to specific sites around the loch. Following on from both the perceptual and ecological results, policy and management implications are investigated and recommendations are provided – for example the implementation of a possible vehicle parking fee at various sites around Loch Lomond. It is suggested that recreational carrying capacity frameworks such as VERP should be applied, as they assimilate the ecological and social facets of outdoor recreation. An overall conclusion to the thesis is thus that a sustainable approach (framework) to recreation management, one that encompasses the perceptual and ecological dimensions of outdoor recreation, is the only way of maintaining the beauty and enjoyment of Loch Lomond – and, it is suggested, national parks world-wide – for present and future generations.

The aim of this research was to understand why some young talented dancers stay in dance training while others decide to leave. In order to meet this aim, commitment, adherence and dropout among young talented dancers was investigated in five studies using a multidisciplinary mixed methods design. Participants were from eight of the UK Centres for Advanced Training (CATs) in Dance, nationwide talent development schemes that provide high quality part-time training to young people aged 10-18 years. The first study was a review of the literature on talent identification and development in order to understand the nature of the cohort and the type of environment in which the young people trained. The second study investigated multidisciplinary characteristics of 334 students to gain a descriptive understanding of the participants. Thirdly, nineteen committed students were interviewed to understand their experiences in dance and reasons for staying in training from their own perspectives. In the fourth study, ten students who had dropped out from a CAT were interviewed about their experiences and reasons for leaving; this data was triangulated using demographic information gathered from the CATs. Finally, a set of multidisciplinary characteristics was used to predict adherence to the CATs in the fifth study (N = 287). Results revealed that commitment to the CATs was underpinned by enjoyment, social relationships with peers and teachers, the opportunities available on the scheme and parental support. Adherence was positively predicted by harmonious passion, a love of dance characterised by a flexible type of involvement, and negatively by ego-involving motivational climate perceptions. This means that students were less likely to stay in training if they perceived their learning environment to emphasise other-referenced learning, competition among peers, objective success and punishment of mistakes. The main reasons for dropping out of the scheme according to the participants were having conflicting demands, change in aspirations, course content, difficulty making friends, and lost passion. Injury, financial factors, low perceived competence, and teacher behaviour emerged as minor reasons. Younger students were more likely to cite course-related reasons for dropping out than older students, while older students were more likely to cite change in aspirations and lost passion than their younger counterparts. Although participants were involved in a talent development scheme, aspects of physical competence, as identified in the first literature review study, did not appear influential in adherence and dropout. Overall these studies address a complex and under-researched area in dance. Results indicate that commitment can be maintained or enhanced by maximising enjoyment and passion, minimising elements of ego-involving motivational climates, facilitating positive peer relationships, ensuring training incorporates appropriate challenge and encouraging parental support.

The aim of this doctoral thesis was to gain insight into ethical and responsible tourists, to understand their motivational values and to reveal the importance of these values in their holiday choice behaviour. This study has more than achieved this aim and makes unique contributions in several areas – not only has it extended what is known and understood about ethical and responsible tourist’s motivation but it has also underlined the utility of the values concept to understand their holiday choice behaviour. Further contribution derives from the application of the conceptual framework of the means-end chain theory (Gutman, 1982), which has enabled this study to explore the linkages between ethical and responsible tourists’ holiday choices, the perceived benefits of these choices and their underpinning values. This study has also found that, although useful, Schwartz’s (1992) value theory needs further modification if used within an ethical consumer context. Most notably, limitations have been found in the value types of power, achievement and hedonism when applied to ethical and responsible tourists’ holiday choice behaviour. Overall, this doctoral thesis has significantly advanced the tourist research agenda, not only by revealing the meaningful associations between ethical and responsible tourists’ values and their holiday choice behaviour, but also by providing crucial information on the specific values that prompt these holiday choices. From the key findings of this study, ethical and responsible tourists prefer to travel independently, perceive tourism to have the capacity to encourage inequitable relationships and understand how the tourism industry operates. They demonstrate sympathy for the principles of fair trade, with its emphasis on cooperation and partnership, and not only do they take active responsibility for sharing the economic benefits of their holidays they also want to make a lasting contribution to visited communities. Ethical and responsible tourists have a strong belief in their personal ability to facilitate change, not only by sharing their knowledge and experiences with family and friends but also because they believe their behaviour can demonstrate to others how to take an ethical or responsible approach to holiday choice. In addition, ethical and responsible tourists demonstrate a range of deeply held values including respect, responsibility and a duty of care towards both the planet and other people, the importance of sharing the economic benefits of tourism and a preoccupation with making sure their holiday choices are consistent with the values of equity, fairness and social justice.

By first detailing the religious, cultural and sporting heritage of Punjabi-Sikhs, the study focuses on how this sporting legacy of has been translated in Britain and how such translation has served to augment the perceived cultural traditions of British Punjabi-Sikhs. The inception of the Shaheedi Games tournaments and the proliferation of all-Punjabi-Sikh football teams are located within the wider phenomenon of post-war South Asian immigration to Britain. The first-hand oral testimonies of pioneering Punjabi-Sikh immigrants serve to script the narrative of the history and evolution of these tournaments. This work is also ethnographically informed through my association/interaction with a Punjabi-Sikh football club. The players/affiliates of this club provided a research environment and subject base allowing the investigation of their manifold identification with sport. The subjects of playing football and supporting professional football teams, along with the conspicuous absence of South Asians from top-flight professional football are used to highlight issues of racism(s) and the (re)negotiations of ethnic, cultural and regional identities. The Shadeedi Games tournaments are unique Punjabi-Sikh sporting/cultural events that have profound significance for Punjabi-Sikhs. The themes/principles of the carnival inform the discussion/exposition of these tournaments and point to their assumed counter-cultural motifs. This thesis aims to disavow uncritical conjecture that denies South Asians a diverse and prominent sporting pedigree/prowess. By uncovering and exploring the Punjabi-Sikh history and experience of sport, this thesis illustrates how this specific British South Asian community has an established, accomplished and multifariously dynamic identification with sport.

Merleau-Ponty suggests that a non-dualistic understanding of embodied being must start from a theory of embodied practice. This allows us to think in terms of a body-subject, rather than seeing the body as object, and thus to consider embodiment as the basis of subjectivity and intersubjectivity. Further to this, I contend that if we are to truly move away from dualism in our understanding of human being, we need not only to conceptualise embodiment adequately in philosophical terms, but also to engage with lived embodied practice. This thesis ‘fleshes out’ embodiment theory through an approach which brings Merleau-Ponty’s philosophy into conversation with the experiential accounts of professional contemporary dance practitioners, accessed through in-depth qualitative interviews. In bringing together a philosophy (Merleau-Ponty) which is rooted in the notion of embodied practice, and an embodied practice (contemporary dance) which both grounds and is grounded in philosophically interesting themes such as subjectivity, identity, intersubjectivity, expression and communication, this conversational method allows mutual illumination and opens up a new conceptual space for the exploration of the embodied basis of being. This project therefore emphasises the seeking out of links and common ground between the two interlocutors rather than offering a reductive critique. The conversation between philosophy and practice covers four main areas where the dancers’ reflections on their (embodied capacities for) practical knowledge, subjectivity, intersubjectivity, and representation are explored in relation to Merleau-Ponty’s conceptualisations of the corporeal schema, intercorporeality and flesh [la chair]. It is argued that this conversational approach functions to open up a space which lies in-between the traditional dualisms of mind and body, philosophy and practice, and theory and data, and allows me to develop and explore new ideas, connections, perspectives and understandings of the embodied basis of being that a different methodological approach would not have facilitated to the same extent.

This thesis explores the current trend for pole dancing as an increasingly popular fitness activity for women, taught in health and fitness clubs across the country. With the use of participant observation in classes and in-depth qualitative interviews with women who take these classes, as well as women who teach them, I explore what these types of class mean to these women, how pole dancing classes fit into contemporary feminist debates around the nature of and the future of feminism, and the pressures and expectations placed upon women to look and act in a feminine and sexualised way. Moving beyond what I see as the quite limiting previous accounts of these classes, which have debated whether or not they are empowering or degrading for women, my research suggests that pole dancing classes are complex, may be neither empowering nor degrading, for these concepts are complicated and problematic, and that the pole dancer cannot be seen as one dimensional. Women describe their participation in pole classes in a discourse of choice and control yet I show that their choice to participate is constructed somewhat by the media and the advertising of these classes which presents them as enabling women to create a particular desirable feminine and sexy self, perpetuated throughout our culture as the 'ideal'. Exploring the ways in which women attempt to manage impressions of themselves and present themselves as ‘respectable’, examine how the women in this study wish to dis-identify with both women who work as strippers and women who are feminist, seeing both identities as contradictory to the feminine image that they pursue. I explore the capacity of these classes to offer women feelings of agency, in particular through the fun, fitness and friendships that women gain from classes, but I challenge the idea that participating in pole dancing can offer empowerment, arguing that ultimately we can view these women's participation in terms of both their active engagement and enjoyment of these classes and in terms of the structures and pressures which continue to shape their lives.