Thoroughly revised and fully updated, An Introduction to Sociology gives concise yet comprehensive coverage of all the topics specified by the GCSE examining boards. The second edition was described by the AQA's Chief Examiner for GCSE Sociology as establishing 'the standard for textbooks at this level' - this new edition builds on the book's existing achievements. New material is found throughout the book, including substantive new sections on gender, identity, citizenship, education, new social movements, poverty and the welfare state, religion, the mass media, work and leisure, and population. The book has been carefully designed to support and extend students' learning. Each chapter begins with a summary of the key issues to be covered, and goes on to highlight important terms, which are then explained in a clear glossary. Summaries at the end of each chapter, a lively range of new activities and discussion points, the use of websites, as well as helpful suggestions for coursework, all add to the book's value as a learning and teaching resource. Student-friendly cartoons, tables, diagrams, and photographs - and the re-designed internal lay-out - also enliven the text, making sociology seem exciting and relevant to students of all interests and abilities. The new edition of this highly successful textbook will prove invaluable to anyone taking an introductory sociology course, especially at GCSE and related levels. Students taking AS and A-level - as well as Access, nursing, and health and social care courses - will also find the book provides an easy and fun introduction to studying sociology.

Learn from one of our leading conservative voices how we can return to the biblical values our nation was founded upon, especially the vital importance of the family, in order to secure a prosperous future for generations to come. Does America no longer feel like home? Widespread divorce rates, the erosion of traditional marriage, the popular rise of radical ideologies, attacks on faith, and government interference are only a few of the factors contributing to the struggles of families in our culture. And because of the importance of healthy families to every part of our national life, the breakdown of the family threatens to rob us of the country we love. But it doesn't have to be this way. Like many of us, Dr. Ben Carson fears we are losing the country we love. In this provocative and ultimately hopeful book, he gives us the facts, inspiration, and theory-to-action answers we need to restore a key foundation of America: the family. The Perilous Fight equips us to understand: The hard data behind the breakdown of the family and its effects on our society, including poverty, crime, and deteriorating education The core biblical beliefs that led our nation into unprecedented freedom and prosperity--and why abandoning those beliefs led to the social decline we see today The fresh ideas and public policy options that could reverse negative trends impacting the family while maintaining a balance between constitutional freedoms and governmental involvement This is a practical and inspiring book for anyone who: Feels discouraged about the state of our country and its institutions Needs hope that there are commonsense, attainable solutions that we all can practice Appreciates a conservative, Scripture-based approach to restoring faith, liberty, community, and life in America Strong families are the cornerstone of strong communities. Strong communities build a strong nation. Only when we prioritize the family as an institution established by God will we proudly remain the land of the free and the home of the brave.

This book explores what becomes of faiths when seen as social capital. In the grip of the current debt crisis, where the social and capital seem increasingly unbalanced, this book examines whether faiths can help rebalance society through drawing communities together.

Anthony Giddens is one of the most respected and influential social theorists at work today. This wide-ranging and stimulating volume, first published in 1991, provides an authoratative and penetrating critical assessment of social theory. It will be of use to all students of sociology and social theory.

This fascinating new book explores the benefits and dynamics of social media storms and identifies the possible opportunities that they present for further engagement with customers. It provides actionable managerial advice on planning for, measuring, and innovatively navigating social media storms. Based on a sound theoretical background and illustrated by vivid real-life examples and case studies throughout every chapter, this book combines thorough explanations of the elements of business decision-making, market interaction, consumer psychology, branding, and business communication. In comparison to the existing literature, the book departs from the classical, but insufficient crisis communication management approaches to suggest novel frameworks and tools for empowering businesses, consumers, and broader societies in the digital age. Social Media Storms: Empowering Leadership Beyond Crisis Management provides advanced undergraduate and postgraduate digital marketing, marketing communications, strategy, and crisis management students with a comprehensive understanding of the social media storm phenomenon and helps marketing and communications professionals to leverage the opportunities that social media storms are bringing.

The comprehensive how-to guide to preparing students for the demands they’ll face on the job. Dwyer thoroughly addresses the new-media skills that employees are expected to have in today’s business environment. Now titled Communication for Business and the Professions: Strategies and Skills, the fifth edition presents these technologies in the context of proven communication strategies and essential business English skills. With new and updated content on social media and technology, Dwyer provides comprehensive coverage of communication strategies and skills by linking theory and research with practical skills and examples. Dwyer believes in expanding our knowledge of what we can do to interact effectively and provides us with working models to practise and refine how well we do it. This edition continues to provide a solid background in communication, stimulate critical thinking, and promote active learning through a variety of features and activities.

The De Gruyter Handbook of Social Entrepreneurship serves as a one-stop shop for nascent and established scholars and practitioners alike who seek to quickly gain a broad familiarity with the current state of research in social entrepreneurship. Part 1 reviews and discusses the historical scholarly foundations of the field, followed by a more in-depth treatment of newer research, while Part 2 examines the broader ecosystem in which social entrepreneurship takes place. In Part 3, the handbook explores infrastructural considerations such as organizational culture, values, processes, business models and mindsets that affect social entrepreneurship. Finally, in Part 4 the handbook analyzes social entrepreneurship from the individual social entrepreneur’s perspective. Faculty, research-oriented graduate students, think tanks, and government agencies who seek an overview of recent research in the field of social entrepreneurship will benefit from this essential addition to the literature. In addition, practicing social entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs in corporate settings, and non-governmental organizations interested in social entrepreneurship can use this handbook as a resource to inform their approaches to the development of social ventures, how they support social entrepreneurs, and the ways in which they can foster conditions to support a thriving social entrepreneurial ecosystem.

“A fascinating, provocative case that the metaverse will not merely transform our virtual experience—it may actually enrich the quality of our lives” (Adam Grant)—from the visionary co-founder of one of today’s most innovative technology companies “This important book offers a highly persuasive argument that the metaverse, a new kind of virtual world, marks a profound next stage in this long human quest for fulfillment through creation.”—Chris Anderson, head of TED The concept of “the metaverse” has exploded in the public consciousness, but its contours remain elusive. Is it merely an immersive virtual reality playground, one that Facebook and other platforms will angle to control? Is it simply the next generation of massive multiplayer online games? Or is it something more revolutionary? As pioneering technologist Herman Narula shows, the metaverse is the latest manifestation of an ancient human tendency: the act of worldbuilding. From the Egyptians, whose conception of death inspired them to build the pyramids, to modern-day sports fans, whose passion for a game inspires extreme behavior, humans have long sought to supplement their day-to-day lives with a rich diversity of alternative experiences. Rooting his vision in history and psychology, Narula argues that humans’ intrinsic need for autonomy, accomplishment, and connection can best be met in virtual “worlds of ideas,” where users have the chance to create and exchange meaning and value. The metaverse is both the growing set of fulfilling digital experiences—ranging from advanced gaming to concerts and other entertainment events and even to virtual employment—and the empowering framework that allows these spaces to become “networks of useful meaning.” Bloomberg Intelligence recently predicted that the metaverse will become an $800 billon industry by 2024. But its implications, argues Narula, will lead to far more awe-inspiring possibilities than a spigot of cash. The arrival of the metaverse marks the beginning of a new age of exploration—not outward, but inward—with the potential to reshape society and open the door to a new understanding of the human species and its capabilities. Rigorously researched and passionately argued, Virtual Society is a provocative and essential guide for anyone who wants to go beyond superficial headlines to understand the true contours and potential of our virtual future.

Blockchain has the potential to disrupt and transform the social media business space. Nitin Upadhyay in this book delves into an insightful discussion of the pertinent and potential implications of blockchain technology on the social media business model in a uniquely accessible way.

This introductory textbook on supramolecular chemistry is a thoroughly revised and expanded version of the 1st edition, originally published in 2020. All chapters have been brought up to date and now include "Further Reading" sections that highlight relevant developments. In addition, a new chapter on supramolecular polymers has been added. With these changes, this book provides an even more comprehensive introduction to the exciting field of supramolecular chemistry than before. Readers will learn what forces hold supramolecular architectures together, how supramolecular systems are created and characterized, how molecular switches, motors, transporters, catalysts, chemosensors, and other functional systems work, and where supramolecular chemistry can play or already plays a role in our lives. In 2022 the first edition of this book won the Literature Prize of the German Chemical Industry Association VCI. For the full press release (in German): https://www.vci.de/fonds/presse-und-infos/pressemitteilungen/preisgeld-fuer-supramolekuele.jsp