Remembrance of things past? Change, development and paternalism

As part of a retrospective study of effects of organizational change on interpersonal relations, this paper discusses change talk among Australian employees of an American multinational manufacturing enterprise. Interviewees tended to feel pushed into change, discussing its effects in terms of the difficulties of adolescence and earlier experiences of sudden independence. Over time, what had been a simple and firm us and them division in intergroup relations between management and unions/workers had become more fluid and subtle, and perhaps more mature. Interview data are interpreted and then re-interpreted in terms of theories of team development, nostalgia, and paternalism. It is argued that each interpretation makes differing, but complementary, assumptions about the nature of time. If developmental, progressive assumptions of organizational change are relaxed, further attention can be given to theorizing and researching subtleties in talk of the past.

Pieces of silver : examples of the economic impact and management of the silver gull (Larus novaehollandiae) in Melbourne, Australia

Like a number of gull species, the silver gull Larus novaehollandiae has expanded its population in response to human food subsidy. The major anthropogenic food source is food waste at rubbish tips. Other sources of human food waste are also exploited. Many problems result from the activities of these birds, including human health and safety, economic impacts, and effects on the conservation of other species. My study examines aspects of the economic impacts of the silver gull on the human community of the Greater Melbourne Area comprising approximately 4065 km2 (1569 square miles). My data collection method involves identifying sites where problems have been experienced and completing questionnaires during face to face interviews with the managers of those sites. Data collected at this early stage of the study demonstrate that there are significant, quantifiable economic impacts associated with the superabundance of the silver gull in this area. Other impacts, such as reduced amenity and potential health hazards are equally real but more difficult to quantify. Costs include damage to structures and products, damage prevention measures, and loss of production. Information about the costs of these problems will be presented to the relevant landfill management authorities to encourage them to consider alternative means of disposing of putrescible waste, rather than by open landfill disposal, because even current best practice management of open landfill sites (rubbish tips) provides ample opportunity for silver gulls and certain other bird species to exploit this food source. Controlling access by the silver gull to food at rubbish tips would be an important first step in managing the population of this species.

Knowledge development and creation in email

Newly created knowledge is increasingly viewed as a highly valuable source of competitive advantage for business. Email is explored in its recently recognized role as a place of organizational knowledge development and creation, employing discourse analysis of email conversations as the research approach. This paper describes a knowledge development lifecycle derived from the empirical study, and provides insight into the nature of knowledge development and creation in organizations. We found that in selected email conversations, employees naturally and intuitively build purpose driven new knowledge incrementally and iteratively, crystallizing knowledge under construction by submitting it repeatedly to a range of key stakeholders for comment, until a 'consensus' is reached regarding the outcome. Our findings identify the process of knowledge qualification in organizational knowledge creation, and suggest that organizational knowledge may be politically constructed. The research results have the potential to assist organizations in understanding and facilitating processes and conditions for knowledge creation and development. The study also highlights the potential for email as a key component in a company's formal KM strategy.

Improving access to evidence-based acute stroke services: development and evaluation of a health systems model to address equity of access issues

Level 1 evidence for management of patients with stroke in a dedicated Stroke Care Unit (SCU) demonstrates improved outcomes by about 20%. It has been estimated that 21% of Australian hospitals provide an SCU and that these SCUs are mainly located in either metropolitan sites and/or in hospitals with more than 300 beds. To address equity issues related to access to SCUs, the National Stroke Foundation and the Australian Government undertook the National Stroke Units Program. One program outcome was the development of a conceptual model of acute stroke service delivery. The development process and initial evaluation of the model are described. Use of the model to increase capacity within the health care system to treat stroke is discussed.

Ecological fire regimes for the recovery and management of threatened small mammals in southern Australia

The application of fire to fauna management, particularly for endangered species, is a significant issue for wildlife managers. Mammals respond to fire regimes including intensity, frequency and season of occurrence, and changes in fire-regimes are implicated in detrimental effects on mammal communities. For many species temporal habitat change is a key factor affecting the persistence of populations. These species require the option of colonising the shifting habitat mosaic. There is substantial evidence that species such as the native rodents New Holland Mouse (Pseudomys novaehollandiae) and Heath Rat (Pseudomys shortridgei) are early successional species dependent on such temporal habitat changes. In conrast species such as the dasyurid marsupial, Swamp Antechinus (Antechinus minimus) are late successional species, which may take up to 20 years to recolonise. In many situations ecological fire regimes need to be implemented to increase areas of suitable habitat for population expansion and reintroductions. This paper assesses research findings and the development of management actions incorporating ecological fire regimes for the recovery of Pseudomyine rodents and the Swamp Antechinus. Spatially explicit models are required to determine changes and patterns at the landscape level. The prospect of global climate change also is of significance and needs to be assessed.

Gifted education, professional development and the contemporary landscape of teachers' work : challenges and choices

This paper examines the perspectives of primary school teachers, administrators and personnel working in eastern suburban Melbourne as they consider the rationale for, and the purposes of, gifted education within the broader landscape of teachers' work. The data for this presentation are drawn from a single case qualitative case study where semi-structured interviews were held four years after the school participated in the Bright Futures gifted professional development. The school proudly proclaims a tradition of scholarship and excellence within a friendly, caring, cooperative and democratic ethos. Teachers welcomed the opportunity to express their thoughts, sentiments and opinions on curriculum, assessment and reporting practices, their attitudes to the aims of gifted education, the selection of children for pull-out programs, and their views to school management and to parents in relation tho these matters. Using a Foucoultian framework, I analyse how teachers juggle many goals within the complex reality of daily classroom teaching, and how they are wedged between the power of formal school rhetoric and educational policy working to improve learning outcomes for all students. This, in turn, has significant repercussions for addressing the needs of gifted students and generates considerable ambivalence about the implementation of gifted programs. I propose that such responses are important elements in the contemporary landscape of teacher's work

Impact of a fragmented regulatory environment on sustainable urban development design management

The building project development approval proces is increasingly complex and farught with conflict due to the rise of the sustainable urban development movement and inclusive decision making.  Coupled with this, government decision-making decentralisation has resulted in a fragmented and over-regulated compliance sytem.  Problems arising from the process include wated resources, excessive time delays, increased holding and litigation costs, inadequate planning coorindation, high lelves of advocacy costs and a divisive a politicised approval prcess.

The assessment and management of common male sexual difficulties in family practice

Sexual problems are distressing for patients, and their doctors need to feel comfortable giving advice about and treating the more common conditions. Treatment of sexual problems can prevent much anxiety and the development of depression. This article outlines approaches useful in managing the more common male sexual difficulties encountered in family practice.

Development and application of a microelectrode based scanning voltammetric detector

A large part of the work presented in this thesis describes the development and use of a novel electrochemical detector designed to allow the electrochemical characterisation of compounds in flowing solution by means of cyclic voltammetry. The detector was microprocessor controlled, which provides digital generation of the potential waveform and collection of data for subsequent analysis. Microdisk working electrodes are employed to permit both thermodynamic and kinetically controlled processes to be studied under steady-state conditions in flowing solutions without the distortion or hysteresis normally encountered with larger sized electrodes. The effect of electrode size, potential scan rate, and solution flow rate are studied extensively with the oxidation of ferrocene used as an example of a thermodynamically controlled process and a series of catecholamines as examples of a kinetically controlled process. The performance of the detector was best demonstrated when used as a HPLC post-column detector. The 3-dimensional chromatovoltammograms obtained allow on-line characterisation of each fraction as it elutes from the column. The rest of the work presented in this thesis involves the study of the oxidative degradation pathway of dithranol. The oxidative pathway was shown to involve a complex free radical mechanism, dependent on the presence of both oxygen and, in particular light. The pathway is further complicated by the fact that dithranol may exist in either a keto or enol form, the enol being most susceptible to oxidation. A likely mechanism is proposed from studies performed with cyclic voltammetry and controlled potential electrolysis, then defined by subsequent kinetic studies.

The fishery, biology and management of three inland water-bodies, Vietnam

This study was carried out from 1997 to 2004 and its findings have significantly enhanced our understanding on fishery, biology, and management of three inland water bodies in Vietnam. The study also provides insights into development of management guidelines and recommendations for future fisheries development in the research area.

Biology and management of Murray cod reproduction within controlled environments

The emerging Murray cod aquaculture industry is currently restricted by a lack of consistent and year-round production of fingerlings. Biological information and reproductive technologies developed during this research have facilitated the development of indoor, environmentally-controlled breeding practices for this species, thereby enabling Murray cod juveniles to be produced on-demand.

Transition to a low carbon footprint : a conceptual model of impacts and management for Australian businesses

Australian businesses will face profound and wide-ranging structural impacts during their transition to a low carbon footprint economy. This paper synthesizes the impacts for the firm during the transition and identifies the crucial impact variables. In doing so, it explores the link between the opportunities and benefits, costs, risks and structural changes and evaluates the challenges in managing the multiple impacts. The paper provides a conceptual model that will assist decision-makers deal with risk management or bottom-line protection issues as well as exploiting the business opportunity the new regulatory environment will produce. The model argues for a holistic corporate governance mechanism, with responsibility and accountability of climate change risk management placed with the board of directors and senior management. The literature review is presented first, followed by the discussion and the model. Future empirical research direction is also presented with the development of a series of propositions for testing.

Exploring the development and assessment of work-readiness using reflective practice in construction education.

It is well known that the construction industry is characterized by the need for practical knowledge and skill. However, this creates special challenges for universities in the development of work readiness in graduates. This research investigates the attitudes of students towards a course which was designed to develop work-readiness skills in construction management. The paper focuses on the distinctive issues associated with Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) using a formally assessed industry-mentored course of study. Past research shows that university degrees should promote reflective thinking since, in construction, it is necessary to make reflective judgements which deal with ill-defined problems. This is a generic capability that is needed by all graduates in knowledge-based occupations. The study utilized reflective practice to examine the perceptions of construction management students towards the development of attributes which were known to improve work skills. The students were asked to capture their reflections on their experiences in the form of reflective diaries, which were prepared weekly throughout the course. The results showed that the students expressed very positive views about their learning experiences. This occurred in spite of the challenges caused by the formal assessment processes that were undertaken as part of the course. This paper compares the student perceptions with the teachers’ reflections on the ability of traditional assessment methods to measure graduate attributes and work-readiness. The research explores the issues associated with assessing work-readiness skills in higher education. The findings suggest that student reflection is a necessary precondition to the development of effective work-readiness. In addition, the research concludes that more nontraditional assessment approaches are needed in construction programmes in order to develop the type of graduate required by the industry.