Relationships, the role of individuals and knowledge flows in the internationalization of service firms

This article develops a new conceptual model of knowledge flows within international service firms. Our model takes explicit account of the critical role of relationships and the individual as being central to the process of knowledge transfer for service firms. The model is then validated with data collected from five international service firms using critical event analysis techniques. The findings reinforce our contention that the individual plays a critical role in the process of knowledge transfer and that relationships form an integral part of this process. The implications of this finding are also discussed.

The presence of an-other: the prescience of racism in post-modern times

In this paper, I explore conversations with teachers and parents at one Melbourne secondary school, as the modern definition of identity,defined at the end of the 1980s, took on the fluidity of post-modern definition a decade later. Even as identification seemed contingent and negotiated, and difference seemed to disappear, teachers and parents continued to understand their identity in relation to the ambivalent definition of others. This became increasingly frightening as notions of otherness, and therefore of self, became increasingly fluid and unclear. That which seemed other and outside, now appears as part-of-us and inside-us-all. Even as descriptions of difference, and thereforeidentity, become more fluid, conceptions of otherness – and therefore – self, do not disappear. Prescient manifestations of exclusion and racism are contiguous with, yet in juxtaposition to, older forms.

The clinical application of three screening tools for recognizing post-partum depression

Postnatal depression is a major health issue for childbearing women world-wide, as it is not always identified early. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical application of three screening instruments for the early recognition of post-partum depression, the Postpartum Depression Prediction Inventory, the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and to examine nurse interventions following use of the instruments. Data were collected at two points, at 28 weeks prenatal (107 women) and eight weeks postnatal (84 women). Results showed that 17% of the women scored significant symptoms of post-partum depression and 10–15% had a positive screen for major postnatal depression. There was a statistically significant correlation between the total score on the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Of those eight women identified as being at risk, seven had received anticipatory guidance and five had received counselling by the nurses. The Postpartum Depression Prediction Inventory enabled nurses to identify women at risk of post-partum depression and offer interventions.

Just deserts in post-colonial society : problems in the punishment of indigenous offenders.

Revised version of a paper presented to the Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology Conference, Sydney, 2-3 October 2003 - disproportionate number of indigenous persons in the criminal justice system - the concept of 'just deserts' in regard to indigenous punishment - legislative reforms are needed to empower the judiciary in the sentencing process - must take account of the historical fact of dispossession - destructive effects on indigenous communities.

Public relations and ontology: rhetorical approaches in post-modern times

Rhetorical theory's contemporary involvement with semiotics is overlooked in much current public relations scholarship. This paper aims to 'make a difference' in this respect. There is a need for this change of perspective in view of a call for a new direction in public relations theory. This call came in the final Public Relations Division session at the July, 2003 International Communication Association Convention in San Diego. That panel discussion was titled: 'What Should be the Focus of Public Relations?' The session concluded that a turn towards 'rhetorical theory' was needed. This paper argues that such a turn would pose interesting theoretical and political challenges for a field which has not fully caught up with post-modern ideas. It points out how involvement with the contemporary 'rhetorical turn' paradigm and this paradigm's link to semiotics, would take public relations studies into interesting conceptual and political regions.

Does organizational structure matter? The behaviour of Australian Building Societies pre-and post-demutualization

Financial performance measures, provided by accounting-based financial ratios, of the major mutual building societies in Australia are used to explore their behaviour pre-and post-demutualization in the 1980s and 1990s. The theoretical and empirical literature has suggested that mutual deposit-taking institutions would have lower profitability and higher operating expenses than their publicly listed counterparts. Common accounting ratios are observed over time to investigate if ownership change in a mutual deposit-taking organization accounted for any discernable differences in profitability and cost efficiency of the firms after conversion.

Implementing IT policy and the bedevilment of post-colonialism- A case study of Tanzania

This chapter is concerned with how Tanzania has been socially and economically affected by post-colonialism at a policy level as well as at an ordinary (public) level during the IT policy development process in the country. An IT policy according to Corbitt (1999:309) "is a reflection of the society in which it is formed and is socially constructed within the ideologies which frame that society." Corbitt (1999:312) goes on to describe the implementation phase of the policy: Policy is implemented in an environment influenced by ideologies which spawn values and beliefs, some of which are known, recognized and obvious to the actors involved, whilst other influences are not recognized, nor obvious.This chapter examines the post-colonial influence, which comprises both directly and indirectly, observed implications within the IT policy development process in Tanzania. The discussion focuses on challenges which face decision and policy-makers in the country. The chapter also proposes an IT policy model which might be developed or designed using a different approach from the traditional policy-making model.