Stimulating vertical integration in coastal management in a federated nation: The case of Australian coastal policy reform.

Four decades ago Australia was credited as being an early leader in  implementing integrated coastal management (ICM). Nevertheless, as a  federation of states and territories Australia has since struggled to fully  implement vertical integration of its coastal governance arrangements. In particular the federal government has historically possessed only a minor role in coastal management despite the recommendations of several major inquires suggesting that this role needed to be enhanced. This article examines a series of circumstances and events over the past two years in Australia that has created the opportunity for the federal government to adopt a more significant and prominent role in coastal management and hence to substantially complete the vertical integration of ICM in Australia. These stimuli for coastal policy reform could also play a role in enhancing ICM in other federated nations.

Construction management : new directions

This book brings together, in a single volume, the main management concepts relevant to the construction industry, providing an objective account of the concepts and showing how they interrelate: value management, buildability, benchmarking, total quality management, partnering and alliancing, supply chain management (new for this edition), and re-engineering." "In addition to a new chapter on supply chain management, a new section on strategic alliancing has been added. Text and references have been updated throughout.

Customer relationship management in banks with special reference to Bangladesh

Customer-banker relational behavior is dynamic and fast-changing and better interpersonal relationships tend to be characterized by their quality. Banks in Bangladesh are functioning increasingly under the competitive pressures originating from the banking system from non-banking institutions as well as from the domestic and international capital markets. In order to expand banking business, as well as sustain it in the long run, it has now become essential for banks to focus on developing long-term relationships with their customers. One facet of the efficient management of banks is the matching of customers' needs and banking products. Banks, when creating new products, should take into consideration their customers' needs informed by market research programs. In this paper we examine whether banking products in Bangladesh address customers' needs.

Performing arts management in a climate of adjustment : case studies from Vietnam and Australia

This paper presents a series of empirical case studies to discuss impacts of economic globalisation on the development of performing arts organisations in Vietnam (Hanoi Youth Theatre and Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra) and Australia (Melbourne Theatre Company and Sydney Symphony Orchestra), and focuses on how Vietnamese organisations have adapted to these changes. The paper also identifies cultural policy implications for the development of the sector; for arts management training in Vietnam so that the sector (and more importantly, the artists) may fully benefit from the open market context. The findings indicate that Vietnamese performing arts organisations have attempted to adapt to the new market context while struggling to balance artistic quality, freedom and financial viability in the new socialist regime. The Australian case studies offered a relevant management model to Vietnamese arts management practice and training.

Investigation of overweight and obesity management in a rural primary health care setting

Background : The rural region of interest has one main central medical clinic and several smaller outlying clinics. The services available for weight management include dietetic services, community-based groups and bariatric surgery. At present, no formal area specific referral pathway exists for the treatment of overweight and obesity.
Aims & rationale/Objectives : To investigate general practitioners':
- assessment practices and experiences with overweight and obese clients
- experience of different treatment options for overweight and obesity
- perceived barriers to overweight and obesity management.
Methods : A self-administered survey will be sent to general practitioners within the region of interest. The survey was designed to investigate current methods of assessing overweight and obesity; treatment options; and perceived barriers to successful weight management. Participants will also be offered a brief interview to discuss the following topics; Usefulness of NHMRC's Overweight and Obesity Guidelines; barriers and frustrations of weight management, GP's and dietitian's roles in overweight and obesity treatment.
Principal findings : It is expected the principal findings will include details about methods used to determine overweight and obesity; factors considered when selecting patients for treatment; favoured treatment options of GPs; perceived barriers and frustrations of managing overweight and obese patients.
Discussion : Overweight and obesity are significant health issues in Australia, with recent data indicating more than 60% of Australian adults are affected (NHMRC, 2003). Studies have also suggested that the prevalence of overweight and obesity is higher in rural populations (Coulson, 2005). GPs have been recognised as an important contributor in the treatment of overweight and obesity (Campbell, 2000). There have been guidelines produced to assist GPs, however the extent to which guidelines are utilised or their perceived effectiveness have not yet been investigated.
Implications : It is thought that an investigation into current methods of assessing overweight and obesity; treatment options; and perceived barriers to successful weight management will provide valuable information to inform primary health care service provision and future quality improvement directions.
Presentation type : Poster
Session theme : Primary health care delivery

The new public management in Malaysian public enterprise

The thesis explored New Public Management (NPM) reforms of three Malaysian public enterprises. The finding indicated they differed - privatisation influenced by cronysim; 'quality projects' partially implemented; workforce unchanged. Instead efficiency improvements found were not attributed to NPS. This evidence questions the employability of NPM in a developing economy.

TQM and labour productivity in Jordanian industrial companies

Reports on research to determine the degree of application of total quality management (TQM) philosophy and practices in industrial corporations in Jordan. Uses primary and secondary empirical data to examine the link between TQM and labour productivity. Survey responses were classified into two groups: high-TQM implementation and low-TQM implementation. Found that mean labour productivity measurements for high-TQM companies were significantly higher than for low-TQM companies over the period 1993-1998. Also, mean growth rates of labour productivity measurements for companies with high-level TQM were higher than for those with low-level TQM during this period. Regression analysis demonstrated a statistically significant positive relationship between TQM and labour productivity.

Towards more integrated natural resource management in Victoria : possible elements of an integrated state-wide policy framework

There is a growing recognition of the complexity of environmental issues and acceptance of the value of more integrated approaches to address them. Evidence of progress with the development of more integrated approaches is however less clear cut. Within this context, this paper explores how a more integrated approach 10 natural resource management at a state government level could be progressed. Using recent experience in Victoria as a focus, this paper provides an overview of environment and natural resources issues confronting the State. highlights why integration is an important element of any response. and outlines the current policy and organisational context. Possible elements of a state-wide policy framework for more integrated natural resource management across a state government organisation are also outlined and discussed.

The roles, responsibilities and development needs of quality managers in Britain and Australia

This paper compares and contrasts the career experiences and development needs of 334 British quality managers compared with Australian quality managers based on two Australian surveys. The quality managers in both countries brought wide functional experience to their roles, with many coming in particular from production and operations and general management. In their current roles major sources of job satisfaction for managers in both countries were improving efficiency and problem solving, whereas aspects of employee relations was a source of least satisfaction. Both groups of quality managers utilised a very limited range of quality tools, the most popular being brainstorming, control charts and Pareto analysis, with virtually no mention of more sophisticated tools like Six sigma, which is in stark contrast to American managers. Also British and Australian managers showed little awareness in terms of their development needs for a broader background in quality, which could disadvantage their companies in global markets.

Patient participation in symptom management in an acute oncology setting

Cancer and cancer treatments are associated with high symptom burden. Effective, safe and quality symptom management requires patient participation in symptom identification and treatment. This mixed methods, in depth investigation of symptom management practices uncovered patient, clinician and symptom factors that play a role in patients’ ability and willingness to participate.

Leading the evaluation of institutional online learning environments for quality enhancement in times of change

This paper reports on findings from a nationally funded project which aims to design and implement a quality management framework for online learning environments (OLEs). Evaluation is a key component of any quality management system and it is this aspect of the framework that is the focus of this paper. In developing the framework initial focus groups were conducted at the five participating institutions. These revealed that, although regarded as important, there did not appear to be a shared understanding of the nature and purpose of evaluation. A second series of focus groups revealed there were multiple perspectives arising from those with a vested interest in online learning. These perspectives will be outlined. Overall, how evaluation was undertaken was highly variable within and across the five institutions reflecting where they were at in relation to the development of their OLE.

Management perspective for TQM solution

Quality management is an important research topical in construction industry. The aim of this paper is to review and investigate, via extensive literature reviews, the management perspectives when construction organization implementing total quality management (TQM). If it is successfully operated, competitive advantage will be enhanced that may lead to eight beneficial areas [improve quality and environmental performance; broaden business opportunities; benefit the community; increase market share; improve finance situation; enhance organizational effectiveness; streamline response to legal issues and lessen insurance budget] which favour commercial viability. However, there are challenges in doing so which include inexperience, resources and administrative constraints, inadequate management skill, and cultural differences. Therefore, in order to foster quality culture, it needs four management directions, namely construction management (CM), knowledge management (KM), project management (PM) and human resources management (HRM). One can reasonably conclude that the quality improvements by TQM are going to create long term commercial advantages.

Australian construction SME : management implication of TQM implementation

SME play a major role in the economies and TQM is important in construction industry. The aim of this paper is to investigate, via extensive literature reviews, the management implication of Australian construction SME implementing TQM. In summary, there are four management perspectives: construction management, knowledge management, supply chain management and marketing management to enhance competitive advantage that may favour commercial viability. One can reasonably conclude that the quality improvements will greatly help to create long term commercial advantages.

Is chemotherapy dose intensity adequate in breast cancer management in the Australian healthcare setting: a retrospective analysis

Aim
To determine the adequacy of chemotherapy received dose intensity (RDI) in breast cancer treatment in a general population and to identify factors that influence RDI.

Methods
A retrospective analysis of breast cancer patients who commenced a course of i.v. chemotherapy in 2008 was undertaken. Data were collected on patient and tumor characteristics, chemotherapy regimen, dose (including delays, reductions and the reasons for these), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) use and febrile neutropenia incidence. RDI was calculated using the planned and actual dose received and time taken. A level of ≥85% RDI was considered acceptable for treatment given with curative intent.

Results
In all, 131 patients (aged 28 to 77 years) received chemotherapy in adjuvant (n = 76, 58%), neoadjuvant (n = 11, 8%) and metastatic settings (n = 44, 34%). RDI did not reach 85% for 12% adjuvant, 36% neoadjuvant and 34% metastatic cases (χ2 = 10.55, P = 0.005). Overall, 43% of patients received G-CSF.

Conclusion
Acceptable chemotherapy RDI was delivered for most patients in the adjuvant setting but not in the neoadjuvant setting. G-CSF treatment contributed to the optimization of dose intensity in the adjuvant setting only. Dose intensity in the metastatic setting was considered satisfactory where quality of life is the primary focus. Other factors can be modified to improve RDI.