Cognitive ability and FFM personality predictors of military training performance

This study demonstrated the validity of the Five-Factor Model (FFM) of personality trait domains over a measure of general cognitive ability in predicting training performance among military trainees. The results provide support to the growing consensus on the superiority of the FFM traits in predicting criteria on practical importance.

Reproductive performance and egg and larval quality of the blacklip abalone

The study highlights the interrelationship between physical characteristics of female broodstock with reproductive performance, egg quality and subsequent larval success, and reproductive seasonality of the blacklip abalone (Haliotis rubra Leach). Suitable indices for assessing broodstock were developed. Seasonal changes in biochemical compositions in relation to maturation and development was discussed.

The effect of multi-feeding on trickling filter performance

Trickling filters have been used to treat wastewater for over 100 years. In this thesis, wastewater was introduced into laboratory trickling filters at 1 to 4 places simultaneously. Where traditional single feeding led to ponding, multi-feeding let to reduced ponding and improved removal of carbon and nitrogen.

Role of the web in marketing and organisational performance

This doctoral study makes a unique contribution by examining both the integration of the Web in marketing, and the influence of this integration on organisational performance. The findings support the view that the marketing function adds value to organisations, but that the Web is not as fully utilised as it might be in Australasia.

Performance evaluation and improved risk control philosophies for drinking water systems

World-wide, water is the single most used substance by humans every day. Water is also the major cause of illness and death in many countries including the affluent nations. Through this research, new risk control philosophies from catchment to consumers are highlighted. This thesis is about identifying the hazards, evaluating the risks and implementing controls to protect public health from drinking water.

Reducing performance bias by intrinsically insensitive learning for unbalanced text mining

This thesis proposes three effective strategies to solve the significant performance-bias problem in imbalance text mining: (1) creation of a novel inexact field learning algorithm to overcome the dual-imbalance problem; (2) introduction of the one-class classification-framework to optimize classifier-parameters, and (3) proposal of a maximal-frequent-item-set discovery approach to achieve higher accuracy and efficiency.

A performance testing framework for digital forensic tools

This thesis surveys the latest development of digital forensic tools designed for anti-cybercrime purposes. It discusses the necessity of testing the digital forensics tools, and presents a novel testing framework. This new testing framework takes the viewpoint of software vendors rather than traditional software engineering approaches.

Measuring dairy farm performance

To fully consider production impacts, this thesis adopts a systems perspective and uses a biophysical model, DairyMod, to measure the interactions between system components and gauge the environmental impact of dairy farming arising from nitrogen use. Performance from the perspective of both the individual farmer and society is examined.

Employee competency and marketing performance : an empirical investigation

The research found strong support for a systems model of the relationship between marketing competency and marketing performance in Australia and Britain. Although employees perceived that they were less competent than preferable to do the job well, marketing competency, combined with management control, was identified as important to performance.

An examination of the consistency of investigative interviewers' performance

Three original studies were conducted to examine the consistency of investigative-interviewer performance across similar and distinct interview tasks. Overall, the degree of consistency depended on numerous factors, including the nature of the event and interview paradigm, the precision of the assessment measure and whether group versus individual stability was measured. The portfolio highlights and discusses some of the complexities that can arise when conducting a parenting capacity assessment with a patient who has, or is suspected of having, an intellectual disability. Four case studies are presented.

Influences on organisational performance : marketing research, market environment and orientation

Findings demonstrated a strong association between market orientation and organisational performance. However, other associations were marginal with no direct relationship between marketing research utilisation and organisational performance, although this was positively mediated by market orientation. The implications being, organisations need to be market oriented and utilise research information to remain competitive.

Determination of resin acids in pulp mill effluent and receiving waters by high performance liquid chromatography

Resin acids are reported to be of major toxicological importance in pulp mill effluents for Rainbow Trout. Their determination, using a high performance liquid chromatographic method, is described.

Marketing planning in Australia : practice and performance

The study identifies the situations in which marketing planning is especially useful. This enables the key elements of an effective marketing planning system to be traced out, and gives indications regarding how the changeable factors can be altered in order to improve the effectiveness of marketing planning. Gives a detailed summary of marketing planning practices in Australia and provides managers some valuable evidences in the value of formal marketing planning.