The De-Baathification of post-2003 Iraq: purging the past for political power

In addressing the broader de-Baathification question at the intersection between politics and law in post-2003 Iraq this chapter outlines the efforts by Iraqi lawmakers to codify de-Baathification in Iraq’s new constitution of 2005 as well as in subsequent pieces of more detailed legislation. The chapter then goes on to study the actual implementation of these laws in relation to the Iraqi parliamentary elections of 2010 and 2014, as well as the local elections of 2013. Throughout the chapter, special emphasis is given to the considerable discrepancies between the principles enshrined in the formal de-Baathification legislation and the way those principles are applied in practice. Finally, this chapter concludes by suggesting that Iraq needs to openly and honestly deal with its Baathist past if it is ever to move beyond patterns of politicalsectarianism, violence and autocracy.

Roles of civil society in nation-building and post-conflict reconstruction in Iraq

 This thesis aims to provide a nuanced typology of post-2003-war Iraqi CSOs that reflect their functions, rather their manifestations, by analysing and examining their roles in socio-economic service provisions and active citizenship; the impact of their roles in nation-building; and the geographic field (rural or urban) of their activities.

Predicting molecular structures: an application of the cutting angle method

The ability to predict molecular geometries has important applications in chemistry. Specific examples include the areas of protein space structure elucidation, the investigation of host–guest interactions, the understanding of properties of superconductors and of zeolites. This prediction of molecular geometries often depends on finding the global minimum or maximum of a function such as the potential energy. In this paper, we consider several well-known molecular conformation problems to which we apply a new method of deterministic global optimization called the cutting angle method. We demonstrate that this method is competitive with other global optimization techniques for these molecular conformation problems.

Comparative academic performance of engineering and technology students at Deakin University, Australia

Students completing three-year engineering technology and four-year professional engineering undergraduate courses may undertake a number of common study units. To gain an objective understanding of the academic performance characteristics of both student groups in the engineering and technology programs at Deakin University (Australia), a study was  undertaken of close to 9000 unit enrollments. It was found that: overall the BTech withdrawal rate was about 20% higher than for BE students; the rate of withdrawal was significantly different between the two student groups; the grade distribution for completing students was not significantly different between the two groups; the mean final grade was not significantly different between the two student groups; the failure rate was not significantly different between the two student groups; and the overall wastage rate (withdrawn rate plus fail rate) was significantly higher for BTech students. Other related results are also reported.

Framework for undergraduate engineering management studies

The importance of management to the long-term careers of practicing professional engineers has long been recognized. Undergraduate engineering education should therefore provide an exposure to the management skills required by engineers in professional practice. For the rational and effective design of undergraduate engineering management studies, it is essential to understand the nature of engineering management and to identify those management skills identified as important by practicing professional engineers. Through an investigation of the recent literature, the management skills considered important by engineering stakeholder groups are identified and ranked. This information is supplemented by recent surveys conducted by the author of stakeholders in Australia, including academic staff, mature age undergraduate students, and recent graduates of the engineering programs at Deakin University in Australia. Based on an examination of the literature and original research, a framework of ranked classified management skills is proposed. Broadly, the ranking framework is generic professional skills first, followed by general management skills and technical discipline specific management skills, followed by other professional discipline skills and theoretical skills.

Simulation of condensation problems in a roller-skating centre

A commercial roller-skating centre in southern Australia had condensation problems on both the roof and floor. The building is a typical warehouse-type structure with a high level of natural ventilation due to poor construction and permanently open vents. A computer model of the building, using the thermal simulation software TRNSYS, was calibrated from a sensitivity analysis of three key parameters, namely air exchange rate, roof surface heat transfer coefficient and deep ground temperature. The predicted times of condensation on the roof were compared with site observations. The time of year was predicted with acceptable accuracy, although earlier in the morning than had been observed. The effect of installing foil insulation in the roof was simulated. Under normal winter conditions, this modification was enough to stop the condensation. However, in unusually cold and humid conditions, condensation still occurred on both surfaces. This was overcome by heating the floor (15 W/m 2 ) for approximately eight hours. Subsequent modifications have demonstrated the value of the simulations.

Using small reverse cycle air conditioners in relocatable classrooms - a case study

A 9-month study of four relocatable school buildings, each retro-fitted with small reverse cycle air conditioners (ACs), was conducted to investigate their effectiveness in heating and cooling the classrooms. A comparison with data from previous studies found the energy used by the ACs for heating these temporary classrooms was only 19–20% of the energy used by individual gas heaters installed in permanent classrooms. When equipment efficiencies were considered, the AC units supplied 20–27% less energy to heat the classrooms. The possible reasons for this reduction in supplied energy are explored in this paper. CO2 emissions for the AC units in heating mode, however, were calculated to be 16% greater than for individual gas heaters. The AC units were also used for cooling and on an average the total annual energy consumption for heating and cooling was found to be 11.6 kWh m−2. Responses to a small survey of staff and students about the use and operation of the conditioners are presented. Their responses were more favourable than the predictions of comfort levels in the classrooms using the Predicted Mean Vote–Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfaction (PMV–PPD) model, which indicated “uncomfortable” conditions on average summer days at 3:00 p.m. and average winter days at 10:00 a.m. Background noise levels in the classrooms with the air conditioners in use were above the recommended maximum design level of 45 dB(A); levels of up to 65 dB(A) were measured.

Customer repurchase intention: a general structural equation model

This paper develops a general service sector model of repurchase intention from the consumer theory literature. A key contribution of the structural equation model is the incorporation of customer perceptions of equity and value and customer brand preference into an integrated repurchase intention analysis. The model describes the extent to which customer repurchase intention is influenced by seven important factors – service quality, equity and value, customer satisfaction, past loyalty, expected switching cost and brand preference. The general model is applied to customers of comprehensive car insurance and personal superannuation services. The analysis finds that although perceived quality does not directly affect customer satisfaction, it does so indirectly via customer equity and value perceptions. The study also finds that past purchase loyalty is not directly related to customer satisfaction or current brand preference and that brand preference is an intervening factor between customer satisfaction and repurchase intention. The main factor influencing brand preference was perceived value with customer satisfaction and expected switching cost having less influence.

The behavioural and demographic contexts of white bread consumption

The aim of this study was to examine the demographic, health habits and personal values associations of white bread use. A total of 474 randomly selected consumers completed a questionnaire about bread consumption, health habits and personal values. The findings showed that compared with non-consumers white bread users were younger, less educated, more likely to have children and to be smokers. They were less likely to follow vegetarian, low fat or special diets or use alternative therapies. Non-consumers were more likely to hold pro-nature universalistic values. This suggests that the use of this staple food is associated with demographic, behavioural and ideological domains. Their causal inter-relationships require further investigation.

Communicating the ethos of codes of ethics in corporate Australia, 1995-2001: whose rights, whose responsibilities?

This paper considers the commitment to business ethics of the top 500 companies operating in the Australian private sector and communicates the results of a longitudinal study conducted from 1995 to 2001. Primary data was obtained (in 1995 and again in 2001) via a self-administered mail  questionnaire distributed to a census of these top 500 Australian  companies. This commitment of each company to their code of ethics was indicated and measured via a range of methods used by organizations to communicate the ethos of their codes to employees. Just as they were in  1995, it would appear that companies in 2001 still are good at ensuring that their rights are protected, but at the same time they do not seem to take on the responsibility to ensure that employees'' rights are just as well protected. This double standard leads to cynicism towards the current business ethics processes inherent in Australian companies.

Ethical behaviour: the means for creating and maintaining better reputations in arts organisations

Arts organisations, unsure of the level of continued government funding available and confronted with the need ever to improve, are seeking new ideas upon which they can focus. At a time when leadership and governance in arts organisations have changed in line with cultural expectations, how is their ethical stance assessed? How does their ethical stance impact on reputation? The challenge to build a good reputation starts at the top of the organisation; however, traditionally, one type of arts organisation, art museums, has focused on the activities level. In an age of globalisation, economic restructuring and technological change, museums therefore may be seen as a contradiction. Traditionally seen as temples for the muses, today’s museums are being challenged to be ethical for society and to build their reputation. As a solution, proposes a cooperative model of cultural organisational ethics that attempts to provide a framework by which arts organisations can put in place ethical artefacts that enhance organisational reputation, rather than detract from it.