Energetics of communal roosting in chestnut-crowned babblers: implications for group dynamics and breeding phenology

For many endotherms, communal roosting saves energy in cold conditions, but how this might affect social dynamics or breeding phenology is not well understood. Using chestnut-crowned babblers (Pomatostomus ruficeps), we studied the effects of nest use and group size on roosting energy costs. These 50 g cooperatively breeding passerine birds of outback Australia breed from late winter to early summer and roost in huddles of up to 20 in single-chambered nests. We measured babbler metabolism at three ecologically relevant temperatures: 5°C (similar to minimum nighttime temperatures during early breeding), 15°C (similar to nighttime temperatures during late breeding) and 28°C (thermal neutrality). Nest use alone had modest effects: even for solitary babblers at 5°C, it reduced nighttime energy expenditures by <15%. However, group-size effects were substantial, with savings of up to 60% in large groups at low temperatures. Babblers roosting in groups of seven or more at 5°C, and five or more at 15°C, did not need to elevate metabolic rates above basal levels. Furthermore, even at 28°C (thermoneutral for solitary babblers), individuals in groups of four or more had 15% lower basal metabolic rate than single birds, hinting that roosting in small groups is stressful. We suggest that the substantial energy savings of communal roosting at low temperatures help explain why early breeding is initiated in large groups and why breeding females, which roost alone and consequently expend 120% more energy overnight than other group members, suffer relatively higher mortality than communally roosting group mates.

Negotiating meaning: Effects of group dynamics on information system development.

The research explored the impacts that the psychological processes within and between work groups had on software development and IS project failure. It has identified and demonstrated ways to moderate such group dynamics and their causes; in turn providing an approach to reduce IS project failure.

The Εffects of censoring and the spiral of silence on focus group interviews: a case study of discussions on immigration

Focus groups assess the oral expressions of opinions of participants on a particular topic under discussion. They have several advantages over other qualitative research methodologies such as depth interviews because focus groups can discover people's attitudes and motivations while revealing the underlying views or values held by them. However, as focus groups elicit more socially expressed and contested opinions and discourses than Individual opinions, their discussions can be contaminated by the situational constraints and social pressures within the group. These include group dynamics, confonnity, censoring, the Group Leader Effect, the Groupthink Syndrome, the effects of the Spiral of Silence, characteristics of group members, and the climate of opinion within the group and in society at the time. This case study examines the effects of these factors on the 'horizontal interactions' between group members during a discussion with undecided voters about immigration, using two situations where focus group members took offence at comments made by another and challenged them, when the topic under discussion was personally relevant to them. Other members of the group, offending or otherwise, then remained silent, retracted their opinions to placate the challenger, and expressed neutral or conciliatory opinions in an effort to return the discussion to a state of equilibrium. It then examines some measures that can reduce such contaminations, including
methodological triangulation, where several methods and methodological
approaches are used to examine a given phenomenon, instead of just one method, such as the sole use of transcripts of focus group discussions.

Influence of an adventure learning program, using group adventure initiative tasks, on participant self-esteem

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of an adventure learning program, based on participation in group adventure initiative tasks (GAITs), on participant self-esteem and, further, to examine any associated gender differences in the dependent variable. The study took place within the framework of the 'Group Dynamics in Action' unit offered at the University of South Australia, Underdale Campus, in semester 2, 1994. The course included participation in group adventure initiative tasks, the identification and examination of group dynamic processes, the investigation of individual roles within the small group and the review of these processes in the group setting. The program also included an experience on a high ropes course. Both quantitative and qualitative data was gathered to gain insight into gender differences and their relationship to the dependent variable and also to provide insight into any discrepancy in outcomes between males and females with regard to participation in group adventure initiative tasks. The sample set of participants was drawn from undergraduate students studying at the University of South Australia in the Bachelor of Teaching (Primary), Bachelor of Education (Secondary Physical Education Teaching) and Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science) courses. Subjects were assigned to either experimental or control conditions and the experimental group were then randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups. Sixty one (N = 61) male and female subjects were tested pre and post-treatment period. Psychological tests included the Coopersmith Self Esteem Inventory (Coopersmith 1981) and an adaptation of Coopersmith's Behaviour Rating Form (Coopersmith 1967). Qualitative data was gathered using Kuhn's Twenty Statements Test (Kuhn and McPartland 1954), a self-esteem questionnaire, observations made by the researcher and other staff about subjects interactions and from weekly journals kept by subjects throughout the treatment. The duration of the treatment period was 14 weeks consisting of 14, 2 hour seminars.

Promoting group participation : a conscious approach to collaboration

Collaborative group work has increasingly been adopted as a learning and assessment tool at tertiary level, yet despite the prevalence of group
activities within the language classroom, feedback from university faculties is that international students struggle in this area. While the problem is
one of communication, language proficiency is only part of the picture. Diverse cultural expectations and students’ individual personalities play a significant role. In light of this, Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI) decided to focus on successful participation in group work as a specific learning outcome in the EAP stream. Beginning with the recognition that having students work in groups was not, by itself, sufficient to equip them with the necessary skills for successful
collaboration, it was decided to develop a program designed to instill in students a more conscious awareness of group dynamics and of their own adopted roles and behaviours within groups. Our central aim was to encourage students to take responsibility for fostering a group dynamic
that benefited from the diversity of the student population and to raise students’ confidence in tackling academic group work.

Group and team processes in organisations

During recent decades, organisations have shifted towards team-based structures to enhance organisational performance, and research has shifted to investigate these new work structures. This chapter explores team and group process research in organisations. The initial focus of this chapter is to define groups and teams. Types of teams and team development theory will also be briefly discussed. Several theories of group dynamics will then be presented. The input-process-output framework, which explains the relationships between variables in team research, will provide structure to the ensuing discussion of team-related variables, such as individual and team-level characteristics, team and group processes and team performance. A frequent goal of group and team-based research is to understand how to improve team effectiveness and thus performance. Team performance is therefore included in this framework as an important outcome variable. This framework is then extended and a contemporary way of categorising team-based research in organisations is presented. In addition, the potentially important role of moderating variables in team research will also be discussed.

Have adults lost their sense of play? An observational study of the social dynamics of physical (in)activity in German and Hawaiian leisure settings

BACKGROUND: Physical inactivity is one of the biggest health problems nowadays. Recent research shows that socio-cultural barriers to physical activity are mostly related to modern lifestyles. However, there is a lack of research on how social and group dynamics influence engagement in physical activity. Furthermore, there are few cross-cultural studies that have compared the social dynamics of (in)activity in different cultural settings. This paper therefore aims to analyse how social group dynamics influence physical activity and inactivity in informal social environments and whether physical activity is influenced by the socio-cultural settings. METHODS: The paper presents the qualitative data collected within a covert participant observation study. Data was collected by keeping observational notes in order to record typical, regular patterns regarding physical (in)activity related behaviour of groups at an artificial open air swimming pool in Germany and a natural pond in Hawai'i. The data collection period was eight and a half months. Data was interpreted based on constant comparative analysis in order to identify most generative patterns in the field notes. RESULTS: Group structures appear to play a significant role regarding the activity of the group members. In this study, we identified four key factors that influence group based physical activity: 1) Physical activity seems to be a group disturbing behaviour particularly in larger groups of adults; 2) Physical activity appears to be more functional and less joyful in adults than in children; 3) Group activity is influenced by (in)activity anchors, including 'domestication' of a group's site, obesity, and controlling parents. 4) Physical activity is to a certain extent socially contagious, particularly with regard to playful activities. CONCLUSIONS: Successful promotion of physical activity should target the social structures of inactive individuals' groups. In this regard, one of the main problems is that fun and wellbeing, as very important targets of public health strategies for the adult population, appear not to be compatible with physical activity. Developing strategies to reframe physical activity rather as 'fun' and less as functional may be one way to engage inactive individuals in physical activity in leisure settings.

The role of intragroup dynamics in nonprofit governance models: a systematic quantitative literature review

Nonprofit governance models rarely incorporate board intragroup dynamics as a significant board factor that influences performance. However, intragroup dynamics such 81 cohesion and conflicthave demonstrated a relationship with board performance suggesting that board Intragroup dynamics play a larger role than previously thought. ID order to better understand the relationship between lntragroup dynamics and performance, a systematic quantitative literature review was conducted.Through an extensive search process and the application of a series of inclusion criteria, 43 papers were identified and reviewed. Three types of lntragroup dynamics (cohesion, the board-CEO relationship, and boardroom climate) were shown to have a positive relationship with performance whereas the relationship between performance and two other lntragroup dynamics (conflict and power patterns) was mixed. It was concluded that lntragroup dynamics should be a central factor in board governance models. Using the findings of this review, directions for future research were identified.

The role of informal groups in organisational knowledge work : understanding an emerging community of practice

Managers and researchers alike have sought new ways to address the challenges of sharing dispersed knowledge in modern business environments. Careful consideration by sharers of receivers’ knowledge needs and behaviours may improve the effectiveness of knowledge sharing. This research examines how sharers react to their perceptions of receivers’ knowledge needs and behaviours when making choices relating to sharing knowledge. The focus of this article is to propose and empirically explore a theoretical framework for a study of the role of the receiver in knowledge sharing — receiver-based theory. Data collected from two case studies highlight a key role played by perceived receiver knowledge needs and behaviours in shaping sharer choices when explicit knowledge is shared. A set of receiver influences on knowledge sharing is provided that highlights key receiver and sharer issues. The paper concludes that companies should develop better ways to connect potential sharers with receivers’ real knowledge needs. Further, the findings suggest that sharing on a need-to-know basis hinders change in organisational power structures, and prevents the integration of isolated pockets of knowledge that may yield new value.

Overcoming the adversity of diversity : an Australian story

The low participation rate of women in computing education and the computing industry is a phenomenon that has been recognised by many western countries. While much has been written on the underlying reasons for the low participation in such a growing and dynamic industry, the situation only seems to be worsening. This paper examines briefly a number of approaches taken by researchers in Australia to try and address the problem. One tertiary institution, Victoria University, has undertaken over a ten year period a sequence of projects, aimed at encouraging and supportingfemale students to study information technology and then make a successful transition from university to the workplace. The strategies and outcomes of the most recent project is the focus of this paper. This project concentrated on equipping graduatingfemale students with skills and knowledge to enable them to participate on equal terms with their male counterparts in workgroups and project teams. An outcome from this work was the preparation and distribution of a resource book to graduating female students during 2002.

Problem-based learning in an online environment

This study describes the investigation of postgraduate students of mixed age and gender distributed across several Australian states as well as off shore who were juggling study with workplace demands. As face to face meeting was impossible because of the geographical distribution of the group members and because the course communication was centred on an online conference space, a small group space was established for each group for the purpose of completing the problem-based learning task. This paper provides a detailed description of the group dynamics and interactive processes required to negotiate an online problem-based learning task. It will also suggest ways to improve the collaborative learning potential of the online environment through well structured and meaningful activities.

Qualitive research in a cross-cultural context: Fijian experiences

In this article, the authors discuss the experiences of conducting qualitative research in traditional Fijian communities. This provided the setting for the cross-cultural exchange between the researcher and research participants and from which the authors draw important considerations for the design of future qualitative studies. In particular, the authors discuss the need to adapt essentially Western research designs to accommodate different cross-cultural styles of facilitation, group dynamics, spatial arrangements, gender issues, protocol, patterns of participation, and perception of time. They propose a model that clarifies the types of roles and styles of facilitation observed in a Fijian workshop setting and comment on how different cross-cultural dynamics between the researcher and participants can influence the success of qualitative research.

Real footballers don`t eat quiche: old narratives in new times

In this article, the authors examine the way that sport acts as a contradictory and complex medium for masculinity making. The analysis illustrates the way that many discourses now unite in a cybernetic mix that offers both new opportunities and presents complex challenges for educators, coaches, and administrators. The method used combines a number of strategies and narratives pitched at the local, national, and international levels. The analysis is grounded in the game of football, although it is argued that the issues raised translate to other settings. At the same time, the authors demonstrate that large-scale, macro level analyses miss an important force working within the dynamics of masculinity making and sport, namely, peer group power. The analysis concludes with insights from a junior coach who has consciously "worked" the peer group dynamics to foster a strong sense of personal and group responsibility.

A model for stakeholder interactions in hospitals : towards understanding the patient flow process

The aim of this research is to understand how stakeholder interactions can facilitate the patient flow process within a hospital. An analysis of the findings reveals that nurses are in a perfect position to be a conduit between doctors and managers. This is due to several factors including the nurses understanding of both the clinical and control worlds, as well as nurses ability to form networks based on their pivotal characteristics. As a result of these findings, a model for better understanding stakeholder relationships is developed. In this research, a mixed methods approach was used by undertaking a cultural assessment via survey questionnaire, complemented by observations of interactions between organisational actors, including formal semi-structured interviews and reflections of many hours of observation. Glouberman and Mintzberg’s four world’s models is used as a foundation for the arguments of this paper. Mitchell, Agle and Wood’s (1997) model is used to discuss the three stakeholder groups of this research including doctors, nurses, and managers.

Balancing risk? First year performing arts students’ experience of a community arts event

This study examines participants’ responses to first year students’ street performances as a non-placement work-integrated learning (WIL) activity over a two year period. The purpose of the study was to determine: (1) community perception, (2) continuous improvement, and (3) future needs. Data was collected through surveying participants’ post-viewing of the street performances, students’ reflective notes, and a recorded focus group interview. The findings indicated that audience members require additional assistance to value the students’ street performances. The results revealed that students require more guidance around researching the sites of practice, understanding group work dynamics, relaxation methods, intra- and interpersonal skill development, conflict resolution and how to effectively build community relations with the local government Council. From the findings, specific recommendations for continual improvement are made. These include offering an explanation of the street performances’ historical and aesthetic connections to the building sites for audience members, affording battery operated body-microphones and light rostrum for improved sight lines, delivering group dynamics information and arranging opportunities for students to engage more effectively with the Council. While the recommendations in this study are intended to advance the field of research that evaluates non-placement WIL performing arts curriculum in higher education, the findings are relevant to any group-based performance activity in learning and teaching.