Nurse academics meeting the challenges of scholarship and research

This research study explored nurse academics' perceptions and experiences of scholarship and research. Interviews were carried out with 20 nurse academics in four Australian states. A grounded theory approach was used to explore issues they faced. The paper discusses how academics engaged in research and scholarship integrate it into their work practices. The participants spoke of problems encountered, such as the difficulty of gaining higher degrees whilst undertaking additional research. They indicated they felt under significant pressure to publish. The organisational structures that a small number of institutions put in place to facilitate the development of a scholarly research culture are illustrated.

International strategy: is it meeting the challenge?

The paper proposes an IS process model comprising inputs, development, outputs and a feedback loop based on performance measurement and its interpretation. The feedback impacts on the inputs and development components. Inputs are comprised of market information. human resources, diversity, value creation and host country environmental factors. Development includes preparation and learning. planning and scrutinising partnerships. anticipating impacts of globalisation and experience effects. Outputs comprise structure, scope of operations, target countries. facility location and positioning. Performance interpretation explains rapid and major changes in IS outputs, such as structure and business unit portfolios, whilst process complexity explains observed output similarities for organisations reacting to similar inputs and suggests an evolutionary approach in their determination.

International strategy : is it meeting the challenge?

International strategy (IS) is the approach by which an organisation's capabilities and resources are directed to generate value utilising the global market's opportunities (and risks). Many of the largest multinationals invest significant resources in their IS, however, the literature does not offer any substantive model for the process. This paper presents a model of the IS process which comprises two parts, the first part is made up of inputs, development and outputs and the second comprises a feedback loop based on organisational performance measurement and its interpretation which impacts on the first part stages of inputs and development. The content of the model is explained and justified using examples of practice. Inputs are comprised of market information, human resources, diversity and value creation and host country environmental factors. Development is comprised of preparation and learning, planning and scrutinising partnerships, anticipating impacts of globalisation, anticipating impacts of technology, location, experience effects, planning competencies, planning for cost effectiveness, scenario planning, planning structures and operations, leadership and ethics. Outputs are comprised of structure, scope of operations, target countries, facility location and positioning. Performance interpretation explains rapid and major changes in IS outputs, such as structure
and business unit portfolios, whilst process complexity explains observed output similarities for organisations reacting to similar inputs and suggests an evolutionary approach in their determination.

Self-determination theory and needs satisfaction in marketing education : are we meeting the needs of students in large marketing classes?

The aim of this study is to assess whether universities are meeting the needs of students in large marketing classes. In so doing the study investigates the application of self determination theory and psychological needs satisfaction. The basic needs scale, comprising of three constructs; Control, Competence and Caring was adapted and used to evaluate students’ perception of an introductory marketing subject. The study used a multi-method approach consisting of a literature review, a qualitative phase involving in-depth interviews with marketing teaching staff and focus groups with marketing students and a survey of students about introductory level marketing. An adapted version of the basic psychological needs scale was included in a questionnaire that was administered to a convenience sample of 366 students. MANOVA, ANOVA and descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. The results show that the psychological needs satisfaction of many students are not being fully realised. It was also found that marketing degree students enjoyed the challenges and were more stimulated by the subject. The higher achieving students enjoyed the challenge of the subject more than the lower achieving students. As a result of this study, there are three suggestions for further research. Firstly, further study should compare subjects, with relatively small enrolments, to those with large enrolments to corroborate the value of this method of assessing student satisfaction. Secondly, the use of a larger sample across other universities would confirm whether these findings hold for other institutions. Finally, it is suggested that a structural model should be developed to extend this investigation of student satisfaction and the constructs used in the study.

Epiphanies, velcro balls and McDonaldization: highlights from the 5th Meeting of the International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity

This commentary provides an overview and selected highlights from the scientific program of the 5th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity.

The role of communication in meeting MPA objectives

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) play an important role in conserving the marine environment. An integral part of managing MPAs is communicating to its users and the broader community the existence of the park and its regulations. In two studies looking at the Victorian Marine National Parks and Sanctuaries it was found that there was a low level of awareness of the parks existence [1]. Television news was found in both studies to account for the majority of respondents awareness yet television advertisements were the main media used to inform the community, along with signage at parks and sanctuaries [2].

Education and communication are the main ways that management agencies inform the broader community about the parks and the regulations governing their management. They are generally directed at two main groups: formal education within schools and universities and communication towards the wider community. Communicating to the broader community the existence of an MPA is achieved through signs, brochures, self guided or ranger walks. These are developed by education experts within management agencies. Yet little is known of the public’s level of knowledge about MPAs or the marine environment. Therefore, our research aims to discover the communities existing knowledge of MPAs and the marine environment and how this can help create effective communication strategies. This research focuses on the public who use MPAs and the wider community in Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia.

Objective and subjective measurements of office meeting rooms

This research is a preliminary investigation of the objective measurements ofthelmal comfort and C02 levels as well as subjective user evaluation surveys in six meeting rooms. The ongoing objective measurements were taken via thelmal comfort carts while the surveys evaluated parameters of temperature, lighting, air quality, meeting effectiveness etc. The outcomes are of particular interest since some of the objective measurements clearly to not support those of the users. In fact, the investigation has triggered off further interest in refining questionnaires to develop more precise indicators of 'discomfort'.
Furthelmore, meeting rooms present a challenge when it comes to conditioning spaces (HV AC design) which are sporadic in use and often with high occupancy for short periods. This paper investigates meeting rooms in four different buildings and their conditioning control concepts are discussed in relation to measured results.

Quality of reporting of randomized clinical trials in abstracts of the 2005 annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology.

Objective: To determine the quality of abstracts reporting randomized clinical trials (RCT) at the 2005 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology.

Methods: All 2005 abstracts including late-breaking abstracts were assessed. An abstract was deemed to be reporting an RCT if it indicated that participants were randomized in the title or body of the abstract. RCT were excluded if they included only pharmacokinetic data. The CONSORT checklist was applied and relevant data extracted. We defined manufacturer support as acknowledgment of industry support or industry employee as co-author.

Results: Of 2146 abstracts, 143 (6.7%) reported RCT. Of these, 78.3% were drug trials, and 63.6% indicated manufacturer support. Only 30.8% of abstracts used "randomized" in the title, 44.1% did not explicitly state whether blinding was undertaken, and only 7.0% clearly stated who was blinded. Thirty percent of studies did not give an explicit definition of eligibility criteria of participants. While 84.6% explicitly described the experimental intervention, only 37.1% explicitly described the comparator intervention. Only 21% explicitly stated that an intention to treat analysis was performed. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were reported in 48.3%. While most abstracts reported summary results for each treatment group, only 35.7% reported effect size with its precision.

Conclusion: The quality of reporting is suboptimal in many RCT abstracts. Abstracts reporting RCT would benefit from a structured approach that ensures more detailed reporting of eligibility criteria, active and comparator interventions, flow of participants, and adequate summary and precision of results.

Capital works procurement policies in Australia : implications for understanding and meeting client needs

This paper undertakes a case study of procurement through a comparative analysis of the capital works procurement policies of the Commonwealth, State, and Territory Governments in Australia. Capital works procurement policies provide the mechanism by which governments manage procurement processes, and frame how individual government agencies, as clients, participate in those processes. The paper proposes a typology of capital works procurement approaches, together with implications of how these different policies play out for clients. A tentative proposition is advanced that policy approaches to capital works procurement either explicitly or implicitly, make assumptions about the organisational capability of clients to plan and deliver capital works projects, including their ability to understand and articulate their own building needs. Additionally, the paper concludes that innovation has occurred at a policy level in capital works procurement. Recommendations for further research are suggested.

Positive pathways for couples and families : meeting existing and emerging challenges of relationships

There is a growing need to develop an understanding of the positive pathways that strengthen the relationships of Australian couples and families. The couples and families in contemporary society are faced with many challenges and pressures that can mitigate against maintaining satisfying and enduring couple and family relationships. For example, increasing need for dual income families, longer working hours and demographic shifts that see older people living longer and children staying at home longer mean that couples are often required to provide familial care across two generations – frail ageing parents and children. These highlight just some of the pressures faced which can lead to couples not taking the time to cultivate their relationships. The aim of the workshop was to deal with many of these issues by linking research, policy and practice in ways that would help families meet such challenges. The two-day workshop, held 1-2 November 2008 in Melbourne, brought together leading and emerging Australian and international relationship researchers with practitioners, educators, policy makers and service-delivery organisations. Alongside the Academy, the event was sponsored by Deakin University, the University of Queensland, the Department of Families, Housing and Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaCHSIA), the Attorney General's Department (AG Department), the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) and Lifeworks. The workshop comprised seven sessions and two break-out discussions. A total of 28 participants attended the workshop. Of these participants, there were 19 speakers and 7 delegates from the various sponsor organisations that took part in group discussions.