The measurement of trust in inter-organisational networks: a conceptual framework and research design

The aim of this paper is to outline a conceptual model and research design for measuring trust in inter-organisational networks which has the potential to be a ‘blueprint’ for a large-scale, multilevel study of trust in networks. Inter-organisational networks are increasingly recognised as a means to achieve economic and social exchange yet, how these networks operate is less widely understood. Trust is widely identified as being essential to the functioning of networks forms of organisation. In order to analyse trust in networks the Social Relations Model (Kenny 1994) of interpersonal perception is applied here. Insights from this model are used to specify relevant components of trust; and extended by incorporating measures of trust at the level of the work group.

A comparative generational analysis of a cultural event

Like most products, special events are marketed to specific target markets. One such event, however, held in Melbourne, Australia, in May 2005, was marketed more broadly to the Melbourne community. The cultural event was developed to stimulate discussion, which one social commentator noted is currently deficient …‘there is a prevailing element of defensiveness, wariness and caution in our public discourse’ (Jones, 2005). The event sought to fill this void in community life and encouraged members of cross-sections of the community to participate in the event. One evaluative measure of success of the event was, therefore, the post-consumption evaluations of attendees. By using generational segments (ie. Traditionalists, Baby-boomers, Generation X and the Millennials) as the bases of comparison, few statistically significant differences were found with regard to post-consumption evaluations of the event. It is, therefore, not unreasonable to conclude that the event was successful in that the generational segments were generally homogenous with regard to the post-consumption evaluations of the event. The results, however, provide opportunities for improvement in the event’s marketing and management in the future.

Conceptualising best practices in cooperative industry-based learning in information systems and information technology: an inter-institutional investigation in Australian higher education

The professional fields of information systems and information technology are drivers and enablers of the global economy. Moreover, their theoretical scope and practices are global in focus. University graduates need to develop a range of leadership, conceptual and technical capacities to work effectively in, and contribute to, the shaping of companies, business models and systems which operate in globalised settings. This paper reports a study of the operation of industry-based learning (IBL) at three Australian universities, which employ different models and approaches, as part of a series of investigations of the needs, circumstances and perspectives of various stakeholders (program coordinator, faculty teaching staff, the students, industry mentors, and the professional body which has supported the most recent stage of this study). The focus of this paper is a discussion of salient pragmatic considerations as we attempt to conceptualise what constitutes best practice in offering industry-based learning for higher education students in the disciplines of information systems and information technology.

Understanding the factors contributing to inter-partner trust in joint ventures

Forming an international joint venture (IJV) with a local (Chinese) partner is one of the popular ways available for an overseas investor to enter into small and medium business sectors in China. A joint venture is commonly viewed as a cooperative, rather than a competitive, business relationship between two or more partners. Interpartner trust is widely acknowledged as a key prerequisite for genuine cooperation between joint venture partners. Although the importance of trust in the context of joint ventures is well recognized, the question of how interpartner trust is formed has received only scant attention in academic as well as professional literatures. Drawing from diverse academic literature bearing on the formation of trust between partner firms, this paper explores the factors that may contribute to inter-partner trust in the context of joint ventures. The primary argument in this paper is that trust between IJV partners is determined by observable and objective social, economic and structural factors. In other words, it is argued that interpartner trust is rational and it does not require a 'leap of faith'.

After hMSH2 and hMLH1- what next? Analysis of three-generational, population-based, early-onset colorectal cancer families

The aim of our study was to examine the role of genetic factors on early-onset colorectal cancer after excluding the impact of germline mutations in the two major mismatch repair genes. A total of 131 incident probands, under 45 years at diagnosis of a first primary colorectal cancer selected from the Victorian Cancer Registry, and their first-and second-degree relatives, were interviewed. Germline DNA from all 12 probands with a family history meeting the modified Amsterdam Criteria for Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC) and a random sample of 31 of the remaining probands was screened for mutations in hMSH2 and hMLH1 via manual sequencing. Germline mutations were identified in 6 of the 131 probands (5%), all from the "HNPCC" families. Of the remaining 125 probands, 51 (41%) reported at least one first-or second-degree relative with colorectal cancer with an excess of colorectal cancer in first-degree relatives (SMR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.7-4.1, p < 0.001). The lifetime risk to age 70 for first-degree relatives was 8.0% (5.0-12.8%), compared to the Victorian population risk of 3.2% (p = 0.01). The best fitting major gene model was a recessively-inherited risk of 98% to age 70 (95% CI = 24-100%) carried by 0.17% of the population and would explain 15% of all colorectal cancer in cases with a diagnosis before age 45. Early-onset colorectal cancer is strongly familial even after excluding families found to be segregating a mutation in either of the 2 major mismatch repair genes. There is evidence for a role of yet to be identified genes associated with a high recessively-inherited risk of colorectal cancer.

Inter-annual rainfall variations and suicide in New South Wales, Australia, 1964-2001

The suicide rate in New South Wales is shown to be related to annual precipitation, supporting a widespread and long-held assumption that drought in Australia increases the likelihood of suicide. The relationship, although statistically significant, is not especially strong and is confounded by strong, long-term variations in the suicide rate not related to precipitation variations. A decrease in precipitation of about 300 mm would lead to an increase in the suicide rate of approximately 8% of the long-term mean suicide rate.

Shaping the self through psychotherapeutic means : gender and cross-generational perspectives

This paper explores psychotherapeutic themes and modes of thought emerging in interviews with mothers and daughters participating in a cross-generational study of young women 'on the margins'. The focus of the discussion is two-fold. First it discusses current theoretical debates concerning the ascendancy of psychotherapeutic modes of constituting the self, and argues that we require closer attention to the gendered and differentiated ways in which these are registered and articulated. Second, it considers the significance of 'happiness' and the ways in which pairs of mothers and daughters draw upon a repertoire of psychotherapeutic discourses to represent their relation to schooling, self, family, and work. It concludes with some speculative observations about the significance of attending to the psychotherapeutic turn for understanding contemporary femininity, the desire for openness as a measure of a good relationship (and of democracy), and contemporary aspirations of happiness.

Professional renewal through cross-generational mentoring and research

Internationally, normative discourses about literacy standards have rapidly proliferated and spaces for teachers to engage in serious intellectual inquiry seem to be shutting down. What counts, in current times, is increasingly only what can be counted. The onslaught of political and media attacks about standards has left many teachers with low morale and low energy. Many experienced teachers are doubting their own wisdom, despite years of successful practice; many novice teachers are wondering why they entered the profession.

Broadcasting technology and its influence on sport broadcaster inter-organisational relationship formation

Technical developments in television have resulted in major changes to the delivery of sport. One significant change is the development of relationships between clubs and sport broadcasters. This research identified the technology that is emerging in sport broadcasting, and the impact that this technology has on the potential for Inter-Organisational Relationship (IOR) formation between sport broadcasters and Australian-based professional football clubs, taken from the perspective of the sport broadcaster. Six preconditions for IOR formation were considered, including uncertainty, knowledge/expertise, resource acquisition, adaptive efficiency, regulation and strategic enhancement. In-depth interviews with senior managers of eight sport broadcasting organisations were undertaken with the resulting data analysed, and the emergent themes identified. Results indicate that sport broadcasters were not willing to enter into IORs with professional football clubs.