Manage one beach or two? Movements and space-use of the threatened hooded plover (Thinornis rubricollis) in south-eastern Australia

An understanding of space use and dispersal of a wildlife species is essential for effective management. We examined the movements of a beach-dwelling, threatened population of hooded plover (Thinornis rubricollis) in southern central Victoria, Australia, by analysing sightings of colour-banded birds (4897 sightings; 194 birds tracked for up to 9 years). Most movements were relatively short (5050 ± 305 m), with 61.4% <1 km and 95.3% <20 km; they lacked directional or sexual bias. The extent of coastline used by individual birds was 47.8 ± 58.0 km. Regional differences in average distances moved by adults were apparent. For adults, movement rates (mean distance per day) were higher during the non-breeding season than during the breeding season. Non-breeding adults generally remained close to their partners (non-breeding, 456.3 ± 163.9 m; breeding, 148.2 ± 45.3 m). Largest flock sizes were recorded during the non-breeding period, and flocking was not uniformly distributed along the coast but appeared to be concentrated in particular locations. The frequency of pair cohesion (i.e. when the distance between partners was zero on a given day) was similar during the breeding (69.6%) and non-breeding seasons (67.7%). Breeding territories (kernel analysis) were 36.7 ± 5.7 ha and overlapped from year to year in all cases (23 pairwise comparisons; 47.9 ± 7.1% overlap). The high fidelity and constancy of territories confirms they warrant ongoing management investment, although the species relies on a matrix of breeding and non-breeding sites. The latter appear to occur in specific parts of the coast and warrant enhanced protection and more research attention. Fragmentation of the breeding population might occur where habitat is rendered unsuitable for > ~50 km.

Staff education to manage behavioural symptoms of dementia

The thesis investigated strategies for managing behavioural symptoms of dementia in nursing homes which involved developing and implementing an eight week education program. Results demonstrated that staff education can be associated with positive outcomes for staff members, while education alone is insufficient to change residents' behaviour. The portfolio investigated grief relating to loss of health through four case studies. Attachment theory, dual processing model and meaning reconstruction model were found to be clinically useful for both bereavement--related losses and health-related losses.

Use of drugs to manage the behaviour of individuals with intellectual disability

Provides a detailed description and analysis over time of the use of medication to manage the behaviour of individuals with intellectual disability. Drug use was extensive and reasons provided were commonly outside those permitted by legislation. The findings enabled critical appraisal of current monitoring procedures and recommendations regarding policy and practice.

Learning to manage : transformative outcomes of competency-based training

Transformative learning theory is a dominant approach to understanding adult learning. The theory addresses the way our perspectives on the world, others and ourselves can be challenged and transformed in our ongoing efforts to make sense of the world. It is a conception of learning that does not focus on the measurable acquisition of knowledge and skills, but looks rather to the dynamics of self-questioning and upheaval as the key to adult learning. In this article, transformative learning theory is used as a lens for studying learning in a competency-based, entry-level management course. Instead of asking which knowledge and skills were developed and how effectively, the research enquired into deeper changes wrought by the learning experiences. The research found that for some learners the course contributed to significant discontent as they discovered that management practices they took to represent the norm fell dramatically short of the model promoted in the training.

BSBMGT604A manage business operations

Study guide for a TAFE course

Analysing business processes to manage and resolve strategic issues in a manufacturing business

This paper demonstrates the value of applying heuristics to knowledge systems of business processes in a manufacturing company to resolve strategic issues and enable the attainment of strategic business goals. The manufacturing company was losing market share through not being able to get its new products to market quickly enough. The research illustrates the ‘location’ and use of information systems in a manufacturing context. The researchers collected the specific business process knowledge in the company and developed a knowledge management system and then applied heuristics to the ‘AS IS’ manufacturing process to determine better models of manufacturing that would enable faster to market product development and thus enable better strategic alignment between company expectations and realisation of market share. The paper highlights the strategic use of information systems as a means of directly solving business problems.

Negotiating local decision making to manage coastal inundation : certainty, precedence, precaution and practicality

Scientific projections for climate change induced sea level rise highlight the potential for serious consequences in low lying coastal areas, through impacts upon: built infrastructure; beneficial uses; and ecological values. An area of particular concern relates to the ways in which local decision makers work through the issues associated with new development proposals on land that may be subject to future inundation, whether permanent or temporary. In making such issues, local authorities need to consider multiple sources of evidence, and multiple perspectives on what the evidence means. In this paper we examine decision making about coastal development in south west Victoria to explore how such issues are worked through, in terms of the responsibilities of different actors, and the tensions, challenges, and implications associated with, and arising from, the way in which various actors participate in, and negotiate their way through, decision making processes. In doing so, our particular focus is on the way in which different actor types engage with and interpret particular pieces of information (e.g. estimates of sea level rise and LSIO information) which are central to the decision making process. While the focus is on local decision making in south west Victoria, the insights generated may have broader relevance.

Evaluation of a training program to assist care staff to better recognize and manage depression among palliative care patients and their families

This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a training program to improve the knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy of palliative care staff and thus enable them to better detect and manage depression among palliative care patients and their families. Participants were 90 professional carers who completed a four-session training program. Knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, and barriers to working with depressed patients were assessed preintervention, post-intervention, and at a three-month follow-up. The results demonstrated that compared to the control group, the intervention group had improved in all of these areas. Improvements were maintained at the three-month follow-up in all areas except attitudes. The results of this study indicate the importance of training in managing depression among palliative care staff. Booster sessions will likely be needed to ensure that training program gains are maintained.