bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rehabilitation Counselling Theory and Quality Practice Reported inThe Australian Journal of Rehabilitation Counselling
Authors: Crisp Ross
Published: August 2016

In this study, the author reviewed 32 studies, published inThe Australian Journal of Rehabilitation Counselling(AJRC) from 1995 to 2000, that examined the authors' theoretical perspectives and how the authors and/or rehabilitation counsellors (RCs) as research participants defined quality practice. Their theoretical perspectives ranged from systems, psychological and psychosocial theories and specific disability or minority group issues. These theoretical perspectives were examined in relation to the methods of quality practice advocated by AJRC authors and/or their RC-research participants, these being: relationship building, assessment, goal setting, affective and vocational counselling, case management, self-care, and evaluation of services. Notwithstanding a commendable diversity in the range of theory and quality practice reported, several AJRC authors observed a lack of clarity regarding the professional identity of RCs; and the research papers lacked consistency and clarity in defining the characteristics of RC-participants. There were also opposing views concerning where RCs stood in relation to other stakeholders in the rehabilitation process. Further research is recommended to better understand the diversity evident in the roles and functions of Australian RCs in different rehabilitation settings.
Growing Older with an Intellectual Disability
Authors: Gething Lindsay
Published: August 2016

Both the life expectancy and numbers of older people with intellectual disabilities are growing. Until recently, ageing with a disability had not been a major consideration for Australian policy makers and service providers. The situation was similar in countries such as the United States of America and United Kingdom where, unlike aged care, disability policy and practice had not evolved to meet needs. Ageing with long standing disability has now been specified by the Australian government as a priority area. This paper reports results of consultations held with consumers, their organisations, service providers and government in order to explore quality of life and service provision issues for people with long standing disabilities. It reports these issues and uses themes emerging from consultations to structure previously published information specifically related to ageing with an intellectual disability. Seven broad themes are discussed which relate to: life experiences; attitudes, skills and knowledge of consumers; attitudes skills and knowledge of community and service providers, the nature of service provision; the ageing of family care givers; financial security; and ageing in place. It is concluded that disadvantages and barriers experienced throughout life influence well being and quality of life in old age.
The Long Journey Back: The Bumpy Road to Recovery from Cybersex Addiction
Authors: Jackson Debra
Published: August 2016

Notwithstanding the current debate over the use of the term “addiction” to describe certain types of problematic internet use, it is clear that a significant number of people engage in excessive internet use despite its interference with their everyday life. There is also growing evidence to suggest that increasing numbers of regular internet users are using the net for the purposes of accessing pornographic material and adult chat. In a qualitative descriptive framework, this study examines evidence from recovering cybersex addicts to illuminate aspects of the recovery trajectory for persons negatively affected by excessive use of the internet for the purposes of sexual gratification. Significant disruption to functional daily activities was variously reported and included occupational and social impairment, depression, impotence, and relationship breakdown. The paper further examines the therapeutic recovery issues with this addiction and comments on the role of rehabilitation counsellors in this process.
Predictors of Traumatic Brain Injury Caregiver Adjustment and the Role of Irrational Beliefs: Towards a Cognitive Model
Authors: Stebbins Peter , Pakenham Kenneth I. , Leung Paul
Published: August 2016

The provision of care to a relative with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been shown to be distressing for the primary caregiver (usually the spouse or parent). Much research has examined factors which affect caregiver adjustment to brain injury. However, the impact of caregiver cognitions, in particular irrational beliefs, as a potential factor in poor adjustment, has received little if any attention in the TBI caregiving literature. This article provides a review of predictors of TBI caregiver adjustment and a discussion of the cognitive model and the impact of irrational beliefs on adjustment. As caregivers are central to the rehabilitation process, there is a need for research into irrational beliefs and TBI caregivers as well as the development of interventions which focus specifically on the caregiver's beliefs and perceptions of events.
Evaluation of the “Helping Hands” Volunteer Program for People with Mental Illness
Authors: Pickard Judy A. , Deane Frank P.
Published: August 2016

Volunteer programs have been used to alter attitudes, provide long-term knowledge towards mental illness and increase the quality of life of consumers receiving volunteer services. Sixteen volunteers completed an 18-hour training program and in pairs worked with 11 consumers over 4 months. Sixteen volunteers completed training measures of knowledge and attitudes scales. Pre and post program quality of life and behavioural functioning measures were taken on 5 consumers. Volunteers maintained their knowledge of mental illness over 6 months and had significant increases in their comfort in interactions with people who have mental illness. Case managers, consumers and volunteers all reported high levels of satisfaction with the program but there were no significant changes in behavioural functioning or quality of life for consumers over 4 months of receiving volunteer support. High levels of client disability and the need for longer term follow-up were identified as factors needing to be addressed in future studies.
Human Resources: A Career Alternative for Rehabilitation Counsellors
Authors: Lenertz Rosemaree
Published: August 2016

Rehabilitation Counsellors utilise comprehensive skills that have strong parallels with the Human Resources environment. As facilitators of development, improvement and goal achievement, Rehabilitation Counsellors are best equipped to deal with the ever changing face of people and organisations. There are key competencies in both fields that allow for the link between the two to be established, therefore creating an alternative career option for Rehabilitation Counsellors. The Human Resources field provides opportunities for Rehabilitation Counsellors to access large organisations with potential for higher remuneration and career development. Furthermore, the Human Resources field allows rehabilitation counsellors the platform to showcase their range of skills in order to achieve an organisations goals and objectives.
Continuity and Change in Australian Vocational Rehabilitation in the New Millennium
Authors: Walker Tanya M.
Published: August 2016

There have been various factors and events that have contributed to the development of the rehabilitation field in Australia. This paper particularly examines the social, economical and political influences, which have made significant impact on the field. Having established the historical basis of rehabilitation, this paper examines the current changes that are happening in the field and make some suggestions for future developments in both the field and in the profession of rehabilitation counselling.
Two Year Follow-up of Behavioural Functioning in Long-Stay Chronically Mentally Ill Clients Transferred to the Community
Authors: Vertongen Robyn , Deane Frank P. , Beaumont Graeme
Published: August 2016

The effects of transferring 28 long-stay chronically mentally ill patients from a psychiatric hospital to community placements was evaluated. The Rehabilitation Evaluation Hall and Baker (REHAB; Baker & Hall, 1983) scale was used to assess clients' adaptive and maladaptive behavioural functioning at 12, 18 and 24 month intervals following the hospital baseline. Social contacts and inpatient readmissions were also assessed. The results showed that clients' general adaptive functioning and maladaptive behaviour, on average, remained stable across the hospital baseline and two year follow-up period. Clients with frequent social contacts were found to have significantly better adjustment on a number of the REHAB subscales and those who exhibited more maladaptive behaviour were more likely to be readmitted to a psychiatric inpatient unit. Overall the results were encouraging with relatively low readmission rates, however, approximately 10% of clients showed significant difficulty adjusting in the community. The implications of the findings for chronically mentally ill people and suggestions for community programmes are discussed.
The Role of the Rehabilitation Provider in Occupational Rehabilitation: Providing for Whom? Part 1: Self-perceptions
Authors: Kenny Dianna T.
Published: August 2016

Rehabilitation providers were the product of the 1987 Workers' Compensation Act in NSW, Australia. They operate in a complex environment and serve many masters. This paper assesses how rehabilitation providers are faring in the management of workplace injury. Using in depth semi-structured interviews, the self-perceptions of rehabilitation providers are presented. Results indicate that the current practice of rehabilitation providers labours under a heavy load of competing responsibilities, difficult clientele, adversarial stakeholders, economic restraints, and an unwieldy and clumsy workers' compensation system. Specific problems highlighted by rehabilitation providers included the identification of their core business and client group; misconceptions, lack of information and failure of communication among stakeholders; and lack of co-operation and overt and covert obstruction to the rehabilitation process. Rehabilitation providers perceived that they could function most effectively if they developed a genuine, trusting relationship with the injured worker, and educated and supported the treating doctor and employer in the rehabilitation and return to work process. Rehabilitation providers linked employer support of the injured worker to their willingness to provide suitable duties. Early referral was also considered an essential element in successful return to work. It was argued that rehabilitation providers should conceptualise themselves asadvocates for the rehabilitation processrather than for any stakeholder group. This conceptualisation allows the provider to move comfortably between groups of stakeholders, addressing their diverse needs while maintaining their focus on their core business.
Vocational Assessment for Individuals with Schizophrenia: An Alternative Approach
Authors: Rybak Anna M.
Published: August 2016

Individuals with psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, have been found to have less successful vocational rehabilitation outcomes than other disability groups. A contributing factor may be that existing traditional vocational assessment methods and tools simply lack characteristics that would make them most useful for individuals with schizophrenia. Specific symptomatology present in the schizophrenic disorders interferes with the individual's ability to properly complete traditional assessment tools. Alternative methods of assessment are therefore needed for individuals with schizophrenia to get the most benefit from the vocational rehabilitation process and reach their vocational potential. A five-stage model is proposed which attempts to address issues that arise during the vocational assessment process for people with schizophrenia.
Keeping the Plates Spinning: A Qualitative Study of Job Satisfaction and Occupational Stress Experienced by South Australian Rehabilitation Counsellors
Authors: Mitchell Anthony J.
Published: August 2016

The rapid development of the profession of rehabilitation counselling in Australia during the past decade has been accompanied by a high level of staff turnover. This qualitative study identifies the aspects of the work of rehabilitation counsellors that contribute to job satisfaction and occupational stress. The issues identified by subjects can be categorised as aspects of the rehabilitation systems and aspects of the employing organisation. It was concluded that employers of rehabilitation counsellors should develop strategies to enhance job satisfaction and minimise occupational stress in order to reduce staff turnover.
Occupational Rehabilitation in the Maritime Industry: Case Management Issues
Authors: Budd Heather A.
Published: August 2016

This paper describes the particular circumstances which apply to the maritime industry in the area of occupational rehabilitation. Specific areas arising out of the maritime industry which also apply to the rehabilitation area generally are raised through consideration of the case management process in operation within the maritime industry.
Expansion Rehabilitation: An Empowering Conceptual Framework for Rehabilitation following Acquired Disability
Authors: Newsome Rex , Kendall Elizabeth
Published: August 2016

Rehabilitation counselling is in need of a conceptual framework that will distinguish it from the medical notion of restoration and will provide a theoretical base from which rehabilitation counsellors can operate. The current paper presents a model of dishabilitation that highlights the processes that occur following acquired disability and that must be considered in designing a rehabilitation programme. The model suggests that the goal of rehabilitation should be the expansion of opportunities rather than the restoration of functions or previous position. By providing rehabilitation counsellors with a suitable “macro”level conceptualisation of rehabilitation, this approach will enable counsellors to implement “micro”level techniques in a manner that will empower individuals. Because intervention is aimed at opportunity expansion rather than the pursuit of specific goals, this approach allows individuals to retain control and to develop positive perceptions of themselves with their disability. The approach is also more sensitive to the impact of acquired disability on social networks and suggests that opportunities for families must also be expanded.
The Roles, Functions and Effectiveness of Treating Doctors in the Management of Occupational Injury: Perceptions of Key Stakeholders
Authors: Kenny Dianna T.
Published: August 2016

Key stakeholders' perceptions of the role of the treating doctor, including treating doctors themselves, in the management of workplace injury and in occupational rehabilitation of injured workers was assessed via in-depth semi-structured interviews of doctors and via interviews and surveys of other stakeholders (injured workers, employers, rehabilitation co-ordinators, rehabilitation providers and insurers) in the post-injury period. A number of difficulties were identified by both doctors themselves and by other stakeholders in the treating doctors' management of compensable work injury clients. It was argued that these problems were a function of the conflict of interest that arises for various service providers within the current workers' compensation system and the polarised and adversarial nature of relationships between providers. The discussion of the underlying structural and policy problems inherent in the current workers' compensation system at various levels of practice which this study has highlighted provides a first step in attempts to resolve these difficulties in individual practitioner-client relationships.
Employment Issues Facing People with Traumatic Brain Injury in New Zealand
Authors: Winthrop Rachel C.
Published: August 2016

An estimated 600 people seek hospital and/or medical assistance for recently acquired brain injury each week in New Zealand. Many of these people return to work only to find themselves unable to function at the same level as achieved prior to injury. The reasons for this are frequently not understood either by the individual with the injury, the individual's colleagues or by the various professionals approached for advice. Common deficits identified impact significantly on an individual's work performance indicating comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services are required. Rehabilitation counsellors have a key role to play in the vocational rehabilitation process of people with head injuries. This requires that rehabilitation counsellors possess a knowledge of brain injury sequelae, their effects on everyday functioning and of the recovery process from the injury.
Teaching and Evaluating Rehabilitation Case Management Skills Through Computer Simulations: Methodological Considerations
Authors: Reid Chris , Chan Fong , Wong Daniel W. , Wheaton Joe , Long Nancy M.
Published: August 2016

The use of computer simulations in professional rehabilitation counselling training has received considerable attention in recent years. Most notably, computer-based rehabilitation case management simulations have been developed for teaching and evaluating clinical problem solving skills of rehabilitation counselling trainees. However, a major problem confronting the use of computer simulations in professional rehabilitation training is the lack of quantification procedures for measuring performance on computer simulations. A current approach involves the computation of proficiency and efficiency indices as performance feedback measures. The purpose of this paper, however, is to demonstrate the potential problems with using these two indices as feedback mechanisms in computer simulations and to present an alternative quantification procedure for measuring and providing feedback about trainee performance on computer-based case management simulations.
Case Management in Occupational Rehabilitation: Would the Real Case Manager Please Stand Up?
Authors: Kenny Dianna T.
Published: August 2016

Key stakeholders (injured workers, rehabilitation co-ordinators, rehabilitation providers, treating doctors and insurers) in the occupational rehabilitation process were interviewed to gain their perspective concerning the degree to which case management was viewed as the organising principle of post-injury management and to whom this role was most frequently assigned. Findings indicated that there were differences in stakeholder perceptions about who should fill this role for the injured worker, with the majority of each group claiming case management as their proper role. In contrast, 35% of the injured workers interviewed stated that they either did not have a case manager or that they case managed themselves. Although it was argued that rehabilitation co-ordinators are suitably placed to act as case managers, they were nominated least by injured workers. Three vignettes of successful case management were presented and recommendations for policy and practice were made.
Long Term Unemployment and Rehabilitation Counselling: Problems Faced and Competencies Required
Authors: Matthews Lynda R. , Hawkins Trevor
Published: August 2016

The impact of long-term unemployment is not confined to the vocational sphere but also includes a psychosocial component. Many who are out of work for long periods of time not only report deskilling but also lack of support, poor self esteem and low self confidence. This paper examines some of these issues by reference to both the Australian government's ‘Working Nation’ paper on unemployment and research carried out with 77 unemployed persons in Sydney, Australia. While it is not unusual for rehabilitation counsellors to receive referrals of people with disabilities who have been unemployed for considerable periods, contact with the general long-term unemployed population has been less common. The rehabilitation counselling profession is closely examined in terms of the degree to which its skill and knowledge base matches the needs profile of this general unemployed population. Rehabilitation counselling was found to be an appropriate profession to deal with the complex mix of vocational and psychosocial issues confronted by persons who have remained unemployed for long periods of time.
Minority Group Identification, Community Integration and Self-esteem Among Deaf Persons
Authors: Crisp Ross
Published: August 2016

Minority group identification, community integration and self-esteem was investigated among 55 adult deaf persons. Deaf persons who reported greater levels of deaf minority group identification also reported significantly higher levels of self-esteem than those with less deaf group identification. Second, employed deaf persons reported higher levels of self-esteem than those who were unemployed. Employment status was, however, independent of involvement in both “mainstream” and deaf community activities. Implications for rehabilitation counsellors are discussed.
Evaluation of the user-friendliness and dosimetric accuracy of treatment planning systems for 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy
Authors: Wu V. W. C. , Cheung K. Y. , Lee L. , Tung S. Y. , Leung J. , Mui A. W. L. , Law M. Y. Y.
Published: August 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the performance of three 3-dimensional radiotherapy treatment planning systems (TPS) in terms of user-friendliness and dosimetric accuracy.

Methods: A scale type questionnaire, which contained 129 items under 13 aspects of the TPS, was used to collect opinions from users from three different institutions with regards to the user-friendliness. The assessment of dosimetric accuracy was carried out by comparing the measured dose values with those calculated by the TPS under 18 different irradiating and phantom set-up conditions.

Results: Eleven respondents completed the questionnaires for each TPS. Our study indicated that the Varian CadPlan was outstanding in the plotting and network transfer of treatment plans to other workstations, the CMS Focus performed better in the construction of treatment aids, and the ADAC Pinnacle in the outlining, modification of field parameters, control of graphics and normalization of dose. In terms of dosimetric accuracy, the measured and the calculated data for the 3 TPSs showed fairly good agreement. Except for the field with median block, in which the Focus presented with the best result, the differences in other irradiating conditions were not obvious with the percentage dose deviations within ±3%.

Conclusion: In conclusion, for the 3 TPSs evaluated, each had its own strengths and weaknesses, and no TPS was superior in all test conditions.
Use of QA forms to register procedural errors in a radiotherapy department in an attempt to improve the overall process: a pilot study
Authors: Verstraete J. , Huyskens D. P.
Published: August 2016

Background and purpose: Due to the increased complexity of the radiotherapy process in recent years, many QA procedures have been introduced to improve the quality of the treatment preparation and the treatment delivery. Most of these procedures give no direct information on the efficiency of the overall process in the radiotherapy department. It is quite evident that the frequency of errors will affect the efficiency of the process (for instance manpower to solve the detected problems), but also affect more generally the patients' experience.

Material and methods: To make some objective assessment of the erroneous entries in the process of radiotherapy, a pilot study was initiated to report all problems during a period of 2 months on a dedicated QA form. By registration of these errors, the QA group could trace the main sources of the decrease in efficiency and increased waiting time for patients.

Results and conclusions: For 46% of the patients during the two months at least one QA forms was filled in. With these QA forms 198 erroneous entries including 33 erroneous treatments were reported. Regarding the origin of the problems, the majority (60%) were generated in the planning process, while 56% of the errors were detected at the treatment unit before or during delivery of the first fraction. In total 461 actions were undertaken to recover all the reported errors. This generated time delay for 145 patients. Extrapolating these results to a year, a 0.7 full time equivalent person is spent to recover these errors, while the total patient population waits for about 140 hours. Corrective actions have been undertaken to optimise the overall process.
Radiation induced liver disease: is hereditary haemochromatosis a risk factor?
Authors: Laurie R. M. , Chao M. W. T. , Dow C. A.
Published: August 2016

A 71-year-old man with Stage II gastric cancer developed rapid onset radiation induced liver disease after ceasing adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Autopsy revealed moderate hepatocellular iron overload. Posthumously, he was found to be a compound heterozygote for hereditary haemochromatosis. Since both radiation and iron overload may induce liver damage through the activation of hepatic stellate cells, it is possible that hepatocellular iron overload may potentiate the effects of irradiation and predispose the patient to radiation induced liver disease.
Achieving waiting time targets: at what cost?
Authors: Bridge P. , Jenkinson D.
Published: August 2016

Staffing and equipment levels in the UK are impacting heavily on waiting times for radiotherapy. This paper presents the results of financial and organisational interventions on the radiotherapy waiting list at the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary. Efficacy of these interventions was assessed using audits before and after their application. The interventions included working extended days and weekends, employment of agency staff and “out-of-hours” machine servicing and maintenance. A Waiting List and Data Quality radiotherapist was appointed to streamline the radiotherapy referral system. A waiting list database application was developed to book patients in the correct order of priority and within target waiting times. The resulting increase in radiotherapy workload was achieved over a 3-month period at an approximate cost of £30,000, albeit with several implications. Staff felt that the pace of work was unsustainable, although sickness rates did not increase. After the interventions were removed, and waiting times increased, staff morale dropped. Extended working hours impacted on the reliability of the machines, causing more unscheduled interruptions than normal. This indicated the need for additional maintenance or servicing sessions.

This paper shows that full compliance with RCR guidelines for waiting times is achievable, given sufficient financial and organisational assistance.
THE HERSFELDENSIS AND THE FULDENSIS OF AMMIANUS MARCELLINUS: A RECONSIDERATION
Authors: Kelly Gavin , Stover Justin
Published: August 2016

The only two authoritative manuscripts of Ammianus Marcellinus to survive to the present day were produced in Germany in the first half of the ninth century: Vaticanus Latinus 1873 from Fulda (V), and a fragmentary manuscript from Hersfeld now preserved in Kassel (M). This article challenges the consensus that V is a copy of M. Taking into account recently uncovered fragments of M (new transcriptions of which are offered in the Appendix), we argue that both are copies of the same damaged original, and discuss the implications for the editing of Ammianus and for our understanding of Carolingian scholarship.
Reactions to HRM: An Employee Perspective from South Africa and New Zealand
Authors: Browning Vicky , Edgar Fiona
Published: August 2016

The aim of this paper is to provide a representation of the employee viewpoint on emerging issues related to HRM practices associated with the ‘new employment relationship’. Data obtained from employees across two studies in two very different countries – South Africa and New Zealand has been used to represent the employee perspective. Interestingly, a number of shared perceptions about these HRM practices are found to exist between employees from South Africa and New Zealand, suggesting the problems employees currently experience with the HR practices in the workplace that aim to promote this new relationship could be more widely shared.

The areas of shared concern highlighted by employees were mainly related to the implementation of HRM practices. For example, insufficient line management commitment, unfairness and inconsistency in the application of HR policies were all issues that were commonly raised, as was poor communication. Employees attributed these problems to the inadequate skills of those responsible for the implementation of HRM, and tended to be of the view that they could effectively be resolved through the HR department playing a more central role in the implementation of HRM in an organisation, training of line managers to carry out their HR responsibilities more effectively and increased consultation with employees.

Employees participating in these studies appeared to demonstrate a surprisingly high level of awareness and cognisance in identifying problems with HR practice and more significantly how these problems might be rectified. This would support the importance of accessing the employee perspective in both the implementation and research into HRM in practice. Based on the issues highlighted by the employees, increased co operation between line management, the HR department and employees is suggested to facilitate the effective design and implementation of HRM practice in this era of new employment relations.
Hunting the Snark or Leading with Purpose? Managing the Enterprise University
Authors: Poole David , Robertson Bob
Published: August 2016

In Lewis Carroll's classic poem, ‘The Hunting of the Snark’, there is little understanding about what a ‘Snark’ actually might be. There is similar disagreement about the ways in which contemporary universities should be led and managed, and few writers move beyond broad generalisations for action. This is particularly truc for writers analysing higher education from the perspectives of sociological analyses (eg. Meek & Wood 1997) political economy, and institutional theory perspectivcs (eg. Marginson & Considine 2000). Building on recent research by Poole (2000, 2001a), the paper charts current understandings of university governance and leadership, identifies research gaps, and begins to explore how apparently dichotomous managerial choices may be reconciled by university leaders confronting the complexities of managing the enterprise university.

To seek it with thimbles, to seek it with careTo pursue it with forks and hopeTo threaten its life with a railway-shareTo charm it with smiles and soap!For the Snark's a peculiar creature that won'tBe caught in a commonplace way.Do all that you know, and try all that you don't:Not a chance must be wasted today!(Carroll 1973)
Proposed Model for Investigating Relationships between Vision Components and Business Unit Performance
Authors: Kantabutra Sooksan , Avery Gayle C.
Published: August 2016

Leaders are widely exhorted to employ visions, yet surprisingly little research has been conducted on what constitutes an “effective” vision. A research model is proposed for investigating relationships between vision components, and business unit performance as measured by employee and customer satisfaction. The model, expressed both graphically and as three propositions, proposes that vision attributes of brevity, clarity, abstractness, challenge, future orientation, stability, and desirability, plus vision content relating to employee and customer satisfaction, can directly affect performance. However, the model also predicts indirect effects on performance mediated by six realization factors and two intervening variables.
Student Learning through Case Research and Writing
Authors: Elkin Graham
Published: August 2016

The case method of teaching and learning is prominent in management education. We know little about the processes involved in writing and learning through cases. One element that may help the beginning of a theoretical understanding of these processes comes from an experiment with students entering organisations and writing cases for use with other management students. Students not only gain more knowledge related to management and organisations than in using prepared cases, but they also gain substantial additional process skills that are far more generalisable and to do with life-long learning – than those developed using traditional case learning.
Is the Interaction of International Diversification and Economic Performance a Linear Relationship?
Authors: Mangos Nicholas C. , OBrien Peter W , Damania Richard
Published: August 2016

The current study analyses the effect of an international diversification strategy measured by multi-nationality and country scope, and tests its relationship with economic performance in the context of Australian corporate activity. Evidence from previous US studies on the relationship between international diversification strategy and economic performance was inconclusive, which suggests that research should go further with empirical analysis than testing for a linear relationship and should test for curvilinear relationships resulting from transactions costs analysis. Guided by that evidence a Chow test was used in the current study to establish a cut-off point that divided the sample of Australian firms into two subgroups (low-to-moderate and high level international diversification) to determine whether a non-linear relationship existed between economic performance and international diversification. This approach followed a similar technique used by Hitt, Hosskisson and Kim, (1997) and was used in this study as a method for determining two subgroups. The sample was selected from the population of large firms in Australia over a three-year period covering 1993-1995. The results suggest there is a statistically significant non-linear relationship between economic performance and multi-nationality. The results suggest that Australian corporations may be sensitive to the effect of transaction and managerial processing costs on the relationship between multi-nationality and economic performance resulting in a non-linear relationship.
The Case of the Bougainville Mine: Success and Failure in the Management of a Multinational Corporation
Authors: Tonks Graeme R , Dowling Peter J
Published: August 2016

Although inquiry into the impact of contextual factors on the governance of multinational enterprises (MNEs) has increased, primary attention has centred on MNEs from developed countries, which operate in other industrialised economies. There has been relatively little research into organisations from developed nations involved in less developed countries (LDCs). As this dearth of inquiry is particularly evident in South Pacific economies, this paper examines the management of Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL), an Australian mining company that operated in Papua New Guinea (PNG) until it was violently expelled by local communities in 1990. While this study supports research claiming that MNE performance depends upon the alignment of firms' internal and external environments, it demonstrates that alignment becomes increasingly difficult as characteristics in the host setting deviate from those in the home country. More importantly, it reveals that MNEs cannot survive under extremely divergent home—host conditions despite management efforts to control environmental variables. It also establishes that MNEs should focus contextual congruency on the host society, not the host country as widely suggested in the literature.
Management Training and Development: A New Zealand Study
Authors: Selvarajah Christopher , Lau Tammy Sung- Wai , Taormina Robert J
Published: August 2016

Studies have shown that management training and development (MTD) can be a strategic weapon in improving performance and in building and sustaining competitive advantage. However, recent studies suggest that MTD is under-valued and under-used as a strategic tool by New Zealand firms as, despite a managerial skill shortage, New Zealand firms have not invested heavily in MTD. The present paper discusses a study of employer-based MTD in New Zealand that investigated managerial attitudes towards, and propensity to engage in, MTD. The study found several indicators that predict four MTD related variables (the MTD index, the percent of payroll spent on MTD, the increase in training expenditure and expected future increases in the MTD budget). The results suggest organisations that engage in MTD improve organisational effectiveness and implement their business strategy better and that MTD was seen as an important tool in gaining a competitive advantage.
Systemic Barriers to Managing Change: Is Autopoiesis an Appropriate Metaphor?
Authors: Whiteley Alma M.
Published: August 2016

The paper reports on a study into the usefulness of autopoiesis as a metaphor for reflective thinking about organisations contemplating change. Autopoietic systems display qualities of evolutionary invariance, self organisation to perpetuate the system's status quo, self referential activities and attempts to organise aspects of the environment to suit the system's needs. Systemic characteristics include a desire to return to equilibrium and to be resistant to evolutionary change. Autopoiesis can be used as a metaphor for gaining insights and seeing with fresh eyes some of the perhaps hidden, institutionalised concepts that inform contemporary management strategies. The need for a metaphorical image emerges from the difficulty in reflecting on organisational activities while using historically derived language and symbols. The autopoiesis metaphor was integrated into an exploratory research project with human resource managers as respondents. Tentative findings were that this is a useful metaphor for use in organisational diagnosis. Given this, a more comprehensive study would seem to be worthwhile.
Environmental Strategies and the International Hotel Industry
Authors: Obrien Peter W. , Parker Lee D.
Published: August 2016

Business enterprises worldwide have recognised that linking green objectives to profit goals can be a source of competitive advantage. This paper outlines the forces inducing corporations to adopt proactive stances to environmental strategic postures and the arguments for and against such postures. It presents an expanded concept of efficiency management and a related menu of environmental strategies that corporations can adopt. Empirical evidence of the environmental strategies that are being used and their outcomes is drawn from leading international hotel corporations and from smaller enterprises in this industry and the implications are discussed.
If Management is ‘Common Sense’, Why is Sense in Management so Uncommon?
Authors: Lamond David
Published: August 2016

One of the more regular observations of management students and managers is that it (management) is all ‘common sense.’ We are left to ponder then, ‘if management is common sense, why is sense in management so uncommon?’ This question is prompted by observations of managers and their decisions and actions over a number of years and reflections about various models of management. It is also a question appropriately asked in light of ‘globalisation,’ which is currently fashionable. Can ‘sense’ in management ever be ‘common,’ or do we need to revise our understanding of what is a ‘sound, practical perception or understanding’ according to the contexts within which the perceptions take place?
The Dynamics of Diversity and Change in Management Education: Fragment from a Case
Authors: Newton John F.
Published: August 2016

The present paper takes an ‘unintentional’ look at the issue of diversity as it presents itself in a study of management education. The inquiry is unintentional in that the author had not conceptualised diversity as an artefact of the research, yet found himself struggling to work with his own experience of difference as he engaged with the subject of the research. The concept of diversity came to be thought of in terms of ‘requisite variety’ and its challenge to management education is conceptualised as a search for a ‘holding environment.’ These ideas are grounded in the case material of a part time, postgraduate student of business administration who works as a financial manager in an Australian corporation, is female and is ethnically a Malaysian Chinese.
Paradigms and Approaches to Learning Preparing for the Third Millenium
Authors: McKenna Richard J , Williams Mark Campbell
Published: August 2016

In this paper, we contend that business education could benefit from attention to a field of study concerned with the way in which adults learn, and their motivation as students. We warrant the assertion that, although university business faculty tend to present a conventional wisdom set in the traditional paradigm(s) of their discipline areas, there is growing need for managers and academics to reject the concept of certainty, and to be open to conflicting values, change, uncertainty, and continuous learning. Conformity to a central paradigm requires that any ideas that stray from the established path be ignored, but emerging paradigms in business theory and research increase the urgency of the need for significant changes in the traditional curriculum and methodology of business education. We consider it long overdue for students of organisations, including current and future practitioners, to participate in the dialogue and benefit from new approaches, which will challenge the community of business academics to redesign both the content and the methodology of courses.
Karpin on Management: Is That All Managers Should Be Doing?
Authors: Lamond David
Published: August 2016

The recent Karpin Committee report once again focused attention on managerial skills and competencies, as it prognosticated on the skills and knowledge required by current and future Australian managers, and the kinds of educational experiences necessary to foster them. In doing so, the report made critical assumptions about the kinds of functions and behaviours that can be properly called ‘managerial’. Indeed, leadership is elevated as the conspicuous task of managers (leaders?). But is this what managers should be doing?

Closer examination of the Karpin model of ‘management’, in the broader context of the literature on management and managerial behaviour, shows that the Karpin view is narrow and partial — it ignores or devalues key managerial functions while promoting others. This is due, in part, to the fact that the committee's approach is devoid of any theoretical framework for designating particular behaviours as ‘managerial’. If the Karpin recommendations are to steer management education into the third millennium, the result will be, in turn, a narrow and partial educational experience.

This paper argues for an approach to management education driven, not by a populist vision of managers simply as entrepreneurial leaders, but by an appreciation of the necessarily broader range of managerial functions and the way in which they are integrated. It proposes such an approach, derived from management theory and elaborated in the context of Australia and the Asia-Pacific region in the 1990s and beyond.
An Analysis of Managerial Competencies Across Hierarchical Levels and Industry Sectors: A Contemporary Australian Perspective
Authors: Wallace Joseph , Hunt James
Published: August 2016

In recent times, an increasing number of writers have noted the important contribution that the management competency movement is making to contemporary organisations. However, there is widespread evidence to suggest that a comprehensive framework for understanding managerial competencies has not yet been established in Australia. This paper reports the results of a survey on a sample of 234 managers drawn from private and public sector organisations into the perceived importance of 99 managerial competency elements. Findings indicate a substantial number of competency elements are perceived to be generic across occupations and situations, but they also indicate in some instances differing levels of importance attached to these competencies across hierarchical levels and between sectors. Evidence of a range of significant competency groupings is presented along with a proposed framework to interpret competency elements. Additionally, this study provides assistance in developing a platform for further research into the competency field.
Cross-cultural Research in New Zealand Organisations: What We Know and What Needs to Be Addressed
Authors: Chong Lee Moya Ah , Thomas David C.
Published: August 2016

Business in New Zealand is increasingly global in nature. Additionally, the domestic workforce reflects a unique blend of cultural groups. These factors highlight the need for managers to understand the cross-cultural nature of their task. In this article we review the research on cross-cultural management that has been conducted in New Zealand. Findings in seven topic areas of management (job satisfaction, motivation and performance, absenteeism and turnover, leadership, communication, group behaviour and employee adaptation) are discussed. We then identify areas that might benefit most from research attention.

This research was supported in part by the Carnegie Bosch Institute for Applied Studies in International Management. The authors gratefully acknowledge the helpful comments of Kerr Inkson and John Deeks on earlier versions of this manuscript

The increasingly multicultural nature of the business environment has become widely recognised as a management issue (Adler and Ghadar 1990). New Zealand is neither a large target market (population under 3.5 million) nor is it the headquarters of a large number of multinational corporations. However, because of its geography, it is dependent on international business for its quality of life. Additionally, its unique domestic cultural environment provides a dramatic back drop for cross-cultural management. These two dimensions make cross-cultural management a particularly salient issue in New Zealand.
Distinguishing the Purpose and Objectives of Working Arrangements
Authors: Mammam Aminu
Published: August 2016

This paper addresses some of the limitations of the current approach to the conception, adoption and installation of working arrangements. It has been argued that emphasis on bottom line, shortermism and control can result in short term benefits. This partly explains the continuous reorganization of the workplace in some companies. The paper underscores the need for organizations to articulate a “purpose” for working arrangements. It is argued that there are two dimensions of the purpose of novel working arrangement: (a) providing appropriate “intrinsic” and “extrinsic” reward for internal stakeholders and (b) achieving organizational objectives (eg meeting customer expectations). The paper proposes a framework for adopting and installing a working arrangement which is based on auditing the work system.
Conceptualising Organizational Restructuring in the 1990s
Authors: Littler Craig R. , Bramble Thomas
Published: August 2016

Organizational restructuring in Western economies has proceeded along different trajectories during the latter part of the 1980s and early 1990s. Traditional theories of organizational restructuring have inherent limitations associated with a ‘growth bias’. Various new concepts have been put forward, both prescriptively in order to shape organizational change, and analytically in order to capture the nature of those changes. By contrast, these concepts are premised on organizational workforce reduction. This article considers four widely diffused concepts of organisational restructuring - downsizing, delayering, lean production and re-engineering - and argues that the trajectories of change require a broader understanding than has been provided by existing concepts. Towards this end, an integrated model is put forward.