title: The organisation of supply in a tourism destination : An analysis of a networked community - the Waitomo Caves Village

authors: Pavlovich, Kathryn

abstract: This thesis reconstructs the organisation of supply activities within a tourism destination. It uses a network theory perspective to explore the complex webbed relationships between these suppliers as they become mutually dependent upon resources, activities, markets and reputation. Its focus is on connectivity and fluidity, as it examines how the cooperative fine-grained exchanges become informal coordination mechanisms which act as glue to bind together the webbed patterns of complexity. This narrative explores how these socially complex relationships between organisations act as a source of strategic leverage for the network group.

With this focus on connection, an ethnographic methodology provides a lens to observe these day to day practices of interorganisational activities. The object of study are the phenomena of shared routines, not the actors themselves. The context for this research is the Waitomo Caves tourism destination in New Zealand, with a single case study providing a depth and richness of detail. A middle-range grounded theory approach was enacted, which enabled the research process to begin with a skeletal framework. On-going discovery, illustration and analysis assisted in building an explanation of broad theoretical inter-relationships.

The contribution of this thesis is the development of a process model of network coordination. It attests the flexibility and adaptability of network structures, with their multiple nodal positions supporting an array of informational advantages. The thesis data explained the important role these connections played in sourcing strategic leverage for the network. Absorptive capacity, relational absorptive capacity, relational embeddedness and structural embeddedness were all demonstrated as important attributes of the network organising process. Finally, the data supported the significant role social exchanges play as a structuring mechanism in organisational activities.

text: The organisation of supply in a tourism destination : An analysis of a networked community - the Waitomo Caves Village This thesis reconstructs the organisation of supply activities within a tourism destination. It uses a network theory perspective to explore the complex webbed relationships between these suppliers as they become mutually dependent upon resources, activities, markets and reputation. Its focus is on connectivity and fluidity, as it examines how the cooperative fine-grained exchanges become informal coordination mechanisms which act as glue to bind together the webbed patterns of complexity. This narrative explores how these socially complex relationships between organisations act as a source of strategic leverage for the network group.

With this focus on connection, an ethnographic methodology provides a lens to observe these day to day practices of interorganisational activities. The object of study are the phenomena of shared routines, not the actors themselves. The context for this research is the Waitomo Caves tourism destination in New Zealand, with a single case study providing a depth and richness of detail. A middle-range grounded theory approach was enacted, which enabled the research process to begin with a skeletal framework. On-going discovery, illustration and analysis assisted in building an explanation of broad theoretical inter-relationships.

The contribution of this thesis is the development of a process model of network coordination. It attests the flexibility and adaptability of network structures, with their multiple nodal positions supporting an array of informational advantages. The thesis data explained the important role these connections played in sourcing strategic leverage for the network. Absorptive capacity, relational absorptive capacity, relational embeddedness and structural embeddedness were all demonstrated as important attributes of the network organising process. Finally, the data supported the significant role social exchanges play as a structuring mechanism in organisational activities.

year: 2000

title: Effective thermal conductivity prediction of foods using composition and temperature data

authors: Carson, James K.

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Thermal conductivity data are important for food process modelling and design. Where reliable thermal conductivity data are not available, they need to be predicted. The most accurate ‘first approximation’ methodology for predicting the isotropic thermal conductivity of foods based only on data for composition, initial freezing temperature and temperature dependent thermal conductivity of the major food components was sought. A key feature of the methodology was that no experimental measurements were to be required. A multi-step prediction procedure employing the Parallel, Levy and Effective Medium Theory models sequentially for the components other than ice and air, ice and then air respectively is recommended. It was found to provide the most accurate predictions over the range of foods considered (both frozen and unfrozen, porous and non-porous). The Co-Continuous model applied in a single step also provided prediction accuracy within ±20% (on average), except for the porous frozen foods considered. For greater accuracy more rigorous modelling approaches based on knowledge of the foods structure would be required.

text: Effective thermal conductivity prediction of foods using composition and temperature data Thermal conductivity data are important for food process modelling and design. Where reliable thermal conductivity data are not available, they need to be predicted. The most accurate ‘first approximation’ methodology for predicting the isotropic thermal conductivity of foods based only on data for composition, initial freezing temperature and temperature dependent thermal conductivity of the major food components was sought. A key feature of the methodology was that no experimental measurements were to be required. A multi-step prediction procedure employing the Parallel, Levy and Effective Medium Theory models sequentially for the components other than ice and air, ice and then air respectively is recommended. It was found to provide the most accurate predictions over the range of foods considered (both frozen and unfrozen, porous and non-porous). The Co-Continuous model applied in a single step also provided prediction accuracy within ±20% (on average), except for the porous frozen foods considered. For greater accuracy more rigorous modelling approaches based on knowledge of the foods structure would be required.

year: 2016

title: Media coverage of 'decades of disparity' in ethnic mortality in Aotearoa.

authors: Hodgetts, Darrin

subjects: psychology

abstract: For some time we have known that factors such as economic prosperity, community cohesion, and social justice bear on health. These societal influences are particularly pertinent to the health of indigenous groups, such as Maori, who are still responding to processes of colonization. In July 2003 the New Zealand Ministry of Health published a report entitled  Decades of Disparity , which proposed (among other things) that neoliberal policies of the last two decades impacted negatively on mortality rates for Maori and Pacific peoples, when compared with Pakeha. In this article we explore media coverage of this report through analyses of media releases, radio, television and newspaper items. It is argued that as the story evolved media increasingly challenged the importance of societal determinants of health, preferring individual level explanations. As a result coverage failed to give due emphasis to structural health concerns for Maori, which necessitate social change.

text: Media coverage of 'decades of disparity' in ethnic mortality in Aotearoa. For some time we have known that factors such as economic prosperity, community cohesion, and social justice bear on health. These societal influences are particularly pertinent to the health of indigenous groups, such as Maori, who are still responding to processes of colonization. In July 2003 the New Zealand Ministry of Health published a report entitled  Decades of Disparity , which proposed (among other things) that neoliberal policies of the last two decades impacted negatively on mortality rates for Maori and Pacific peoples, when compared with Pakeha. In this article we explore media coverage of this report through analyses of media releases, radio, television and newspaper items. It is argued that as the story evolved media increasingly challenged the importance of societal determinants of health, preferring individual level explanations. As a result coverage failed to give due emphasis to structural health concerns for Maori, which necessitate social change.

year: 2004