title: On λ-invariants attached to cyclic cubic number fields

authors: Delbourgo, Daniel

abstract: We describe an algorithm for finding the coefficients of F(X) modulo powers of p, where p ≠2 is a prime number and F(X) is the power series associated to the zeta function of Kubota and Leopoldt. We next calculate the 5-adic and 7-adic λ-invariants attached to those cubic extensions K/Q with cyclic Galois group A₃ (up to field discriminant <10⁷), and also tabulate the class number of K(e2πi/p) for p=5 and p=7. If the λ-invariant is greater than zero, we then determine all the zeros for the corresponding branches of the p-adic L-function and deduce Λ-monogeneity for the class group tower over the cyclotomic Zp-extension of K.

text: On λ-invariants attached to cyclic cubic number fields We describe an algorithm for finding the coefficients of F(X) modulo powers of p, where p ≠2 is a prime number and F(X) is the power series associated to the zeta function of Kubota and Leopoldt. We next calculate the 5-adic and 7-adic λ-invariants attached to those cubic extensions K/Q with cyclic Galois group A₃ (up to field discriminant <10⁷), and also tabulate the class number of K(e2πi/p) for p=5 and p=7. If the λ-invariant is greater than zero, we then determine all the zeros for the corresponding branches of the p-adic L-function and deduce Λ-monogeneity for the class group tower over the cyclotomic Zp-extension of K.

year: 2015

title: The relationship between corporate governance practices and cost of capital in large listed companies of New Zealand and Singapore

authors: Afkhami Rad, Salman

subjects: Corporate governance

abstract: This thesis investigates the effect of corporate governance practices on cost of capital in listed companies. In particular, this study examines: 1) the relationship between corporate governance practices and cost of capital in large listed companies in New Zealand and Singapore. 2) The effects of corporate governance on cost of capital in an open economy like Singapore which is well-known as the financial hub of its region and a more isolated commodity export economy such as New Zealand. 3) The pattern between each corporate governance variable and cost of capital. 4) The best method of calculating cost of capital in New Zealand and Singapore market.
Attempts at developing corporate governance in New Zealand go back to 1970s. The first set of rules and regulations regarding corporate governance practices were implemented in 1988 under the Securities Act of 1988 in New Zealand. Primary attempts in Singapore took place in 1980s by Security Industry Act of 1986. Continues efforts led to enactment of Companies Act of 1990 which was one of the effective acts regarding corporate governance. The main purpose of these mandatory corporate governance rules are promoting transparency, accountability and overall efficiency in corporate governance practices. 
This thesis makes a number of contributions to corporate governance practices and cost of capital in several ways. First, the relationship between corporate governance practices and financial performance is investigated in prior studies but the relationship between corporate governance and cost of capital is largely missing. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by filling this gap. Second, the majority of corporate governance studies focus on large mature economies such as US and UK and other European markets. Smaller markets such as NZ with significant agriculture based industries may differ. Analyses based on NZ and Singapore play an important role in adding to the generalizability of the understanding of corporate governance relationships. Third, the impact of the global financial crisis may differ between industrial markets and protein supply based economies. This difference and corporate regulatory changes as response to the financial crisis again inform a broader understanding of the corporate governance sophistication and foci. Fourth, an open economy like Singapore which is well-known as the financial hub of its region has different experiences in corporate governance and cost of capital rather than a more isolated commodity export economy such as New Zealand. Fifth, one major concern of academics and practitioners alike is finding the best method of calculating cost of capital. Developing a more about method of calculating cost of capital in New Zealand and Singapore is the major contribution this study makes to the finance literature. 
Data needed to test various hypotheses are sourced from the NZX company research (NZX Deep Archive), Singapore Exchange Market website (SGX), and Datastream and Thomson one banker databases. Required data collected from large listed companies in New Zealand (NZX50) and Singapore (STI Constituent) during 2006-2010. Care is taken to clean the data reviewing missing data, outliers and distributional properties. The focus of this thesis is on the corporate governance variables that have been supported in the literature and related theories as providing an appropriate structure for the institutions in the environment in which they operate. Because of causality test, Generalized Least Square method in pooled data estimations to explore the role of corporate governance variables on cost of capital. Careful diagnostic testing is under taken related to multicollinearity, endogeneity and heteroskedasticity employed in this study to check hypotheses relevant in this study. 
The findings indicate that there is negative relationship between corporate governance and cost of capital and this means that complying corporate governance guidelines help companies to control their cost of capital. However, the process by which corporate governance affects cost of capital is different in New Zealand and Singapore. Different characteristics of corporate governance in these countries led to different recommendations made by this thesis. Larger companies need higher levels of control and that is the reason of having larger boards in Singaporean companies. Findings of this thesis indicate that large boards in New Zealand and smaller boards in Singapore could help companies to control their cost of capital. Recommendations of this thesis indicate that less outside directors required in Singapore while the level of outside directors in New Zealand seems effective. Findings of this thesis about ownership structure indicate that the present level of insider ownership in both countries needs modification. Higher levels of insider ownership in both countries could help companies to control their cost of capital. Recommendation of this thesis about block ownership was slightly different in two countries. While higher levels of block ownership in Singapore recommended, the present situation of block owners in New Zealand seems to be ineffective. The findings of this thesis recommend that the level of block ownership in New Zealand should whether increase or decrease in order to help companies control their cost of capital. Various recommendations made by this thesis indicate that it is important to further develop the corporate governance code incorporating country specific characteristics.

text: The relationship between corporate governance practices and cost of capital in large listed companies of New Zealand and Singapore This thesis investigates the effect of corporate governance practices on cost of capital in listed companies. In particular, this study examines: 1) the relationship between corporate governance practices and cost of capital in large listed companies in New Zealand and Singapore. 2) The effects of corporate governance on cost of capital in an open economy like Singapore which is well-known as the financial hub of its region and a more isolated commodity export economy such as New Zealand. 3) The pattern between each corporate governance variable and cost of capital. 4) The best method of calculating cost of capital in New Zealand and Singapore market.
Attempts at developing corporate governance in New Zealand go back to 1970s. The first set of rules and regulations regarding corporate governance practices were implemented in 1988 under the Securities Act of 1988 in New Zealand. Primary attempts in Singapore took place in 1980s by Security Industry Act of 1986. Continues efforts led to enactment of Companies Act of 1990 which was one of the effective acts regarding corporate governance. The main purpose of these mandatory corporate governance rules are promoting transparency, accountability and overall efficiency in corporate governance practices. 
This thesis makes a number of contributions to corporate governance practices and cost of capital in several ways. First, the relationship between corporate governance practices and financial performance is investigated in prior studies but the relationship between corporate governance and cost of capital is largely missing. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by filling this gap. Second, the majority of corporate governance studies focus on large mature economies such as US and UK and other European markets. Smaller markets such as NZ with significant agriculture based industries may differ. Analyses based on NZ and Singapore play an important role in adding to the generalizability of the understanding of corporate governance relationships. Third, the impact of the global financial crisis may differ between industrial markets and protein supply based economies. This difference and corporate regulatory changes as response to the financial crisis again inform a broader understanding of the corporate governance sophistication and foci. Fourth, an open economy like Singapore which is well-known as the financial hub of its region has different experiences in corporate governance and cost of capital rather than a more isolated commodity export economy such as New Zealand. Fifth, one major concern of academics and practitioners alike is finding the best method of calculating cost of capital. Developing a more about method of calculating cost of capital in New Zealand and Singapore is the major contribution this study makes to the finance literature. 
Data needed to test various hypotheses are sourced from the NZX company research (NZX Deep Archive), Singapore Exchange Market website (SGX), and Datastream and Thomson one banker databases. Required data collected from large listed companies in New Zealand (NZX50) and Singapore (STI Constituent) during 2006-2010. Care is taken to clean the data reviewing missing data, outliers and distributional properties. The focus of this thesis is on the corporate governance variables that have been supported in the literature and related theories as providing an appropriate structure for the institutions in the environment in which they operate. Because of causality test, Generalized Least Square method in pooled data estimations to explore the role of corporate governance variables on cost of capital. Careful diagnostic testing is under taken related to multicollinearity, endogeneity and heteroskedasticity employed in this study to check hypotheses relevant in this study. 
The findings indicate that there is negative relationship between corporate governance and cost of capital and this means that complying corporate governance guidelines help companies to control their cost of capital. However, the process by which corporate governance affects cost of capital is different in New Zealand and Singapore. Different characteristics of corporate governance in these countries led to different recommendations made by this thesis. Larger companies need higher levels of control and that is the reason of having larger boards in Singaporean companies. Findings of this thesis indicate that large boards in New Zealand and smaller boards in Singapore could help companies to control their cost of capital. Recommendations of this thesis indicate that less outside directors required in Singapore while the level of outside directors in New Zealand seems effective. Findings of this thesis about ownership structure indicate that the present level of insider ownership in both countries needs modification. Higher levels of insider ownership in both countries could help companies to control their cost of capital. Recommendation of this thesis about block ownership was slightly different in two countries. While higher levels of block ownership in Singapore recommended, the present situation of block owners in New Zealand seems to be ineffective. The findings of this thesis recommend that the level of block ownership in New Zealand should whether increase or decrease in order to help companies control their cost of capital. Various recommendations made by this thesis indicate that it is important to further develop the corporate governance code incorporating country specific characteristics.

year: 2014

title: Effective implementation science processes for Māori and Indigenous health interventions

authors: Harding, Truely Janine

subjects: Implementation science

abstract: Background
This thesis considers the implications implementation science has for Indigenous communities, specifically in reducing health inequities for the Māori community of New Zealand. Implementation science has been discussed among many Western health interventions and this thesis adds to that body of literature while highlighting the impact implementation has for Indigenous communities. 
Implementation science is a growing body of literature that can identify the most effective processes for health organisations and governments to best engage with Indigenous communities facing health inequities. An important aspect of that is ensuring the Indigenous voices and perspectives are represented just as much as the academics and scholars in those fields. The purpose of this thesis is to highlight the facilitators and barriers of implementing health interventions with Māori communities in Aotearoa New Zealand. This thesis aims to contribute to the conversation about reducing health inequities Māori communities’ face in New Zealand by enhancing implementation effectiveness. Therefore, it is an effort to illuminate the importance of the inclusion of community voice and perspectives when implementing health interventions with Indigenous communities. The thesis is with publications and includes four distinct studies.
Methodology & Methods
The key methodologies used in this study were Kaupapa Māori methodology and the He Pikinga Waiora (HPW) Implementation framework. Kaupapa Māori has been used as both a form of resistance and a methodological strategy, where research is created, developed, and carried within a Māori worldview with the aim to have positive outcomes that are beneficial for Māori. The HPW framework provided a holistic approach to guide this research through its key elements of: culture-centered approach, community engagement, systems thinking, and integrated knowledge translation. It is a forward-thinking approach as it is flexible in its design, which allows the framework to be tailored to a variety of implementation situations. The framework is centred in Kaupapa Māori methodology. Each principle of Kaupapa Māori and each element of HPW provide a holistic approach to implementation science.
Given this thesis includes four publications, a range of methods were employed for data collection. The first study was a systematic review of studies that was completed using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. This involved a stringent search strategy and inclusion criteria where studies included went through data extraction and methodological appraisal followed by an analysis through a qualitative synthesis of findings. Studies two and three employed semi-structured interviews that were analysed through thematic analysis. Study two included 19 participants who were either health professionals or researchers, and study three included 17 participants who were health professionals. The fourth study included an online cross-sectional survey of 200 health professionals and used statistical modelling to identify factors important for implementation effectiveness.
Results 
The first study included a systematic literature review to examine the implementation of a non-communicable disease health intervention for Indigenous communities using HPW as an evaluation tool. Twenty-one studies were included. Two thirds of these studies demonstrated high levels of community engagement and community voice/ agency, while 40% had individual-level outcomes with some systems thinking, and 33% included individual-level outcomes and limited systems thinking. Finally, almost 40% of studies included high levels of end-user engagement reflective of integrated knowledge translation, but nearly half had limited end-user engagement with the remaining neither high or low. This study found that the HPW Implementation Framework is a comprehensive model for understanding implementation effectiveness in Indigenous communities and highlighted the high levels of community engagement and community voice. It also brings to light that the long-term sustainability and translation of evidence to practice may be inhibited because of lower levels of systems thinking and integrated knowledge translation. 
The second study researched the perceptions health professionals have on co-designing health-promotion interventions with Indigenous communities in New Zealand. Co-designing health-promotion interventions with Indigenous communities presents many benefits and challenges. This study identified that the facilitators for co-designing health-promotion interventions with Māori communities were collaboration and community voice. Furthermore, the two key barriers identified were mismanaged expectations between the researcher and community and the research constraints placed by funding agencies. The findings support the development of more effective co-design health-promotion interventions within Māori communities which may address health inequities. 
The third study endeavoured to identify the facilitators and barriers in disseminating and adopting a health intervention developed by a community-academic partnership. This study explored general perceptions of the implementation process and also included a case study of an innovative intervention. The facilitators included community engagement, programme structure, programme adaptability and creators’ experience. The barriers consisted of funding access, funding constraints and organisational constraints. This study also highlights the importance of community engagement and adaptability suggesting a need for translation as well as diffusion. Additionally, this study identified nuanced aspects of funding and resources for organisations that constrain organisations in employing health interventions designed by others.
The final study identified factors that New Zealand health professionals rate as important for implementation effectiveness for health interventions with Māori communities. This study provided a unique perspective of health professionals on implementation effectiveness when working with Māori/Indigenous communities. Paired sample t-tests revealed four levels of importance for implementation effectiveness with organisational teamwork and community autonomy as most important. Only 24% of participants had prior experience with a previous health intervention with Māori communities. The two key overall factors that were associated with participants’ rating of implementation effectiveness in these previous interventions were process and community. This study identified the key areas of implementation effectiveness as community engagement and participatory process. Furthermore, the final study contributes to the body of literature that challenges traditional top-down approaches of implementation.
Conclusion
This research aimed to identify the facilitators and barriers to disseminating and implementing health interventions with Māori communities in New Zealand. A synthesis of the four studies provided four key themes for this thesis. This thesis reinforces the position that Indigenous and Māori implementation science should be focused on the process and community engagement. In doing so, community engagement ensures a cultural-centred approach that prioritises Indigenous knowledge and autonomy in the process of implementation. Furthermore, the barriers identified in this thesis recognise the challenges that remain in limited funding for translating research into implementation practice and managing expectations amongst the implementation team. This thesis has implications for New Zealand district health boards and health organisations who are wanting to increase the effectiveness of the health interventions they are implementing with Māori communities, particularly when trying to address health inequities. Overall, this study is an attempt to bridge the gap between translating research and the processes of putting it into practice.

text: Effective implementation science processes for Māori and Indigenous health interventions Background
This thesis considers the implications implementation science has for Indigenous communities, specifically in reducing health inequities for the Māori community of New Zealand. Implementation science has been discussed among many Western health interventions and this thesis adds to that body of literature while highlighting the impact implementation has for Indigenous communities. 
Implementation science is a growing body of literature that can identify the most effective processes for health organisations and governments to best engage with Indigenous communities facing health inequities. An important aspect of that is ensuring the Indigenous voices and perspectives are represented just as much as the academics and scholars in those fields. The purpose of this thesis is to highlight the facilitators and barriers of implementing health interventions with Māori communities in Aotearoa New Zealand. This thesis aims to contribute to the conversation about reducing health inequities Māori communities’ face in New Zealand by enhancing implementation effectiveness. Therefore, it is an effort to illuminate the importance of the inclusion of community voice and perspectives when implementing health interventions with Indigenous communities. The thesis is with publications and includes four distinct studies.
Methodology & Methods
The key methodologies used in this study were Kaupapa Māori methodology and the He Pikinga Waiora (HPW) Implementation framework. Kaupapa Māori has been used as both a form of resistance and a methodological strategy, where research is created, developed, and carried within a Māori worldview with the aim to have positive outcomes that are beneficial for Māori. The HPW framework provided a holistic approach to guide this research through its key elements of: culture-centered approach, community engagement, systems thinking, and integrated knowledge translation. It is a forward-thinking approach as it is flexible in its design, which allows the framework to be tailored to a variety of implementation situations. The framework is centred in Kaupapa Māori methodology. Each principle of Kaupapa Māori and each element of HPW provide a holistic approach to implementation science.
Given this thesis includes four publications, a range of methods were employed for data collection. The first study was a systematic review of studies that was completed using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. This involved a stringent search strategy and inclusion criteria where studies included went through data extraction and methodological appraisal followed by an analysis through a qualitative synthesis of findings. Studies two and three employed semi-structured interviews that were analysed through thematic analysis. Study two included 19 participants who were either health professionals or researchers, and study three included 17 participants who were health professionals. The fourth study included an online cross-sectional survey of 200 health professionals and used statistical modelling to identify factors important for implementation effectiveness.
Results 
The first study included a systematic literature review to examine the implementation of a non-communicable disease health intervention for Indigenous communities using HPW as an evaluation tool. Twenty-one studies were included. Two thirds of these studies demonstrated high levels of community engagement and community voice/ agency, while 40% had individual-level outcomes with some systems thinking, and 33% included individual-level outcomes and limited systems thinking. Finally, almost 40% of studies included high levels of end-user engagement reflective of integrated knowledge translation, but nearly half had limited end-user engagement with the remaining neither high or low. This study found that the HPW Implementation Framework is a comprehensive model for understanding implementation effectiveness in Indigenous communities and highlighted the high levels of community engagement and community voice. It also brings to light that the long-term sustainability and translation of evidence to practice may be inhibited because of lower levels of systems thinking and integrated knowledge translation. 
The second study researched the perceptions health professionals have on co-designing health-promotion interventions with Indigenous communities in New Zealand. Co-designing health-promotion interventions with Indigenous communities presents many benefits and challenges. This study identified that the facilitators for co-designing health-promotion interventions with Māori communities were collaboration and community voice. Furthermore, the two key barriers identified were mismanaged expectations between the researcher and community and the research constraints placed by funding agencies. The findings support the development of more effective co-design health-promotion interventions within Māori communities which may address health inequities. 
The third study endeavoured to identify the facilitators and barriers in disseminating and adopting a health intervention developed by a community-academic partnership. This study explored general perceptions of the implementation process and also included a case study of an innovative intervention. The facilitators included community engagement, programme structure, programme adaptability and creators’ experience. The barriers consisted of funding access, funding constraints and organisational constraints. This study also highlights the importance of community engagement and adaptability suggesting a need for translation as well as diffusion. Additionally, this study identified nuanced aspects of funding and resources for organisations that constrain organisations in employing health interventions designed by others.
The final study identified factors that New Zealand health professionals rate as important for implementation effectiveness for health interventions with Māori communities. This study provided a unique perspective of health professionals on implementation effectiveness when working with Māori/Indigenous communities. Paired sample t-tests revealed four levels of importance for implementation effectiveness with organisational teamwork and community autonomy as most important. Only 24% of participants had prior experience with a previous health intervention with Māori communities. The two key overall factors that were associated with participants’ rating of implementation effectiveness in these previous interventions were process and community. This study identified the key areas of implementation effectiveness as community engagement and participatory process. Furthermore, the final study contributes to the body of literature that challenges traditional top-down approaches of implementation.
Conclusion
This research aimed to identify the facilitators and barriers to disseminating and implementing health interventions with Māori communities in New Zealand. A synthesis of the four studies provided four key themes for this thesis. This thesis reinforces the position that Indigenous and Māori implementation science should be focused on the process and community engagement. In doing so, community engagement ensures a cultural-centred approach that prioritises Indigenous knowledge and autonomy in the process of implementation. Furthermore, the barriers identified in this thesis recognise the challenges that remain in limited funding for translating research into implementation practice and managing expectations amongst the implementation team. This thesis has implications for New Zealand district health boards and health organisations who are wanting to increase the effectiveness of the health interventions they are implementing with Māori communities, particularly when trying to address health inequities. Overall, this study is an attempt to bridge the gap between translating research and the processes of putting it into practice.

year: 2021