title: Reformed and engaged boards – not activist shareholders

authors: Ingley, Coral

subjects: activists

abstract: This study considers the legitimacy of shareholder activism as a means of exercising influence in the corporate decision-making process and identifies self-reformed boards as a superior solution to the issues that activists attempt to address. We conceptualise the board of directors' role as representing the interests of multiple principals. When any one principal is able to serve its own interests by influencing corporate decision-making through shareholder activism, other principals' interests may be compromised. We argue that a better long-term solution lies not with activist shareholders, but with culturally reformed boards. We suggest a set of self-reform initiatives that would help them to achieve their potential. We develop a conceptual framework for the arguments in favour of boards taking a leadership role in corporate engagement with shareholders and stakeholders. To the extent that boards are unable to implement self-reform, governments may need to develop public policy initiatives for corporate governance reform.

text: Reformed and engaged boards – not activist shareholders This study considers the legitimacy of shareholder activism as a means of exercising influence in the corporate decision-making process and identifies self-reformed boards as a superior solution to the issues that activists attempt to address. We conceptualise the board of directors' role as representing the interests of multiple principals. When any one principal is able to serve its own interests by influencing corporate decision-making through shareholder activism, other principals' interests may be compromised. We argue that a better long-term solution lies not with activist shareholders, but with culturally reformed boards. We suggest a set of self-reform initiatives that would help them to achieve their potential. We develop a conceptual framework for the arguments in favour of boards taking a leadership role in corporate engagement with shareholders and stakeholders. To the extent that boards are unable to implement self-reform, governments may need to develop public policy initiatives for corporate governance reform.

year: 2011

title: Command-line Instrument Control and Measurement Tools

authors: Ho, Cheng-Lin (Daniel)

subjects: VISA

abstract: The main purpose of this thesis is to automate laboratory instruments with
command lines. The created commands allow users to control instruments and
record measured values into a file, by using industrial standards, these commands
can communicate to the instruments through different interfaces. The users may
utilize these commands to execute an experiment remotely and records values
automatically. These commands made experiments flexible in location, reduce
the time spent for recording experiment values, and reduce any possible human
errors. The recorded values can be accepted by well-known analysis software
packages such as MATLAB, for further processing as a file. These commands
provide the users with convenience and personal safety, when executing
laboratory experiments with modern laboratory instruments.
The target of this thesis is producing a set of commands that allow users to control,
read, and record, the common instruments used on an electronics workbench.
These devices include power supplies, digital multimeters, function generators,
and oscilloscopes. The produced commands allow users to establish two
workbenches with these common laboratory instruments. The created
commands were written in C language in combination with the test and
measurement industrial standard to ensure the compatibility with instruments
from different vendors. This thesis also provides the readers with required
background knowledge that is related to the usage and development of these
commands. The target readers of this thesis are the graduates of Bachelor of
Electrical and Electronics Engineering or higher.

With these command sets, researchers do not need to spend a long time
controlling instruments and recording results from instrument manually. Apart
from setting up the hardware, they can simply enter the command, to get the result
they require.

text: Command-line Instrument Control and Measurement Tools The main purpose of this thesis is to automate laboratory instruments with
command lines. The created commands allow users to control instruments and
record measured values into a file, by using industrial standards, these commands
can communicate to the instruments through different interfaces. The users may
utilize these commands to execute an experiment remotely and records values
automatically. These commands made experiments flexible in location, reduce
the time spent for recording experiment values, and reduce any possible human
errors. The recorded values can be accepted by well-known analysis software
packages such as MATLAB, for further processing as a file. These commands
provide the users with convenience and personal safety, when executing
laboratory experiments with modern laboratory instruments.
The target of this thesis is producing a set of commands that allow users to control,
read, and record, the common instruments used on an electronics workbench.
These devices include power supplies, digital multimeters, function generators,
and oscilloscopes. The produced commands allow users to establish two
workbenches with these common laboratory instruments. The created
commands were written in C language in combination with the test and
measurement industrial standard to ensure the compatibility with instruments
from different vendors. This thesis also provides the readers with required
background knowledge that is related to the usage and development of these
commands. The target readers of this thesis are the graduates of Bachelor of
Electrical and Electronics Engineering or higher.

With these command sets, researchers do not need to spend a long time
controlling instruments and recording results from instrument manually. Apart
from setting up the hardware, they can simply enter the command, to get the result
they require.

year: 2008

title: Reconnection with DNA: Policy and issues with direct-to-consumer DNA testing for indigenous Māori identity reclamation

authors: Turanga, Karen

abstract: The disconnection of tangata whenua (indigenous people born of the land) impacts all social determinants. A clear sense of identity and connection to the land and culture is an important solution to this problem. The purpose of this research is to share a personal and whānau (family group) story of using direct-to-consumer (DTC) autosomal DNA genetic testing (GT) to determine ancestry and show others a potential path forward to identity reclamation. To fulfil this purpose and explain the policy context, the research examines historical assimilation policies of closed cross-cultural adoption, and the possibilities DNA technology offers for whakapapa (genealogy, lineage descent, family history) reconnection. This includes addressing two key research questions: How does DTC-GT facilitate reconnection to Māori identity and whakapapa for cross-cultural adoptees? What are the short, medium and long-term risks and advantages of DTC autosomal DTC-GT testing for iwi Māori? A bricolage methodology frames this research and draws on kaupapa Māori (Māori approach, principles, and ideology), autoethnography, and interpretive phenomenology, which are used to analyse academic commentary and key policy decisions. An autoethnographic layered practice approach presents insights and key findings by combining personal narratives with various media types, academic research, policy documents and popular culture. The research highlights how the implicit processes of policy-led assimilation and colonisation still need to be challenged today. Existing literature has identified the importance of giving Māori pathways to reconnect with their identity. The personal story shared explains how DNA technology offers a way to do that, but the research completed for this thesis demonstrates this approach has serious risks and limitations that require consideration before utilising this technology.

text: Reconnection with DNA: Policy and issues with direct-to-consumer DNA testing for indigenous Māori identity reclamation The disconnection of tangata whenua (indigenous people born of the land) impacts all social determinants. A clear sense of identity and connection to the land and culture is an important solution to this problem. The purpose of this research is to share a personal and whānau (family group) story of using direct-to-consumer (DTC) autosomal DNA genetic testing (GT) to determine ancestry and show others a potential path forward to identity reclamation. To fulfil this purpose and explain the policy context, the research examines historical assimilation policies of closed cross-cultural adoption, and the possibilities DNA technology offers for whakapapa (genealogy, lineage descent, family history) reconnection. This includes addressing two key research questions: How does DTC-GT facilitate reconnection to Māori identity and whakapapa for cross-cultural adoptees? What are the short, medium and long-term risks and advantages of DTC autosomal DTC-GT testing for iwi Māori? A bricolage methodology frames this research and draws on kaupapa Māori (Māori approach, principles, and ideology), autoethnography, and interpretive phenomenology, which are used to analyse academic commentary and key policy decisions. An autoethnographic layered practice approach presents insights and key findings by combining personal narratives with various media types, academic research, policy documents and popular culture. The research highlights how the implicit processes of policy-led assimilation and colonisation still need to be challenged today. Existing literature has identified the importance of giving Māori pathways to reconnect with their identity. The personal story shared explains how DNA technology offers a way to do that, but the research completed for this thesis demonstrates this approach has serious risks and limitations that require consideration before utilising this technology.

year: 2025-08-08