title: An investigation into the socially constructed and embodied experiences of senior tourists with disabilities and their travel companions in Bali

authors: Indrawati, Yayu

subjects: Embodied experience

abstract: This thesis explores the embodied nature of the tourism experience, particularly among senior tourists with travel companions holidaying in Bali. The originality of this research is that the approach draws on a range of data to understand what shapes this context, relationships, and individuals’ understandings, of how to create an inclusive environment for senior tourists with disabilities. The research also values the subjective, inter-subjective nature of senior tourists’ experiences, with complexities in the personal, relationship, and emotional fields. 
Drawing upon qualitative inquiry, this research sought to understand and explore the experiences of senior tourists with disabilities, to see the world from their points of view. An inductive approach was used, beginning with experiences from senior tourists with disabilities. The data were collected using in-depth semi-structured interviews with seven senior tourists, who identified six travel companions. This was then followed with data collected from tourism providers to analyse tourism providers’ understandings, familiarity, and espoused values. In order to capture the organisations’ understandings, ten individuals from tourism organisations in Bali were also interviewed. Additionally, secondary data analysis was conducted on six tourism organisations’ websites using “Identification organisational communication theory” to highlight their espoused values, rhetoric, and assumptions regarding accessible tourism. The interview data from the senior tourists, their travel companions, and tourism providers, were then analysed using thematic analysis, and the secondary organisational data were analysed using Cheney’s “Identification theory” for analysing the espoused communication and organisational identification. 
The results unfolded three emergent findings: “experiencing tourism as seniors,” “relationality,” and “insights from tourism providers.” The experiences of senior tourists with disabilities holidaying in Bali highlight their relationship dynamics in terms of their embodied emotions, and social interactions. The senior tourists reflected on the various ways they experienced tourism: corporeal, sensuous, and emotional. The experience involved the object and inter-subjective aspects of Bali as a holiday environment. These findings contribute to the development of tourism knowledge in the area of senior tourist experiences, family and care travel, and accessible tourism. The thesis concludes with reflections on respecting and recognising individual differences to establish an inclusive atmosphere. It also provides recommendations for Balinese local government and tourism providers on what to continue and what to alter, to create an inclusive context for senior tourists with a disability.

text: An investigation into the socially constructed and embodied experiences of senior tourists with disabilities and their travel companions in Bali This thesis explores the embodied nature of the tourism experience, particularly among senior tourists with travel companions holidaying in Bali. The originality of this research is that the approach draws on a range of data to understand what shapes this context, relationships, and individuals’ understandings, of how to create an inclusive environment for senior tourists with disabilities. The research also values the subjective, inter-subjective nature of senior tourists’ experiences, with complexities in the personal, relationship, and emotional fields. 
Drawing upon qualitative inquiry, this research sought to understand and explore the experiences of senior tourists with disabilities, to see the world from their points of view. An inductive approach was used, beginning with experiences from senior tourists with disabilities. The data were collected using in-depth semi-structured interviews with seven senior tourists, who identified six travel companions. This was then followed with data collected from tourism providers to analyse tourism providers’ understandings, familiarity, and espoused values. In order to capture the organisations’ understandings, ten individuals from tourism organisations in Bali were also interviewed. Additionally, secondary data analysis was conducted on six tourism organisations’ websites using “Identification organisational communication theory” to highlight their espoused values, rhetoric, and assumptions regarding accessible tourism. The interview data from the senior tourists, their travel companions, and tourism providers, were then analysed using thematic analysis, and the secondary organisational data were analysed using Cheney’s “Identification theory” for analysing the espoused communication and organisational identification. 
The results unfolded three emergent findings: “experiencing tourism as seniors,” “relationality,” and “insights from tourism providers.” The experiences of senior tourists with disabilities holidaying in Bali highlight their relationship dynamics in terms of their embodied emotions, and social interactions. The senior tourists reflected on the various ways they experienced tourism: corporeal, sensuous, and emotional. The experience involved the object and inter-subjective aspects of Bali as a holiday environment. These findings contribute to the development of tourism knowledge in the area of senior tourist experiences, family and care travel, and accessible tourism. The thesis concludes with reflections on respecting and recognising individual differences to establish an inclusive atmosphere. It also provides recommendations for Balinese local government and tourism providers on what to continue and what to alter, to create an inclusive context for senior tourists with a disability.

year: 2021

title: The effect of complement C5a on mitochondrial functions of PC12 cells

authors: Martinus, Ryan Dennis

subjects: C5a

abstract: C5a is thought to play a role during complement-activated neuronal apoptotic cell death in the central nervous system. The mechanisms responsible are however not well-understood. As mitochondria play a key role during apoptosis, we investigated mitochondria as a potential target for C5a. Using PC12 cells, we demonstrated that exposure to C5a led to inhibition of mitochondrial respiration, dehydrogenase and cytochrome c oxidase activities. Interestingly, an increase in expression of the mitochondrial stress protein chaperonin 60 was also observed, confirming a marked effect of C5a on mitochondrial functions. These observations are the first documented intracellular effects noted for the complement molecule C5a in in-vitro cultured cells.

text: The effect of complement C5a on mitochondrial functions of PC12 cells C5a is thought to play a role during complement-activated neuronal apoptotic cell death in the central nervous system. The mechanisms responsible are however not well-understood. As mitochondria play a key role during apoptosis, we investigated mitochondria as a potential target for C5a. Using PC12 cells, we demonstrated that exposure to C5a led to inhibition of mitochondrial respiration, dehydrogenase and cytochrome c oxidase activities. Interestingly, an increase in expression of the mitochondrial stress protein chaperonin 60 was also observed, confirming a marked effect of C5a on mitochondrial functions. These observations are the first documented intracellular effects noted for the complement molecule C5a in in-vitro cultured cells.

year: 2011-08

title: Evaluation of iwi and hapū participation in the resource consents processes of six district councils

authors: Backhurst, Michael

subjects: New Zealand

abstract: This working paper analyses the processes adopted by councils for involving hapū/iwi in plan implementation, including the resource consents process. Three topic issues were investigated to assess plan implementation — urban amenity, storm water, and issues of importance to iwi. Questions were asked about the capacity of hapū/iwi to engage in the resource consent process, which resource issues were of concern to them, their relationship with council and consent applicants, and their perception of the consent process. Most resources listed in the questionnaire were of concern to hapū/iwi, with water quality, wāhi tapu and heritage the most commonly cited. In conclusion, we found a general dissatisfaction on the part of hapū/iwi with councils’ performance with respect to both Treaty relationships and consent processing under the RMA. A further contributing factor to the poor relationships found between hapū/iwi and councils, was the lack of clarity over the role of hapū and iwi in resource management. In several districts, diverging responses from hapū/iwi and councils to questions about level of understanding and commitment suggests there is a need for more effective communication. These problems are compounded by the generally low capacity of hapū/iwi to participate in resource consent processes. These findings suggest that there is much to be done to improve relationships and behaviour of these key stakeholder groups in the plan implementation process if key provisions in the RMA related to hapū/iwi interests are to be fulfilled. The differences shown in reciprocal perceptions have serious implications for establishing a sound working partnership between councils and hapū/iwi in their areas. Making clear these discrepancies is a first step towards taking the measures needed for building a better partnership. Further, the capacity of hapū/iwi to participate could be better utilised if there was greater integration between regional and district councils on issues of significance and processes for iwi involvement.

text: Evaluation of iwi and hapū participation in the resource consents processes of six district councils This working paper analyses the processes adopted by councils for involving hapū/iwi in plan implementation, including the resource consents process. Three topic issues were investigated to assess plan implementation — urban amenity, storm water, and issues of importance to iwi. Questions were asked about the capacity of hapū/iwi to engage in the resource consent process, which resource issues were of concern to them, their relationship with council and consent applicants, and their perception of the consent process. Most resources listed in the questionnaire were of concern to hapū/iwi, with water quality, wāhi tapu and heritage the most commonly cited. In conclusion, we found a general dissatisfaction on the part of hapū/iwi with councils’ performance with respect to both Treaty relationships and consent processing under the RMA. A further contributing factor to the poor relationships found between hapū/iwi and councils, was the lack of clarity over the role of hapū and iwi in resource management. In several districts, diverging responses from hapū/iwi and councils to questions about level of understanding and commitment suggests there is a need for more effective communication. These problems are compounded by the generally low capacity of hapū/iwi to participate in resource consent processes. These findings suggest that there is much to be done to improve relationships and behaviour of these key stakeholder groups in the plan implementation process if key provisions in the RMA related to hapū/iwi interests are to be fulfilled. The differences shown in reciprocal perceptions have serious implications for establishing a sound working partnership between councils and hapū/iwi in their areas. Making clear these discrepancies is a first step towards taking the measures needed for building a better partnership. Further, the capacity of hapū/iwi to participate could be better utilised if there was greater integration between regional and district councils on issues of significance and processes for iwi involvement.

year: 2004-03