title: Charles Peirce's limit concept of truth

authors: Legg, Catherine

abstract: This talk will present and explore Charles Peirce’s account of truth as “the opinion which is fated to be agreed to by all who investigate”. This account is arguably more objectivist than accounts of truth in terms of ‘usefulness’ found in other pragmatists such as William James and Richard Rorty. The account will be defended from three objections: i) Because it talks about a potentially infinite process of inquiry, it is incoherent. ii) Because it relies on a faith that inquirers will converge on one opinion if they inquire long and hard enough, it is too realist. iii) Because it defines truth as a kind of opinion, it is not realist enough.

text: Charles Peirce's limit concept of truth This talk will present and explore Charles Peirce’s account of truth as “the opinion which is fated to be agreed to by all who investigate”. This account is arguably more objectivist than accounts of truth in terms of ‘usefulness’ found in other pragmatists such as William James and Richard Rorty. The account will be defended from three objections: i) Because it talks about a potentially infinite process of inquiry, it is incoherent. ii) Because it relies on a faith that inquirers will converge on one opinion if they inquire long and hard enough, it is too realist. iii) Because it defines truth as a kind of opinion, it is not realist enough.

year: 2014

title: Assessing lodging service down under: a case of Hamilton, New Zealand

authors: Mohsin, Asad

subjects: customer satisfaction

abstract: Purpose – The aim of the study is to assess customer perceptions of service quality delivered by front office, room service and an in house restaurant/café in the lodgings of Hamilton, New Zealand. 
Design/methodology/approach – The study uses a survey and interview technique. A survey questionnaire with the help of local managers in the lodging industry was structured for this study. The study was undertaken at different lodgings in Hamilton involving face-to-face administration of the survey instrument. A useable sample of 645 participants resulted. 
Findings – The importance–performance analysis showed that responses related to front office, room service and in-house café/restaurant, the importance is statistically significant, higher than the performance. Gender also reflected statistical significance. Overall, the results indicate that most responses show gaps in importance and evaluations and this suggests managerial implications. 
Research limitations/implications – From a practitioners perspective the study provides an opportunity to recognize in ranking order general features that are considered important by the guest staying in lodgings in Hamilton in New Zealand. Additionally, the study also points out the evaluation of those guests, thereby identifying the areas of gaps in service and product quality. 
Originality/value – The study has been the first attempt to gauge the importance and experience from the stay of lodging guests in Hamilton, New Zealand. The research also provides an opportunity for a comparative study of service quality offered by lodgings in New Zealand with other parts of the world.

text: Assessing lodging service down under: a case of Hamilton, New Zealand Purpose – The aim of the study is to assess customer perceptions of service quality delivered by front office, room service and an in house restaurant/café in the lodgings of Hamilton, New Zealand. 
Design/methodology/approach – The study uses a survey and interview technique. A survey questionnaire with the help of local managers in the lodging industry was structured for this study. The study was undertaken at different lodgings in Hamilton involving face-to-face administration of the survey instrument. A useable sample of 645 participants resulted. 
Findings – The importance–performance analysis showed that responses related to front office, room service and in-house café/restaurant, the importance is statistically significant, higher than the performance. Gender also reflected statistical significance. Overall, the results indicate that most responses show gaps in importance and evaluations and this suggests managerial implications. 
Research limitations/implications – From a practitioners perspective the study provides an opportunity to recognize in ranking order general features that are considered important by the guest staying in lodgings in Hamilton in New Zealand. Additionally, the study also points out the evaluation of those guests, thereby identifying the areas of gaps in service and product quality. 
Originality/value – The study has been the first attempt to gauge the importance and experience from the stay of lodging guests in Hamilton, New Zealand. The research also provides an opportunity for a comparative study of service quality offered by lodgings in New Zealand with other parts of the world.

year: 2007

title: Ārai Whakamōmori: An Exploration of Te Whakaruruhau’s Suicide Prevention Strategy

authors: Jones, Waikorihiata Georgina-Ann Marama

subjects: Te Whakaruruhau, suicide, suicide prevention, indigenous suicide prevention, women’s refuge.

abstract: Te Whakaruruhau, Waikato Women’s Refuge, have been able to achieve a suicide free environment for their clients for over 31 years. This research sought to understand how Te Whakaruruhau have been successful in preventing suicide for women and their partners. Intimate partner violence is closely associated with suicide risk, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and helplessness and hopelessness. Interviews were held with 11 staff using kaupapa Māori (principles/philosophies) methodologies of: kānohi kitea (greeting, meeting face to face), ako Māori (learning, teaching, reciprocity, cultural pedagogy) and manaaki ki te tangata (caring, hosting people). A thematic analysis provided four main themes: identifying safety and risk issues, prevention methods, following tīkanga, and training and supervision. Sub themes that supported and expanded on each main theme showed that staff interacted and cared for their clients using distinctly Māori worldviews and practices of tīkanga: manner of approach, mā te whakarongo and kōrero (listening and talking), awhi (support), redirecting the focus, and whakamana (to empower), to prevent suicide with their clients. As Te Whakaruruhau is founded on principles of kaupapa Māori, it was evident that staff responded to their clients using manaakitanga (to care for, show respect), aroha (show love, empathy and sympathy), awhi, both physical and emotional support, and whakawhanaungatanga (relationship). A concern for staff was the lack of resourcing to access appropriate training and supervision which they felt impacted on their ability to do their job well. The implications of this study are that more training, specifically around suicide awareness, and mentoring and guidance is needed for staff to continue to provide a suicide free space. Also, this research serves to guide the formation of an indigenous national suicide prevention strategy for clients who access refuges. Ultimately, the research is for families who experience disruptions to their lives through violence offering a pathway and place for them to recover and rebuild their lives.

text: Ārai Whakamōmori: An Exploration of Te Whakaruruhau’s Suicide Prevention Strategy Te Whakaruruhau, Waikato Women’s Refuge, have been able to achieve a suicide free environment for their clients for over 31 years. This research sought to understand how Te Whakaruruhau have been successful in preventing suicide for women and their partners. Intimate partner violence is closely associated with suicide risk, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and helplessness and hopelessness. Interviews were held with 11 staff using kaupapa Māori (principles/philosophies) methodologies of: kānohi kitea (greeting, meeting face to face), ako Māori (learning, teaching, reciprocity, cultural pedagogy) and manaaki ki te tangata (caring, hosting people). A thematic analysis provided four main themes: identifying safety and risk issues, prevention methods, following tīkanga, and training and supervision. Sub themes that supported and expanded on each main theme showed that staff interacted and cared for their clients using distinctly Māori worldviews and practices of tīkanga: manner of approach, mā te whakarongo and kōrero (listening and talking), awhi (support), redirecting the focus, and whakamana (to empower), to prevent suicide with their clients. As Te Whakaruruhau is founded on principles of kaupapa Māori, it was evident that staff responded to their clients using manaakitanga (to care for, show respect), aroha (show love, empathy and sympathy), awhi, both physical and emotional support, and whakawhanaungatanga (relationship). A concern for staff was the lack of resourcing to access appropriate training and supervision which they felt impacted on their ability to do their job well. The implications of this study are that more training, specifically around suicide awareness, and mentoring and guidance is needed for staff to continue to provide a suicide free space. Also, this research serves to guide the formation of an indigenous national suicide prevention strategy for clients who access refuges. Ultimately, the research is for families who experience disruptions to their lives through violence offering a pathway and place for them to recover and rebuild their lives.

year: 2017