title: Adding unique value: how intermediary process development promotes market clearing in an online auction

authors: Gibb, Jenny L.

subjects: online auction

abstract: Recent online auction models have not specifically focused on how the intermediary or auctioneer firm adopts processes to facilitate the information flow between buyers and sellers to promote price setting, where supply equals demand, and the market is cleared. The increase in number and complexity of online auctions makes it important to understand the role of the online intermediary firm. This paper presents an online auction brokering model that combines the hub-and-spoke network structure with the pre-sale, sale, and post-sale stages of the transaction process to identify how the intermediary integrates trader firm information needs with behavioural and relationship characteristics and the internet functionalities of reach, richness and transparency to promote market clearing. This model, which has wider implications for other online and offline intermediated business models, is supported by evidence from a case study on Market Company, an intermediary firm situated in the New Zealand electricity market.

text: Adding unique value: how intermediary process development promotes market clearing in an online auction Recent online auction models have not specifically focused on how the intermediary or auctioneer firm adopts processes to facilitate the information flow between buyers and sellers to promote price setting, where supply equals demand, and the market is cleared. The increase in number and complexity of online auctions makes it important to understand the role of the online intermediary firm. This paper presents an online auction brokering model that combines the hub-and-spoke network structure with the pre-sale, sale, and post-sale stages of the transaction process to identify how the intermediary integrates trader firm information needs with behavioural and relationship characteristics and the internet functionalities of reach, richness and transparency to promote market clearing. This model, which has wider implications for other online and offline intermediated business models, is supported by evidence from a case study on Market Company, an intermediary firm situated in the New Zealand electricity market.

year: 2006

title: The application of job analysis, the O*NET and competency modelling in New Zealand organisations

authors: Berry, Jacqueline

subjects: Job Analysis

abstract: The present study aimed to gain an understanding of the extent to which human resource professionals are using and applying job analysis, the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) and competency modelling in New Zealand organisations. This study also explored the research-practice gap in job analysis, as examined through the O*NET and the influence of Taylor and Cable's (2004) article on the O*NET database. An online questionnaire was completed by 107 participants, who were members of the Human Resource Institute of New Zealand research stream. Findings suggest there is high awareness of job analysis, however the application of job analysis in the organisation is commonly hindered by the limited understanding and knowledge amongst human resource professionals. Findings on competency modelling suggest, there has been a possible increase in the application of competency modelling in organisations since Markus, Cooper-Thomas and Allpress (2005) study. The article by Taylor and Cable (2004) has had little influence on the application of the O*NET, suggesting a potential research-practice gap is present in the job analysis area. Specifically, the O*NET database could benefit Human Resource Management (HRM), through supporting the development of job descriptions and person specifications. Human resource professionals could benefit further from extending their awareness of job analysis and competency modelling to the application of these processes in HRM. The need for future research and practical implications for HRM and organisational psychology are discussed.

text: The application of job analysis, the O*NET and competency modelling in New Zealand organisations The present study aimed to gain an understanding of the extent to which human resource professionals are using and applying job analysis, the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) and competency modelling in New Zealand organisations. This study also explored the research-practice gap in job analysis, as examined through the O*NET and the influence of Taylor and Cable's (2004) article on the O*NET database. An online questionnaire was completed by 107 participants, who were members of the Human Resource Institute of New Zealand research stream. Findings suggest there is high awareness of job analysis, however the application of job analysis in the organisation is commonly hindered by the limited understanding and knowledge amongst human resource professionals. Findings on competency modelling suggest, there has been a possible increase in the application of competency modelling in organisations since Markus, Cooper-Thomas and Allpress (2005) study. The article by Taylor and Cable (2004) has had little influence on the application of the O*NET, suggesting a potential research-practice gap is present in the job analysis area. Specifically, the O*NET database could benefit Human Resource Management (HRM), through supporting the development of job descriptions and person specifications. Human resource professionals could benefit further from extending their awareness of job analysis and competency modelling to the application of these processes in HRM. The need for future research and practical implications for HRM and organisational psychology are discussed.

year: 2009

title: Māori social identities in New Zealand and Hawai'i

authors: Nikora, Linda Waimarie

subjects: Maori

abstract: This research is comprised of two narrative interview studies of Māori in two different settings, New Zealand (n=20) and Hawai'i (n=30).  The data was gathered over the 1994-1996 period.  The two settings have some commonalities and differences.  In both settings Māori are required to make decisions about the continuity of their ethnic Māori identities and hereditary cultural identities of iwi, hapu and whanau, and the part that they wish these identities to play in their daily lives.  The focus of this research was about how Māori create meaning in their lives and maintain their social identities across and within those contexts they move through. 

The findings of this research suggest that Māori in New Zealand continue to value and gain meaning and satisfaction from their cultural collectivities and the social identities derived from them.  However, the results tend to suggest that there are changes in the ways that individuals conceptualise these identities and concomitantly, how they see of themselves.
For New Zealand participants, conceptions of hapu and iwi appear to be converging with an increasing focus on the physicality of marae, its environment and symbolism, and the social events and relationships negotiated in that space.  New Zealand participants saw some hapu and iwi maintenance activities as more legitimate than others.  More value was placed on returning to hapu and iwi homelands however irregular these returns were.  In contrast, conceptions of hapu and iwi held by participants in Hawai'i seemed less intense.  There were few opportunities to engage with other hapu or iwi members.  Being Māori had greater meaning and was understood, probed and valued by others in the culturally plural context of Hawai'i.  For New Zealand participants, being Māori was enacted in the context of being a discriminated, negatively constructed minority.  All were aware of the defining effect that the presence of a dominant majority could have and countered these effects by engaging in social justice and in-group solidarity activities.

The changing identity conceptions held by members of Māori social groups will have implications for a sense of community and social cohesion, for tribal asset management, service delivery and crown settlement processes.  If Māori are redefining and renegotiating their social identities to achieve greater meaning and satisfaction then these changes are important to respond to and recognise.

text: Māori social identities in New Zealand and Hawai'i This research is comprised of two narrative interview studies of Māori in two different settings, New Zealand (n=20) and Hawai'i (n=30).  The data was gathered over the 1994-1996 period.  The two settings have some commonalities and differences.  In both settings Māori are required to make decisions about the continuity of their ethnic Māori identities and hereditary cultural identities of iwi, hapu and whanau, and the part that they wish these identities to play in their daily lives.  The focus of this research was about how Māori create meaning in their lives and maintain their social identities across and within those contexts they move through. 

The findings of this research suggest that Māori in New Zealand continue to value and gain meaning and satisfaction from their cultural collectivities and the social identities derived from them.  However, the results tend to suggest that there are changes in the ways that individuals conceptualise these identities and concomitantly, how they see of themselves.
For New Zealand participants, conceptions of hapu and iwi appear to be converging with an increasing focus on the physicality of marae, its environment and symbolism, and the social events and relationships negotiated in that space.  New Zealand participants saw some hapu and iwi maintenance activities as more legitimate than others.  More value was placed on returning to hapu and iwi homelands however irregular these returns were.  In contrast, conceptions of hapu and iwi held by participants in Hawai'i seemed less intense.  There were few opportunities to engage with other hapu or iwi members.  Being Māori had greater meaning and was understood, probed and valued by others in the culturally plural context of Hawai'i.  For New Zealand participants, being Māori was enacted in the context of being a discriminated, negatively constructed minority.  All were aware of the defining effect that the presence of a dominant majority could have and countered these effects by engaging in social justice and in-group solidarity activities.

The changing identity conceptions held by members of Māori social groups will have implications for a sense of community and social cohesion, for tribal asset management, service delivery and crown settlement processes.  If Māori are redefining and renegotiating their social identities to achieve greater meaning and satisfaction then these changes are important to respond to and recognise.

year: 2007