title: Re-energising Knowledge Management: Communication challenges, interdisciplinary intersections, and paradigm change

authors: Jones, Rachel Anne

subjects: Knowledge Management

abstract: Knowledge Management (KM) in the 1990s was a key upwardly-mobile management discipline. Indeed, a proliferation of articles suggested KM had the potential to make a radical departure from conventional views of organisational assets and resources, and even held the promise of transforming economies. Instead, however, KM has tended to become incorporated as a subset of traditional management. This thesis suggests that, as a result, knowledge has been perceived simply as another resource to be managed for competitive advantage. It further argues that KM need not subscribe to conventional views of management and that knowledge need not be just another resource to be exploited, hoarded, and traded. Instead, it contends that knowledge is an outcome of the process of connecting to one another in new ways and explores the field’s still-unrealised potential for generating fresh approaches relevant to contemporary conditions. In seeking to revive the excitement, and rekindle the potential, that originally surrounded the field, the thesis intervenes in current debates in KM. It attends to, and expands, the existing discourses of KM while presenting the case for a re-energised understanding of the communication of knowledge. Exploring intersections with other disciplines as well as KM’s own multidisciplinary base, it proposes transdisciplinary research as a productive focus for KM. In making these recommendations for KM’s future, the thesis seeks to make the field more responsive to current complex and dynamic academic, organisational, and social contexts. Its overall goal is not only to ensure KM’s ongoing relevance and effectiveness as a field, but to direct KM towards fulfilling its early potential.

text: Re-energising Knowledge Management: Communication challenges, interdisciplinary intersections, and paradigm change Knowledge Management (KM) in the 1990s was a key upwardly-mobile management discipline. Indeed, a proliferation of articles suggested KM had the potential to make a radical departure from conventional views of organisational assets and resources, and even held the promise of transforming economies. Instead, however, KM has tended to become incorporated as a subset of traditional management. This thesis suggests that, as a result, knowledge has been perceived simply as another resource to be managed for competitive advantage. It further argues that KM need not subscribe to conventional views of management and that knowledge need not be just another resource to be exploited, hoarded, and traded. Instead, it contends that knowledge is an outcome of the process of connecting to one another in new ways and explores the field’s still-unrealised potential for generating fresh approaches relevant to contemporary conditions. In seeking to revive the excitement, and rekindle the potential, that originally surrounded the field, the thesis intervenes in current debates in KM. It attends to, and expands, the existing discourses of KM while presenting the case for a re-energised understanding of the communication of knowledge. Exploring intersections with other disciplines as well as KM’s own multidisciplinary base, it proposes transdisciplinary research as a productive focus for KM. In making these recommendations for KM’s future, the thesis seeks to make the field more responsive to current complex and dynamic academic, organisational, and social contexts. Its overall goal is not only to ensure KM’s ongoing relevance and effectiveness as a field, but to direct KM towards fulfilling its early potential.

year: 2011

title: Three studies on life expectancy and lifespan inequality

authors: Wijesinghe, Jayani

abstract: While life expectancy is a key indicator in public health and demography, it may obscure unequal experiences of different population groups. By contrast, lifespan inequality captures variations in age at death, offering a broader view of health disparities. Focusing on lifespan inequality enables policymakers and researchers to identify vulnerable populations, design more equitable health and social policies, and evaluate progress toward reducing inequities. 
This thesis is comprised of three interrelated studies that examine life expectancy and lifespan inequality from different perspectives. The first study explores state-level variations in life expectancy and lifespan inequality in the US over a 55-year period, employing Theil’s entropy index to measure lifespan inequality and a Panel-Corrected Standard Errors (PCSE) model to assess associated socioeconomic and demographic factors. The analysis reveals a significant negative correlation between life expectancy and lifespan inequality across states. Educational attainment, health insurance coverage, and physician density show negative associations with lifespan inequality, whereas violent crime rates, smoking prevalence, and income inequality exhibit positive associations.
The second study investigates the impact of homicide on life expectancy and lifespan inequality at the state level in the US from 1968 to 2020, focusing on demographic, socioeconomic, and policy determinants. Utilizing data from the US Mortality Database and cause-eliminated life tables and Panel-Corrected Standard Errors (PCSE) models, the study reveals that Southern states experience the most substantial impacts on both life expectancy and lifespan inequality, while the Northeast exhibits comparatively lower effects. Males consistently face greater impacts than females. Key findings underscore systemic inequities: a higher percentage of Black populations and individuals aged 25–34 correlate with greater homicide-related reductions in life expectancy and increased lifespan inequality. Educational attainment, particularly the high school graduation rate, helps mitigate these effects. Corrections and judicial expenditures affect both life expectancy and lifespan inequality. In contrast, police and health spending are associated with decreases in lifespan inequality but no change in life expectancy, whereas welfare expenditures correlate with increased lifespan inequality but are correlated with life expectancy only for the total population.
The final study conducts a comparative analysis of the demographic impacts of three major pandemics: the 1918 influenza pandemic, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and the COVID-19 pandemic on global life expectancy and lifespan inequality. The study finds that the 1918 influenza pandemic caused the most pronounced reductions in life expectancy, especially among young adults, thereby leading to substantial lifespan inequality. By contrast, HIV/AIDS had a gradual yet enduring impact, predominantly affecting young and middle-aged adults and exacerbating health disparities in regions with limited healthcare resources. The COVID-19 pandemic primarily affected older populations, producing smaller reductions in life expectancy but uniquely decreasing lifespan inequality due to the concentration of mortality among the elderly. Gender-specific effects varied: while the 1918 influenza and COVID-19 pandemics showed relatively uniform gender impacts, HIV/AIDS disproportionately affected women.
Collectively, the findings across these studies underscore the need to address the interconnected issues of life expectancy, lifespan inequality, and systemic disparities. Targeted gender-specific policies and public expenditures (e.g., increased judicial and healthcare funding) have the potential to reshape mortality patterns and mitigate disparities. Pandemic responses should be tailored to protect vulnerable age and demographic groups by ensuring equitable access to healthcare and vaccines.

text: Three studies on life expectancy and lifespan inequality While life expectancy is a key indicator in public health and demography, it may obscure unequal experiences of different population groups. By contrast, lifespan inequality captures variations in age at death, offering a broader view of health disparities. Focusing on lifespan inequality enables policymakers and researchers to identify vulnerable populations, design more equitable health and social policies, and evaluate progress toward reducing inequities. 
This thesis is comprised of three interrelated studies that examine life expectancy and lifespan inequality from different perspectives. The first study explores state-level variations in life expectancy and lifespan inequality in the US over a 55-year period, employing Theil’s entropy index to measure lifespan inequality and a Panel-Corrected Standard Errors (PCSE) model to assess associated socioeconomic and demographic factors. The analysis reveals a significant negative correlation between life expectancy and lifespan inequality across states. Educational attainment, health insurance coverage, and physician density show negative associations with lifespan inequality, whereas violent crime rates, smoking prevalence, and income inequality exhibit positive associations.
The second study investigates the impact of homicide on life expectancy and lifespan inequality at the state level in the US from 1968 to 2020, focusing on demographic, socioeconomic, and policy determinants. Utilizing data from the US Mortality Database and cause-eliminated life tables and Panel-Corrected Standard Errors (PCSE) models, the study reveals that Southern states experience the most substantial impacts on both life expectancy and lifespan inequality, while the Northeast exhibits comparatively lower effects. Males consistently face greater impacts than females. Key findings underscore systemic inequities: a higher percentage of Black populations and individuals aged 25–34 correlate with greater homicide-related reductions in life expectancy and increased lifespan inequality. Educational attainment, particularly the high school graduation rate, helps mitigate these effects. Corrections and judicial expenditures affect both life expectancy and lifespan inequality. In contrast, police and health spending are associated with decreases in lifespan inequality but no change in life expectancy, whereas welfare expenditures correlate with increased lifespan inequality but are correlated with life expectancy only for the total population.
The final study conducts a comparative analysis of the demographic impacts of three major pandemics: the 1918 influenza pandemic, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and the COVID-19 pandemic on global life expectancy and lifespan inequality. The study finds that the 1918 influenza pandemic caused the most pronounced reductions in life expectancy, especially among young adults, thereby leading to substantial lifespan inequality. By contrast, HIV/AIDS had a gradual yet enduring impact, predominantly affecting young and middle-aged adults and exacerbating health disparities in regions with limited healthcare resources. The COVID-19 pandemic primarily affected older populations, producing smaller reductions in life expectancy but uniquely decreasing lifespan inequality due to the concentration of mortality among the elderly. Gender-specific effects varied: while the 1918 influenza and COVID-19 pandemics showed relatively uniform gender impacts, HIV/AIDS disproportionately affected women.
Collectively, the findings across these studies underscore the need to address the interconnected issues of life expectancy, lifespan inequality, and systemic disparities. Targeted gender-specific policies and public expenditures (e.g., increased judicial and healthcare funding) have the potential to reshape mortality patterns and mitigate disparities. Pandemic responses should be tailored to protect vulnerable age and demographic groups by ensuring equitable access to healthcare and vaccines.

year: 2025

title: Te Whakaruruhau Transition and Wellbeing programme: An implementation evaluation

authors: Robins, Kathryn

subjects: Maori

abstract: Based on the recognition that many women who come into refuge have few options
but to return to the sort of environment in which they have been abused, the
Transition and Wellbeing programme aims to provide medium to long term housing
for families as they re‐establish themselves in the community.
Data for the evaluation of the programme was collected from two main sources; the
women on the programme and key informants at Te Whakaruruhau. Five women,
two of whom are housed in transitional accommodation were interviewed
individually, while focus groups were conducted with middle and senior management
teams.
The completion of the interviews enabled the development of a programme logic,
which describes the ‘theory’ of the programme. The model details the activities or
what the programme does. These activities include linking women to programmes
and resources, providing practical support, addressing specific cultural needs and the
availability of quality advocates. These activities are built on foundational values, such
as, whanaungatanga, manaakitanga and wairuatanga. The programme is only made
possible with internal and external inputs. Of the external inputs, funding
contributions are considered vital to the functioning of the programme.
The women’s perspectives identified varying outcomes from their participation in the
programme. The logic model details the intended outcomes in the short, medium and
long‐term, reflecting personal, relational and community wellbeing. Short term
outcomes include improved communication, improved self‐esteem, improved
confidence and personal growth. Medium outcomes saw (re)engagement in training,
education and for some, (re)entry into the workforce. Long term outcomes related to
the establishment of a sustainable life style free from violence.
The participants did not see a need to modify the programme in any significant way.
Some did think that it could be usefully extended by adding to the existing activities a
hands on, artistic approach. Programme developers may consider more creative ways
in which to assess and measure the impact of the programme. Finally, it is suggested
that the programme could benefit from a more systemic assessment process to
determine whether women are “ready” to enter it.

text: Te Whakaruruhau Transition and Wellbeing programme: An implementation evaluation Based on the recognition that many women who come into refuge have few options
but to return to the sort of environment in which they have been abused, the
Transition and Wellbeing programme aims to provide medium to long term housing
for families as they re‐establish themselves in the community.
Data for the evaluation of the programme was collected from two main sources; the
women on the programme and key informants at Te Whakaruruhau. Five women,
two of whom are housed in transitional accommodation were interviewed
individually, while focus groups were conducted with middle and senior management
teams.
The completion of the interviews enabled the development of a programme logic,
which describes the ‘theory’ of the programme. The model details the activities or
what the programme does. These activities include linking women to programmes
and resources, providing practical support, addressing specific cultural needs and the
availability of quality advocates. These activities are built on foundational values, such
as, whanaungatanga, manaakitanga and wairuatanga. The programme is only made
possible with internal and external inputs. Of the external inputs, funding
contributions are considered vital to the functioning of the programme.
The women’s perspectives identified varying outcomes from their participation in the
programme. The logic model details the intended outcomes in the short, medium and
long‐term, reflecting personal, relational and community wellbeing. Short term
outcomes include improved communication, improved self‐esteem, improved
confidence and personal growth. Medium outcomes saw (re)engagement in training,
education and for some, (re)entry into the workforce. Long term outcomes related to
the establishment of a sustainable life style free from violence.
The participants did not see a need to modify the programme in any significant way.
Some did think that it could be usefully extended by adding to the existing activities a
hands on, artistic approach. Programme developers may consider more creative ways
in which to assess and measure the impact of the programme. Finally, it is suggested
that the programme could benefit from a more systemic assessment process to
determine whether women are “ready” to enter it.

year: 2008-06-26