title: Family supportive organization perceptions and employee outcomes: the mediating effects of life satisfaction

authors: Haar, Jarrod M.

subjects: family supportive organization perceptions

abstract: Social exchange theory was used to understand employee perceptions of organizational support for work-family issues in this study of 373 employees from 40 New Zealand firms. These perceptions of family support were found to positively influence job and life satisfaction, and negatively influence turnover intentions and job burnout. Consequently, there is strong support for firms supporting work-family issues leading employees to reciprocate with superior outcomes. In addition, the mediating effects of life satisfaction were explored, as there have been calls to test the effects of existing relationships outside the workplace. While life satisfaction was not found to fully mediate any attitude, it did partially mediate all outcomes. Similarly, life satisfaction was also a significant predictor of all outcomes. This indicates that the role of firms in providing a supportive work-family climate is important and can consistently contribute to employee outcomes. Furthermore, the role of non-work attitudes is also important to acknowledge, and highlights the need to explore non-work aspects as potential mediators of work outcomes in social exchange relationships.

text: Family supportive organization perceptions and employee outcomes: the mediating effects of life satisfaction Social exchange theory was used to understand employee perceptions of organizational support for work-family issues in this study of 373 employees from 40 New Zealand firms. These perceptions of family support were found to positively influence job and life satisfaction, and negatively influence turnover intentions and job burnout. Consequently, there is strong support for firms supporting work-family issues leading employees to reciprocate with superior outcomes. In addition, the mediating effects of life satisfaction were explored, as there have been calls to test the effects of existing relationships outside the workplace. While life satisfaction was not found to fully mediate any attitude, it did partially mediate all outcomes. Similarly, life satisfaction was also a significant predictor of all outcomes. This indicates that the role of firms in providing a supportive work-family climate is important and can consistently contribute to employee outcomes. Furthermore, the role of non-work attitudes is also important to acknowledge, and highlights the need to explore non-work aspects as potential mediators of work outcomes in social exchange relationships.

year: 2010

title: Characterisation and prediction of state of health of rechargeable batteries

authors: Dunn, Christopher

subjects: electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)

abstract: Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is used extensively in battery research, but usually at frequencies that do not reflect real-world usage patterns. This has resulted in equivalent circuit models (ECMs) that are over-complicated, and suboptimal battery management systems. It is logical to measure batteries at frequencies reflecting their daily or weekly charge-discharge cycles, i.e., of the order of microhertz. This is generally not done, however, because of difficulties that include extreme measurement durations and the need for care to avoid issues such as charge distribution problems, charge drift, and the risk of overcharging or flattening the battery. This research demonstrates the feasibility of extra-low frequency (ELF) EIS measurement using standard, non-specialised measurement equipment, and the optimisation of frequency domain data through the superimposition of small-signal measurement tones on larger square wave currents.

Study of charge movement rates in the frequency domain and voltage responses in the time domain in batteries indicates connections between voltage sweep rate in cyclic voltammetry (CV) and current magnitude in incremental capacity analysis (ICA). The key factor determining what the investigator sees, e.g., reversibility  of electrode processes or evidence of individual electrochemical reactions, is rate of movement of charge. Thus, controlled current can be used to obtain CV-type data from a battery, something that would be hazardous if done conventionally using a voltage ramp.

Repeatable, low-error EIS measurements at ELFs are essential for inferring battery ECM components, including constant phase elements (CPEs). The fractional order of a CPE is linked to battery state of health (SoH) and energy efficiency. This thesis shows that efficiency measurements with waveforms representative of real battery usage can be used to track battery SoH accurately.

text: Characterisation and prediction of state of health of rechargeable batteries Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is used extensively in battery research, but usually at frequencies that do not reflect real-world usage patterns. This has resulted in equivalent circuit models (ECMs) that are over-complicated, and suboptimal battery management systems. It is logical to measure batteries at frequencies reflecting their daily or weekly charge-discharge cycles, i.e., of the order of microhertz. This is generally not done, however, because of difficulties that include extreme measurement durations and the need for care to avoid issues such as charge distribution problems, charge drift, and the risk of overcharging or flattening the battery. This research demonstrates the feasibility of extra-low frequency (ELF) EIS measurement using standard, non-specialised measurement equipment, and the optimisation of frequency domain data through the superimposition of small-signal measurement tones on larger square wave currents.

Study of charge movement rates in the frequency domain and voltage responses in the time domain in batteries indicates connections between voltage sweep rate in cyclic voltammetry (CV) and current magnitude in incremental capacity analysis (ICA). The key factor determining what the investigator sees, e.g., reversibility  of electrode processes or evidence of individual electrochemical reactions, is rate of movement of charge. Thus, controlled current can be used to obtain CV-type data from a battery, something that would be hazardous if done conventionally using a voltage ramp.

Repeatable, low-error EIS measurements at ELFs are essential for inferring battery ECM components, including constant phase elements (CPEs). The fractional order of a CPE is linked to battery state of health (SoH) and energy efficiency. This thesis shows that efficiency measurements with waveforms representative of real battery usage can be used to track battery SoH accurately.

year: 2024

title: Indigenous people with disabilities: The argument for representation in human rights legislation (with specific reference to the development stage of the United Nations International Disability Convention)

authors: Hickey, Huhana

subjects: Tangata whaikaha

abstract: Until comparatively recently, human rights legislation was largely based on a universalist analysis. In treating all human beings alike, in failing to acknowledge the need for special measures to combat the marginalisation and oppression of particular groups, such as indigenous people and people with disabilities, it actually contributed to their invisibility and, hence, to their marginalisation and oppression. More recently, however, there has been a global trend towards the recognition of marginalised groups in human rights legislation. Even so, universalism, and the prejudice that so often accompanies it, is still in evidence. For example, although the United Nations is currently involved in drafting a Disabled Persons Convention, indigenous people with disabilities are not specifically represented. Their particular situation, one that involves a dual form of oppression (as indigenous people and as people with disabilities) is not acknowledged. Unless this situation is remedied, the Convention will inevitably be both less acceptable and less useful than would otherwise be the case.

text: Indigenous people with disabilities: The argument for representation in human rights legislation (with specific reference to the development stage of the United Nations International Disability Convention) Until comparatively recently, human rights legislation was largely based on a universalist analysis. In treating all human beings alike, in failing to acknowledge the need for special measures to combat the marginalisation and oppression of particular groups, such as indigenous people and people with disabilities, it actually contributed to their invisibility and, hence, to their marginalisation and oppression. More recently, however, there has been a global trend towards the recognition of marginalised groups in human rights legislation. Even so, universalism, and the prejudice that so often accompanies it, is still in evidence. For example, although the United Nations is currently involved in drafting a Disabled Persons Convention, indigenous people with disabilities are not specifically represented. Their particular situation, one that involves a dual form of oppression (as indigenous people and as people with disabilities) is not acknowledged. Unless this situation is remedied, the Convention will inevitably be both less acceptable and less useful than would otherwise be the case.

year: 2005-09