title: Flexibility on whose terms?

authors: Twiname, Linda J.

subjects: flexibility

abstract: Purpose – As part of an ongoing project on worker well-being, this paper aims to examine the application of flexible work arrangements through the experiences of core workers in a small, European-owned, New Zealand manufacturing firm. 
Design/methodology/approach – A participatory action research approach is taken. 
Findings – The research reveals that flexible employment arrangements utilised in this firm did not afford protection to core workers as theory suggests. Both core and peripheral workers were exposed to pressure primarily to extend their hours of work and to reduce their expectations regarding remuneration. Production level increases were not reflected in increases in numbers of core workers; in fact perceived job security was low. Core workers felt pressure to work extended hours out of their commitment to the firm, each other, and to maintain their own employment. 
Practical implications – The use of more democratic processes inherent in action research oriented at workplace well-being are shown to have had some value toward enhancing worker well-being. 
Originality/value – The paper demonstrates that the participative project placed pressure upon management and that it had the potential to redress a power imbalance within the employment relationship.

text: Flexibility on whose terms? Purpose – As part of an ongoing project on worker well-being, this paper aims to examine the application of flexible work arrangements through the experiences of core workers in a small, European-owned, New Zealand manufacturing firm. 
Design/methodology/approach – A participatory action research approach is taken. 
Findings – The research reveals that flexible employment arrangements utilised in this firm did not afford protection to core workers as theory suggests. Both core and peripheral workers were exposed to pressure primarily to extend their hours of work and to reduce their expectations regarding remuneration. Production level increases were not reflected in increases in numbers of core workers; in fact perceived job security was low. Core workers felt pressure to work extended hours out of their commitment to the firm, each other, and to maintain their own employment. 
Practical implications – The use of more democratic processes inherent in action research oriented at workplace well-being are shown to have had some value toward enhancing worker well-being. 
Originality/value – The paper demonstrates that the participative project placed pressure upon management and that it had the potential to redress a power imbalance within the employment relationship.

year: 2006

title: Three Ways to Value Equality

authors: Cupit, Geoffrey

subjects: inequality

abstract: There is much inequality in the world — inequalities of wealth, political power, health care and life-span, educational and cultural opportunities, and so on. Some of these inequalities are shared around so that they tend to cancel out, but to a large degree this is not so, and some people are much better off overall than others. This is manifest on any plausible way of measuring how well off people are overall.

text: Three Ways to Value Equality There is much inequality in the world — inequalities of wealth, political power, health care and life-span, educational and cultural opportunities, and so on. Some of these inequalities are shared around so that they tend to cancel out, but to a large degree this is not so, and some people are much better off overall than others. This is manifest on any plausible way of measuring how well off people are overall.

year: 2004

title: Urban Māori Whānau Connection / Re Connection to Cultural Confidence Via Wānanga

authors: Maihi, Bonnie

abstract: The  purpose  of this research is to explore and interrogate  dynamics  involved  with positive health and transformation of urban Māori whānau and the challenges of pursuing this using the medium of wānanga. The research component of this thesis rest around a recent series of whānau wānanga held and embarked on in partnership with my whānau through a journey of re-connecting back to our whakapapa, marae and our culture. Current statistics for Māori reflect health and well-being as a site of continuous struggle and one where much work is necessary to ensure equitable outcomes for Māori. While equitable outcomes are an ‘in the future’ dream what remains is asking what steps do we have to take as a whānau? What is the Māori culture that we must capture, know, and strive for, in our whānau journey of self-discovery?

The theoretical framework guiding this thesis is that of Kaupapa Māori. Within Kaupapa Māori theory acknowledgement and recognition of the effects of colonisation, destruction of culture and power 
imbalances are known as a given, with no need to question the validity of whether or not these are true accounts. A comprehensive literature review covering wānanga, Māori culture, Māori health &  well-being, sustainability and more is included in this study. In terms of the research component, five significant themes have been sourced from a series of semi-structured interviews to best represent the experiences of my whānau members pertaining to connection to whakapapa; te reo Māori; tikanga Māori and marae. They are as follows: structural inequality; influences on Māori identity; cultural confidence; whānau capacities; and resistive strategies.

Results identified spaces of progress and spaces that needed strengthening in relation to whānau building cultural confidence and connection to a Māori identity. In conclusion, this thesis ascertains a need for whānau to foster appreciation for lifelong learning and a compassionate approach for those teaching as key markers for nurturing and reconnecting urban Māori whānau to their cultural roots.

text: Urban Māori Whānau Connection / Re Connection to Cultural Confidence Via Wānanga The  purpose  of this research is to explore and interrogate  dynamics  involved  with positive health and transformation of urban Māori whānau and the challenges of pursuing this using the medium of wānanga. The research component of this thesis rest around a recent series of whānau wānanga held and embarked on in partnership with my whānau through a journey of re-connecting back to our whakapapa, marae and our culture. Current statistics for Māori reflect health and well-being as a site of continuous struggle and one where much work is necessary to ensure equitable outcomes for Māori. While equitable outcomes are an ‘in the future’ dream what remains is asking what steps do we have to take as a whānau? What is the Māori culture that we must capture, know, and strive for, in our whānau journey of self-discovery?

The theoretical framework guiding this thesis is that of Kaupapa Māori. Within Kaupapa Māori theory acknowledgement and recognition of the effects of colonisation, destruction of culture and power 
imbalances are known as a given, with no need to question the validity of whether or not these are true accounts. A comprehensive literature review covering wānanga, Māori culture, Māori health &  well-being, sustainability and more is included in this study. In terms of the research component, five significant themes have been sourced from a series of semi-structured interviews to best represent the experiences of my whānau members pertaining to connection to whakapapa; te reo Māori; tikanga Māori and marae. They are as follows: structural inequality; influences on Māori identity; cultural confidence; whānau capacities; and resistive strategies.

Results identified spaces of progress and spaces that needed strengthening in relation to whānau building cultural confidence and connection to a Māori identity. In conclusion, this thesis ascertains a need for whānau to foster appreciation for lifelong learning and a compassionate approach for those teaching as key markers for nurturing and reconnecting urban Māori whānau to their cultural roots.

year: 2016