title: Group model building to understand ‘wicked’ problems in New Zealand freshwater management

authors: Connolly, Justin Dennis

subjects: group model building

abstract: Freshwater resources are coming under increasing pressure across New Zealand. High levels of water use and contaminant loss from both point and non-point sources are contributing to growing concern around both the quality of freshwater and its availability. National government regulation has provided greater guidance on the freshwater standards required in water ways, while increasingly collaborative processes are being applied to develop directions for both national and regional policy. A shift towards the inclusion of stakeholders in policy development follows global trends; however, its application in reality is difficult, due to scarce resources (especially data and time) and the high biophysical and social complexity of the issues being addressed.
This research investigates whether the use of causal-loop diagrams (CLDs), applied in a group model building (GMB) process, increases the shared understanding of a freshwater issue by a group. CLDs are a qualitative system dynamics (SD) modelling tool, which seeks to identify the interdependency between elements of a system and the direction of these relationships. They are straightforward to generate and can provide insight into the underlying causes of suboptimal behaviour in complex, dynamic environments. 
The GMB process applied in this research involves the extension of an existing script-driven process, after extensive piloting. It is applied with only two supporting personnel within a limited timeframe, to explore how useful this process is within an environment involving scarce resources. The developed process is applied to two case studies, both involving freshwater management by New Zealand communities. The effectiveness of the GMB process was explored using a mixed methods approach. A post-workshop survey gathered self-reported quantitative and qualitative findings, while a qualitative analysis of data from semi-structured follow-up interviews was undertaken using thematic analysis. 
The self-reported data indicated not only very high levels of individual satisfaction with the process, but also that the process had helped the group’s shared understanding of the issues and that the output (the CLD) would be useful to the group in the future. The thematic analysis identified four broad themes: that there was a desire for a different approach to decision-making; that the GMB process was a refreshing change; that the GMB process built both a group AND a group model; and that, while it was useful, it also did not provide enough detail for decision-making on its own.
The desire for a different approach was underpinned by the complexity of the decision-making process; as well as frustration from some of those involved that they either did not feel that their views were being (or had been) appreciated or from a direct sense of frustration from dealing with council (currently or in the past). It was felt that the GMB approach was a refreshing change as it was a simple and focused process, involving a small group of relevant stakeholders. More importantly, the fact that the group members were actively involved in the process, it was participant led and independently facilitated were all very positive aspects identified.
However, the process for GMB that was applied was found not to be a panacea for solving problems, with more detailed, numerical modelling required to provide insight into the relative importance of key factors.

text: Group model building to understand ‘wicked’ problems in New Zealand freshwater management Freshwater resources are coming under increasing pressure across New Zealand. High levels of water use and contaminant loss from both point and non-point sources are contributing to growing concern around both the quality of freshwater and its availability. National government regulation has provided greater guidance on the freshwater standards required in water ways, while increasingly collaborative processes are being applied to develop directions for both national and regional policy. A shift towards the inclusion of stakeholders in policy development follows global trends; however, its application in reality is difficult, due to scarce resources (especially data and time) and the high biophysical and social complexity of the issues being addressed.
This research investigates whether the use of causal-loop diagrams (CLDs), applied in a group model building (GMB) process, increases the shared understanding of a freshwater issue by a group. CLDs are a qualitative system dynamics (SD) modelling tool, which seeks to identify the interdependency between elements of a system and the direction of these relationships. They are straightforward to generate and can provide insight into the underlying causes of suboptimal behaviour in complex, dynamic environments. 
The GMB process applied in this research involves the extension of an existing script-driven process, after extensive piloting. It is applied with only two supporting personnel within a limited timeframe, to explore how useful this process is within an environment involving scarce resources. The developed process is applied to two case studies, both involving freshwater management by New Zealand communities. The effectiveness of the GMB process was explored using a mixed methods approach. A post-workshop survey gathered self-reported quantitative and qualitative findings, while a qualitative analysis of data from semi-structured follow-up interviews was undertaken using thematic analysis. 
The self-reported data indicated not only very high levels of individual satisfaction with the process, but also that the process had helped the group’s shared understanding of the issues and that the output (the CLD) would be useful to the group in the future. The thematic analysis identified four broad themes: that there was a desire for a different approach to decision-making; that the GMB process was a refreshing change; that the GMB process built both a group AND a group model; and that, while it was useful, it also did not provide enough detail for decision-making on its own.
The desire for a different approach was underpinned by the complexity of the decision-making process; as well as frustration from some of those involved that they either did not feel that their views were being (or had been) appreciated or from a direct sense of frustration from dealing with council (currently or in the past). It was felt that the GMB approach was a refreshing change as it was a simple and focused process, involving a small group of relevant stakeholders. More importantly, the fact that the group members were actively involved in the process, it was participant led and independently facilitated were all very positive aspects identified.
However, the process for GMB that was applied was found not to be a panacea for solving problems, with more detailed, numerical modelling required to provide insight into the relative importance of key factors.

year: 2017

title: An Integrated Theory of the Roles of Governing Boards of New Zealand and Australian Co-operative Dairy Companies

authors: Old, Kevin Murray

subjects: Co-operatives

abstract: Over recent times there has been significant interest in corporate governance by the popular press, regulators and academics after strings of spectacular corporate failures. Governance research, however, appears to have been contextually-bound, focussing mainly on organisations with freely traded shares. The governance of co-operatives, despite their significance to the world and New Zealand economies, has received scant research focus. The New Zealand dairy industry, which is dominated by co-operatives, contributes 25 percent of exports and ten percent of GDP to the local economy, yet there appears little understanding and empirical research of co-operative governance. Reviews of the managerial corporate governance and co-operative literatures also suggest there is currently no all-encompassing theory of the governance of co-operatives. Given these gaps in the literature, the aim of this research is to inductively develop a theory of the roles of governing boards of New Zealand and Australian co-operative dairy companies from the perspective of the participants. 

In order to achieve this aim, a case study method inspired by Eisenhardt (1989a) is selected to guide the research. Fieldwork utilising semi-structured interviews with governance participants from six co-operative cases is used to gather a broad and deep picture of co-operative board roles. By analysing data within case and comparing across cases, the understandings from the empirical data provide the basis to develop the theoretical model.

Drawing from these understandings, this study will look at board member roles in terms of their activities and the process in which they engage. This research results in a theoretical model deeply informed from practitioners' views to provide a unified theory of governance. Upon theoretical saturation five unique theoretical concepts and relationships between them emerge from the analysis with an intimate link to the empirical data: Exogenous-Issues, Supplier-Shareholder-Needs/Benefits, Supplier-Shareholder-Controls, Board Architecture and Board Roles. Subconcepts within the Board Architecture concept are: Individual-Distinctions, Engagement-Forums, and Dynamics. Four Board Role concepts emerge Unite, Strategic-Involvement, Control and Serve. The resultant model of co-operative board roles presents new insights, is logically coherent, has a good fit with the data and is reasonably parsimonious. 

A contribution to knowledge of corporate governance and agricultural co-operatives is achieved through an integrative and nuanced understanding of co-operative board roles. The findings also highlight individual director contributions to the role; a unique addition to governance studies. The model also begins to highlight the relationships between key actors and the processes used in decision making. The theoretical model's similarities to and divergences from existing theories of corporate governance are drawn to illustrate the contribution of the model.

This thesis provides researchers, practitioners, educators, regulators and policy makers in the corporate governance and agricultural co-operative fields, insights into the current and ongoing roles of co-operative boards. The theoretical model establishes foundations for further study into how directors can more effectively govern their co-operatives.

text: An Integrated Theory of the Roles of Governing Boards of New Zealand and Australian Co-operative Dairy Companies Over recent times there has been significant interest in corporate governance by the popular press, regulators and academics after strings of spectacular corporate failures. Governance research, however, appears to have been contextually-bound, focussing mainly on organisations with freely traded shares. The governance of co-operatives, despite their significance to the world and New Zealand economies, has received scant research focus. The New Zealand dairy industry, which is dominated by co-operatives, contributes 25 percent of exports and ten percent of GDP to the local economy, yet there appears little understanding and empirical research of co-operative governance. Reviews of the managerial corporate governance and co-operative literatures also suggest there is currently no all-encompassing theory of the governance of co-operatives. Given these gaps in the literature, the aim of this research is to inductively develop a theory of the roles of governing boards of New Zealand and Australian co-operative dairy companies from the perspective of the participants. 

In order to achieve this aim, a case study method inspired by Eisenhardt (1989a) is selected to guide the research. Fieldwork utilising semi-structured interviews with governance participants from six co-operative cases is used to gather a broad and deep picture of co-operative board roles. By analysing data within case and comparing across cases, the understandings from the empirical data provide the basis to develop the theoretical model.

Drawing from these understandings, this study will look at board member roles in terms of their activities and the process in which they engage. This research results in a theoretical model deeply informed from practitioners' views to provide a unified theory of governance. Upon theoretical saturation five unique theoretical concepts and relationships between them emerge from the analysis with an intimate link to the empirical data: Exogenous-Issues, Supplier-Shareholder-Needs/Benefits, Supplier-Shareholder-Controls, Board Architecture and Board Roles. Subconcepts within the Board Architecture concept are: Individual-Distinctions, Engagement-Forums, and Dynamics. Four Board Role concepts emerge Unite, Strategic-Involvement, Control and Serve. The resultant model of co-operative board roles presents new insights, is logically coherent, has a good fit with the data and is reasonably parsimonious. 

A contribution to knowledge of corporate governance and agricultural co-operatives is achieved through an integrative and nuanced understanding of co-operative board roles. The findings also highlight individual director contributions to the role; a unique addition to governance studies. The model also begins to highlight the relationships between key actors and the processes used in decision making. The theoretical model's similarities to and divergences from existing theories of corporate governance are drawn to illustrate the contribution of the model.

This thesis provides researchers, practitioners, educators, regulators and policy makers in the corporate governance and agricultural co-operative fields, insights into the current and ongoing roles of co-operative boards. The theoretical model establishes foundations for further study into how directors can more effectively govern their co-operatives.

year: 2009

title: Te Mata Ono-The six faces of Māori broadcasting

authors: Kaire-Melbourne, Kimiora

subjects: Māori broadcasting

abstract: Māori have always been involved in media communication and from a traditional viewpoint karanga, whaikōrero, taonga pūoro, haka, waiata and mōteatea are all mediums used to share messages across a mass audience. Since the arrival of European settlers, we have seen Māori content disseminated through platforms such as newspaper, radio, and more recently via the medium of television. This particular study is concerned with the way that Māori are represented and information is shared via indigenous broadcaster, Māori Television. Using a theoretical model made up of six key components, this thesis asserts that Te Mata Ono could not only help to improve the production of Māori content but also reshape and modify the medium of television itself, to become more culturally appropriate. Ultimately, this model could guide Māori Television, outlining a Māori specific approach to broadcasting. This study is one part of a two-part study. Due to the limitations of a four-paper masters thesis, I will only be examining three elements of Te Mata Ono, which are Mata Māori, Mata ō-tua and Mata Pākehā. Another thesis that was conducted simultaneously by Te Aorere Pewhairangi explores the remaining three elements of the same model, Mata Iwi, Mata Ako and Mata Tikanga. Te Mata Ono could be applied to Māori Television, making a positive contribution to the future development of Māori broadcasting.

text: Te Mata Ono-The six faces of Māori broadcasting Māori have always been involved in media communication and from a traditional viewpoint karanga, whaikōrero, taonga pūoro, haka, waiata and mōteatea are all mediums used to share messages across a mass audience. Since the arrival of European settlers, we have seen Māori content disseminated through platforms such as newspaper, radio, and more recently via the medium of television. This particular study is concerned with the way that Māori are represented and information is shared via indigenous broadcaster, Māori Television. Using a theoretical model made up of six key components, this thesis asserts that Te Mata Ono could not only help to improve the production of Māori content but also reshape and modify the medium of television itself, to become more culturally appropriate. Ultimately, this model could guide Māori Television, outlining a Māori specific approach to broadcasting. This study is one part of a two-part study. Due to the limitations of a four-paper masters thesis, I will only be examining three elements of Te Mata Ono, which are Mata Māori, Mata ō-tua and Mata Pākehā. Another thesis that was conducted simultaneously by Te Aorere Pewhairangi explores the remaining three elements of the same model, Mata Iwi, Mata Ako and Mata Tikanga. Te Mata Ono could be applied to Māori Television, making a positive contribution to the future development of Māori broadcasting.

year: 2019