title: Secular New Zealand and religious diversity: From cultural evolution to societal affirmation

authors: Pratt, Douglas

subjects: Christian denominations; Christian missions; demographics; ethnic diversity; New Zealand; reception; religious diversity

abstract: About a century ago New Zealand was a predominantly white Anglo-Saxon Christian nation, flavoured only by diversities of Christianity. A declining indigenous population (Maori) for the most part had been successfully converted as a result of 19th century missionary endeavour. In 2007, in response to increased presence of diverse religions, a national Statement on Religious Diversity was launched. During the last quarter of the 20th century the rise of immigrant communities, with their various cultures and religions, had contributed significantly to the changing demographic profile of religious affiliation. By early in the 21st century this diversity, together with issues of inter-communal and interreligious relations, all in the context of New Zealand being a secular society, needed to be addressed in some authoritative way. Being a secular country, the government keeps well clear of religion and expects religions to keep well clear of politics. This paper will outline relevant historical and demographic factors that set the scene for the Statement, which represents a key attempt at enhancing social inclusion with respect to contemporary religious diversity. The statement will be outlined and discussed, and other indicators of the way in which religious diversity is being received and attended to will be noted.

text: Secular New Zealand and religious diversity: From cultural evolution to societal affirmation About a century ago New Zealand was a predominantly white Anglo-Saxon Christian nation, flavoured only by diversities of Christianity. A declining indigenous population (Maori) for the most part had been successfully converted as a result of 19th century missionary endeavour. In 2007, in response to increased presence of diverse religions, a national Statement on Religious Diversity was launched. During the last quarter of the 20th century the rise of immigrant communities, with their various cultures and religions, had contributed significantly to the changing demographic profile of religious affiliation. By early in the 21st century this diversity, together with issues of inter-communal and interreligious relations, all in the context of New Zealand being a secular society, needed to be addressed in some authoritative way. Being a secular country, the government keeps well clear of religion and expects religions to keep well clear of politics. This paper will outline relevant historical and demographic factors that set the scene for the Statement, which represents a key attempt at enhancing social inclusion with respect to contemporary religious diversity. The statement will be outlined and discussed, and other indicators of the way in which religious diversity is being received and attended to will be noted.

year: 2016

title: Supply Chain Integration: A Case-based Investigation of Status, Barriers, and Paths to Enhancement.

authors: Boehme, Tillmann

subjects: supplier relationship management

abstract: In a global marketplace supply chain integration is recognised to be one of today's competitive advantages; where the aim is to optimise material- and information-flows inside the focal company and also across supply chain companies. However, many academics report that such supply chain excellence is still rare, and that guidance is missing on how supply chain integration is achieved in practise. This exploratory research utilised a stepwise methodology to investigate pathways to supply chain integration. First, a suitable investigation method was identified and further developed, before being used to assess the current status of supply chain integration in New Zealand. Next, because removal of barriers is recognised to be crucial, the internal and external barriers to supply chain integration were investigated. Finally, longitudinal case studies were used to investigate ways of supply chain integration enhancement and to develop a deeper and more complete understanding of current integration status, barriers, and ways of enhancement. In total, some 240 person days were spent in eleven different companies from multiple industry sectors to investigate supply chain integration in practise.

Current practises of a large sample of New Zealand value streams were evaluated using the Quick Scan Audit Methodology. The Quick Scan Audit Methodology is carried out by a team of researchers (investigator triangulation) which utilise multiple and rigorous data collection techniques and methods (data- and method triangulation). The research revealed that supply chain integration practise rarely resembles the theoretical ideal and, similarly, seldom do available supply chain integration models reflect reality. Also, New Zealand value streams are significantly less integrated on the customer side compared to the supplier side. Further, every case company was found to face significant barriers to supply chain integration. Managerial, socio-cultural factors are the major obstacles to internal supply chain integration resulting in functional silos. Similarly, power and dependency issues limit the levels of integration achieved externally.
 
The research revealed that good top management support and favourable external dependencies offer the best setting for enhancing supply chain integration in practise. However, if a focal company lacks top management support and/or has an unfavourable dependency structure, the focal company chooses the path of least resistance when integrating its supply chain. Also, supply chain managers and change agents address people factors and cultural change first, before addressing either internal process issues or external relationship issues; after which communication technology upgrades are addressed. Finally, this exploratory study yielded some early insights that the speed of supply chain integration development in practise follows a learning curve trajectory.

text: Supply Chain Integration: A Case-based Investigation of Status, Barriers, and Paths to Enhancement. In a global marketplace supply chain integration is recognised to be one of today's competitive advantages; where the aim is to optimise material- and information-flows inside the focal company and also across supply chain companies. However, many academics report that such supply chain excellence is still rare, and that guidance is missing on how supply chain integration is achieved in practise. This exploratory research utilised a stepwise methodology to investigate pathways to supply chain integration. First, a suitable investigation method was identified and further developed, before being used to assess the current status of supply chain integration in New Zealand. Next, because removal of barriers is recognised to be crucial, the internal and external barriers to supply chain integration were investigated. Finally, longitudinal case studies were used to investigate ways of supply chain integration enhancement and to develop a deeper and more complete understanding of current integration status, barriers, and ways of enhancement. In total, some 240 person days were spent in eleven different companies from multiple industry sectors to investigate supply chain integration in practise.

Current practises of a large sample of New Zealand value streams were evaluated using the Quick Scan Audit Methodology. The Quick Scan Audit Methodology is carried out by a team of researchers (investigator triangulation) which utilise multiple and rigorous data collection techniques and methods (data- and method triangulation). The research revealed that supply chain integration practise rarely resembles the theoretical ideal and, similarly, seldom do available supply chain integration models reflect reality. Also, New Zealand value streams are significantly less integrated on the customer side compared to the supplier side. Further, every case company was found to face significant barriers to supply chain integration. Managerial, socio-cultural factors are the major obstacles to internal supply chain integration resulting in functional silos. Similarly, power and dependency issues limit the levels of integration achieved externally.
 
The research revealed that good top management support and favourable external dependencies offer the best setting for enhancing supply chain integration in practise. However, if a focal company lacks top management support and/or has an unfavourable dependency structure, the focal company chooses the path of least resistance when integrating its supply chain. Also, supply chain managers and change agents address people factors and cultural change first, before addressing either internal process issues or external relationship issues; after which communication technology upgrades are addressed. Finally, this exploratory study yielded some early insights that the speed of supply chain integration development in practise follows a learning curve trajectory.

year: 2009

title: Portfolio of Compositions: Systematic composition of cross-genre hybrid music

authors: Mayall, Jeremy Mark

subjects: cross-genre hybrid music

abstract: The research focus of this PhD thesis is the development of a new technique for composing original musical compositions in which elements from different musical genres are hybridised. The innovative aspect of achieving balanced hybridity is the development of a systematic approach to selecting and synthesising or hybridising key musical elements across a range of different genres. The major component of this submission is a portfolio of nine original works with attached CD/DVD recordings. 

1. Tracking Forward for viola, backing track and video 
2. The Long White Cloud for chamber band and electronics 
3. ‘Colorless green ideas sleep furiously’ for orchestra 
4. Push for Miles for electric bass and backing track 
5. Norse Suite for viola and cello 
6. The Foggy Field a studio construction 
7. Into the Nocturnal Sunshine for flute, viola, cello, drums and electronics 
8. One Night, New Breath for taonga puoro, viola, drums and electronics 
9. Sketches of an Intergalactic Earworm for piano trio and boombox

The accompanying documentation clarifies, and contextualises the creation and presentation of these works; and illuminates the aesthetic underpinnings and compositional techniques developed and utilised as a part of this hybrid-genre compositional approach. The structure of the supporting exegesis is in two parts: the methodology of practice-based research, and reflective investigation. Part One (Chapters 1 and 2) is an introductory overview; an observation of the existing literature and related work, relevant creative practice in the composer’s previous work; and the compositional methodology – including an explanation of the genre matrix. Part Two (Chapters 3 to 12) analyses the use of genre, the balance of hybridity, and relevant compositional techniques utilised in the development of each individual piece.

text: Portfolio of Compositions: Systematic composition of cross-genre hybrid music The research focus of this PhD thesis is the development of a new technique for composing original musical compositions in which elements from different musical genres are hybridised. The innovative aspect of achieving balanced hybridity is the development of a systematic approach to selecting and synthesising or hybridising key musical elements across a range of different genres. The major component of this submission is a portfolio of nine original works with attached CD/DVD recordings. 

1. Tracking Forward for viola, backing track and video 
2. The Long White Cloud for chamber band and electronics 
3. ‘Colorless green ideas sleep furiously’ for orchestra 
4. Push for Miles for electric bass and backing track 
5. Norse Suite for viola and cello 
6. The Foggy Field a studio construction 
7. Into the Nocturnal Sunshine for flute, viola, cello, drums and electronics 
8. One Night, New Breath for taonga puoro, viola, drums and electronics 
9. Sketches of an Intergalactic Earworm for piano trio and boombox

The accompanying documentation clarifies, and contextualises the creation and presentation of these works; and illuminates the aesthetic underpinnings and compositional techniques developed and utilised as a part of this hybrid-genre compositional approach. The structure of the supporting exegesis is in two parts: the methodology of practice-based research, and reflective investigation. Part One (Chapters 1 and 2) is an introductory overview; an observation of the existing literature and related work, relevant creative practice in the composer’s previous work; and the compositional methodology – including an explanation of the genre matrix. Part Two (Chapters 3 to 12) analyses the use of genre, the balance of hybridity, and relevant compositional techniques utilised in the development of each individual piece.

year: 2015