title: Comparative economic performance and stock market performance: Some evidence from the Asia-Pacific region

authors: Bano, Sayeeda

subjects: performance ranking

abstract: This study looks at interdisciplinary research in the fields of economics, finance and socioeconomic relations addressing the question whether the ranking of countries by major economic, social, and financial performance indicators provide any guide to the rate and pattern of growth and development in the Asia-Pacific region. The paper also examines the extent of balanced and sustained growth in selected 14 Asia-Pacific countries. It analyses data on MSCI returns, GDP growth, and HDI to rank and correlate the overall performance of each country during the 1993-2009 period. Gini Index and CPI are also included to provide added insights. The results show that developing countries like India, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are at the top on most of the financial and economic indicators, while Japan is the lowest except on HDI, where the bottom rankings goes to India, Indonesia and Pakistan. Overall, the results indicate no significant relationships between a country’s stock market returns and its GDP growth. Nonetheless, the results suggest that for balanced and sustainable well-being, economic growth in the less-developed countries need to be matched by concomitant improvements in social welfare, income distribution, transparency and accountability.

text: Comparative economic performance and stock market performance: Some evidence from the Asia-Pacific region This study looks at interdisciplinary research in the fields of economics, finance and socioeconomic relations addressing the question whether the ranking of countries by major economic, social, and financial performance indicators provide any guide to the rate and pattern of growth and development in the Asia-Pacific region. The paper also examines the extent of balanced and sustained growth in selected 14 Asia-Pacific countries. It analyses data on MSCI returns, GDP growth, and HDI to rank and correlate the overall performance of each country during the 1993-2009 period. Gini Index and CPI are also included to provide added insights. The results show that developing countries like India, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are at the top on most of the financial and economic indicators, while Japan is the lowest except on HDI, where the bottom rankings goes to India, Indonesia and Pakistan. Overall, the results indicate no significant relationships between a country’s stock market returns and its GDP growth. Nonetheless, the results suggest that for balanced and sustainable well-being, economic growth in the less-developed countries need to be matched by concomitant improvements in social welfare, income distribution, transparency and accountability.

year: 2011

title: Application of optical and infrared remote sensing to the retrieval of selected land and sea features

authors: Jelenak, Aleksandar

abstract: This thesis discusses two main areas of remote sensing research and thus is divided into two parts. The first part deals with novel methods for sea surface temperature (SST) retrieval using measurements of the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) on-board the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) series of satellites.

The basis for this work is the Dynamic Water Vapour method developed by Steyn-Ross et al. [1993], Smith [1993]. Two new methods are proposed in this thesis: The Dynamic Water Vapour or Atmospheric Temperature (DWVT) and the Simultaneous Water Vapour and Atmospheric Temperature (SimWVT).

The second part of the thesis is a feasibility study on the potential applicability of airborne multispectral remote sensing technology to pasture biomass prediction in New Zealand. This was a pilot project, done in collaboration with AgResearch Ltd. and Dexcel Ltd. Charles Sturt University’s four-band airborne multispectral imaging system was used to acquire images of 65 test pasture plots.

Biomass of the test plots is predicted using a selection of vegetation indices, and multispectral reflectances. The results confirm the widely-held view that vegetation indices are not applicable to New Zealand pastures. Noticeably better results are achieved using the multispectral test plot reflectance in linear multiple regression-type equations.

text: Application of optical and infrared remote sensing to the retrieval of selected land and sea features This thesis discusses two main areas of remote sensing research and thus is divided into two parts. The first part deals with novel methods for sea surface temperature (SST) retrieval using measurements of the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) on-board the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) series of satellites.

The basis for this work is the Dynamic Water Vapour method developed by Steyn-Ross et al. [1993], Smith [1993]. Two new methods are proposed in this thesis: The Dynamic Water Vapour or Atmospheric Temperature (DWVT) and the Simultaneous Water Vapour and Atmospheric Temperature (SimWVT).

The second part of the thesis is a feasibility study on the potential applicability of airborne multispectral remote sensing technology to pasture biomass prediction in New Zealand. This was a pilot project, done in collaboration with AgResearch Ltd. and Dexcel Ltd. Charles Sturt University’s four-band airborne multispectral imaging system was used to acquire images of 65 test pasture plots.

Biomass of the test plots is predicted using a selection of vegetation indices, and multispectral reflectances. The results confirm the widely-held view that vegetation indices are not applicable to New Zealand pastures. Noticeably better results are achieved using the multispectral test plot reflectance in linear multiple regression-type equations.

year: 2001

title: A local Aotearoa New Zealand investigation of the contribution of Māori cultural knowledges to Pakeha identity and counselling practices

authors: Te Wiata, Joy

subjects: Pakeha identity

abstract: This project investigates the experiences of a small group of social service  practitioners as they consider the question of what it means to be Pakeha in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2004.  Specifically this study considers the contribution  of Māori cultural knowledges to Pakeha identity.  It also explores whether therapeutic practices that participants have available, are relevant to their current  claims of Pakeha identity.   This study highlights the complexity of experience and multiple stories that inform constructions of identity.   In approaching the topic I was aware that many  important stories of people's lived experience are not often told.  People are often silenced due to the difficulty of 'telling'.  In this exploration, space was created  for the telling of stories, which are often not easily told:  stories of struggle and pain; stories of compassionate witnessing; stories of rule-breaking; stories of  stepping into territory beyond binaries and stories of richness and delight.   Knowledges have been produced that indicate the need for carefully crafted space for often very difficult identity conversations to occur and for voices to be heard.   Further, the study has produced knowledges for scaffolding for respectful and honouring conversations .  The stories of this project indicate that the  conversations required, have their foundation through engagement with the value of fairness.  Findings also indicate that forums, where mutual contribution to  identity for both Māori and Pakeha can be acknowledged, are a critical to establishing ongoing honourable relationships between Pakeha and Māori New Zealanders.     Throughout this project participants acknowledge and honour the rich  contribution of Māori knowledges and language to their Pakeha identity.

text: A local Aotearoa New Zealand investigation of the contribution of Māori cultural knowledges to Pakeha identity and counselling practices This project investigates the experiences of a small group of social service  practitioners as they consider the question of what it means to be Pakeha in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2004.  Specifically this study considers the contribution  of Māori cultural knowledges to Pakeha identity.  It also explores whether therapeutic practices that participants have available, are relevant to their current  claims of Pakeha identity.   This study highlights the complexity of experience and multiple stories that inform constructions of identity.   In approaching the topic I was aware that many  important stories of people's lived experience are not often told.  People are often silenced due to the difficulty of 'telling'.  In this exploration, space was created  for the telling of stories, which are often not easily told:  stories of struggle and pain; stories of compassionate witnessing; stories of rule-breaking; stories of  stepping into territory beyond binaries and stories of richness and delight.   Knowledges have been produced that indicate the need for carefully crafted space for often very difficult identity conversations to occur and for voices to be heard.   Further, the study has produced knowledges for scaffolding for respectful and honouring conversations .  The stories of this project indicate that the  conversations required, have their foundation through engagement with the value of fairness.  Findings also indicate that forums, where mutual contribution to  identity for both Māori and Pakeha can be acknowledged, are a critical to establishing ongoing honourable relationships between Pakeha and Māori New Zealanders.     Throughout this project participants acknowledge and honour the rich  contribution of Māori knowledges and language to their Pakeha identity.

year: 2006