title: A cardano blockchain prototype for migrant data security and cultural heritage preservation

authors: Rengasamy Rajamanikkam, Vikneswaran

subjects: Blockchain

abstract: This thesis investigates the challenges faced by migrants in managing and sharing personal data during migration processes, as well as the potential privacy, security, and data sovereignty risks that may arise from poor data management practices or malicious actors. It further examines the difficulties migrants face in preserving their cultural heritage within their host countries.

Migrants are often required to disclose extensive personal and sensitive information to immigration authorities and associated organisations, which raises significant concerns regarding data privacy, data security, and data sovereignty. These issues may result in adverse outcomes, including misuse of data, loss of control over personal information, and the loss of cultural identity. To better understand these challenges, a study was conducted with twenty migrants to explore their experiences with documentation procedures, their awareness of potential privacy risks, and their perspectives on safeguarding cultural heritage information.

Based on insights from existing literature and the findings of the study, this thesis proposes a Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) and Verifiable Credentials (VC) based system that enables paperless and secure data sharing and management in a decentralised manner among stakeholders involved in the migration process. The proposed solution also includes a mechanism that allows migrants to securely store information related to their cultural heritage using a decentralised approach and independently issue Verifiable Credentials. The system utilises the Cardano blockchain, Hyperledger Identus, and the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) to ensure decentralisation, privacy protection, data security, data sovereignty, and data integrity. A prototype was developed to demonstrate the feasibility of the approach and was informally evaluated by a small group of migrant users to assess the usability and acceptance of the proposed system.

text: A cardano blockchain prototype for migrant data security and cultural heritage preservation This thesis investigates the challenges faced by migrants in managing and sharing personal data during migration processes, as well as the potential privacy, security, and data sovereignty risks that may arise from poor data management practices or malicious actors. It further examines the difficulties migrants face in preserving their cultural heritage within their host countries.

Migrants are often required to disclose extensive personal and sensitive information to immigration authorities and associated organisations, which raises significant concerns regarding data privacy, data security, and data sovereignty. These issues may result in adverse outcomes, including misuse of data, loss of control over personal information, and the loss of cultural identity. To better understand these challenges, a study was conducted with twenty migrants to explore their experiences with documentation procedures, their awareness of potential privacy risks, and their perspectives on safeguarding cultural heritage information.

Based on insights from existing literature and the findings of the study, this thesis proposes a Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) and Verifiable Credentials (VC) based system that enables paperless and secure data sharing and management in a decentralised manner among stakeholders involved in the migration process. The proposed solution also includes a mechanism that allows migrants to securely store information related to their cultural heritage using a decentralised approach and independently issue Verifiable Credentials. The system utilises the Cardano blockchain, Hyperledger Identus, and the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) to ensure decentralisation, privacy protection, data security, data sovereignty, and data integrity. A prototype was developed to demonstrate the feasibility of the approach and was informally evaluated by a small group of migrant users to assess the usability and acceptance of the proposed system.

year: 2026-01-13

title: A secret ingredient for SMEs performance:  Human resource management in cafés and restaurants in Auckland and Waikato, New Zealand

authors: Chairungruang, Saifon

subjects: SMEs

abstract: Though entrepreneurship theory has developed extensively over the last few decades, the drivers behind small business performance are underdeveloped in terms of human resource management (HRM) practices, particularly in café and restaurant businesses. This research has investigated the associations between entrepreneurship, HRM, and firm performance in the context of café and restaurant businesses in the Auckland and Waikato regions in New Zealand. The study used mixed methods: with priority to surveys first and conducting semi-structured interviews in later stage. The quantitative (survey) data comprised matched pairs of 107 small- and medium-sized cafés and restaurants owner/manager and a random employee. In addition, nine owner-manager qualitative interviews were conducted for enhanced understanding of HRM practices and entrepreneurship. 

The research extends empirical evidence into HRM and entrepreneurship of small- and medium sized enterprises, and widens firm performance measures to non-financial outcomes and focuses on the employee by using two data sources: owner/managers and employees. How owner entrepreneurial traits and characteristics, and HRM practices influence not only the firm but the workers provide unique insights to the field.
The findings show the statistical significance of positive relationship of entrepreneurial traits, skills and motivation, and employee outcomes. The finding also identified the statistical significance of small size in the effect of a direct positive relationship between the HRM practices and service climate reported by owner/managers. 

The study provides recommendations for future research, and implications for practice for small business owners/managers and policy-makers by suggesting how entrepreneurship and HRM can be linked to firm performance: improved communication, role of owner/entrepreneurs in HRM, and importance of flexi-time practice in cafés and restaurants.

text: A secret ingredient for SMEs performance:  Human resource management in cafés and restaurants in Auckland and Waikato, New Zealand Though entrepreneurship theory has developed extensively over the last few decades, the drivers behind small business performance are underdeveloped in terms of human resource management (HRM) practices, particularly in café and restaurant businesses. This research has investigated the associations between entrepreneurship, HRM, and firm performance in the context of café and restaurant businesses in the Auckland and Waikato regions in New Zealand. The study used mixed methods: with priority to surveys first and conducting semi-structured interviews in later stage. The quantitative (survey) data comprised matched pairs of 107 small- and medium-sized cafés and restaurants owner/manager and a random employee. In addition, nine owner-manager qualitative interviews were conducted for enhanced understanding of HRM practices and entrepreneurship. 

The research extends empirical evidence into HRM and entrepreneurship of small- and medium sized enterprises, and widens firm performance measures to non-financial outcomes and focuses on the employee by using two data sources: owner/managers and employees. How owner entrepreneurial traits and characteristics, and HRM practices influence not only the firm but the workers provide unique insights to the field.
The findings show the statistical significance of positive relationship of entrepreneurial traits, skills and motivation, and employee outcomes. The finding also identified the statistical significance of small size in the effect of a direct positive relationship between the HRM practices and service climate reported by owner/managers. 

The study provides recommendations for future research, and implications for practice for small business owners/managers and policy-makers by suggesting how entrepreneurship and HRM can be linked to firm performance: improved communication, role of owner/entrepreneurs in HRM, and importance of flexi-time practice in cafés and restaurants.

year: 2016

title: Place attachment of Ngāi Te Ahi to Hairini Marae

authors: Teddy, Lani

subjects: Hairini

abstract: Twelve members of Ngāi Te Ahi, a hapū from Tauranga, were interviewed to explore how they talk about their place attachment to Hairini Marae.  This was organized around five key dimensions of place attachment taken from the literature—continuity, distinctiveness, symbolism, attachment and familiarity.  We found that in discussing all dimensions, place attachment was equally about social and cultural relationships, history, and socialization.  Place attachment for groups such as Māori is complex because it encompasses all social relationships past and present.  The implication for those working with Māori is to take seriously the wider connotations of place when talking to Māori about marae, traditional homelands, and their land.

text: Place attachment of Ngāi Te Ahi to Hairini Marae Twelve members of Ngāi Te Ahi, a hapū from Tauranga, were interviewed to explore how they talk about their place attachment to Hairini Marae.  This was organized around five key dimensions of place attachment taken from the literature—continuity, distinctiveness, symbolism, attachment and familiarity.  We found that in discussing all dimensions, place attachment was equally about social and cultural relationships, history, and socialization.  Place attachment for groups such as Māori is complex because it encompasses all social relationships past and present.  The implication for those working with Māori is to take seriously the wider connotations of place when talking to Māori about marae, traditional homelands, and their land.

year: 2008