Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Administration of Australia'
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1
Murphy, Lyndon. "Who's afraid of the dark? : Australia's administration in Aboriginal affairs /." [St. Lucia, Qld.], 2000. http://eprint.uq.edu.au/archive/00000478/.
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Wood, Judith, and n/a. "The emergence of 'information management' in Australian public administration." University of Canberra. Administrative Studies, 1995. http://erl.canberra.edu.au./public/adt-AUC20061110.165502.
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Pitman, Grant Alan, and n/a. "Police Minister and Commissioner Relationships." Griffith University. School of Public Policy, 1998. http://www4.gu.edu.au:8080/adt-root/public/adt-QGU20030228.140953.
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Australian Police Ministers and Commissioners occupy a pivotal position in the system of law enforcement. Collectively, they are responsible for the general policy, administration and operational direction and control of policing through the Australian States. There has been in the past twenty five years a growing complexity and a variety of problems facing police agencies which are arduous and demanding. Continuing social tension of recent years have given police ministers and commissioners higher public profiles than ever before. The research undertaken in this thesis examines the difficulties experienced between police ministers and commissioners in Queensland and New South Wales from 1970 to 1995. Three models have been developed as a framework to analyse the relationships and how they operate. The three models are called - 'Dependency', 'Independency' and 'Interdependency'. Twenty-one police ministers, commissioners and advisers from Queensland and New South Wales were interviewed during the course of the research. Five separate case studies were developed to analyse and interpret the relationships within the context of the three models. A summary chapter of additional research data provides supporting information which was used to substantiate the case study material. The conclusion argues that relationships operate more effectively when elements of the 'Interdependency' model exist. The need for further debate about the administrative, legal and management elements of the working relationship between a police minister and commissioner is essential to achieve a balance between policy, administration and operational requirements within a modern western democratic policing system.
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McManus, Jacqueline Law Faculty of Law UNSW. "Capacity-development at work: the contribution of workplace-based learning to tax administration." Awarded by:University of New South Wales. School of Law, 2007. http://handle.unsw.edu.au/1959.4/29565.
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This study is concerned with workers, workplace learning and organisations. In the current climate of techno-logisation and globalisation, change is constant. Consequently, development of workers??? capacity to grow and adapt is essential for both the employability of the individual, and the economic survival of organisations. Capacity is considered essential because it encompasses more than current ability, it enables the growth of innovative approaches to work, which are required to adapt to change. Learning is central to capacity-development and so learning skills and related ???general skills??? are vital, but these skills must be developed in a specific context to be useful tools. Learning involves balancing the chaos of uncertainty and the old grooves of experience. Learning also involves personal growth. This study explores ways of helping workers develop capacity and especially learning skills, in a context of complexity, to meet the demands of their changing environment. The methodological approach taken is two fold, including both a conceptual and an empirical component. Firstly, a framework, based on conceptual innovation, is constructed to direct the design of workplace-based programs aimed at developing workers??? capacity. This is done as guidance in tailoring a program that promotes the development of an understanding of the necessary skills and knowledge in the context of the work undertaken, how to use them effectively, and the impact they have on the worker and their environment. It is contended that this framework promotes continued and sustained growth in workers??? skills and adaptability, that is, it develops capacity. Secondly, fieldwork based on a program developed for a group of tax administrators to instantiate this framework is reported. The findings show that this workplace-based program designed for the Australian Taxation Office has precipitated the development of the participant workers??? capacity, and in so doing, has shown the empirical significance of the conceptual innovation. Finally, the broader implications of developing workers??? capacity are explored. These include the need for organisational support for workers??? capacity-development, the possibility of the development of a learning culture in organisations, and the general applicability of the framework to other organisations, professions, and industries.
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Nelson, David Gordon. "Law and order in the making of early modern Japan seventeenth-century Kanazawa castle town administration /." [Bloomington, Ind.] : Indiana University, 2007. http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:3278457.
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Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, Dept. of History, 2007.Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-10, Section: A, page: 4432. Adviser: Richard Rubinger. Title from dissertation home page (viewed May 19, 2008).
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Cargill, Barbara J., and n/a. "Models of organizational and managerial capability for the entrepreneurial university in Australia." Swinburne University of Technology, 2007. http://adt.lib.swin.edu.au./public/adt-VSWT20070423.094131.
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Prompted by the observation that some Australian universities state that they wish to be entrepreneurial, and appear to be only mildly successful at it, whilst others are entrepreneurial by any measure and yet do not state that aim, this study explores what it means to be an entrepreneurial university in the complex and challenging Australian context. It asks the key question �What does it take?� in seeking to identify the organisational and managerial capabilities that underpin successful entrepreneurial outcomes with a view to developing a model that can assist senior university executives in their managerial and leadership practice.
The study is undertaken in an interpretive, qualitative research framework where an initial model based on a literature synthesis, using the work of Clark as a starting point, is presented to a group of participants. All are either present or recent vice-chancellors, higher education industry experts and bureaucrats, or are senior technology transfer managers concerned with direct entrepreneurial efforts in larger universities. In two iterations, the participants are engaged in dialogue about the model, refining and commenting on it until their views are incorporated and it more closely approximates their own mental models for the practice of entrepreneurship in the university.
Their comments about related issues of government policy, current national and international trends, their respective university strategies and concerns are also incorporated to add rich meaning to their views on the model itself.
The study concludes that there are five clusters of capabilities involved in building an entrepreneurial university in the Australian setting. They are labelled Context, Strategy, People, Enabling Mechanisms and Culture and Internal Politics in this study. There is some overlap with those elements Clark originally identified but also some notable additional emphasis and detail added. In this study, the capability clusters related to relationship with environment and Context and that relating to Strategy and strategic leadership in general are found to be more important than Clark indicated, more crucial in the present Australian context and generally more underdeveloped in Australia than the current circumstances would indicate is necessary.
It is concluded that where entrepreneurship is handled as a marginal, optional, or half-hearted pursuit, and the concept not fully embraced, it is likely to result in haphazard outcomes, not always enhancing or progressing the institution in its desired direction. In contrast, successful entrepreneurship in and by Australian universities essentially requires greater emphasis on the capabilities of strategic management and plans that place entrepreneurship centrally in an integrated strategic entrepreneurship framework.
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English, Linda M. "Public private partnerships : modernisation in the Australian public sector." University of Sydney, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/2123/4985.
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Doctor of PhilosophyPublic private partnerships [PPPs] are a product of policies and processes to modernise the delivery of infrastructure-based services. An examination of the modernisation literature establishes the broad analytical frame within which this thesis investigates PPPs. The macro-level overview of the recent transformation of the Australian public sector confirms that the dominant principles underlying modernisation are grounded in new institutional economics [NIE] that are implemented through private-sector derived accounting and management implementation technologies. It highlights the contextual complexities stemming from Australia’s federal system of government, explaining the decision to focus on investigating PPP experiences in Victoria. At the conceptual level, PPPs rely on risk management and modernisation of service delivery to achieve value for money [VFM] for governments. In Victoria, 2000 signals a change in the modernisation role of PPPs. Thereafter, risk inherent in PPPs was reduced by excluding the contractor from the delivery of core social services. Also, the state began to develop a number of PPP policies to guide, aid, control and rationalise decision making in the pre-contracting stage, and to clarify objectives. Analysis of PPP contracts and the failure of one pre-2000 PPP hospital project are illustrative of the controversies identified in the literature about ‘hidden’ aims, the role of technologies designed provide ‘objective’ evidence of VFM inherent in PPPs at the time of contracting, and the ‘fallacy’ of risk transfer to private contractors. An examination of prison contracts indicates the changing nature of the management and control of PPPs in the execution stage. Analysis of pre-2000 prison contracts reveals that these projects were intended to drive significant financial and nonfinancial modernisation reforms throughout the correctional services system. Despite problems with contractual specification of performance and payment mechanisms, and the failure of one of the three pre-2000 prisons, recent evidence suggests, contrary to conclusions in the previous literature, that sector-wide modernisation objectives are being achieved in PPP prisons. PPPs have been criticised on the grounds that they enable governments to avoid accountability for service provision. A survey of the extent, focus and characteristics of the performance audit of PPPs confirms that little PPP auditing has been undertaken in Australia per se, and also that much of the performance auditing has focused on examining adherence to mandated procedures in the pre-contracting stage. However, this thesis demonstrates that the Victorian government has undertaken significant evaluation of the operation of its pre-2000 PPP prisons, and that its thinking and policy development reflect lessons learnt. The evidence presented in this thesis challenges findings in the previous literature that modernisation has delivered less than promised. This thesis confirms the potency of longitudinal research to investigate outcomes of what is essentially an iterative process of reform and that ‘successful’ implementation of modernisation change is sensitive to the context to be reformed. In finding that the presence of goodwill trust is critical to the implementation of recent modernisation reform in the correctional services sector (including in the PPP prisons), this thesis also confirms recent critiques of the power of NIE theories to explain contracting practices in the PPP setting.
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Rochow, Neville Grant. "Evidence, judicial notice and party comment: principles for ascertaining facts which predicate constitutional validity." Title page, contents and abstract only, 1987. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09LM/09lmr781.pdf.
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Jakka, Ateeq Abdul-Aziz. "Development administration in the United Arab Emirates : a socio-political approach." Thesis, University of Warwick, 1993. http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/36095/.
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This study is concerned with the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) development administration with particular emphasis on the effect of its social and cultural features on its bureaucracy and indigenous civil servants. The thesis analyses the U.A.E.'s political and historical background and its effects on the federal bureaucracy. It stresses that unless we understand the political and historical origins of the country, we will not be able to comprehend its administrative system. The study examines the ecology of the U.A.E.'s public administration. It identifies socio-cultural, educational and demographic variables as the three main ecological forces that play a significant role. The thesis provides a theoretical appraisal of the working of the federal administrative machinery in the U.A.E. It examines the administrative functions of the Federal Council of Ministers and the Federal Civil Service Council and identifies their weaknesses. The study explores the administrative problems facing the federal bureaucracy. Administrative inflation, shortage of indigenous skilled manpower, lack of job classification and the weakness of federal apparatuses in comparison to their local counterparts are the major stumbling blocks in the way of efficient administration in the U.A.E. Through a questionnaire based survey which obtained 312 (81%) responses the thesis empirically confirms the linkage between the indigenous employees' administrative performance and the socio-cultural variables surrounding them. It reveals that most of the irrational attitudes and behaviour of indigenous employees are not solely the result of corruption but rather of the social and cultural pressures which force them to apply particularistic approaches i.e. nepotism, favouritism,etc, in order to satisfy their familial interests over their organizational interests. Accordingly, most indigenous civil servants decline to recognize the administrative obligations of their jobs as being more essential than their familial obligations.
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Vsindilok, Natacha. "A comparison of the case flow management and case tracking systems of the Central Adminstrative Court of Thailand with those of the Federal Court of Australia, with reference to practice in the USA." Access electronically, 2004. http://www.library.uow.edu.au/adt-NWU/public/adt-NWU20060509.100729/index.html.
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Stanton, Deborah Jane. "Taking shape implementing citizen-centric local digital government in Western Australia /." Connect to thesis, 2007. http://portal.ecu.edu.au/adt-public/adt-ECU2008.0011.html.
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Leon, de la Barra Sophia. "Building research capacity for indigenous health : a case study of the National Health and Medical Research Council : the evolution and impact of policy and capacity building strategies for indigenous health research over a decade from 1996 to 2006." University of Sydney, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/2123/3538.
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Master of PhilosophyAs Australia’s leading agency for funding health research (expending over $400 million in 2006), the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has a major responsibility to improve the evidence base for health policy and practice. There is an urgent need for better evidence to guide policy and programs that improve the health of Indigenous peoples. In 2002, NHMRC endorsed a series of landmark policy changes to acknowledge its ongoing role and responsibilities in Indigenous health research—adopting a strategic Road Map for research, improving Indigenous representation across NHMRC Council and Principal Committees, and committing 5% of its annual budget to Indigenous health research. This thesis examines how these policies evolved, the extent to which they have been implemented, and their impact on agency expenditure in relation to People Support. Additionally, this thesis describes the impact of NHMRC policies in reshaping research practices among Indigenous populations.
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Spillman, Ken. "A matter of priorities: Colonial politics and the administration of development policies in Western Australia 1883-1902." Thesis, Spillman, Ken (1995) A matter of priorities: Colonial politics and the administration of development policies in Western Australia 1883-1902. PhD thesis, Murdoch University, 1995. https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/53022/.
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The decade after 1890 is often seen to be a critical period in Western Australian history, with the inauguration of responsible government and the gold rushes complementary forces of change. The nature of change, however, was not self-determining but was shaped by government policy. Legislation, regulation and the organisation of government were adapted not only to reflect economic change but to express political aspirations.
This thesis sets 1890s policy in relation to agriculture and gold mining, which emerged as Western Australia's most important industries, against the background of the preceding sixty years. Settlement at the Swan River had been premised on an assessment that land in the vicinity was suitable for close agricultural settlement. Although this assessment had been flawed, colonial land policies continued to enshrine agrarian ideals. The equation of cultivation with civilisation militated against the encouragement of alternative land uses, and economic development fell short of official and popular aspirations.
As Commissioner of Crown Lands in the seven years before the proclamation of responsible government, John Forrest was responsible for a reaffirmation of the colonising faith. Success in the 1890 election derived from his advocacy of loans-funded development policies and vision of an agricultural future, and gave him a clear mandate to increase the level of government intervention in the economy. Forrest remained Premier and Treasurer until Federation in 1901.
The gold industry dominated economic affairs during the 1890s, but the thesis contends that government development priorities remained fundamentally unchanged. Agricultural interests remained paramount, and were promoted by aggressive land settlement legislation and escalating state aid. By contrast, mining experienced autonomous growth with government adopting a facilitative role. Forrest's proactive agricultural policy and reactive mining policy were major determinants of the economic order in Western Australia in the early twentieth century.
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Cooper, Trudi. "Quality management in Australian higher education : A critical review." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2004. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/842.
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Quality management in higher education is a politically contentious issue in Australia. as it is in North America, New Zealand, and many European countries. The Australian government has instituted a quality management system for higher education that it claims will improve university efficiency, accountability and quality. Critics assert that the current quality management system is detrimental to universities and undermines the capability of universities to deliver maximal benefits to individuals and to society. Evaluation of the basis of conflicting claims is necessary to enable decisions about the usefulness of current practices and decisions about whether existing quality management arrangements should be retained, modified and developed, or replaced, or, abolished.
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McGuire, Linda. "Counting quality or qualities that count? : an inquiry into performance reporting for professional public services in Australia." Monash University, Dept. of Management, 2004. http://arrow.monash.edu.au/hdl/1959.1/5247.
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Tcha, Sooyoung Sul. "Exploring the relationship between organisational culture and planning processes in selected Western Australian sport associations." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2008. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1743.
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This study explored the effects of organisational culture on the planning processes of three state sport associations in Western Australia. Using the competing values framework of organisational culture and Chapman' s planning model, this study aimed to explore three research questions: (i) What are the demographic and organisational cultural profiles of the selected sport organisations? In particular, do professionals and volunteers share similar or different perceptions of the organisational cultures?; (ii) Wh~t are the development planning processes for each sport association? How does each association perceive the development planning processes?, and; (iii) How does organisational culture influence planning processes? To find answers to these research questions, this study used two kinds of data: a survey for quantitative analysis, and interviews with CEO/President and board members of each association for qualitative analysis. For all the associations, group culture was strongly emphasised. This may be a tradition in sport, especially as Australian sport has a strong reliance on volunteers, and is a quality that distinguishes sport organisations from other types of organisations. The slightly lower emphasis on rational and developmental culture may be indicative of the newer trends of professionalism in sport and the tension between especially group culture and rational culture as professional officers (paid staff) take over managing sport from the volunteers. All these sport associations exhibited low to very low emphasis on hierarchical culture, suggesting that these attributes are less evident and less valued, and perhaps the organisational structures are less hierarchical, although organisational charts for the associations were not investigated. In comparison, the interviewees recognised group, development and hierarchical cultures to be emphasised but not rational culture. This may indicate that the two facts were combined: first, organisations have moved from hierarchical to a more horizontal structure, and second, the interviewees, in general, had been with respective associations for a significantly longer duration than the average workers. It was found that the workers in the three associations had similar perceptions in regard to their planning processes. Regression analysis found that group cultural value was significantly related to the association's planning process. Hierarchical culture was also found to be related to some aspects of the planning process, such as the association's recognition of the importance of planning. It was also found that some demographic profiles of respondents affected the perception of planning processes. For example, a female worker was more likely to perceive that her association's planning processes were better developed. A worker with longer experience in the current occupation was more likely to perceive his/her association's planning processes as less developed. The status of the worker, whether she/he was a volunteer or paid employee, also seemed important in recognising the importance of planning. The findings from this study presented important suggestions and recommendations for sport organisations and national and state governments, as well as relevant academic disciplines, regarding the relationship between organisational culture and planning processes.
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Ziolkowski, Richard, and n/a. "A re-examination of corporate governance: concepts, models, theories and future directions." University of Canberra. Law, 2005. http://erl.canberra.edu.au./public/adt-AUC20060411.150123.
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This thesis represents a scholarly journey towards an understanding of
corporate governance. Unlike the vast majority of writings on governance, this
work attempts to take a step back, and to consider why and how we should
study corporate governance. These critical questions have been largely
ignored during the frenzy of governance research in the past few decades.
The thesis argues that corporate governance theory and practice reflects a
Tower of Academic Babel¹ reality as writers from diverse backgrounds use
different approaches, invent terminology and proclaim a new 'theory'. The
thesis analyses the extent of this conceptual confusion about corporate
governance and why this arises. It also considers some possible reasons for
the increasing disillusionment with the legal, ethical, cultural, institutional,
regulatory and other contexts of corporate governance.
The corporate governance literature indicates that much uncertainty has
arisen over the nature of corporate governance. Both, denotative and
connotative meanings of corporate governance have been ambiguous, often
because of poorly defined concepts. This ambiguity is compounded by
confusion over methodological concepts such as "paradigm", "system",
"model" and "theory", the key constructs employed by many legal, and other,
writers. Moreover, much of the literature on corporate governance is founded
on ethnocentric concepts that are often "chauvinistic in the extreme".² This
confusion has been intensified by the added complexity of unique
phenomenology, demonstrated by numerous writers with "scholarship and
advocacy that is culturally and economically insensitive"³
This thesis argues that the search for corporate efficiency and effectiveness
is often misguided, both because of biased performance criteria and a lack of
a clear conceptual domain. Consequently, the corporate governance
discourse fails meaningfully to address the enigma of what is the range of
corporate governance influence on corporate activities? The overarching
argument made in this thesis is that our understanding of corporate
governance requires a clarification of methodological approach and a
comparative perspective.
By recasting corporate governance research within consistent models,
theories and applications this thesis lays the foundation for future research by
which we may investigate the causal relationships that determine corporate
efficiency, effectiveness and the optimum structures for good corporate
governance.
practitioners from most cultures.
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Stanton, Deborah Jane. "Taking shape: Implementing citizen-centric local digital government in Western Australia." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2007. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/48.
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Digital government, encompassing output-focused e-government (delivering services online) and outcomes-focused e-governance (developing ICT-enabled citizen interaction and participation) has been proposed as the next step in online interaction between government and its citizens. Local government is still coming to grips with providing a mechanism for implementation of both facets of digital government, particularly those of e-governance. The Local Digital Government Framework (LDGF) was developed in this study to incorporate the citizen-centric focus of e-governance, facilitating the move from the organisational, New Public Managementbased focus of e-government. The LDGF extends existing frameworks, providing continuity in the literature. It comprises a new conceptual model of Citizen-Centric Digital Government (CCDG) and a new ICTenabled management paradigm of Cybercentric Management (CM). Survey, website assessment and interview research strategies developed in this study, based on the LDGF, have validated its use as a benchmarking framework for the level of implementation of local digital government in Western Australia.
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McKerchar, Margaret Anne Australian Taxation Studies Program UNSW. "The impact of complexity upon unintentional noncompliance for Australian personal income taxpayers." Awarded by:University of New South Wales. Australian Taxation Studies Program, 2002. http://handle.unsw.edu.au/1959.4/19253.
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This study explores the impact of complexity upon unintentional non-compliance behaviour for personal taxpayers in Australia. This area of research did not appear to have been previously studied in an Australian context and in this respect, the study represents an original contribution. While studies have been conducted both in Australia and overseas, they have generally been directed at other types of compliance behaviour and tend to be inconclusive in their findings. According to the compliance literature, there appeared to be little consensus of opinion on the factors that determined behaviour and appropriate research methods. It emerged that more narrowly-defined studies with stronger research methods offered potential for furthering knowledge in this field. Thus the study focused on one behavioural outcome and one type of taxpayer, using a multi-paradigm research method. Unintentional non-compliance, as an outcome, was selected as it appeared to hold promise for improvements in overall compliance to be readily made, provided its causes were understood. Complexity was considered to be the most likely cause of unintentional non-compliance, and those who prepared their own income tax return, the group likely to be most affected. The study used both a quantitative and qualitative component from which a number of convergent results emerged. These included that the major cause of complexity was the ambiguity of tax laws and the volume of explanatory material required. Further, personal taxpayers were committed to compliance even though they regarded the system as less than fair. Together, complexity and commitment to compliance caused taxpayers to experience unnecessary compliance costs. Where taxpayers completed their own return, complexity resulted in a high level of errors that generally resulted in an overstatement of tax liability. In addition, some taxpayers chose to be over-compliant as a means of dealing with complexity and commitment. It was concluded that complexity compromised the integrity of the Australian income tax system by imposing an unfair burden on personal taxpayers in respect of both tax paid and compliance costs incurred. However, there appeared to be little, if any, financial incentive for the tax authority to address the causes of complexity for personal taxpayers.
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Boaks, William John. "Problem solving policing in the police service of Western Australia: the impact of organizational structure and culture." Thesis, Boaks, William John (2006) Problem solving policing in the police service of Western Australia: the impact of organizational structure and culture. PhD thesis, Murdoch University, 2006. https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/379/.
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In 1996 the Police Service of Western Australia embarked on a major and ongoing period of change regarding all aspects of local policing. Part of this program involved the adoption of a number of practices that included an undertaking to pay increased attention to issues such as a customer focus, problem solving, a commitment to developing and motivating personnel, a localised delivery of policing services and improved management practices.
This research was conducted for the purpose of uncovering the factors that create the unique environment of the Police Service of Western Australia and exploring how these might impact upon the manner in which officers conduct their daily duties. More specifically the purpose was to determine if there existed any aspects of organizational culture or structure that have an influence on the ability and/or willingness of officers to carry out their duties according to the processes and procedures of either the problem solving or the problem-oriented policing philosophy.
The research methodology was guided by the grounded theory approach. Twenty-eight interviews were conducted with constables, sergeants, inspectors and superintendents as it was considered that these ranks best represented the views of the members of the organization in terms of numbers and those most affected by day-to-day events.
The data analysis revealed the existence of 13 factors that all exhibit negative aspects and collectively create a Basic Social Problem that has been termed 'Feeling Vulnerable'. Although all of these factors have been well known for many years, the current research integrates these in a new way in order to produce a model of the organization that demonstrates how they combine to create an environment that is counter-productive to the implementation of a problem-solving or problem-oriented approach to policing by members of The Police Service of Western Australia at many levels.
The Basic Social Process disclosed by the current research has been termed 'Controlling By Avoidance'. It is based on four tactics used by officers to control their working environment. The employment of one or more of these tactics by officers is designed to give the impression of engaging with issues while simultaneously exerting control over events in order to prevent the occurrence of outcomes that experience tells them are likely to have undesirable personal consequences. The intention is to create an environment where they hope to be safe from the consequences of problems that will inevitably occur at some time.
As well as providing an explanation for the conduct of officers under the problem solving model the analysis also provides an insight into why the organization has apparently avoided coming to grips with the implementation of the full Goldstein model of problem-oriented policing. This appears to be due to concerns on the part of senior management about the likelihood of a loss of control over subordinate ranks and the personal problems that this would generate for them.
Recommendations are made about the need to adopt the Goldstein model and the steps required to successfully implement this approach are listed.
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Boaks, William John. "Problem solving policing in the police service of Western Australia : the impact of organizational structure and culture /." Boaks, William John (2006) Problem solving policing in the police service of Western Australia: the impact of organizational structure and culture. PhD thesis, Murdoch University, 2006. http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/379/.
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In 1996 the Police Service of Western Australia embarked on a major and ongoing period of change regarding all aspects of local policing. Part of this program involved the adoption of a number of practices that included an undertaking to pay increased attention to issues such as a customer focus, problem solving, a commitment to developing and motivating personnel, a localised delivery of policing services and improved management practices.
This research was conducted for the purpose of uncovering the factors that create the unique environment of the Police Service of Western Australia and exploring how these might impact upon the manner in which officers conduct their daily duties. More specifically the purpose was to determine if there existed any aspects of organizational culture or structure that have an influence on the ability and/or willingness of officers to carry out their duties according to the processes and procedures of either the problem solving or the problem-oriented policing philosophy.
The research methodology was guided by the grounded theory approach. Twenty-eight interviews were conducted with constables, sergeants, inspectors and superintendents as it was considered that these ranks best represented the views of the members of the organization in terms of numbers and those most affected by day-to-day events.
The data analysis revealed the existence of 13 factors that all exhibit negative aspects and collectively create a Basic Social Problem that has been termed 'Feeling Vulnerable'. Although all of these factors have been well known for many years, the current research integrates these in a new way in order to produce a model of the organization that demonstrates how they combine to create an environment that is counter-productive to the implementation of a problem-solving or problem-oriented approach to policing by members of The Police Service of Western Australia at many levels.
The Basic Social Process disclosed by the current research has been termed 'Controlling By Avoidance'. It is based on four tactics used by officers to control their working environment. The employment of one or more of these tactics by officers is designed to give the impression of engaging with issues while simultaneously exerting control over events in order to prevent the occurrence of outcomes that experience tells them are likely to have undesirable personal consequences. The intention is to create an environment where they hope to be safe from the consequences of problems that will inevitably occur at some time.
As well as providing an explanation for the conduct of officers under the problem solving model the analysis also provides an insight into why the organization has apparently avoided coming to grips with the implementation of the full Goldstein model of problem-oriented policing. This appears to be due to concerns on the part of senior management about the likelihood of a loss of control over subordinate ranks and the personal problems that this would generate for them.
Recommendations are made about the need to adopt the Goldstein model and the steps required to successfully implement this approach are listed.
22
Sadleir, Christopher. "On the Frontier : Australia's policy approach to foreign direct investment 1968 - 2004 as a case study in globalisation, national public policy and public administration /." full text via ADT database, 2007. http://erl.canberra.edu.au/public/adt-AUC20080304.145454/index.html.
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Britton, Michael J. "The quest for a formula : parliamentary remuneration in Western Australia." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2005. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/397.
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The Western Australian Payment of Members Act 1900 was promulgated upon two tenets, namely, that Members of Parliament should be compensated for their services to society and that other Australian colonies were already receiving some form of compensation. The premise stipulated that all people, regardless of economic background should be given an opportunity to fulfil the honourable duly of a Representative. Remuneration in this thesis covers the minimalist advent of Parliamentary Remuneration whereby Mrs were compensated by way of a basic salary to the current multifaceted Parliamentary Remuneration which encompasses various structures, processes and is often overarched by complicated determinative methodologies. Remuneration was the original term given for the payment of services rendered. The contemporary understanding of Remuneration extends to salary, superannuation ;Ind an additional raft of entitlements. Since the form of Parliamentary Remuneration has evolved, so too has public disputation grown over the various entitlements that MPs receive. Parliamentary Remuneration has become a highly contentious issue. However, despite the nature of the topic there is a surprising absence of research on the topic. This study is the only known historical and analytical account of Parliamentary Remuneration that has been written apart from reports prepared by Governmental agencies or Parliamentary Remuneration tribunals. The Quest for a Formula will review the historical remunerative determinations that have occurred within Western Australia since the tum of the 20th Century, contrasting the findings of this study against historical experiences that can be drawn from other democratic-Commonwealth countries such as Britain and Canada. For comparison the thesis will also investigate how various enterprises, both public and private, remunerate their employees in accordance to various performance management indicators. This study suggests that the methods that have been at use within Western Australia, and various other Commonwealth-based jurisdictions, may require an overhaul. However, given the unique nature of parliamentary duties, attempts to provide a set of performance criteria have proved difficult to establish. Nonetheless this thesis proposes a systematic determinative process that is more transparent than current procedures. The thesis has found the determinative process in Western Australia to be redundant as it appears to be overlapped by the Federal Remuneration Tribunal. Many types of determinative processes have been employed by various Governments; this study illustrates the equitable methodologies compared to inequitable methods. This thesis also proposes that the general standing of an MP within Australian society may be raised through the development of a more transparent system of determination that encourages public input. Aside from this, a remunerative determination should take into consideration an MP's experience along with the size, demographics .)f their electorate. Parliament should also frequently employ private management consultants that can individually assess each MP's workload, consequently producing an impartial recommendation on the state of MP remuneration. This thesis proposes that the employment of such consultants may allow for MPs to communicate numerous ways that they could be more efficient and could also generate 'work plans' to assist them in achieving their everyday goals. This study will also find that, while a new more transparent system of determination is required within both Western Australia and Australia, the possibility of implementing a performance management system to consequently remunerate MP is highly unlikely, Finally, a recommendation of this thesis will propose new structures, processes and mathematical formulae in determining an MP's overall worth.
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Cunningham, Helen. "A review of the policy development processes that relate to the inclusion of people with a disability in sport : some Western Australian evidence." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2013. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/600.
Full textAbstract:
In the late 1960s, there was a major change in social policy and legislation in developed countries that improved the rights and opportunities for people with a disability in all aspects of society, including sport. In 1992, in concert with the general acceptance of the social model of disability, Australia enacted legislation making it illegal to discriminate against a person with a disability; this encouraged their inclusion into the community (Australian Sports Commission, 2005; Doll-Tepper, 1999; Thomas & Smith, 2009).
In order to meet the obligations of anti-discrimination legislation, Australian sport organisations became active in preparing policy frameworks to guide and develop programs to improve access and hence participation by people with a disability. Much of the literature has focussed on constraints to sport participation, but few studies have reported the influence on, or outcome of, these policy development processes on sport generally, or on the inclusion of people with a disability at a club level. By examining those Western Australian sport organisations identified as active in providing opportunities in their respective sports for people with a disability, this study aimed to address this gap in inclusion research.
This study reviewed the process of policy development used by Western Australian State Sport Associations (SSA) and investigated the influence this process had on the inclusion of people with a disability in sport at a club level. A qualitative methodological approach was chosen with semistructured interviews (with SSA and club representatives) and document analyses of state and national sport organisation (NSO) policies that related to the inclusion of people with a disability. Purposive selection of the initial study participants, SSAs, was used to identify those actively attempting to include people with disabilities in their sports. Representatives from clubs which were known to be inclusive were also identified during the semi-structured interviews with the SSA cohort. This approach focused on the experiences of those who were actively involved in the policy development process, as well as those active in the delivery of programs for people with a disability. The personal knowledge and experience revealed by all who were interviewed, was analysed using content analysis, and the relevant policy documents from the national and state sport organisations were analysed by matrix analysis.
The findings reveal that the SSA and NSO policy documents that relate to the inclusion of people with a disability in sport have similar content; however, the policy development processes vary, and do not follow the theoretical policy development frameworks suggested in the literature. There are many variables, both ‘top down’ and ‘bottom up’ that influence the process of policy development, such as the incentive of government funding and direction provided by NSOs; and there being individuals in the sport organisations who are prepared to drive the policy process and its implementation process forward. This study found that although SSA policy development processes result in limited outcomes at a club level, when a sport organisation goes through a process it makes a commitment to include people with a disability. This in turn raises the organisation’s awareness of ways and means to include them into mainstream sport or specific programs. While several of the sports were active in conducting separate programs, specifically for people with a disability, the flow down of the influence of the policy development to clubs from the national and state level appeared negligible. There was also little coordination and engagement of SSAs and their affiliated clubs when planning and conducting programs for people with a disability. This study proposes a modified approach whereby sport organisations can follow a realistic policy development pathway to create desired change. Moreover, this study reveals the complex environment and stakeholders involved with the inclusion of people with a disability in sport.
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Di, Francesco Michael Francis, and not available. "Program Evaluation and Policy Management in Australian Central Agencies." The Australian National University. Public Policy Program, 1997. http://thesis.anu.edu.au./public/adt-ANU20010726.162328.
Full textAbstract:
Of the many components of reform to Australian government administration in the
1980s, the introduction of systematic program evaluation is perhaps one of the least
examined. This thesis seeks to assess the Federal Labor Government's evaluation
strategy as an instrument for enhancing what are here termed the policy management
capacities of central agencies. It proceeds in two steps. First, the thesis traces in detail
the development of program evaluation policy in Australian federal government from
the effectiveness reviews of the Coombs Report of 1976 to the current evaluation
strategy, and argues that, despite competing purposes for it, evaluation was intended
primarily to serve decision making in central government. This policy aim was
cemented by the economic crisis of the mid 1980s and framed around budgetary issues
by its steward, the Department of Finance. Second, in order to assess the impact of the
evaluation strategy, the thesis develops a framework for analysing program evaluation
as one instrument for strengthening the core policy management functions of central
agencies. In this context, policy management is essentially a coordination task. The
contribution of evaluation to two aspects of policy management-resource
coordination, and policy development and coordination-is examined. The findings
confirm that attempts to formalise evaluation processes have had a variable impact-
central budgetary processes remain dependent on relatively informal assessment
procedures, although recent attempts to enhance policy coordination through the
evaluation of policy advising processes have proved potentially to be more influential.
In conclusion, the thesis argues that the evaluation strategy represented a credible
attempt to better inform policy making in central government, but suffered for want of
clear policy design and firm execution that resulted in only a marginal impact on these
processes.
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Robinson, Janean. "A journey in (re)claiming teaching : A critical ethnography of Cape Neal High School." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2005. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/643.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis is a journey reflecting on my professional practice as a teacher. It also captures the lived experience of other teachers' stories as they were gathered from the ethnographic site; a secondary senior high school.
These collections draw out common themes, issues and dilemmas that teachers face within a dominant managerial discourse. These conversations also provide a 'voice' for those who are often controlled by their own labour into silence. "Dialogue is a moment where humans meet to reflect on their reality as they make and remake it" (Shor & Freire, 1987, p. 98).
I use the 'school effectiveness movement' as a window of investigation to study closely the impact of technical and rational thinking on the lives and work of teachers.
I provide emphasis throughout this thesis on the reclamation process of teaching, as I use my own personal biography of writing, reading, and critical investigation to challenge the disproportionate power relationships being experienced. This reclamation also highlights the moral and ethical dimensions of teachers' work. This provides a stark contrast to the 'corporate culture' continually inflicted on teachers, which denounces the presence and significance of the many sophisticated personal relationships that exist within learning communities.
It is intended that this thesis provide hope and encouragement for others interested in schools to pave their own way forward and reclaim a space of their own.
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Boyce, Rosalie A. "Resource acquisition and resistance to change at National Hospital for Mothers and Babies : a case study into the implications of medical dominance." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 1989. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/36382/1/36382_Boyce_1989.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
This research project is an expost case study
analysis of the failed attempt of a small allied
health professional department (dietitians) in a
large public hospital to achieve a substantial
increase in resources. The research utilizes a
qualitative case study approach in which the
researcher was an active and leading participant in
the case events. The case study research methodology
is critically reviewed and justified in terms of its
applicability, objectivity and limitations.
The case study investigates a five year (1983 - 1988)
period at the National Hospital for Mothers and
Babies (NHMB) . A detailed description of the case
setting, the planning and change processes used by
the dietitians, and the response of NHMB management
are presented. This material provides the empirical
data for analysis. An interdisciplinary approach from theoretical paradigms such as sociology, economics and
organisational psychology are utilized in order to
provide a complementary analysis. The NHMB case study is a single case with embedded units of analysis. The units selected for examination are presented in the form of an analysis of critical issues influencing the outcome of the resource acquisition process. From an analytical
perspective the research concentrates on the
implications of substantial resource acquisition
goals in an emerging profession (dietitians) under
the direct control of a dominant profession
(medicine) in the hospital setting. A set of complementary hypotheses are developed and
assessed in terms of their ability to adequately
explain the case events from a theoretical
perspective. The first hypothesis proposes that
theories of medical dominance are able to explain
case events on an organisational scale. The
remaining hypotheses are located at the microanalytical
level. The second hypothesis postulates that the actions of the dietitians to commence an aggressive campaign for
additional resources can be explained as an adaptive
behaviour in an environment of conflicting
expectations. The third hypothesis contends that the dietitian's failure to achieve the desired resource objectives is able to be explained by assessing the levels of power able to be exercised by the dietitians relative to other actors in the case. The review of relevant literature and subsequent analysis of significant issues impacting on the outcome of the resource acquisition objectives suggests support for the hypotheses.
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Robins, Greg. "Is a knowledge based value network an effective model for implementing e-government?" Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2004. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/832.
Full textAbstract:
Is a knowledge based value network an effective model for implementing e-government? E-Government is a vision of how public sector organisations will govern, serve citizens, and interact with business partners, their employees, and other Government organisations. The “e” in e-Government represents a move to fully integrated, secure, on-demand accessible electronic Government that will: • improve integrated service delivery • provide universal citizen access • begin to enhance traditional Government structures and processes • support new Government products and services by relying on the emergence and convergence of new technologies • improve effectiveness Electronic commerce (e-commerce) has fundamentally changed the way business is being conducted and Government is rushing to catch up.
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Tang, Hui-Yuan M. "A comparative study of national government elite sport systems in Australia and Taiwan: A model for Olympic success." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2007. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/285.
Full textAbstract:
This study was prompted by the stagnation facing the Taiwanese Government in promoting elite sport and pursuing sporting achievement at the Olympic Games. The main purpose of the study was to explore and compare the national government elite sports systems (NGESS) of Australia and Taiwan and make recommendations for Taiwan to improve its elite sports development and performances at future Olympics. To accomplish this purpose, the present study examined the similarities and differences between Australia and Taiwan in terms of stakeholders' viewpoints on the definition of Olympic success; the profiles of the current national government elite sport agencies; the mechanisms of the government elite sport agencies at national level; and environmental influences affecting elite sport and the mechanisms of the respective NGESS. The study utilised a qualitative design. Data were collectcd through document analysis and the Delphi technique. In conducting the Delphi technique, a four-round Delphi survey was undertaken in the respective countries using electronic questionnaires. Participants included 24 sport experts in Australia and 32 in Taiwan. A comparative data analysis of the documentary evidene and the Delphi survey was conducted and findings reported.
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Haysom, Georgina. "Legislating science and morality : statutory schemes for the regulation of reproductive technology in Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom." Thesis, McGill University, 1997. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=27453.
Full textAbstract:
Reproductive and genetic technologies ("RGTs") raise many complex social, legal and ethical issues. Several jurisdictions have perceived a need for government intervention and regulation of the conduct of RGTs, and consequently have enacted legislation to this end. In three states in Australia (Western Australia, Victoria and South Australia) and in the United Kingdom, legislation has been introduced which imposes a regulatory scheme according to which RGTs must be practised in each jurisdiction. Legislation based on the recommendations of the Royal Commission on New Reproductive Technologies is currently before the Canadian parliament.This thesis examines from a comparative perspective the proposed legislation in Canada and legislation enacted in the United Kingdom and the Australian states to govern the conduct of RGTs. Particular emphasis is given to the manner in which the legislation seeks to deal with the rapid pace of scientific development and with moral pluralism. The focus of the thesis is on the effectiveness of the legislation in these jurisdictions in light of the relationships between law and science and law and morality.
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Zhang, Yandong Straussman Jeffrey D. "Reorganizing China: a study of China's restructurings of government since 1978 (Deng Xiaopeng)." Related Electronic Resource: Current Research at SU : database of SU dissertations, recent titles available full text, 2003. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/syr/main.
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Gillan, Kevin P. "Teaching principals : Educational restructuring and transformational leadership." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 1997. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/879.
Full textAbstract:
The restructuring of. the Education Department of Western Australia (EDWA) since 1987 has seen the devolution and decentralisation of administrative responsibilities from the central education authority to schools. The onset of an era of educational restructuring has significantly changed the work of primary school principals. They have become responsible for the transformation of schools from a bureaucratic form of organisation to ones that are characterised by school based decision-making and management. The new form of organisation is intended to sustain a process of continuous school improvement. As well as managing change there has also been an expectation for principals to provide educational leadership. School decision-making and management appears to have intensified the work of the principal. The schools of EDWA offer a special opportunity to study the way in which principals who have increased responsibility for managing change and establishing school based decision making and management have responded to the challenge of leadership. In the research literature theories of transformational leadership have been viewed by several researchers and perhaps education authorities as a desirable form of leadership. According to this view transformational leadership may enhance school based decision-making and management during a period of educational restructuring. This study considers the case of the teaching principal in EDWA primary schools. The focus of the research is to establish the extent to which principals who are successful in managing school improvement during a period of educational restructuring are using transformational leadership practices. Leithwood's (1994) synthesis of transformational leadership practices is used to conceptualise the way.in which principals attempt to do their work. The qualitative study used a sample of three teaching principals who were reported as being successful in managing change. The study focussed on whether teaching principals had been able to make use of opportunities to demonstrate any or all of the dimensions of transformational leadership. This research comprised a pilot study followed by the main study. The participants in both studies were selected using a purposive sampling technique to maximise variation. The pilot study involved three teaching principals from country and city schools. Three teaching principals and two teachers from each of their schools in both city and country areas participated in the main study. In each study data were collected using a semi - structured interview schedule. Principals and teachers in the main study were asked the same questions as a means of obtaining data triangulation. The findings of the study suggested that educational restructuring had compressed the amount of time in which teaching principals had to complete their educationalleadership1 administrative and teaching work. This resulted from an intensification of the principals' work. The findings indicated that many of the practices in Leithwood's (1994) synthesis of transformational leadership are being used and are relevant to the leadership of teaching principals during an era of restructuring. However, the study found some limitations of the model as it applied to the Western Australian context. These appeared in the dimension of developing a widely shared vision. It was found that in the Western Australian context the operationalisation of developing a widely shared vision in a school was obstructed due to a centralised. focus on objectives and outcomes.
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Gall, Peter. "Creating new instruments to advance research into virtual organisations." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2008. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/193.
Full textAbstract:
This study reviews the literature in relation to virtual strategic alignment models and strategies. From this the researcher develops a framework to test two new strategic alignment instruments designed to measure the espoused preparedness of organisations to operate virtually and the readiness of an organisation to collaborate virtually. These instruments are designed to assist organisations in recognising and exploiting their degree of virtuality and can support organisations in developing new organisational forms that fully leverage the value of their ICT assests. Prior research has attempted to address strategic alignment issues either internally, externally or holistically. A new approach was necessary.
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Martin, Geraldine M. "Outsourcing in Western Australian hospitals: Management considerations." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 1996. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/961.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis examines Health Care Managers' considerations with and experiences of outsourcing services in Western Australian hospitals. Support services such as cleaning and maintenance are some of the areas which have been targeted for outsourcing (contracting out) by the state government. These services have traditionally been delivered by permanently employed staff either on a full or part- time basis, usually with active union involvement. Core services such as nursing and medical care which involve direct patient care delivery are not included in the outsourcing debate. Firstly, this thesis reviews the literature on outsourcing and its application to the health care industry. Performance indicators and benchmarking are also explored within the context of contracted out services in a variety of settings. The implicit economic, social and legal implications are discussed. This study involved Health Care Managers in Western Australian hospitals and was conducted between June 1995 and May 1996. Their experiences with outsourcing of services together with the hospitals and the communities they served were key considerations in the final analysis. The research findings support the views of more recent studies which emphasize the importance of the context within which outsourcing is implemented, such as rural versus metropolitan hospitals. Hospital size, location, accessibility to contractors, human resource issues and funding arrangements such as those which affect teaching and non- teaching facilities were identified as major determinants affecting the degree to which outsourcing had been embraced. Finally, the implications of this research for future studies are discussed.
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Ivan, Timbs. "The Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement : An analysis of the class divide within Australian society appertaining to globalization." Thesis, Linköping University, Department of Management and Economics, 2006. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-7970.
Full textAbstract:
Global interest in using free trade agreements to expand trade, investment, integration and other linkages has expanded dramatically in the last twenty years. Australia is not alone in this development and has concluded Free Trade Agreements (FTA), with a number of countries, with little division or debate, within Australian society, about their merits. However, the announcement by the Australian Government in December 2000 of its intention to pursue an FTA with the United States ignited significant controversy in the Australian community and exposed deep concerns about the phenomenon of globalization and the future of Australian society. The ensuing debate revealed deep-seated divisions within Australian society.
Utlilizing a combination of Weber’s class-based theory and liberal ideologies (economic, welfare and radical), this research intends to analyze public submissions made to the Australian Parliament Senate Select Committee on the Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the United States (US) in an attempt to identify the reasons for the divisions within Australian society concerning the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA). It is expected the results will illuminate the challenges facing both governments and societies alike in a globalizing world and provide fruitful insights for policy makers in future trade negotiations.
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Quann-Youlden, Cathy, and n/a. "Commonwealth Higher Education Policies: Their Impacts on Autonomy and Research in Australian Universities." University of Canberra. Business & Government, 2008. http://erl.canberra.edu.au./public/adt-AUC20081202.151704.
Full textAbstract:
In recent years, the Australian Government's (Commonwealth) relationship to universities has become one of greater involvement as political circles recognise the escalation in the significance of higher education as a key determinant in Australia's economic, social, cultural, and intellectual development. The increasing role of the Commonwealth in Australian universities is largely a consequence of this recognition, but it is also due in part to changes in the way governments approach the public sector and publicly funded institutions.
Both the literature and extensive Commonwealth reports provide an array of details in relation to: what the Commonwealth wants from its universities; why it wants it; what it is doing to ensure that it gets what it wants; and the results of its actions-at least from the perspective of the Commonwealth. But what is missing is how universities themselves perceive the impact of the Commonwealth's increasing involvement in universities. Although academics and managers in Australian universities have much to say about how current and proposed Commonwealth policies affect their working environment they are not given much of a venue to opine. As such there is a lack of literature on how universities perceive the impact of this increasing involvement. This dissertation aims to fill the gap by providing a forum that addresses universities' perceptions of how Commonwealth policies affect their universities.
Specifically, this dissertation sets out to discover if and how Commonwealth policies change universities and focuses on how policies influence autonomy and research in Australian universities through the responses of those who work in the offices of the deputy vice chancellors of research in twelve Australian universities.
One of the most significant findings of the thesis is that the Commonwealth's increasing involvement in universities is viewed by respondents as a consequence of the Commonwealth's mistrust of Australian universities. Furthermore, the Commonwealth is seen as lacking expertise in areas relating to universities-their needs, history, purpose, mission, and how they best relate to and contribute to society-and their need for autonomy. This dissertation offers some insights into perspectives whereby policies built on the Commonwealth's mistrust and lack of expertise in university matters negatively influence autonomy and research productivity in Australian universities. The results indicate decreased productivity which leads to further mistrust that appears to decrease productivity even morea
cycle that respondents fear might be a self-propelling downward spiral. Eight hypotheses and one overarching proposition emerge from the findings. In addition, nine areas are identified as adding to the overall understanding of the affect that Commonwealth policies have on university autonomy and research productivity in Australian universities.
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Mussett, Janis. "An analysis of quality practices and business outcomes in Western Australian hospitals." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2000. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1651.
Full textAbstract:
This study aimed at identifying aspects of health care organisational management and activities that produced the highest level of quality care. A Literature review was conducted to determine the most successful quality activities currently used in a wide variety of industries. Using the findings of this review a questionnaire and interview questions were designed to identify factors associated with successful quality activities I health care organisations. Four Western Australian hospitals that were believed to have effective quality activities were randomly selected as a hospital from each of the following categories. A private hospital accredited by the Australian Council on Health Care Standards. A country hospital that had 100% patient satisfaction and a city hospital with above 96% patient satisfaction assessed by the State wide Government Patient Satisfaction with Care Survey. A hospital that the Health Department of Western Australia considered had best practice in Quality Activities. Each of these hospitals was matched with a control hospital. Data was collected through direct observation of a questionnaire and interviews with people in predetermined health service employment positions and the completion of one randomly selected supplier interview for each of the eight health services studied. The questionnaire was supplied to a range of staff members and interviews were conducted with these employees and hospital goods or service suppliers. Data was analysed using qualitative evaluation, frequency distribution and a factor analysis. Results obtained in this study identified that the most important factors required to produce the most profitable and highest quality of health care were a culture of caring, providing employees with enough time to complete their work and having effective organisation wide communication. A Quality Care Model for use in Health Services was created based on the research findings. When used this model of quality activities should provide customer satisfaction and a high standard of cost effective health care service.
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Logan, Erica. "Children and healthy eating: A global, policy and school curriculum perspective." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2005. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1569.
Full textAbstract:
Healthy eating is a topic most people would consider they have an understanding of, yet it is an area which is not often addressed from a critical perspective. Healthy eating is freely discussed in society. It is a dominant discourse used commercially and frequently appears in educational 'texts', however the discourses surrounding healthy eating for children are not well analysed and are most often controlled by the media and often not challenged. A critical perspective to children's eating is adopted for this portfolio and multiple perspectives bought to bare regarding the globalisation of food cultures, and governance and policy influences on healthy eating for children. Healthy eating for children is presented and problematised as a concept while family changes in eating patterns and curriculum influences are interpreted and challenged through the development of a case study investigation of an educational intervention. Findings of the intervention indicate that families are struggling with the notion of healthy eating through a range of parental pressures whereas and any additional assistance regarding healthy eating for children is well received by parents and accepted by children.
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Oerlemans-Buma, Ingeborg Karin. "Secondary school students engagement in educational change : critical perspectives on policy enactment." University of Western Australia. Graduate School of Education, 2005. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2005.0076.
Full textAbstract:
Michael Fullan (1991) commented that little was known about how students viewed educational change, as no one had thought to ask them. By 2004 there was a small but growing literature seeking the views of students on a range of issues associated with schooling. This thesis presents the findings and analysis of a study of students’ perceptions of educational change. Much educational change involves shifts in power and responsibilities between the different actors, such as governments, school administrators, teachers, parents, the community and students. Despite widespread interest in educational change it is usually the macro-level policy elite who exert the most influence, using their power, privilege and status in order to propagate particular versions of schooling; students continue to be the ‘objects’ of policy initiatives, submerged in what Freire referred to as a ‘culture of silence’. Students are frequently excluded as participants in both the process and decision making phases of change. This research was based on exploring the exclusion of students from the processes of change in schools, resulting from a top-down policy initiative by the State department of education in WA, the Local Area Education Planning (LAEP) Framework. How policy is defined and acted on is explored, and the roles students could have, but often do not, are highlighted. An eclectic hybrid conceptual framework drawing on both critical theory and a postmodern policy cycle approach was used to analyse the LAEP Framework policy processes and students’ perceptions of the changes that ensued. The research comprised in-depth case studies of three schools undergoing substantial educational restructuring as the result of the macro-level LAEP Framework policy in the State of WA. Key elements of the policy were school amalgamations, closures and the creation of Middle Schools. Data collection methods included focus group and semi-structured interviews with students from the three schools, as well as document analysis, staff interviews and field notes. The research found that students were very perceptive about educational change, that they were deeply impacted by educational change and that they wanted to participate in restructuring agendas. Several meta-level themes emerged from the students’ ‘voices’, including issues associated with disempowerment, and competing social justice and economic discourses. The findings foreground the often messy and contradictory tensions evident in policy processes. The thesis concluded by developing theory on ways in which students could be included meaningfully as participants in educational change
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Moyle, Jodie L. "Centred voices : A study of the lived experience of women's health centre coordinators." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 1999. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1221.
Full textAbstract:
The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore and describe the lived experience of women's health centre coordinators. In addition to the intrinsic value of telling these women's stories, this research provides data which can he used to strengthen the economic, political, organisational and social position of women’s health centres and the women who work in them. Four women managers from regional urban women's health centres in Australia were interviewed about their subjective experiences with respect to their current working roles. Interviews were audio taped, transcribed and coded to produce themes and to preserve anonymity. Data was analysed using Colaizzi’s phenomenological method. Credibility and validity of data was enhanced by the use of multiple interviews, member checks, a pilot study and a clearly identifiable audit trail. The findings of the study reveal that the main themes relating to the experience of women's health centre coordinators are: the importance of shared principles, passions and rewards: their feminist leadership role as managers of a specialist health service; working with the wider system: and the demanding nature of their job. Theoretical sensitivity is demonstrated by re-analysing the emergent themes and descriptions obtained from the data- against the backdrop of the current social, economic and political climate of women's health in Australia. This second order analysis reveals the processes and strategies employed by women’s health centre coordinators in carrying out their work, and highlights the many factors that have influenced their development as feminist managers. Furthermore, the findings suggest that the experience of women's health centre coordinators in this study parallels those of feminist managers elsewhere, and as such, this thesis represents a significant contribution to the dearth of literature on women managers working in feminist, consumer-based organisations.
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James, Richard Douglas Dunstan. "Supervisory/non-supervisory mentoring in the public sector : Outcomes for protégé development." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 1999. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1200.
Full textAbstract:
The purpose of this study was to examine the provision of mentoring functions, specifically providing an analysis of the contrast between those functions provided to protégés by both mentors and supervisors. Thus, the study focused on two relationships maintained by the subordinate: the relationship with their supervisor and that with their mentor. Research dealing with the functions mentors are perceived to provide to the protégé examined extensively. Additionally, research which indicates that supervisors may perform mentoring functions is presented. This includes Situational Leadership Theory, Leader member Exchange and Transformational and Transactional Leadership. The functions provided by mentors and elaborated in research by Kram (1985) and Noe (1988), among others, form the basis for both qualitative and quantitative research in this study. An assessment of the potential mentoring benefit accruing from each relationship was made by measuring the functions provided by both supervisors and mentors, as perceived by subordinates. Results indicated that supervisors generally provided both career related and psychosocial mentoring functions to a greater extent than mentors. Relationships of significant strength were found to exist between both the demographic proximity and interaction levels of respondents and mentors and the provision of mentoring functions. Very little support was found for relationships between these factors and supervisory mentoring relationships. Additionally, several barriers were identified which influenced respondent's mentoring relationships with both their mentor and supervisor. Overall, this study found that supervisors provided subordinates with a significant level of mentoring support compared to that provided by mentors.
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Backhouse, Peter. "Medical knowledge, medical power : doctors and health policy in Australia /." Title page, contents and abstract only, 1994. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phb126.pdf.
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Calvey, Jo. "Women's experiences of the workers' compensation system in Queensland, Australia." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2002. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/731.
Full textAbstract:
This was a phenomenological study undertaken to understand women's experience of the workers' compensation system. Eleven women were interviewed. They ranged in age from twenty-five to sixty-five years and represented diverse socio-economic and educational backgrounds. All women were from a non-indigenous background. The initial question to women was "Can you tell me what it is like to be involved in the workers' compensation system?" The narratives were analysed and interpreted using Hycner's (1985) phenomenological guidelines. Five core themes were found: negative versus positive/neutral experiences, the workplaces response and role in the process, women's experiences of payouts and tribunals, reasons why women may not claim workers' compensation, and the impact of the process on each women and their family(s). Acker's theory of 'gendered institutions' was used to understand why "many apparently gender-neutral processes are sites of gender production" (Acker, 1992b, p. 249). The experiences of the eleven women suggested that the workers' compensation system in Queensland is gendered; 'The women indicated that the workers compensation process was a disincentive to making a claim. WorkCover was viewed as siding with the employer, bureaucratic in nature and lacking values associated with empathy, sympathy and caring. Recommendations for improvements to the workers' compensation included: establish legal obligations and enforcement of occupational health and safety responsibilities to injured or ill workers; adoption of occupational health and safety values by employers; change the attitudes of employers (recognising women as breadwinners and workers are not disposable); a single case manager to advocate for injured or ill workers; recognition of mental and emotional consequences of an injury or illness provision of rehabilitation that recognises mental and emotional factors as well as the importance of family participation; greater involvement of employers and employees in the rehabilitation process; and finally, improved service delivery which involves consistency, ethics, clarity, (regarding the WorkCover process for injured workers and employers), accountability and involvement of all parties. The knowledge embedded in the interviews, expressed through core stories and themes, was essential to making women's voices visible and providing an insight into service delivery based on women's experiences and needs.
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Evans, Daniel, and mikewood@deakin edu au. "The internet and competitive advantage in Australian professional sport organisations." Deakin University. Bowater School of Management and Marketing, 2002. http://tux.lib.deakin.edu.au./adt-VDU/public/adt-VDU20050825.144334.
Full textAbstract:
The electronic revolution has proven to be a powerful stimulus for change in business practice. As a business tool however, the Internet must endure the same scrutiny under which other business activities are placed. If the use of the Internet in business is a sound strategy, then it must contribute toward competitive advantage. The sport business industry has not been isolated from the vagaries of Internet applications. Moreover, as the industry has become more competitive, forcing sporting organisations towards unprecedented levels of accountability and business practice, the Internet has been increasingly seen as a potential 'holy grail' for sport organisations struggling for revenue (Stewart & Smith, 1999). This research is a response to these pressures. It seeks to identify Internet based opportunities for competitive advantage, and to provide strategies and recommendations for the successful use of the Internet in Australian professional sport organisations.
In realising this objective, a newly developed and integrated Business Activity Model has been constructed. The model assists in the identification of specific Internet based competitive advantage strategies, and provides a theoretical framework for this research. The Business Activity Model conceptualises, for the first time, the relationships between the value chain, constituents of electronically enabled competitive advantage, and the Internet.
With Australia's limited group of fully professional sports capable of sustaining the human resources and budgets necessary to implement comprehensive e-commerce strategies, the organisations selected to participate in this research represent the pinnacle of Australian professional sport clubs. Specifically, the 55 clubs competing in the Australian Football League (A.F.L.), National Basketball League (N.B.L.), National Rugby League (N.R.L.), and National Soccer League (N.S.L.) constituted the research sample and population. In concert with the 87% participation rate, sampling approached a census. A telephone-administered survey, based primarily on
the rigorously tested instrument developed by Sethi and King (1994), was employed for data collection.
This research employs a comprehensive set of descriptive statistics, and is bolstered by a confirmatory and an exploratory factor analysis, undertaken on one component of the data. The outcome of this research was the identification of seven practical recommendations for Australian professional sport organisations seeking to improve competitive advantage via the Internet. These recommendations were based on an inventory of the 'gaps' between the strategies proposed by the literature, and the practices of the sample, and relate to both overall Internet strategy, and specific web site applications. The development of the new Business Activity Model and the identification of key online strategy themes support and complement these recommendations. An examination of variations in the practices of participating organisations, and some comparisons against United States sporting organisations, also provides depth and context to the findings.
This research provides a platform for sport managers to effectively harness the potential of the Internet, through their web sites in particular, and realise significant competitive advantages. The Business Activity Model provides managers in all industries with a tool for the detection and understanding of potential elements of competitive advantage, and incorporates all activities critical to business in the new digital economy. Seven practical recommendations for improved online performance based on identified competitive advantage and strategies fulfils the primary objective of this research. E-commerce continues to grow at astronomical rates, and with the Internet poised to become the life-blood of 21st century sporting organisations, these recommendations will assist managers in their ongoing search for competitive advantage.
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Nicholson, Rosemary J. Public Health & Community Medicine Faculty of Medicine UNSW. "Oh what a tangled web ... : Building capacity for environmental health action in Australia." Awarded by:University of New South Wales. School of Public Health and Community Medicine, 2003. http://handle.unsw.edu.au/1959.4/19144.
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In the early years of the 21st century environmental health has to contend not only with the more 'traditional' and essentially localised environmental risks to human health. We now face the additional challenges posed by a range of 'modern' environmental health issues. These are characteristically more complex, more ubiquitous, and much less clearly defined than any we have previously encountered. They have been brought about through rapid industrial expansion, technological advances that have transformed our social structures and the emergence of a global economy that is now forging ahead in the face of ever-increasing socio-economic inequity. These are problems that are not amenable to traditional environmental health solutions. They call instead for new, innovative and integrative strategies based on cooperative and collaborative working partnerships. This thesis explores the question of what needs to be done to build capacity for such partnerships among environmental health stakeholders in Australia. The current situation is clarified through a critical review of the author?s professional career, the historical development of environmental health practice, the different knowledge constructs of four distinguishable stakeholder groups and the objectives and guiding principles of Australia's National Environmental Health Strategy. A case study of a federally funded collaborative environmental health project serves to highlight some of the inherent challenges of intersectoral partnership and community participation. The metaphor of the spider's web illustrates the imperative of such partnerships among stakeholder groups and across all geographical scales from the local to the global. Finally, the barriers to be overcome in building environmental health capacity are analysed through a force field analysis. The study concludes with an analysis of the constituents of action necessary to develop the partnering capabilities of the various stakeholders, to build supportive community and organisational infrastructures and to demonstrate the political will of government to support change.
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Ng, Pak Sheung 1958. "The continuity of Chinese cultural heritage in the T'ang-Sung era: The sociopolitical significance and cultural impact of the civil administration of the Southern T'ang (937-975)." Diss., The University of Arizona, 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/288707.
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The migration towards the center uprooted the great clans from their local areas and encouraged the rise of local ruffians to power during the late T'ang. This historical background shaped the social and political climate of the Wu regime in South China, which had been characterized by its military flavor. By enhancing the civil administration and adopting various ways of recruiting the literati and encouraging the cultural growth, Hsu Chih-kao and his successors were able to achieve complete bureaucratization of the regime, which in turn diminished the military influence and revitalized the neglected cultural tradition of their domain. South China thus became a haven of culture, and its role was particularly important as the cultural development in North China was subsequently devastated by civil wars and foreign invasions during the Five Dynasties. After the collapse of the Southern T'ang, the preservation of culture in South China allowed it to become a major source in shaping the cultural features of the Sung. Compared with other states, the Southern T'ang enjoyed considerable peace and stability, and scholar-officials had a peaceful and comfortable environment in which to develop a special style of living. Some tastes and habits had a great impact on the daily life of the Sung scholar-officials. However, cultural polices adopted by the Southern T'ang caused the decline of national strength, for many military clans who underwent the process of civil transformation were eventually deprived of the military vitality necessary to defend the country. Also, because of the cultural inferiority, some of the Sung rulers and scholar-officials were eager to seek revenge by humiliating and oppressing the "subsidiary" officials from the south. Although the Sung adopted repressive and discriminatory measures when appointing "subsidiary" officials, some were in fact employed by the new dynasty due to the heavy demand for qualified officials. Eventually, the "subsidiary" officials could improve their prospects for promotion and favorable treatment by taking the civil service examinations. Their literary ability and knowledge of rituals also enabled them to gain imperial favor, which was vital to strengthening their position in the Sung bureaucracy.
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Hughes, Vince. "An examination of facilitators and inhibitors to knowledge sharing in a policing environment : lessons from intelligence-led crime management units of the Western Australia Police Service." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2005. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/638.
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The objective of this research project was to gain an understanding of the inhibitors and facilitators to knowledge sharing within a policing environment. Although it did not begin with the intention of applying interverntions of any kind, in the course of the thesis it became clear that a form of action research was being employed. Initially, I presented my research proposal as a hermeneutic examination of the facilitators and inhibitors to knowledge sharing in the Western Australia Police. However, somewhere along my research journey I realised that rather than me simply collecting and analysing data from and about my colleagues, we had all become part of the process of changing, acting and reflecting. This is when my hermeneutic approach crossed paths with action research. Using this dual approach, my research explored knowledge sharing in the Western Australia Police within three separate but Integrated dimensions; historical, current and future.
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Susomrith, Pattanee. "An examination of HR outsourcing in Australian organisations : motivations, process and performance." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2008. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/179.
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The objective of this research was to explore the HR outsourcing process and examine the interaction and effects of the factors of business strategy, motivation, HR function outsourced, and the outcome. The interaction of these factors was modelled upon a theoretical framework based upon current literature. This framework was investigated using both a qualitative and quantitative approach. The goal of this research was to characterise these factors and identify the relationships between these factors. The qualitative approach consisted of six case studies where one-to-one interviews were conducted with HR managers of medium to large Australian organisations. The responses to the interview questions from each interviewee was analysed to determine outsourcing characteristics and unique issues not previously identified within current literature. These issues included: when an organisation does not have the resources to conduct thorough research into the identification and selection of a service provider then they will use the recommendations of peer organisations. When an organisation contracts a service provider a relationship is established that will bond the two parties. The length of the service contract is dependent upon the complexity of !he outsourced HR function. The quality of service from a service provider must match that of the organisation. Finally, the contract between the service provider and the organisation must contain provisions for a changing economic environment. The quantitative approach consisted of a survey distributed to 1995 medium to large Australian organisations identified from the Dunn and Bradstreet database. A total of 163 valid responses were received from which 124 outsourced one or more HR functions. This corresponded to a response rate of6.22%. The survey data was analysed using factor analysis to reduce the business strategy variable to two categories: Innovative-Quality Enhancement and Cost Leadership. Similarly, Factor analysis was used to reduce the variables of Motivation to four categories: HR Management, Learning, Reduced Cost and Political reason. The variable of Process was reduced to four categories: Reserved, Regular, Rapid and Relaxed. The outcome variables were reduced to two categories: Organisation and Operational. Cluster analysis was used to classify the cases based upon these reduced factors from which the relationships between these factors were analysed. The analysis found that no relationship existed between business strategy and motivation also no relationship was found between business strategy and outsourced HR function. A partial relationship was found between business strategy and process and another partial relationship was found between outsourced HR function and process similarly a relationship was found between process and outcome. Several relationships were found between motivation end outsourced HR function. The results from this exploratory research have significant implications for human resource management theory and practice. The developed theoretical framework provides a useful model of the HR outsourcing factors within Australia. This framework together with the unique factors identified through the qualitative analysis provides a significant platform from which additional research may be conducted.
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Sorensen, Ros Public Health & Community Medicine Faculty of Medicine UNSW. "The dilemma of health reform : managing the limits of policymaking, managerialism and professionalism in health care reform." Awarded by:University of New South Wales. School of Public Health and Community Medicine, 2002. http://handle.unsw.edu.au/1959.4/33194.
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Hospitals worldwide are under pressure to perform and models abound to remedy poor performance. Reform, however, is contested, uneven and slow. One reason is that few models address a core issue in reform: the management of clinical work. A further reason is that stakeholder groups, specifically policymakers, managers and clinicians, limit opportunities for collaborative problem solving as they seek to impose their own frame of reference in the struggle for control. I hypothesise that performance will be relatively better in hospitals that have in place strategies of agreement to set the objectives of reform, such as participative problem identification, problem solving and decision making, together with a method to manage clinical work. This hypothesis was tested in twelve public hospitals in three Australian states between 1999 and 2001 using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Government and hospital policy documents were assessed and semi-structured interviews were conducted to gauge the attitudes and practices of managers and clinicians regarding health care reform. The results of the research show that hospitals with inclusive strategies for change, principally strategies of agreement, joint education and skills development, team-based incentives to direct and reward effort and a method of clinical work management, performed better than those without. Findings indicate that policy was developed and communicated as a rational top-down process that tended to exclude diverse views. Although the effect of different jurisdictional policy processes on hospital performance was not clear, they had considerable impact on the environment of reform. Cost containment and patient safety dominated as policy objectives. These alone did not engage clinician interest or address service quality. The connection between the quality of care and its cost did not appear to be understood. Organisational structures and processes necessary to support reform, that is communication forums for objective setting and performance review, integrated clinical and corporate accountability systems and organisational capacity building were not in place in the majority of hospitals studied. An organisational model of clinical work management was developed to improve cost-effectiveness by balancing clinical autonomy and clinical accountability based on the research results.
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Deece, Alan T., University of Western Sydney, of Arts Education and Social Sciences College, and School of Education. "Secondary school organisation : a view through the lens of a principal." THESIS_CAESS_EDU_Deece_A.xml, 2004. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/583.
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The research articles presented in this portfolio originate from questions and concerns about the organization, leadership and practices of government secondary schools in NSW. There are presently 395 high schools and 66 central schools providing secondary education in government schools (DET, 2004 Directory, p.55). Of these high schools, 98 are specialised in some way – selective, performing arts, sports, technology, senior and multi campus (Vinson, 2002, p. 126). Over one quarter of schools are now specialised in some way, leaving just under 300 comprehensive high schools. Of these, 30 are single sex. The Department of Education and Training in NSW now says that it does not offer a system of comprehensive high schools, but a comprehensive system of high schools (Vinson, 2002, p.127). The specific focus of the research is to examine how NSW government secondary schools came to be where they are today. Change in secondary schools from both the systemic and school level is examined. The issue of the selection of a school by parents and students is also considered. And finally, development of an initial learning culture in a new high school was also a focus for researchDoctor of Education (D. Ed.)