Abstract: Purpose â Investigating diversity presents researchers with a paradox because extremely inconsistent and conflicting findings about the effects of diversity have emerged in this field of study. It has been argued that the theoretical frameworks used have contributed to the paradox. Different and contradictory effects concerning the influence of group diversity can be predicted using these frameworks. The purpose of this paper is to examine the application of the main theoretical frameworks in the context of researching diversity. Design/methodology/approach â The focus of this paper is a critical examination of three theoretical frameworks in the field of diversity research â similarity-attraction theory, social categorization theory and the information/decision-making approach. These are commonly applied in researching diversity. The basic elements of each theory, its applications in diversity research and its strengths and limitations are considered. Findings â The discussion suggests that the paradox in diversity research emerges from a research tradition that views the three frameworks as being best applied separately because each framework predicts different and even contradictory outcomes. These differences are a consequence of distinctive theoretical operations. In addition, the strengths and limitations associated with each theoretical framework suggest that they might be integrated and subsequently applied in specific settings according to their respective strengths and limitations. Research limitations/implications â In order to produce more consistent results in research on diversity, it is suggested that future researchers should not rely solely on a single theoretical framework to predict the effects of diversity. In particular, different theoretical frameworks may work well with certain types of diversity as well as certain levels of analysis. Originality/value â The paper provides a framework for dissecting the diversity paradox and a foundation for designing fresh approaches that might produce findings that are more consistent.
Abstract: This paper provides an analysis of student experiences of an approach to teaching theory that integrates the teaching of theory and data analysis. The argument that supports this approach is that theory is most effectively taught by using empirical data in order to generate and test propositions and hypotheses, thereby emphasising the dialectic relationship between theory and data through experiential learning. Bachelor of Commerce students in two second-year substantive organisational theory subjects were introduced to this method of learning at a large, multi-campus Australian university. In this paper, we present a model that posits a relationship between students' perceptions of their learning, the enjoyment of the experience and expected future outcomes. The results of our evaluation reveal that a majority of students: ââ¬Â¢enjoyed this way of learning; ââ¬Â¢believed that the exercise assisted their learning of substantive theory, computing applications and the nature of survey data; and ââ¬Â¢felt that what they have learned could be applied elsewhere.<br /><br />We argue that this approach presents the potential to improve the way theory is taught by integrating theory, theory testing and theory development; moving away from teaching theory and analysis in discrete subjects; and, introducing iterative experiences in substantive subjects.
Abstract: This paper argues that there is an opportunity to improve the way that social science theory is taught by introducing an exercise in facilitated theory testing through active experimentation. This paper describes a learning experience that enables students to discover the dynamic nature of theoretical discoveries. This idea is grounded in the notion that students will gain much from learning about and testing theory experientially using real world data. A data based exercise is outlined and illustrated to reveal a learning experience that provides an opportunity to improve the way social science is taught by linking theory to empirical data. We argue that this provides an opportunity to offer a more holistic learning experience for theory teaching. The paper will be of special interest to those teaching theory in management, commerce, business and organisational studies courses. It will also be of interest to a more general audience because it provides a framework that can be modified whenever forging a connection between theory and 'the real world' is a primary learning objective.
Abstract: In this paper, researchers investigate the social impact of water restrictions on households in the Ballarat and District Water Supply System. They present a general framework for evaluating the social impact of water restrictions which centres on perceptions of economic circumstances, health and well-being and community character and cohesion. Using qualitative and quantitative research methods, researchers confirm that existing water restrictions are indeed having an impact, although the extent of that impact varies along key dimensions. Researchers also identify underlying drivers of attitudes towards water restrictions, namely the direct impact of water restrictions on the household, and beliefs regarding the equitable application of restrictions across the community. The research findings are significant at a number of levels. At the local level, they provide water resource practitioners and policy makers with systematic data on which to base future water resource decisions and the communication messages and support strategies that accompany such decisions. More broadly, the findings shed light on an issue of critical national importance and they contribute to our theoretical knowledge of its impacts and complexities, and strategies for measurement.
Notes: In: Proceedings of Water Down Under 2008; pages: 2028-2041. Lambert, Martin (Editor); Daniell, TM (Editor); Leonard, Michael (Editor). Modbury, SA: Engineers Australia ; Causal Productions, 2008. xD;2028-2041 xD;14 p. xD;Includes footnotes. Includes references. Includes tables.
Abstract: An important issue currently facing the mining industry in Australia is xD;the management and cost to the industry and other stakeholders of entry xD;into and exit from towns and their communities. These costs can be xD;environmental, social, economic, political or reputational. The ability of xD;companies to engage the trust of stakeholders, including: communities, xD;governments and investors, is critical, and corporate reputation plays a xD;significant role in this. For the industry to secure a long-term and xD;sustainable future, it must have the technical, business and reputation xD;assets to proceed in a cost-effective, environmentally acceptable and xD;socially supportive way. This research assesses reputation as a critical xD;competitive issue for mining companies, as technology and information xD;make mining more predictable; the physical and human assets of mining xD;companies are less likely to be the critical resource in a Resource Based xD;View model of competitive advantage. The proposition is that in mining xD;today, reputation as it facilitates day-to-day operations, regulatory zeal xD;and access to new mine sites will become the rare, inimitable and xD;valuable resource for mining companies. xD;This paper reports on an ongoing research program to evaluate the xD;impact a mining companyâs reputation(s), with its various stakeholder xD;groups, has on a companyâs ability to sustain competitive advantage. xD;Integral to this study is to develop an understanding of the relationships xD;between mining companies and their stakeholders, and the importance of xD;corporate citizenship polices to reputation and hence to corporate xD;sustainability. Through the identification of the drivers of reputation for xD;the various stakeholder groups, a model of reputation formation will be xD;developed and also reputation measures for the mining industry in xD;Australia. The preliminary findings of this research, the results of an xD;industry focus group conducted with representatives from regional xD;mining operations, are reported. The industry focus group was designed xD;to enable a better understanding of who are the main stakeholder groups xD;and how they regard mining companies and to inform the second stage of xD;the research project a Delphi Study of the drivers of reputation by xD;stakeholder groups. xD;The aim of this research is to further the understanding of the xD;relationship between corporate citizenship, reputation and performance in xD;the mining industry, thus assisting companies to strategically manage xD;their corporate citizenship investments.
Abstract: An emerging and growing cohort within the university population is that of the xD;student worker - the student that is studying whilst (attempting to) manage a part-time xD;or full-time workload. However little is known about this student type, who straddles xD;the roles of student and worker (among others), and the pressures, preferences and xD;experiences that their lives involve. The potentially conflicting requirements of the xD;dual student and worker roles also have implications for the work-life balance of xD;student workers, and their subsequent wellbeing. At the same time, there is a need to xD;understand the impact of these pressures to understand how the student worker xD;allocates their time between these competing pressures (Gershuny, 2003). xD;This paper brings these themes together to examine the time use and experienced xD;wellbeing of a cohort of 60 students in an Australian regional university, as a starting xD;point for examining the broader relationship between time-use and wellbeing and xD;their impact on work-life balance. A secondary aim is to develop a more detailed xD;understanding of the life and work experiences of students, and how that impacts on xD;their educational experiences. xD;The data is collected through self-report diaries completed by students, along with xD;complementary qualitative interviews with a cohort of the students. The analysis of xD;this data examines the following research questions: xD;- How do students allocate their time between study, work, family and socialisation? xD;- What differences exist in the level of wellbeing of students, and what factors xD;account for this difference? xD;- How do different time use allocations impact on experienced wellbeing?
Abstract: Community strengthening approaches that emphasise local solutions to local economic, social and environmental challenges now receive significant government support. This paper examines the theoretical basis which underpins community building and place based development. It identifies a philosophy towards supporting communities that begins with a clear commitment to discover a communityâs assets and capacities rather than focussing on deficiencies and problems. The focus then shifts to examining how information and communication technology (ICT) can be used creatively in a community strengthening context, introducing the Neighbourhood Renewal (NR) program, which involves a whole-of-government response in partnership with 15 local communities across Victoria, Australia. In particular, the paper presents a case study of community engagement through the provision of support for NR Employment and Learning Coordinators (ELCs) in conducting local community resident skills surveys. The purpose of the surveys is to help communities to better understand themselves and the skills they possess, to gain valuable skills through the survey process, and empower residents to make better decisions about their neighbourhoodâs future. Specifically, information about residentsâ training requirements and employment aspirations will inform and direct ELCs to plan employment and training programs in their areas. The rollout of the resident skills surveys across the state of Victoria has been preceded by the pilot of similar services in the Wendouree West community. Results from the pilot are presented to explore the benefits which are being generated by combining traditional paper-based methodologies with web-based tools and services in a context where the ultimate goal is to support the economic and social health of communities.
Abstract: In this paper the authors identify the dimensions of sustainability for community based nonprofit xD;organisations in the adult and community education sector in Victoria, Australia. From the findings of xD;empirical research they develop an index of sustainability which may be used by organisation within the xD;sector to assess sustainability and to guide organisational and staff capacity building efforts.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to outline a conceptual model and research design for measuring trust in inter-organisational networks which has the potential to be a âblueprintâ for a large-scale, multilevel study of trust in networks. Inter-organisational networks are increasingly recognised as a means to achieve economic and social exchange yet, how these networks operate is less widely understood. Trust is widely identified as being essential to the functioning of networks forms of xD;organisation. In order to analyse trust in networks the Social Relations Model (Kenny 1994) of interpersonal perception is applied here. Insights from this model are used to specify relevant components of trust; and extended by incorporating measures of trust at the level of the workgro up.
Abstract: Trade union membership is influenced by a variety of factors at a number of xD;distinct analytical levels. Differences between industries and workplaces create variation in the conditions under which employees experience industrial life, and xD;so interact with individual characteristics in determining decisions to join, leave or xD;remain in a union. xD;A difficulty facing researchers is to estimate the effects of the various factors xD;empirically. There is a substantial amount of research on how demographic, xD;structural and attitudinal factors affect the worker's decision processes in xD;determining how the decision to join a union is made. There is also extensive xD;work at the level of industries, relating sectoral shifts in jobs to unionisation. xD;However, xD;a) there is little research on the effects of workplace conditions; and xD;b) little has been done to integrate the three levels (industry, workplace and xD;worker) into a general, complex model. xD;This paper presents a model of two of these three levels, workplace and the xD;individual. It draws on the Employee Survey component of the Australian xD;Workplace Industrial Relations Survey 1995 (N=19,155) to develop a model that xD;partitions effects associated with variations in characteristics of workers and the xD;work situations in which they are located.
Abstract: This literature review examines the role of human capital formation in building innovative capacity in firms. The aim of the review is to develop a model of human capital development factors to be used as a basis for a larger research project where the factors that develop innovation capacity in enterprises will be investigated. The review finds that human capital stimulus factors are developed through appropriate human resource management practices, the learning and development system (in the enterprise) and the tertiary education system. The review also finds that the three key issues in developing human capital for innovation in enterprises are people, knowledge and creativity management.
