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Graduating students' perception of professional social media platforms for professional networking and career development
No full textThis research explores the role of professional social media platforms (PSMPs), particularly LinkedIn, in supporting final-year tertiary students in Dunedin with professional networking and career development. While PSMPs offer significant opportunities for career advancement, many students remain hesitant to engage in personal branding or fully utilise PSMPs. A key challenge is the lack of integration of PSMPs into university curricula, leaving students unprepared for the transition from academia to professional life. This study aims to bridge this gap by examining how students interact with LinkedIn and the impact of their engagement on employability.
To understand these dynamics, data were collected through an online survey conducted via Qualtrics in 2024. The survey was distributed through university social media groups, university communication channels, and physical posters (Appendix 2) at Otago Polytechnic and Otago University, ensuring broad participation. A total of 232 final-year tertiary students from diverse academic disciplines responded. The data were analysed using statistical methods, including frequency distribution, correlation and regression analysis to identify PSMP usage patterns and causal analysis to explore the relationship between PSMP engagement and career development outcomes. Additionally, manual analysis was also conducted to interpret qualitative insights from certain responses, providing a deeper understanding of students' perceptions and experiences. A stratified random sampling approach ensured representation from different faculties and demographic groups.
The findings reveal that active LinkedIn engagement is associated with improved job prospects, greater visibility to employers, and stronger professional networks. Business students reported higher perceived benefits from LinkedIn, whereas health sciences students often viewed it as less relevant to their careers. A considerable number of students underutilised PSMPs due to limited awareness, lack of institutional support, and uncertainty about how to present themselves professionally online. These insights emphasise the need for structured PSMP training within tertiary education to help students navigate digital professional networking effectively. The study contributes to networking theory by emphasising the role of digital professional engagement in career mobility. It also extends social capital theory by demonstrating how LinkedIn facilitates bridging and linking capital, enabling students to connect with industry professionals and enhance employability. Furthermore, the findings highlight the necessity of integrating career-oriented PSMP strategies into academic frameworks, ensuring students develop the skills to transition seamlessly from education to employment.
This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on digital professional networking by highlighting the role of PSMPs in shaping career readiness. It also offers practical recommendations for universities, career advisors, and employers to incorporate LinkedIn training into curricula, ensuring that students are better equipped to leverage these platforms for their career development
Nofoaga natia: A hidden place
No full textRESEARCH QUESTION
How can contemporary vernacular architecture stimulate trade and local tourism in the comparatively remote Samoan village of Aleisa?
ABSTRACT
Samoa, a Pacific nation with a vibrant culture, has many undiscovered and unappreciated places that do not get the recognition they deserve. The village of Aleisa on the island of Upolu is one of many examples of those hidden treasures in Samoa. Despite Aleisa’s natural beauty, poverty restricts any exposure to this area. Villagers often earn their wages as well as sustain their way of life through agriculture. Unfortunately, to get their products to consumers, they must travel 30-45 minutes to reach Apia (the main town of Upolu). Only in Apia are developed public market spaces that allow villagers to promote and sell their produce. Because of this lack, this project aims to establish a public market with additional spaces to create a new attraction at Aleisa, providing an economical solution for the village.
Samoan agriculture has changed and developed over the past centuries. Outside influences have added their ideas and methods to help Samoan agriculture push forward. Although many of their actions were to benefit themselves, they created a path for the Samoan people and resulted in what is found today. Through an investigation of the history, the project seeks to develop a more meaningful perspective on the different goods that are sold in the local markets of Samoa.
Located in Samoa, the project investigates local traditions and customs. These have lasted over many generations due to the people staying true to their roots. Westernised concepts have slightly altered some of the aspects of the fa’a Samoa, the lifestyle of Samoans. However, the Samoan people carry on their lifestyle by adapting to change and never forgetting the past. The project leans on the traditional architecture of Samoa but merges the style with contemporary aspects. This allows the project to stay attached to the foundations of Samoa but is designed in a way to sustain for the future
The future of vocational education in New Zealand: A critical analysis
No full textINTRODUCTION
In February 2019, then Minister of Education, Chris Hipkins proposed sweeping reforms to the entire vocational education system. The so-called Reform of Vocational Education (RoVE) has since merged the countries 16 polytechnics and 11 industry training organisations into a single entity, Te Pūkenga. The new system is premised on shifting students from the polytechnics to the workplace for training (work-based learning). The intention is vocational tertiary education will be superintended by Workforce Development Councils (WDC) made up of industry representatives. The changes have been met with concern from stakeholders, and many have raised questions about the future viability of vocational education in New Zealand to provide practical knowledge and technical skills for hundreds of trade and industry roles.
NOTE:
Since the preparation of this article, the Minister for Tertiary Education, Penny Simmonds, announced on the 7th of December 2023, via a letter of expectation to Te Pūkenga Chief Executive Peter Winder, that the government intends to disestablish Te Pūkenga. The Unified Funding Model has been identified by Ms Simmonds as a factor contributing to the poor financial performance of the ITPs, and early indications are it will be scrapped. Despite this, the article’s discussion points continue to hold relevance. They serve not only as a documentation of insights gained from the Te Pūkenga experience but also offer valuable perspectives on the elements of Te Pūkenga that should be preserved in any future model of vocational tertiary education. The authors hope the article will assist in guiding the sector’s future direction and prevent the recurrence of past error
Able mind, unable body: Architectural response to the absence of multidiscipline neurological facilities in the Waitemata DHB
No full textRESEARCH QUESTION
What architectural strategies can be implemented in a neurology and therapy centre that address the diverse needs of its users?
ABSTRACT
According to the Neurological Foundation, there are over 700 different neurological conditions one in five New Zealanders will experience in their lifetime, each affecting a range of bodily functions that an everyday person does not have to overcome.
This research focuses on the conditions of Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis, Huntington and Motor Neuron diseases, asking how the strategies of Salutogenesis, Biophilia, Community, Light and Air could improve these patients' everyday lives from an architectural point of view. A literature review on the selected conditions and the healthcare options available in Auckland shows gaps in this field.
Patients diagnosed with one of these conditions could see many different specialists to better their quality of life. The facilities of general practitioners, neuro specialists, physiotherapists, psychologists, dietitians, speech and language therapists, respite care facilities, and community association meetings are usually located in various places in the local area where the patient lives. This requires caregivers to take time off work and get loved ones to appointments or social gatherings. There is nothing architecture can do about the understaffing of the New Zealand Health System; however, architecture can assist with bringing patients to one facility or location that gives ease of access to multiple related healthcare and social engagements in an area of the country that is in need.
The design process for this will involve understanding the chosen conditions and designing around those needs by analysing their treatment options and identifying the aspects that overlap, making for a more efficiently used facility.
Coastal pocesses/hazards, ecological assessment and construction: Hobsonville Seawall, Auckland, NZ
No full textThe aim of the research investigations and design for this project at 18 Scott Rd, Hobsonville in Auckland, was to enable the construction of a large-scale coastal rock seawall for a new residential subdivision and coastal public walkway/cycleway
Harassment in the Public Service: Brazil and New Zealand Perspectives
No full textThis research delves into the pervasive issue of workplace harassment within the public service, offering a nuanced exploration of the experiences and perceptions of public servants in these two distinct cultural contexts. Employing a qualitative research approach, the study addresses a critical literature gap, providing a comparative analysis of harassment within public service settings. Acknowledging the serious consequences of harassment for both individuals and organisations, the study emphasizes its impact on employee well-being, organisational culture, productivity, and public trust in government. The research highlights the social responsibility of public sector organisations to address and reduce harassment, contributing insights that inform evidence-based policies for the prevention and management of such incidents. The literature review underscores the widespread nature of workplace harassment, specifically within the public service sector, shedding light on various forms such as psychological, sexual, and physical harassment. The comparative analysis underscores disparity between Brazil and New Zealand, indicating New Zealand has more effective policies and practices in addressing workplace harassment, while dissatisfaction with the implementation of harassment policies is evident in both countries. Key policy implications include recommendations to enhance awareness and training programs, integrate a commitment to gender equality, improve reporting mechanisms, and establish continuous monitoring and evaluation of harassment policies. This publication wishes to provide insights to the academic and practitioner communities, informing strategies to enhance workplace well-being, foster inclusive organisational cultures, and ultimately, improve the effectiveness of public services
The impact of environmental, social, And governance scores towards firms’ performance in New Zealand
No full textPURPOSE
This paper investigates the effects of ESG disclosure scores on firm performance using data from listed companies in New Zealand. It compares ESG disclosure scores between carbon-sensitive and non-carbon-sensitive companies.
METHODOLOGY
The study examines 60 New Zealand-listed companies for the year ended 2023. Univariate and multivariate analyses are used to test the study's hypotheses. Firm performance is measured through operating performance (Return on Assets), financial performance (Return on Capital Employed), and market performance (Tobin's Q).
FINDINGS
The results indicate that the Social score is positively and significantly associated with market performance, while the Environmental and Governance scores have no significant impact on firm performance. There is a statistically significant difference in Environmental scores between carbon-sensitive and non-carbon-sensitive companies, with the carbon-sensitive group having a higher score. Further validation using ESG risk ratings reveals a statistically significant difference in the average ESG risk ratings between carbon sensitive and non-carbon-sensitive companies. The average risk rating for carbon-sensitive companies indicates medium risk, while for non-carbon-sensitive companies, it indicates low risk.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS
These findings suggest that external stakeholders, such as creditors and investors, should consider the ESG risk profiles of the companies they invest in, as companies with higher ESG risk ratings may require more careful monitoring and assessment of potential risks. Both ESG scores as performance indicators and ESG risk ratings serve as valuable tools for stakeholders, helping to inform investment and lending decision
The wahakura from Te Ao Māori and the Gietkka from the Sami people of Sapmi, Northern Sweden: Indigenous baby sleeping vessels
No full textArchitecture of Aroha is a collaboration between Gunvor Guttorm, Berit Kristine Andersen Guvsám, Inga Ravna Eira, Tanya Reihana White and Jasmine Te Hira, curated by Zoe Black. The project unfolds a dialogue between two objects that hold important cultural significance, the wahakura and the gietkka, baby sleeping vessels from Māori and Sámi communities respectively.
Within these Indigenous groups, the making of the sleeping vessel and its materiality is more than a craft, it’s an expression of ancestral wisdom about care and love and the interconnected world that brings nature, the land, makers, family, ancestors and the extended community together. These sleeping vessels are presented in this project as examples of architectural knowledge and to show the connections between how Indigenous spaces are constructed, across the world.
The wahakura is a baby sleeping vessel from te ao Māori (the Māori world) woven from harakeke – a plant with long sword-like fronds. While the gietkka has a long history, the wahakura is a relatively recent form. It does, however, draw on the enduring customary practice of raranga (weaving)
ROLES: Reihana-White, Tanya. (Artist), Guttorm, Gunvor. (Artist), Zoe, Black. (Curator), & Jasmine, Te Hira. (Curator)
VENUE AND TIMES: Lulea Biennale, Sapmi, Sweden 2 March - 26 May
The factors influencing smartphone buying behaviour among New Zealand consumers
No full textThis research examines the factors influencing smartphone buying behaviour among New Zealand consumers. The research covered price, phone features, social influence and brand as the key variables which influence consumer smartphone buying behaviour in the New Zealand market. A positivist research philosophy was utilized to conduct the research. The research design deployed was an online questionnaire based quantitative, descriptive and cross- sectional survey design. A snowball and convenience sampling methods were used to collect data from New Zealand smartphone users aged 18 and above. From this approach, 124 valid responses were collected. An analysis of the results showed that price, phone features and brand have a significant influence on smartphone buying behaviour in New Zealand. Moreover, the social influence factor gave mixed results showing that family and peers influence consumers’ smartphone buying behaviour while celebrity or influencer endorsement had no direct impact. From a practical perspective, the findings of the study will be useful for smartphone manufacturers and retailers for their product design, and for development and strategical planning. Also, these research findings will provide insights for customers making their next smartphone purchase or upgrade. Likewise, the current research will fill the gap in the existing literature and provide directions for future scholars
Exploring the Entrepreneurial Experiences of Women in Invercargill
No full textThis study explores the experiences of women who start businesses in Invercargill, New Zealand (NZ), focusing on the challenges they face and their strategies for overcoming them through support networks and work-life balance management. Adopting an interpretivist approach, this research uses a phenomenological, qualitative design, with semi-structured interviews (SSI) conducted with seven women entrepreneurs (WEs). Data were analysed using thematic analysis, revealing key challenges such as gender bias, age, financial literacy, marketing literacy, limited support networks, and work-life balance. The findings indicate that WEs in Invercargill encounter significant barriers, including gender bias and insufficient access to resources, which impede their business growth. By leveraging support networks and adopting effective strategies for work-life balance, these women can navigate challenges more successfully, emphasising the need for targeted interventions to foster a more inclusive entrepreneurial environment. The study’s recommendations include enhancing support networks, improving access to financial literacy training, and promoting work-life balance strategies for women in entrepreneurship. Additionally, future research should examine a variety of business types, including larger enterprises, and incorporate larger sample sizes to identify industry-specific challenges and trends across different business scales. The study also suggests exploring WEs in other regions of NZ to compare the challenges faced in urban and rural environments, providing a broader understanding of how location influences entrepreneurship