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Seeing isn't believing: Quantitative colour measurement and you
No full textThe colour vision of Aotearoa / New Zealand’s native lizards is of broad interest, with implications for their role as pollinators and fruit dispersers. I aim to investigate the relative importance of vision and scent in their attraction to different types of fruits. In this part of my study, I identify their colour preferences and consider the specific wavelengths that are visible to native lizards. Here I report on the various fruit colours that lizards may encounter in their native habitats, model how these fruits would look to a lizard, and how the different colours may contrast with the forest foliage. I collected quantitative measurements of the wavelengths reflected by fruits using a spectrometer. Each fruit reflectance were then mapped into a “lizard vision colour space” to examine vision biases that lizards may have towards specific colours, identify any differences between fruits that are not visible to humans, and determine how detectable these colours are in the first place. These quantitative results will be used in conjunction with behavioural trials using live animals to determine colour preferences in Aotearoa’s lizards. While there have been studies done previously in Aotearoa / New Zealand to determine preferred colours in lizards, none have looked at the particular wavelengths that are attractive. My study is an exciting first look into reptile colour vision modelling in Aotearoa / New Zealand
Poverty in Auckland: A historical review
No full textThis historical review of poverty focuses on the Auckland region. To the extent that national and international policies and events affect Auckland these are included. The focus is historical and hence excludes contemporary poverty issues (see references to publications on contemporary poverty by the author). Aotearoa New Zealand has been deeply affected by poverty, particularly due to economic depressions. As a result of successive governments clinging to economic orthodoxy and a rigid approach to balancing the books, the problems of poverty have increased in severity
Management Styles in Invercargill’s Large Retail Industry: An Analysis of Employee and Manager Perspectives in a Multicultural Work Environment
No full textThis research explores international retail workers' and managers' management style preferences in a multicultural environment in Invercargill, New Zealand. The results of this research provide an analysis of the preferences of the international retail workforce regarding the management styles they consider important, by examining management practices from retail managers' experiences while working with international workers. This research used a mixed methods approach involving a questionnaire survey of 52 international retail workers and semi-structured interviews with six retail managers. These findings suggest that inclusive leadership, support for growth, clear work expectations, and cultural awareness are critical for international workers and managers. In conclusion, this research can be used as knowledge regarding management styles in a specific multicultural context based on responses from international retail workers and managers in large retail stores in Invercargill. This research highlights the importance of understanding and accommodating the preferences of both groups, which may provide a harmonious work environment. Recommendations include further research outside the retail sector to explore multicultural management practices in other industries, broader demographic samples to increase perspective, and expanded research locations. Additionally, future research could provide practical guidance for managers, applying longitudinal studies to monitor changes in the evolving multicultural work environment. This study adds value to the retail sector by offering insight into international retail workers' and managers' management style preferences, which is expected to contribute to the Invercargill retail industry
Effects of Workplace Exercises on Productivity, Wellbeing and Musculoskeletal Discomfort of Office Workers
No full textOccupational health has been studied for decades now. It is common knowledge that sitting for an extended period is not good. Office workers often deal with tension and musculoskeletal discomfort, predominantly in the back, shoulders, and neck regions. This discomfort is likely to affect their wellbeing and productivity. This research aimed to determine the effectiveness of a guided workplace exercise on office workers. Office workers from two companies were invited to participate in a 12-week exercise program at the workplace, one as the control group. The sessions happened during work time, and the main focus was stretches and mobility exercises. The exercises were low-intensity to avoid sweat and the need to change clothes. Participants’ flexibility was measured through Sit and Reach and Back Scratch tests. At the same time, the prevalence and location of musculoskeletal discomfort were self-recorded with questionnaires, as well as the participants' productivity levels related to musculoskeletal discomfort. Paired t-tests were used to analyse the data. The research found a significant improvement in the Sit
and Reach results of the intervention group and in joint pain, neck and shoulder tension and stiffness, lower and upper back pain, energy levels and ability to concentrate when compared before and after each exercise session. The intervention group presented an overall satisfaction of 87%. To conclude, guided workplace exercises were shown to be efficient in improving flexibility, musculoskeletal discomfort, energy levels and ability to concentrate on office workers; however, they did not show an influence on productivity levels. Further research is recommended in the field
The educational and clinical preparation of undergraduate nursing students in pharmacology: A research plan?
No full textRESEARCH QUESTIONS
What amount of information is needed to be learned?
What learning approaches are adopted by students?
What level of difficulty is encountered by students in learning the material
A space in time
No full textRESEARCH QUESTION
How can the design of an in-orbit space tourist environment support the wellness of its occupants?
ABSTRACT
Space exploration and the ‘yearning for beyond’ have proved to be a significant aspect in the development of mankind. The undeniable impact that the increasing population has on the earth is provoking entrepreneurs and companies alike to gaze upon the stars in search of a new, desirable planet. Explorations from various agencies such as NASA, Rocket Lab and SpaceX continue to probe humanity’s curiosity, as we push towards a commercialised future among the stars.
Current missions maintain a firm focus on functionality, driven to complete objectives in commercial enterprise and scientific gain as efficiently as possible with the use of heavily engineered infrastructure resulting in a lacklustre experience pertaining to tourism. This leaves little room for architectural experimentation and has been found to deteriorate the mental health of inhabitants. With the rapid advancement of technology and influx in space tourism interest, the architectural design of orbital human accommodation holds a newfound responsibility for the health and well-being of inhabitants.
This thesis aims to investigate and incorporate a salutogenic approach to space infrastructure in a tourism context. This will utilise an iterative process with research surrounding salutogenesis, habitability and science fiction to produce a typology that instigates the growth of inhabitants
Exploring the role of virtual simulation gaming in reducing physical examination anxiety for undergraduate nurses
No full textSimulated objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) assessments have traditionally evoked high levels of anxiety for students, both when learning the scenarios in face-to-face simulations and when undertaking the actual OSCE assessment. Virtual simulation gaming (VSG) is an identified method of preparation for simulation that may reduce performance anxiety for students undertaking OSCE assessment. This quantitative exploratory research utilised established satisfaction and anxiety/confidence scales to explore the impact of VSG on student perceptions of simulation experiences, anxiety and self-confidence in clinical decision-making. Summative OSCE assessments were conducted in two cohorts before an inpatient and ambulatory care clinical practicum. Cohort one undertook their summative OSCE assessment immediately following the initial teaching, with the second cohort completing a mental health and addictions clinical practicum before their summative OSCE. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to examine the relationships between simulation satisfaction, students’ perceived anxiety, and confidence with clinical decision-making. Self-reported satisfaction with simulation levels were high and improved over subsequent simulations. Results showed that although the second cohort demonstrated higher levels of confidence in clinical decision-making, there was no significant difference in anxiety levels between the two cohorts. This suggests that OSCE-related anxiety is situational rather than directly related to self-confidence. Anxiety was reported by most students following summative OSCEs despite the introduction of VSGs in pre-OSCE clinical simulation preparation. Even though they had high satisfaction with the simulation experience and reported feeling confident, this did not allay student anxiety. Overall, the study did not identify any measurable factors that would indicate which students would score high in self-confidence and/or anxiety. While it was not possible to directly attribute high levels of self-confidence to the introduction of VSGs, student satisfaction with simulation and clinical learning that included VSGs was high, indicating the positive effect on learning
Digital transformation framework for the New Zealand financial industry
No full textThis research aimed to contribute valuable insights and knowledge that can benefit practitioners, policymakers, and other researchers engaged in New Zealand's financial industry by providing a deeper understanding of digital transformation and to propose a comprehensive and customised digital transformation framework that aligns with the country's financial landscape.
The research methodology involved a multi-faceted approach, beginning with a comprehensive literature review encompassing historical aspects, fundamental concepts, and an extensive examination of various digital transformation frameworks to establish a robust theoretical foundation. Data collection comprised two qualitative methods from the participants. The first method included interviews through a focus group, and the second method utilised a questionnaire method. These approaches allowed for the gathering of structured data ranging from low to high-level codes and in-depth exploration of critical issues and insights.
Subsequently, data analysis involved using thematic analysis, facilitating the identification of patterns and themes to draw conclusions. This methodological approach ensured a well-rounded investigation of digital transformation frameworks and consideration of participants’ responses from within the financial industry in New Zealand.
This research explored diverse factors influencing DT in New Zealand's financial industry, covering societal, cultural, governmental, regulatory, Māori cultural values, and economic aspects. It also addressed organisational, societal, cultural, and economic requirements for a proposed New Zealand DT framework, with participants’ validation categorised into acceptance, change management, governance, adaptability, alignment, communication, cybersecurity, financial regulation, market dynamics, and more. The study achieved its objective by integrating these factors into a proposed DT framework tailored to New Zealand's financial industry, drawing from the KPMG DT framework, participants’ insights, and researcher-proposed elements. The resulting framework emphasises well-defined guidance and strategy, standardisation, flexibility, risk management, collaboration, customer-centricity, regulatory compliance, data security, digital inclusion, technology adoption, organisational culture, and cross-cultural considerations. This adaptation addressed a critical gap and produced a comprehensive, customised DT framework aligning with New Zealand's unique financial requirements.
The limitations of the research encompass concerns regarding its generalisability to other industries in New Zealand, the potential dominance of voices in the focus group potentially affecting the diversity of perspectives, time constraints in focus group discussions, the digital transformation framework's scope covering all financial industry aspects, and the small, purposively selected sample size
The impact of remote working on organisational culture in Aotearoa New Zealand
No full textThe global shift to remote working is one of the most significant transitions in work practice since the Industrial Revolution. Initially arising from the development of digital communication technology and subsequently imposed worldwide by the COVID-19 pandemic, remote working continues for many amidst fluctuating social distancing rules, lockdowns, the rise of new COVID-19 variants and a new acceptance of remote working as a viable solution to reduce operational costs. Studies suggest that employees experience a myriad of benefits from the flexibility and autonomy remote working offers; however such a dramatic change in organisational behaviour is also impacting organisational culture and raising questions about how those impacts can be managed. This qualitative study explores employee perceptions of the personal impacts of remote working, and the impacts of remote working on organisational culture. The findings highlight issues to assist with effective organisational adaptation. Seventy-four participants from a range of organisations across Aotearoa New Zealand completed an online survey, and a focus group met to discuss themes arising from the survey data. Findings suggest that, whilst employees report positive personal impacts from remote working, largely due to the beneficial emotional and practical effects of increased flexibility, the impacts on organisational culture differ widely. Remote working exposes the strengths and weaknesses in the existing culture. Positive impacts are contingent on employee perceptions of level of trust, the maintenance of social connections within teams and the wider organisation, and communication satisfaction including both relationship management and task support
100 years: The evolution of the kitchen
No full textThe kitchen is a source of connection, nourishment and tradition to whanau, friends and community. It is a space that has become associated with routine and ritual, one which reinforced traditional gendered roles and responsibilities. Incoming A+W Co-chair Gina Hochstein gives a talk that looks at the evolution of the kitchen over the last 100 years and how the kitchen has become a space of democratisation. The place and use of the kitchen within the home has helped with dissolving the idea of gender as our society has become more inclusive of diversity and gender fluidity.
1920s The Bauhaus School =- the kitchen of tomorrow
1927 Margarete Schutte Lihotzky - Frankfort kitchen
1940s The kitchen work triangle concept - The Taylorist principle
1950s Kitchen
1950s Gendered role - Kitchen as toy: Barbie
1957-1967: Monanto House of the Future, Disneyland -Tomorrowland, California, USA. Kitchen as themepark attraction
1959 The Kitchen Debate. American National Exhibition at Sokolniki Park in Moscow. The Kitchen politicised
1960s Kitchen
1970s Kitchen
The glamour kitchen - 1990s. Kitchen as a status object
Gamification of cooking: chef cooking shows
The concept of zones within the kitchen: inter-relational and constitutive nature of gender
The Slow Food phenomenon: connection to food sources
The future ... Kitchenless home
The future ... Entertainers' kitchen + separate scullery
The future ... Honest materials
The future ... A sustainable kitchen
The future ... Pop up kitchens for environmental emergencie