3501 research outputs found
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"The Basement" composition
Get PDFA short piece composed for Piano and performed by Debbie Nisbet at the Piano Day show on 29 March 201
Health cost inflation in New Zealand
Get PDFA large personal injury insurance organisation was originally created to help fund work place injuries. Since then it has expanded into a “no fault non-optional personal injury protection insurance” scheme. The scheme is available to all New Zealanders, and any visitors to New Zealand. It is funded through the collection of several levies. The collection of these levies funds treatment costs, wage compensation, injury prevention programmes and more. As a person who works on the frontlines for this organisation, the author fields a lot of questions, in particular questions surrounding surcharges, and costs customers have had to pay to their treatment providers. This leads the research to the research question, “Are customers of this organisation having a financial burden placed on them when receiving treatment?” The researcher decided to look into three specific services and the contribution they receive from this organisation and charge to their customers, compared to the prices they charge for private consultations. This research was done only in the Waikato, and across three service types. It could be replicated with more services, and across other cities or countries. The research currently indicates that GPs seem to be charging this organisation’s customers a fair amount compared to private visits, whereas physiotherapists and radiologists are not
Impact of board directors on financial performance
Get PDFThis study examines the impact of boards of directors on corporate financial performance. The aim of the research is to explore the relationship between the number of people on the board of directors and corporate financial performance. . Five retailer companies operating in New Zealand were selected. Regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between size of the board (independent variable) and the average share price (dependent variable). A quantitative approach was adopted for this study. Findings revealed that there is a positive association between the board size and the corporate financial performance. The study suggests that small board size should be encouraged, and the composition of independent directors should be sustained and improved upon to enhance corporate financial performance. The board of directors plays a vital role influencing the firm’s strategy and to authorise decision making
Motivation amongst employees
Get PDFFarm jobs are more labour intensive and prone to adverse events due to changing weather conditions, which make it a physically challenging job. Intensive physical activities, long working hours, changing shift schedules, and working in adverse conditions are some of the factors that influence workers not only physically but also mentally, which in return leads to low levels of motivation in them. The main purpose of this research project is to evaluate the issue of lack of motivation amongst employees working on a farm. For attainment of this purpose, this research has used qualitative observation method in which all the employees have been closely observed to analyse the changes in their overall performance level and motivation to perform work under different circumstances. The overall analysis of the observed data demonstrated that the main reasons for lack of motivation observed amongst the employees consist of lack of management support, no rewards or recognition, working in different shifts, and lack of flexibility in working hours
Here, it is not raining
No full textMy piece is titled 'Here, it is not raining'. Whilst attempting to unravel Nils Frahm's solo piano work 'Over there it is raining' from 2009, I stumbled on a chord sequence that somehow magically wrapped around an existing idea I had. Born from inspiration and the willingness to experiment
Operations efficiency of cleaning in a large corporate organisation
Get PDFCleanliness is an essential criterion in the workplace and the organisation that is the subject of this research is a prominent cleanliness service provider globally. Major cities in New Zealand are packed with many business enterprises and it is necessary to maintain a clean work environment so their work can be efficient. The research is constructed based on the context of efficiency of cleanliness towards operations of organisations. The aim of the research is to find solutions for major organisational problems such as lack of collaborative work and lack of data efficiency, which decrease the efficiency of organisations, along with answering questions based on the organisation’s methods of achieving targeted efficiency. The research has been done using theories of operational efficiency and constraints, with the help of a genuine relationship between cleanliness and operational efficiency that has been identified. The research is backed up by data collected from the manager of the organisation regarding the cleaning efficiency and management process. Research results have provided detailed information about the working culture and strategic maintenance of the cleaning organisation. Care has been taken to conduct the whole research ethically. The research concluded that cleanliness has been considered as a major requirement in organisational process and the current organisation is successfully providing it
Daily operations management at a takeaway organisation
Get PDFThe aim of this research project is to distinguish various aspects of the newly established start-up of a takeaway shop and its various activities, in which we will look at the daily operation, consistency in taste, supply chain and delivery related problems. The personality behind this venture had worked with various franchises of the pizza industry. The vision behind the establishment of the takeaway was to introduce the new taste of the pizza on the streets of Hamilton. This franchise has 3 more outlets in Auckland. So, at the end of the study, the outcomes will be helpful for all the outlets. We will look for things that the takeaway does well and do not do well. A SWOT analysis was conducted, and a qualitative approach used to find solutions for problems. Personal observation was also under consideration for the purpose of solutions. The whole research gives a brief idea about problems and suitable solutions for the longer term. Giving some level of responsibility to every employee will make a huge impact on the operations side of the business. Business start-up research is not enough, and still it is under progress for some parts like pizza delivery and consistent supply chain. Its wide spread is a subject for further research
A competitor analysis
Get PDFThis study develops a new marketing strategy to combat the action of the threats associated with the market and making the business diversified within the market. The main aim of the research is enhancing profit by reducing competition of a liquor store. The Porter five forces model suggests looking beyond the competitors of the market and learning about their impact. This can be used as a tool for performing analysis of the external as well as the internal environment of the liquor store, which is small retail outlet. This creates firm impact on the overall performance of the activity of the organisation. In the research both quantitative and qualitative approaches are used. The liquor store can enhance their market share by way of diversification of their operation in less competitive markets in New Zealand. It is also concluded that the analysis of suppliers must be performed by the organisation in order to find the best supplier for their required products, at reliable and affordable prices. The buyers or customers create an important part of the business of a liquor store. This study makes an effort to develop a new and effective marketing strategy to combat the action of several threats associated with the market and diversifying the business within the market. This strategy would also help the brand with new store openings
First national survey of anthroposophic nurses in NZ
Get PDFAnthroposophic health care although listed as a Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) – approach according to the Ministerial Advisory Committee for Complementary and Alternative Health (MACCAH, 2002;2004) in New Zealand (NZ), is an integrated healing system that has been practiced and widely used in Europe. Based on foundations developed by Rudolf Steiner and Ita Wegman, anthroposophic medicine is a holistic healing approach considering the whole human being, namely body, soul and spirit (Evans & Rogers, 1992; Steiner & Wegman, 1991; Therkleson, 2005). Instead of focusing on individual symptoms, anthroposophic therapeutic approaches will aim not only at the physical complaint but target the whole person, inclusive of emotional, psycho-social and spiritual aspects. Diagnosis and therapies are therefore based on assessing the individual with a holistic framework and rather than aiming for a cure, the emphasis is on salutogenic strategies, supporting the person to find equilibrium by stimulating innate healing abilities (Evans & Rogers, 1992; Mittelmark & Bauer, 2017; Therkleson & Sherwood, 2004).
Health care professionals practicing with anthroposophic principles use orthodox, scientific foundations and extend their practice with the holistic foundations of anthroposophic health care.
In NZ anthroposophic nurses (ANs) work in a variety of clinical settings, e.g. in anthroposophic health centers (e.g. Helios Integrative Medical Center), primary health practices (Manchester, 2009), in therapeutic communities (Freeman Rock, 2014), hospice and some as independent practitioners in the community. AN therapies support the human being through rhythmical massage/embrocation, hydrotherapy, poultices, compresses and biography work (Therkleson, 2004).
In the past education to gain registration as an anthroposophic nurse was offered through the Taruna College in Hawkes Bay (Certificate and Diploma in Holistic Healthcare). The diploma qualification is a requisite for inclusion on the ANANZ Register of Anthroposophic Nurses (AN). Some of the ANs currently practicing in NZ have gained registration overseas at an Anthroposophic Hospital (Germany or Switzerland)
Small business sport sponsorship
No full textWithin a reasonably short timeframe sponsorship has morphed from a passive form of marketing that was often philanthropic in nature (Morgan et al., 2014), to a legitimate element of the promotional mix (Segium & O’Reilly, 2007), and a key strategic business partnership initiative (O’Reilly & Horning, 2013). Sport sponsorship has been defined as the provision of assistance by commercial organisations (sponsors), in cash or kind, to a sports property (sponsee), in exchange for the rights to be associated with the sports property for the purpose of gaining a commercial and economic advantage (Triodi, 2001). While substantial research has been directed towards large organisations and corporate sponsorship, little interest has been focussed on the relationship between small businesses and sport sponsorship (Mack, 1999, Jing 2010). Small businesses are extensively involved in the sponsorship of sports organisations, teams, individuals and events (Slack & Bentz, 2010). As more and more local and regional sport organisations look towards sponsorship as a means to financially support their organisations this relationship will continue to grow. Given that 97% of all enterprises in New Zealand are defined as “small” this research aims to address the gap in the literature and to contribute to the advancement of the ‘philanthropic-sponsorship’ continuum. The Waikato Rugby Union (WRU) was selected as the case study due to the nature of the sporting code, its established history, and its strong brand. The research applied a qualitative, exploratory approach in order to explore small business perceptions and experiences with sport sponsorship. A series of in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with relevant personnel from selected WRU small business sponsors. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and then analysed using grounded theory coding techniques, allowing for key themes to emerge. The study examined the objectives, practices and perceptions of small businesses related to sponsorship decision making. For the purpose of this study, a small business was defined as any enterprise with less than 20 employees. The research findings contradicted previous small business – sport sponsorship literature. The findings highlighted that there was long-term strategic planning, with 75% of the businesses initiated the first contact with the WRU. While decisions were still predominantly made by one individual, they were clearly based on ‘corporate’ objectives rather than personal preferences and/or a sense of “giving back” to the community. The three top objectives were hospitality, brand awareness and networking. The strength of the WRU brand was also a factor in the decisionmaking. However, there were little or no formalised internal policies to guide the small business sport sponsorship screening and selection processes in terms of sponsorship opportunities, and limited sponsorship evaluation. As sponsors become more and more a part of the social context that shapes and sustains local and regional sport it is important that both sport organisations and small businesses understand better what motivates, attracts and sustains small business sponsorship. It is unclear is this stage if the findings are a result of the status that Rugby holds in the New Zealand psyche and the professionalisation of the sport, or if this is an evolving trend. Further research into other sporting codes would contribute to the understanding of the small business – sport sponsorship dynamic