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The impact of cloud accounting
Get PDFThe accounting industry has experienced a substantial transformation from manual bookkeeping of ledgers and trial balances to advanced accounting software. Many accounting firms, though, use accounting software with standalone packages which do not support the web. As a result, accounting firms demanded integrated software which could manage overall business management system. Accounting firms rely on software advancements in technology and specialised accounting software that can help financial activities like accounts, administrative tasks, payroll, tax and sales systems with fewer complexities. Real time information gave rise to the demand for accounting services which have higher accessibility of cloud-based software applications. The adoption of cloud accounting applications for accounting firms at accelerating speed leads to the question of considering the impact of cloud accounting software which has effects on the operational expenses of accounting firms. This research examines what encourages small accounting firms to grasp cloud accounting. The qualitative method of collecting data of small accounting firms was done through the distribution of questionnaires that use cloud accounting software. Findings from this research were used to understand the impact of employee training and IT costs which firms face by implementing cloud based accounting. The firms in this research have majorly agreed that they experienced overall increase in their operational costs. As a result, organisational efficiency was also increased. The recommendations provided by the researchers point to a similar study to find out the impact of profitability on firms from implementing cloud software and suggest to firms how to use cloud software to expand their client base
Improving sales consistency
Get PDFThis research is done in order to find a feasible solution to improve sales consistency at a luxury goods store which has fluctuating demand throughout the year. This research is applicable to various stores. Mixed method research has been used in the form of surveys with a sample size of 80, and staff interviews with the assistant manager of the store. On the preliminary research it is clear that people choose to buy jewellery on special occasions and depending on discounts. The sale of jewellery is largely related to the mindset of people towards use of jewellery. A promotion strategy with related steps is to be implemented
Effective fundraising strategy
Get PDFThe researched organisation is a large organisation consisting of 1.2 million members worldwide, and this well-structured organisation will strengthen the project organiser’s activity. This research aims to suggest the target audience and how to promote the project. Qualitative research was performed in this study to make more suggestions or ideas through in-depth interviews about fundraising than the researcher could expect. The result showed that Rotarians would be the best-recommended target audience. Besides, a good story for donator’s involvement and frequent communication would be necessary for the referral method. A trust or credibility might be another essential element for not only existing donators but also new candidates. There were some recommendations. The research found out commercial businesses need to participate in the project for their profile in local society
Understanding customer satisfaction based on the way they evaluate service delivery
Get PDFWith the development of society, the service industry has become the pillar of the world economy. People's demand for service products is getting higher and higher because people are becoming increasing lazy. Through this research, an immigration organisation showed most customers are not satisfied with the price of service, so the aim of the research is to understand customer satisfaction through their interaction with the service provider. This paper used qualitative method and unstructured interviews. Six interviewees obtained through email were used. The results showed that most customers are satisfied with member engagement in service delivery and credibility of the business, and that the organisation should improve staff response to customers’ questions. There are some recommendations. Firstly, that the company needs to have a strategy for training staff to improve customer satisfaction. Secondly, the organisation needs to think about how they can improve credibility because it is essential to customer satisfaction. Finally, the company needs to improve communication quality to reduce customer waiting time by increasing staff numbers for customer satisfaction
Effective website for educational institution
Get PDFThis paper examines the current status of a New Zealand educational institution’s website and makes a comparison among 44 samples. Two main sections have been contained in this research, secondary resource collection and observation. The aim of this research is to raise the awareness of this organisation and to attract potential students from the Chinese market by improve the organisation’s official website. This is desk research which has made use of qualitative methods. The results of the secondary resource collection mainly illustrate the general concepts of website design, the key factors of the education website, and Chinese web page preferences. The results from observation of 44 samples have been divided into two aspects, functionality and content. Most educational institution website pages are functional, while their online communication channels are basically limited to social media links; from the content point of view, school websites with Chinese versions generally have poor translations, and existing educational institution website samples can provide the information that the viewer needs through different presentation methods. These differences are explained in the discussion section. In conclusion, it suggested that in the current stage, educational institution websites could gain development by diversifying their communication channels and information presentation
Trust between service provider and customer in online environments
Get PDFNowadays online shopping is getting more and more popular in China. However, opportunities and challenges are coexisting, and the growth of e-commerce is also inevitable. In e-commerce online, trust has become a significant factor hindering development. A New Zealand organisation faces a lot of competitors. In order to increase its market share and remain competitive in the market, the organisation needs to have more loyal customers who repeatedly purchase their products. Therefore, the organisation should find an appropriate way to form or create trust with customers, to retain them. This research investigates how trust has been created in an online environment between an organisation and its customers. A qualitative method was adopted in this research and data collected using semi-structured interviews. The collected data was analysed adopting a thematic analysis method. The research findings show that a two-way communication system is the core factor in forming trust in the online environment. This research suggests that the organisation should consider two-way communication seriously, and develop that as a useful tool to build trust between them and customers; not just as a communication tool but as a tool for trust formation
Developing competitive advantage for a restaurant
Get PDFAs public concerns about food safety and health increase, many people are raising their expectations of food quality and safety. To help a restaurant establish competitive advantages with food traceability control is the study purpose. The research problems include how the food traceability system can improve food quality and safety; how it will bring competitive advantages for the restaurant; and whether it is adaptable to the restaurant. The primary data was obtained by interviewing key participants in the restaurant’s food supply chain. The data is reliable as triangulation data shows similarities. The study finds that there is a willingness to build the food traceability system regardless of resources deficiency, as participants all agree that a food traceability system can help enhance food quality and safety. The innovation outcome shows a benefit that food traceability system can bring is adequate updated information along the food supply chain according to published food traceability case studies. Conclusions of the research are that a food traceability system can help improve food quality and safety. Furthermore, it also presents as a source of competitive advantage. A computerised traceability system can offer maximum information along the supply chain, which can help the organisation respond faster to changes, and make a strategic plan in supply, inventory and production with lower cost. Therefore, the research recommends that the restaurant introduce a suitable computerised food traceability system to obtain competitive advantages
Design Factory New Zealand: A co-creation space where students work in multidisciplinary teams with industry partners to solve complex problems
Get PDFThis workshop provided an opportunity for participants to work with Design Factory New Zealand (DFNZ) principles to experience learning as a multidisciplinary team, working on a complex problem.
Participants had a chance to see how DFNZ acts as a transformation agent within students, staff, institution and the wider community.
DFNZ as a curriculum allows students to explore new themes that challenge the usual paradigms. We encourage students to take ownership of their learning, to be open minded, and to have the freedom to respond to solutions without the shackles of a traditional design process driven by cost.
By partnering with industry and exposing students to create solutions for real world problems, DFNZ has the aim of producing global citizens who have a better chance of succeeding in the workplaces of the future.
Currently DFNZ has facilitated learning to students from Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Communication, Information Technology, Business, Design and Sports Science.
Industry partners working with the DFNZ team tap into a pool of carefully selected and motivated students who are supported to come up with innovative and holistic solutions to their problems. Industry can use DFNZ as an opportunity to solve specific and existing needs of the company, or utilise fresh thinking to approach complex and wider issues. Involvement with the Design Factory can provide industry with critical strategic insight
Relationship between maturation, strength, movement competency and motor skill performance in adolescent males
Get PDFDespite the limited research available, understanding how maturation, strength and movement skill influence long-term athletic development is crucial when working with young people. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between maturation, strength, movement competency and motor skill performance in young males. One-hundred and ten adolescent males (mean ± SD; age 13.8 ± 0.6 y; height = 165.8 ± 9.4 cm; mass = 57.1 ± 13.9 kg; maturity offset = 0.1 ± 0.9 y) were tested for movement competency (resistance training skills battery, RTSB), strength (isometric midthigh pull, IMTP), speed (10, 20, 30 m sprint), power (horizontal jump, HJ; vertical jump, CMJ; seated medicine ball throw, SMBT) and repeat sprint ability (RSA). Results showed that maturity offset had small correlations with CMJ (r = 0.25), moderate correlations with speed (r = -0.31 to -0.35) and HJ (r = 0.33), and strong correlations with absolute strength (r = 0.70) and SMBT (r = 0.76). Relative strength showed small to large correlations with all motor skill variables (r = 0.27-0.61), whereas absolute strength was significantly correlated with speed, power and RSA (r = 0.29-0.83). The RTSB score showed small to moderate correlations with RSA (r = 0.27) and 20 and 30 m sprint performance (r = -0.34). Relative strength was the strongest predictor for all sprints (adjusted R2 = 0.38-0.40), CMJ (adjusted R2 = 0.16) and RSA (adjusted R2 = 0.27), whereas absolute strength was strongest for HJ and SMBT (adjusted R2 = 0.21 and 0.70, respectively). Maturity offset further explained sprint, CMJ and SMBT performance whereas RTSB did not help predict the performance of any dependent variables. Strength, movement competency and maturity are important considerations for motor skill performance, but strength may be most important and should be developed early on using appropriate training recommendations
An appreciative inquiry to Midwifery education in Aotearoa
No full textEducation is a transformative process, that promotes both self and professional development, and has rewards and challenges (Griffiths, 2012). For women, choosing a career pathway that gives meaning and purpose is an integral element of their decision making (Elley-Brown, 2015). The themes from our literature review identify midwifery educators as helping to sustain the profession by inspiring others, and promoting self and professional development through higher education. The role of the educator is identified as highly relational and often assumes an advisory and mentoring role (Elly-Brown, 2015). Midwifery educators promote growth and development of the profession (Albarran & Rosser, 2014). When considering recruitment of students into midwifery as a profession and midwives into education, it was clear that this is strongly linked to internal drivers; these include the feeling of making a difference, inspiring educational role models, having particular attributes, and encouragement from others (Albarran, & Rosser, 2014; Crowther, Hunter, McAra-Couper, Warren, Gilkison, Hunter, Fielder, & Kirkam, 2016; Doherty, M, 2010; Elley-Brown, 2015; Gilkison, Pairman, McAra-Couper, Kensington, & James, 2016; Gui, Barriball, & While, 2009). The credibility and impact of midwifery teachers was explored by Fraser, Avis & Mallik (2013) who found that teachers were valued for their unique and crucial role in the support of student’s application of knowledge into practice. Briscoe & Clarke, (2018) also commented that midwifery education needs to be dynamic and responsive to societal changes, showing authenticity within a curriculum that is evidence-based and supports students to reach their full potential as a health professional. Reciprocity of relationship between women and midwives, midwifery colleagues, students and teachers are also valued (Crowther, Hunter, McAra-Couper, Warren, Gilkison, Hunter, Feilder, Kirkham, 2016).
He aha te mea nui? He tāngata, He tāngata, He tāngata!
What is the greatest thing? It is people, it is people, it is people