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Conceptualising spiritual leadership in secular organizational context and its relation to transformational, servant and environmental leadership
No full textA smoothing sample average approximation method for stochastic optimization problems with CVaR risk measure
No full textEquivalent granular state parameter and undrained behaviour of sand-fines mixtures
No full textState parameter defined using void ratio, e, and the steady-state line has been shown to be effective in predicting the undrained behaviour of sand. However, steady-state line for sand with fines is dependent on fines content. To overcome this problem, the concept of equivalent granular void ratio, e*, has been well investigated. However, the conversion from e to e* has been essentially a back-analysis process. A methodology for converting e to e* without the need of a back-analysis process was first presented. The concept of equivalent granular state parameter, ψ*, defined in terms of e*, and equivalent granular steady-state line was then developed. An extensive experimental study was conducted to investigate whether ψ* can capture the effects of fines content, and thus can be used to correlate undrained behaviour of sand–fines mixtures without the need of separately considering the effects of fines content. This study suggested that the effective stress path and deviatoric stress–strain responses in undrained shearing can be correlated with the ψ* value at the start of undrained shearing irrespective of fines content.
Towards safer, better healthcare : harnessing the natural properties of complex sociotechnical systems
No full textObjectives: To sustain an argument that harnessing the natural properties of sociotechnical systems is necessary to promote safer, better healthcare. Methods: Triangulated analyses of discrete literature sources, particularly drawing on those from mathematics, sociology, marketing science and psychology. Results: Progress involves the use of natural networks and exploiting features such as their scale-free and small world nature, as well as characteristics of group dynamics like natural appeal (stickiness) and propagation (tipping points). The agenda for change should be set by prioritising problems in natural categories, addressed by groups who self select on the basis of their natural interest in the areas in question, and who set clinical standards and develop tools, the use of which should be monitored by peers. This approach will facilitate the evidence-based practice that most agree is now overdue, but which has not yet been realised by the application of conventional methods. Conclusion: A key to health system transformation may lie under-recognised under our noses, and involves exploiting the naturally-occurring characteristics of complex systems. Current strategies to address healthcare problems are insufficient. Clinicians work best when their expertise is mobilised, and they flourish in groupings of their own interests and preference. Being invited, empowered and nurtured rather than directed, micro-managed and controlled through a hierarchy is preferable.
Leadership development in a moving context
No full textThe success of workplace training initiatives is increasingly connected with how programs of learning are aligned with, and take account of, the organisational context. This is especially true in the area of leadership and management development where Currie (1999) concluded that unless there was congruence between the context of the organisation as perceived by the participants and the development initiative being introduced, the initiative was likely to be unsuccessful. Using selected findings obtained from a two-year research project within the Australian Rail Industry, as part of the CRC for Rail Innovation, this paper draws insight on how leadership and management capability are being developed in an era of changing contexts. In this setting, context is defined by external characteristics of the rapidly changing environment in which rail organisations operate. Drawing information from the literature on leadership, a selection of rail reports, interview data and a content analysis of learning materials taken from rail organisations, this paper evaluates if current management training programs are developing rail leaders with the knowledge and skills to cope with a selection of ever-changing contexts.
Turnover decisions of women accountants: using personal histories to understand the relative influence of domestic obligations
No full textStudent perceptions of the quality of property education in Australia
No full textUsing the Graduate Careers Australia’s Course Experience Questionnaire (CEQ), the students’ perceptions of the quality of property education in Australia is assessed over 1994-2009. Analyses are presented for the major property universities in Australia regarding good teaching and overall satisfaction, as well as the property discipline benchmarked against the property-related disciplines of accounting, building, business, economics, law and planning. The link between good teaching and overall satisfaction, and the delivery of added value by property programs are also assessed. Changes over this 16-year period are highlighted in terms of student perceptions of the quality of property education in Australia.
