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‘The leadership interface’: effective leadership communication for contemporary global leaders
No full textThesis by publication.Bibliography: pages 317-404.Chapter 1. Introduction - Leadership, communication and the VUCAD world -- Chapter 2. Leadership research and communication -- Chapter 3. Communication research and leadership -- Chapter 4. Message and presence : the language and nonverbal communication of leadership -- Chapter 5. Leadership communication attributes : communicative interaction and communicative leadership -- Chapter 6. Leadership communication attributes : communication competence and communication intelligence -- Chapter 7. Conclusion : the leadership interface framework -- Chapter 8. Compendium chapter : formal thesis publications -- References -- Appendices.Academic literature is replete with studies highlighting the vitality and importance of communication interactions for effective leadership. However, research devoted to providing a deeply integrated picture of effective leadership communication and its attributes, encompassing elements such as context, content, structure, delivery,collaboration and communication styles, combined with leadership behaviors (which are frequently reflected through communication behaviors), is extremely rare. Studies are even more infrequent that examine leadership communication through the prism of the dynamic contemporary global business and organizational environment – the volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous and diverse (VUCAD) world.Consequently, the central question addressed in this thesis is: “What are the key attributes of effective leadership communication required for contemporary global organizational leaders in a VUCAD world?” By a deductive and thematic analysis of the plethora of classic and contemporary studies on leadership and communication (and contributions from original thesis publications), this dissertation seeks to address such a gap in the literature. The primary focus is the identification of a useful and fully integrative definition of ‘effective leadership communication’, together with its attributes, for contemporary global leaders in the VUCAD context. This connects the leadership environment of interactions with public, group, interpersonal, intrapersonal and behavioral leadership communication.To address the above foci and the thesis question, a framework, titled the ‘Leadership Interface’, is developed. This framework is built upon a rich definition (derived from the research) of ‘effective leadership communication’, as : achieving successful interaction, engagement and exchanges between leaders and stakeholders, within the dynamic leadership environment, inside and outside an organization or setting, to create shared meaning, understanding and satisfaction for the stakeholders, in specific situations as well as over time, and across a diverse range of communication situations and formats. Effective leadership communication in the leadership environment is built on self-awareness and awareness of others, and where the communication interactions take account of the leadership context and objectives, aiming to create relevant meaning, connection and engagement for all involved. Effective leadership communication interactions succeed because: the communication is meaning centered, relational and transmissional; the interactions employ communicative leadership practices, language and behaviors; leaders competently adjust, enhance and focus their communication approach and style to the needs of context, others and purpose; and the interactions are communication intelligent.The ‘Leadership Interface’ framework sets out a ‘Leadership Environment’ for leadership communication interactions with four interconnecting dimensions: Leadership Context (the leadership situation and circumstances for communication interactions – current and prospective, within a VUCAD world); Leadership Objectives (the vision, strategy, goals, desires, needs and purposes of the leader and leadership stakeholders); Leadership Stakeholders (the people within and outside the organization who participate in the leadership interactions); and Leadership Self (the personal awareness, characteristics and overall approach of the leader which influence the leadership interactions).The ‘Leadership Interface’ framework then incorporates four areas of attributes required to achieve ‘effective leadership communication’, being: Communicative Interaction: Meaning-Centered, Relational and TransmissionalCommunication; Communicative Leadership: Practices, Language and Behaviors; Communication Competence: Approaches, Styles and Capabilities; and Communication Intelligence: Communication Mindsets, Techniques andPreferences in Action.The framework is designed to be applied in a VUCAD world by individual and global executive leaders and the people with whom they interact. This integrated interface also provides opportunities for successful translation into professional leadership development and performance.In addition, the five thesis publications (cited and referenced across the chapters, and each contributing to the framework derived) cover the author’s contributions to closing other identified gaps in the leadership communication literature: ‘effective leadership communication in global crisis situations’ (empirical research positing the need to account for crisis situations beyond a single organization, such as the global financial crisis); ‘innovation-centered leadership communication’ (research study showing the most effective leadership communication means to achieve innovation outcomes in contemporary organizations); ‘intergenerational practices in leadership communication in the workplace’ (empirical study demonstrating intergenerational congruence and divergence in specific workplace communication practices); and ‘fair process leadership communication’ (theoretical study demonstrating the communication approaches and practices required to achieve fair process outcomes in contemporary organizations). A final thesis publication contributes to the leadership literature relevant to the setting of management, talent, human resources and communication in the VUCAD world; and this contextualizes all the thesis research. The publications arising from the candidate’s research thus contribute directly to the dissertation scholarship (the definition and attributes of effective leadership communication), and to leadership and communication scholarship in defined areas.A further thesis contribution to ‘leadership communication’ scholarship is a byproduct of the deductive and thematic review methodology utilized and applied systematically throughout the main thesis chapters. This provides an integrated and comprehensive review of the relevant classic and contemporary literature (across various disciplines), to better position future research in the ‘leadership communication’ field itself and identify future research priorities. This work involved multidisciplinary research, including examination, synthesis and extension of those aspects arising from relevant leadership theories and models (such as transformational, charismatic, fair process, emotional intelligence, networking), and from communication theories (such as speech act, rhetoric, linguistics, cognitive and information processing, and media richness theory). The research covers the theoretical interface and intersections amongst these various leadership and communication disciplines; as well as covering the interdisciplinary sub-discipline research of the ‘leadership communication’ field itself (such as leader content, style, structure, delivery, behavioral communication, intergenerational interaction and cross-paradigm leadership communication). Given the multi-disciplinary nature of the research, the thesis needed to also draw upon scholarship from other research areas where relevant research had been undertaken (such as entrepreneurship, human resource management, operations, technology, marketing and business strategy).Thus, the thesis aims to address important research gaps, and provides an intellectually robust, novel and integrated framework for defining and understanding key attributes of ‘effective leadership communication’ required for contemporary global leaders in a VUCAD world. The work and its associated publications endeavor to: provide a significant contribution to literature and scholarship; add substantively to the body of knowledge in the leadership communication field; and form a robust foundation for future research in leadership communication.Mode of access: World wide web1 online resource (xviii 482 pages) diagrams, graph
IoT enabled smart sensing system
No full textEmpirical thesis.Bibliography: pages 68-69.1. Introduction -- 2. Background and literature review -- 3. System description -- 4. Experimental setup and working principles -- 5. Results and discussion -- 6. Conclusion and future work -- Appendices -- Bibliography.Nowadays, various types of smart sensing systems are available worldwide due to the remarkable advancement achieved in the field of sensor technology. Not many of them use capacitive sensors that need complex circuitry as well as software algorithms. This project aims to develop and unconventional state of the art smart sensing system for environmental monitoring. The system will incorporate a complex sensor node compatible with different kinds of capacitive sensors besides resistive sensors which are not capable of communicating directly with the microprocessor. This will also be an IoT (Internet of Things) integrated system, allowing it to continuously send the sensor data to a designated web server for constant monitoring of the environment. The idea is to overcome the challenges of building a composite smart sensing system using a complex algorithm. For this particular project, three different kinds of sensors (LM335Z, HS1101LF and TGS2600) have been used in order to sense various attributes of our surrounding environment. LM335Z and TGS2600 are simple resistive types of sensors that have the capabilities to measure temperature and general air quality respectively. On the other hand, HS1101LF is a capacitive type of sensor that can measure humidity and temperature. As mentioned earlier, interfacing capacitive sensors to the microcontroller is not as simple as interfacing resistive ones. Therefore, this project focuses on developing sensor nodes incorporating both resistive and capacitive sensors in one connected circuit, and to achieve correct sensor data that will be later uploaded to an IoT server (ThingSpeak Channel) for continuous monitoring of the environment.Mode of access: World wide web.1 online resource (xiii, 69 pages colour illustrations
Development of a new synthetic approach to mesoporous carbon nitride using non-toxic chemicals
No full textEmpirical thesis.Bibliography: pages 53-55.Chapter 1. Introduction -- Chapter 2. Literature review -- Chapter 3. Experimental section-- Chapter 4. Results and discussion -- Chapter 5. Conclusion -- References -- Appendices.Mesoporous carbon nitrides are highly valuable materials with various properties, including basicity, semiconductivity, high rigidity and chemical stability, with an enlarged overall surface area from the mesoporous structure. They have great potential applications in water splitting, metal free catalysis, gas adsorption, energy storage and conservation due to the mesoporous structure. A well-ordered mesoporous carbon nitride is expected to have superior photocatalytic activity in the degradation of rhodamine b. However, the widely used templating synthesis of mesoporous carbon nitrides involves removal of the expensive silica template using the extremely toxic hydrogen fluoride, which makes it unsustainable. A novel salt template will be investigated in this thesis to synthesise mesoporous carbon nitride. Because of the solubility of salt in water, the new synthesis method will not require the dangerous hydrogen fluoride to remove the template. The stability and recyclability of the salt template can dramatically decrease the cost of synthesised mesoporous carbon nitride. The resulting materials were characterised using X-ray diffraction (XRD, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method (BET), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR spectroscopy) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The degradation of rhodamine b was employed to test the photocatalytic activity of the prepared material.Mode of access: World wide web.1 online resource (xiii, 69 pages colour illustrations
The use of force sensing resistive sensors in robotic hand applications
No full textEmpirical thesis.Bibliography: pages 67-68.1. Introduction -- 2. Background and related work -- 3. Experimentation -- 4. Results -- 5. Discussion -- 6. Conclusion -- 7. Abbreviations -- Appendix -- Bibliography.The development and advancement of smaller and more powerful electronics has opened up many new areas where control systems and robotics can now be applied. This includes lighter and smaller robotics being used in prosthetics, such as hands, arms and legs. This has led to the development of many different types of sensors to be used in the prosthetics. The ability to have sensors on the surface of robotic hands allows for greater control and awareness of what the device is doing. This project explores the use of flexible MEMS sensors, specifically Force Sensing Resistors (FSR), on a prosthetic hand, with the goal of being able to pick up delicate objects without breaking them. We will incorporate the remote control of a robotic hand via a specially fitted out glove with flexible sensors attached to it which will allow the robotic hand to mimic its movement and strength of grip applied by the user to an object. This project will focus on sourcing tactile sensors to be placed on the fingers of the robotic hand so as to detect objects placed in the hand's grip. The sensors will stop the robotic finger that the sensor is located on from closing any tighter and will therefore be able to pick up delicate objects without crushing them. This project looks to extend our knowledge in the use of sensors in prosthetics and various other fields in giving a robotic hand a better sense of the world around it and allowing it to interact more efficiently and accurately.Mode of access: World wide web.1 online resource (xvii, 68 pages colour illustrations
Concentrated solar thermal linear Fresnel lens
No full textEmpirical thesis.Bibliography: pages 73-77.Chapter 1. Introduction -- Chapter 2. Background and related work -- Chapter 3. Experimental testing -- Chapter 4. Results and analysis -- Chapter 5. Discussion -- Chapter 6. Conclusions -- Chapter 7. Recommendations for future work -- Appendices -- References.Australia's ageing network of coal fired power stations, combined with the world's move away from fossil fuels, has created a unique opportunity for the generation of renewable energy in Australia. This paper will focus on the emerging technology of concentrated solar thermal (CST), and, more specifically, investigate the use of a linear Fresnel lens as an alternative method of CST generation. CST systems work by concentrating solar energy onto a receiver to generate heat, which is then transferred to water either directly or through a heat exchanger for use in a conventional steam turbine. Currently there are no commercial CST plants operating in Australia, primarily due to high costs in comparison with existing renewables, and a lack of government support. to investigate the suitability of a linear Fresnel lens system, a small prototype was was developed and a number of experimental analyses conducted. The results indicated that a CST technique based on lens magnification can produce high working temperatures an efficiencies, along with several different advantages over existing CST methods. These include reduced environmental impacts, decreased maintenance requirements, and lower operating costs. Additionally, the experimental results indicated that a linear Fresnel CST system could be implemented into industries that require the use of low process heat. These include the food, textile and chemical industries, with process heat in the low to medium temperature ranges of between 80°C-250°C accounting for over 30% of total industrial energy consumptioon.Mode of access: World wide web.1 online resource (xviii, 77 pages colour illustrations
The impact of interactive apps on children's executive function
No full textTheoretical thesis.Bibliography: pages 61-71.Chapter 1. Introduction -- Chapter 2. Literature review -- Chapter 3. Methods -- Chapter 4. Results -- Chapter 5. Discussion.Executive function (EF) refers to a set of cognitive processes involved in the control of thoughts and actions (Zelazo & Muller, 2011). EF develops significantly over the preschool years and predicts developmental outcomes and academic achievement (Carlson, 2005; Diamond, 2013). This experimental study investigated the immediate impact of playing interactive application (app) games on the EF skills of 48 preschool aged children.Children were randomly assigned to three groups. Two groups engaged with an interactive tablet device to play app games which differed in pace (fast or slow) and fantastical content (fantastical or realistic), while a third group played with toys. Fantastical content was defined as physically impossible events, such as characters violating gravity or appearing out of nowhere (Lillard, Drell, Richey, Boguszewski & Smith, 2015). Children's EF was assessed before and after the condition using developmentally sensitive measures of three key EF skills: working memory, inhibitory control and attention shifting. Based on previous research that has explored the impact of fantastical media on children's executive function, the group that played the fast paced, fantastical app was expected to show a greater depletion of EF than the other two groups (Lillard, Drell et al., 2015). The anticipated depletion of EF was not observed. Interactive engagement and the role of attention are proposed as possible explanations of this findings -- abstract.1 online resource (87 pages
The Influence of attention biases and adult attachment style on treatment outcome for adults with social anxiety disorder
No full textBACKGROUND: Attention biases figure prominently in CBT models of social anxiety and are thought to maintain symptoms of social anxiety disorder (SAD). Studies have shown that individual differences in pre-treatment attention biases predict cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) outcome. However, these findings have been inconsistent as to whether vigilance towards threat predicts better or poorer treatment outcome. Adult attachment style is an individual characteristic that may influence the relationship between attention bias and SAD. This study investigates the relationship between attention biases and CBT treatment outcome for SAD. Furthermore, we examined the influence of adult attachment style on this relationship. METHOD: Participants with a primary diagnosis of SAD completed a passive viewing (measuring vigilance towards threat) and a novel difficulty to disengage (measuring difficulty to disengage attention) eye-tracking task prior to attending 12 CBT group sessions targeting SAD. Symptom severity was measured at pre- and post-treatment. Regression analyses were conducted on a sample of 50 participants. RESULTS: Greater vigilance for threat than avoidance of threat at pre-treatment predicted poorer treatment outcomes. Greater difficulty disengaging from happy faces, compared to neutral faces, predicted poorer treatment outcomes. Attachment style did not moderate these relationships. LIMITATIONS: The associations between attention biases and specific components of CBT treatment were not examined. The novel findings regarding difficulty to disengage attention require replication. CONCLUSIONS: The findings have implications for the theoretical models of SAD and for the treatment of SAD.8 page(s
Mummification unwrapped: investigating an Egyptian votive mummy using novel, non-invasive archaeometric techniques
No full textEmpirical thesis.Bibliography: pages 52-58.1. Introduction -- 2. Description of IA1.2402 mummified specimen -- 3. Methods -- 4. Results -- 5. Discussion -- 6. Conclusion -- 7. Reference list -- 8. Appendix.Due to a history of malpractice in archaeology, minimally and non-destructive investigative techniques are necessary to protect precious artefacts and mummified remains for the future. Using a combination of established and novel techniques, X-ray computed tomography (CT) and neutron CT, allowed for non-destructive study of IA.2402, an unusual Egyptian votive mummy of unknown age and provenance. These imaging methods revealed a partial skeleton of a small, juvenile cat. Use of both techniques allows for dual contrast and complementary study of bones, soft tissue, and textile components. Neutron CT, never before applied to archaeometric studies of mummified remains, provided valuable insight into wrapping techniques used in the mummification process. Pigment analysis was performed for coloured markings on the wrappings, using a scanning electron microscope and Raman spectroscopy, to determine their composition and authenticity. Protein extraction and analysis was attempted, however was inconclusive of species due to the decayed state of remains. Radiocarbon dates were acquired, and provided quantitative results to compare with morphological observations and conclusions based on partiality of the contents. All techniques were employed to better define and profile the specimen, within its historical context, while causing as little physical disruption as possible.Mode of access: World wide web1 online resource (xii, 67 pages) colour illustrations, 1 colour ma
The Kingdom of Elymais (ca. 301 BC-224 AD): a comprehensive analysis (archaeological, artistic, and textual) of one of the most important minor reigns in southern Iran
No full textTheoretical thesis.Includes bibliographical references.Introduction -- Part I. The background -- Part II. Corpus of evidence -- Part III. Discussions and interpretations -- Part IV. Maps, tables and plates.The Seleucid and Arsacid periods (ca. 301 BC – 224 AD)‚ spanning the centuries from the end of the Achaemenid dynasty to the rise of the Sasanid empire with the arrival of Ardashir ‚ long persisted as one of the most obscure hiatus in the history of southwestern Iran. Although less renowned than its neighbours in the lowlands of Susiana and Mesopotamia, the Zagros-Bakhtiari highland (now the mountainous part of the Khuzestan‚ and the Kohgiluyeh and Buyer Ahmad provinces) represents nonetheless a distinctive cultural lens through which the heterogeneous socio-political dynamics about one of the most vital regions of western Asia may find an explanation. In this context‚ the last survival of the Elamite civilization clearly emerges in that small kingdom which was widely know during the antiquity by the name of Elymais. In reality, while Classical sources speak of Elymais, Mesopotamian authors reproposed the long-established designation of Elam, suggesting that this kingdom – so often overlooked in the academic world – was probably heir to the millennial Elamite kingship and culture. During the last few decades‚ scholars have moderately progressed to disclose a clearer picture of the Elymaean culture and its material evidence‚ even though a comprehensive study has remained surprisingly absent.This work investigates the origin and development of Elymais through both epigraphic and archaeological data‚ and reassessed its relevance placing it in the perspective of the latest archaeological and historical scholarship. A thorough analysis with the aim to confront th etopic of Elymais from all sides (textual, archaeological, cultural) is suggested then to provide for the first time in academic studies a complete vision of all the fragmentary material records so as to collate them as a corpus. I assume that my own efforts may adequately indicate the signiПicance‚ and indeed the necessity‚ to enhance these artistic assets in order to remodel the Elymaean history and socio-cultural identity. Narrowing the gap in scholarship through the elaboration of a critical review‚ which is also refined by supplementary data from written sources and other prospects of the material attestation‚ a new general overview has been elaborated for this intriguing society.Mode of access: World wide web1 online resource (400 pages) illustrations, map
Language, power and the "Arab Spring": three case studies
No full textTheoretical thesis.Includes bibliographical references.Chapter One. Introduction and methodology -- Chapter Two. Literature review -- Chapter Three. Register description -- Chapter Four. Rhetorical organization -- Chapter Five. Ideational metafunction analysis -- Chapter Six. Conclusion and summary -- Bibliography -- Appendices.In both Eastern and Western traditions, political discourse and its relations to power and ideology have been studied. The focus of this thesis is the political discourse of three Middle East dictators, Bashar al-Assad (Syria), Zine al Abidine Ben Ali (Tunisia), and Muammar Gaddafi (Libya) during the time known as “the Arab Spring”. Though this period has been given scholarly attention, there are few studies of the Arab Spring from the point of view of the recruitment of political discourse by Arab dictators as a mechanism to attempt to defend their legitimacy. Two speeches from each leader have been analyzed. These speeches were given at times of popular uprisings in each country, which threatened the legitimacy of these leaders’ hold on power. Under the pressure of popular dissent, how did these leaders respond? While all three recruited the considerable coercive power at their disposal, at the same time, all three sought the power of discourse to construct and defend their legacies, to project their accounts of the external interference in domestic affairs, and to recruit shared identities (based on nationalism, and pan-Arabism). The use of coercive power, even in essentially non-democratic societies, still requires ideological legitimation. Drawing on a combination of systemic, functional linguistics, and rhetorical studies, the research investigates the strategies or instruments these leaders used, the positions they were talking from, their strive for legitimacy, their choice of rhetorical devices and the similarities and differences between them in terms of structure and use of language in general were asked. These forms of language, and their significance in relation to attempts by these dictators to take control of the meanings associated with the political situation of the time, are also considered in their sociological context, drawing particularly on the work of Weber, Hisham Sharabi, Halim Barakat and others.Mode of access: World wide web1 online resource (vi, 308 pages) diagrams, table