54 research outputs found
Developing an e-logistics system : a case study
No full textAuthor name used in this publication: E. W. T. NgaiAuthor name used in this publication: T. C. E. Cheng2007-2008 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalAccepted ManuscriptPublishedGreen (AAM
Critical success factors of web-based supply-chain management systems : an exploratory study
No full textAuthor name used in this publication: E. W. T. NgaiAuthor name used in this publication: T. C. E. Cheng2004-2005 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalAccepted ManuscriptPublishedGreen (AAM
Extending the understanding of end user information systems satisfaction formation : an equitable needs fulfillment model approach
No full textAuthor name used in this publication: N. AuAuthor name used in this publication: E. W. T. NgaiAuthor name used in this publication: T. C. E. Cheng2007-2008 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalAccepted ManuscriptPublishedGreen (AAM
Development of a web-based system for supporting sales in a mineral water manufacturing firm : a case study
No full textAuthor name used in this publication: E. W. T. NgaiAuthor name used in this publication: T. C. E. Cheng2002-2003 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalAccepted ManuscriptPublishedGreen (AAM
Measures for evaluating supply chain performance in transport logistics
No full textAuthor name used in this publication: Kee-hung LaiAuthor name used in this publication: E. W.T . NgaiAuthor name used in this publication: T. C. E. Cheng2002-2003 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalAccepted ManuscriptPublishedGreen (AAM
Development of an RFID-based traceability system : experiences and lessons learned from an aircraft engineering company
No full textAuthor name used in this publication: E. W. T. NgaiAuthor name used in this publication: T. C. E. ChengAuthor name used in this publication: Kee-hung Lai2007-2008 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishedPublisher permissio
Reviewing the Statutory Union Recognition (ERA 1999)
Get PDFIn 2000 the UK government introduced, under the Employment Relations Act of 1999, a new statutory union recognition procedure, while in 2003 it published a consultation document on its Review of the Act. The document concluded that th eunion procedure was broadly working and confirmed that the government would not be changing the procedure's basic features, but outlined some changes that it was proposing and issues on which it sought opinions. This paper assesses, on the basis of the authors' research, whether the procedure is indeed achieving the government's consultative document. The latter was submitted as the authors' response to the review. The authors concur with the document¿s overall judgement that in the first three years of its operation, the procedure is working effectively. It is providing a right to union recognition where the majority of workers want it, encouraging the voluntary resolution of recognition disputes and being used as a last resort, whilst no judicial reviews have, as yet, undermined its operation as happened with the last statutory procedure in the 1990s. Nonetheless there are problems particularly relating to the ability of employers to influence both how the CAC uses its discretion and workers exercise their rights with respect to union recognition, whilst the applications are in the procedure and during recognition ballots. On the basis of this, the author¿s response to the consultative document gauges that many of its arguments for making only limited changes in the procedure¿s fundamentals are sound, as are those where change is envisaged. However, in certain areas more consideration should be given to change, and particularly of ways of limiting the actions of employers that the document concedes might be deemed ¿unfair labour practices¿.trade unions, collective bargaining
Comment on “Unified explanation of the anomalous dynamic properties of highly asymmetric polymer blends” [J. Chem. Phys.138, 054903 (2013)]
No full textIn a recent paper by Ngai and Capaccioli [“Unified explanation of the anomalous dynamic properties of highly asymmetric polymer blends,” J. Chem. Phys.138, 054903 (Year: 2013)10.1063/1.4789585] the authors claimed that the so-called coupling model (CM) provides a unified explanation of all dynamical anomalies that have been reported for dynamically asymmetric blends over last ten years. Approximately half of the paper is devoted to chain-dynamic properties involving un-entangled polymers. According to the authors, the application of the CM to these results is based on the existence of a crossover at a time t c ≈ 1–2 ns of the magnitudes describing chain-dynamics. Ngai and Capaccioli claimed that the existence of such a crossover is supported by the neutron scattering and MD-simulation results, corresponding to the blend poly(methyl methacrylate)/poly(ethylene oxide), by Niedzwiedz et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett.98, 168301 (Year: 2007)10.1103/PhysRevLett.98.168301] and Brodeck et al. [Macromolecules43, 3036 (Year: 2010)10.1021/ma902820a], respectively. Being one of the authors of these two papers, I will demonstrate here that there is no evidence supporting such a crossover in the data reported in these papers.The author thanks for the support through Project Nos. MAT2012-31088 and IT-436-07 (GV).Peer reviewe
A segmental evaluation of arterial stiffness before and after prolonged strenuous exercise
No full textNous analysons les effets d'une seule séance d'exercice intense et prolongée (PSE) sur la rigidité artérielle mesurée par la vélocité des ondes pulsatiles (PWV) avant et après un ultramarathon. Vingt coureurs habitués à participer à des ultramarathons (UM) participent aux séances d'évaluation de base et aux séances consécutives à une course au cours desquelles on évalue la PWV centrale sur le segment carotide-fémoral (cPWV), la PWV sur le segment carotide-doigt du membre supérieur (uPWV) et la PWV sur le segment fémoral-orteil du membre inférieur (lPWV). Quatorze autres sujets normalement actifs (NA) et appariés selon l'âge et le sexe participent à la séance d'évaluation de base mais pas à la course. Le temps moyen du temps de performance enregistré à l'ultramarathon est de 30 h 47 min. La pression artérielle moyenne diminue après l'exercice physique (avant l'exercice (pre), 92 ± 7 mm Hg; après l'exercice (post), 84 ± 7 mm Hg; P -1; post, 73 ± 12 batt·min-1; P ; P -1; post, 9,6 ± 2,6 m·s-1; P ; P -1; post, 4,4 ± 0,8 m·s-1; P ; P -1; post, 3,9 ± 1,3 m·s-1; P = 0,55). À la séance d'évaluation de base, le groupe NA présente une cPWV significativement plus élevée que celle du groupe UM (UM. 4,1 ± 0,8 m·s-1; NA, 7,4 ± 1,3 m·s-1; P < 0,001). La participation à un PSE influence la rigidité artérielle périphérique, mais pas la rigidité artérielle centrale. Les participants réguliers aux PSE présentent une plus faible rigidité artérielle centrale que les sujets normalement actifs appariés selon l'âge et le sexe. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHORSource type: Electronic(1
The Determinants of Tribal Population Growth in the New Zealand Census
No full textBy the early twentieth century the notion that ethnic populations would dissipate was a commonly held belief. However, after World War II, the modern world has seen an incredible resurgence in ethnic identities. Ethnic conflicts, mobilisations, and the political movements of the 1950s and 1960s served as a major catalyst in the diffusion of indigenous identities and rights. Consequently, indigenous groups in settler states, especially in North America, experienced population growth beyond the levels of natural demographic factors, that is, fertility, mortality and migration. Researchers attributed a significant proportion of this growth to changing patterns of ethnic identification, also referred to as ethnic mobility . Although this phenomenon is well documented in North America, it is only just beginning to be understood in relation to the New Zealand context.
During the 1970s and 1980s, the indigenous Māori population of New Zealand gained substantial progress in political, social and economic spheres, following the same patterns of ethnic identity growth as in North America. Despite these gains, the average individual socio-economic outcomes for Māori remain poor, especially in comparison to New Zealand Europeans/Pākehā. Through key legislation, iwi (tribal) organisations became the core mechanism in which to address Māori socio-economic issues, achieve Māori aspirations and to manage Treaty of Waitangi settlement monies. Subsequently, the need for iwi statistics for policy and planning purposes saw the reinstatement of iwi data in the New Zealand census in 1991. Surprisingly, however, very little attention has been given to contemporary patterns of iwi demography.
Since the 1991 census, observations of total iwi population growth patterns indicate these patterns cannot solely be explained by natural demographic factors. Furthermore, the growth trajectories of individual iwi were markedly different, and in some cases erratic. These initial observations have raised the following key research questions: What do patterns of iwi growth look like? What is the role of ethnic mobility? What factors drive ethnic mobility? Who changes iwi identification? Why should we care?
This thesis examines patterns of iwi identification in the New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings from 1991 to 2006. It uses statistical methods to not only document iwi population changes but to also identify the key determinants driving these trajectories. In addition, this thesis considers ethnic mobility as an important driver of population growth but, situates this within the broader macro-political environment. Along with the analysis of aggregate iwi population changes, this thesis also provides an in-depth analysis of four iwi groups – Ngāi Tahu, Waikato, Ngāti Awa and Tūhoe, in order to observe individual iwi dynamics that are not clearly visible at the aggregate level.
The findings of this thesis raise important implications for theories of ethnicity and the demographic study of ethnic populations. For example, this thesis argues that the category of ethnic mobility is mainly contextual, that is, decisions to change ethnic responses are influenced by the broader political, social and economic contexts. Furthermore this thesis contends that individual ethnic identification decisions are for the most part defined by ethnic categories imposed by the State. While traditional views suggest ethnicity is fixed, intrinsic and kinship based, this thesis finds significant support for contemporary views that argue ethnicity is fluid, extrinsic and socially constructed. Rather than reject traditional views of Maori identity, this study recognises that ethnic identities are complex, and that shifts in iwi identification is about connecting and reconnecting with whakapapa. Thus this thesis argues that in order to understand individual iwi dynamics both points of view need to be considered
- …
