Conference Papers

Sustainable Supply

Mark Edwards — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 11:45:00 PDT

Supply chain management literature has a variety of definitions to describe supply chain management. The original discussion was to discuss what is sustainable supply. Yet, it became apparent that this was not possible. In order to understand sustainable supply you first need to know what do we mean by supply. The focus of this paper to be relevant needed to focus its research to find the foundation of the definition of supply. To define supply, a literature review was conducted. The reviews specific attention focussed on finding a definition for supply from the various supply chain and supply chain management journals, theses and books. The result of the review found that the definitions were many and varied and could not provide a clear definition on what is supply. The definitions for supply chain and supply chain management lacked clarity, and focussed on business trends to shape and define this field. Becasue of the inability of finding a definition for supply it therefore highlights the need for developing a firm foundation with which to describe and define the management of supply before we can even consider the rewards of defining sustainable supply. Since supply chain management is about managing supply, it is suggested that further research be undertaken to change further research on answering the question; “what is supply”. Further work then needs to be done to understand what we mean by sustainability. Upon completion of these two projects furhter work can occur to competently define the meaning of sustainable supply.

Sustainable Supply and Supply Chain Mapping - Sri Lankan Tea Supply Chain

Pradeepa Jayaratne — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:00:00 PDT

Sustainable supply chain management has gained great attention during last few decades. Companies not only need to deliver quality products, but also have to comply with environmental, economical, ethical and social aspects. This has created more challenges for managing the supply chain. Increased customer awareness in sustainability concepts has further increased the challenges. In supply chain management sustainable supply is an important part of any business and it is critical for the success of the whole supply chain. With identifying the importance in these concepts; this paper tries to define the sustainable supply and supply chain mapping using a theoretical framework. It further describes the research methodology that is used to identify the influencing factors on sustainable tea supply in Sri Lanka tea supply chain.

A Position Paper on What is Supply

Fadi Kotob — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 11:45:00 PDT

Supply is an important topic which needs to be well researched for providing insight about the needed characteristics for fulfilling the customer supply needs. Researched topics are mainly focused on specific features of supply. This research is aimed at providing an understanding of the supply characteristics relevant to the 21st century. In order to understand these characteristics, journal articles relevant to the topic were researched and analysed. The study resulted in collating a supply definition which incorporates the various views of supply identified in the research. The study also proposed a hypothetical supply model that supports the new definition. Having a clear understanding of what is supply in the 21st century is crucial in order to be able to fulfill the customer needs. The world is changing and the importance of sensing and responding to customer requirements is becoming crucial. Sourced supplies will need to meet the evolving supply requirements which include things such as minimum impact on the environment. It is these supply characteristics which will decide if future supplies are going to meet the customer requirements.

Factors Impacting on the Efficacy of Feedback for Formative Assessment

Mark Middleton — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 13:45:00 PDT

This paper focuses on factors impacting on the efficacy of feedback for formative assessment. A number of studies have found that formative assessment drives learning and that feedback is a distinguishing feature of formative assessment. The effect of feedback on student learning is well documented, however the provision of feedback does not guarantee that learning will take place. A number of factors impacting on feedback have been reviewed in the literature. However the relational process between student and teacher and whether this impacts the effectiveness and acceptance of feedback is relatively unexplored and needs to be more closely examined. Investigation of factors surrounding the relational process that contributes to the integration of feedback for learning will be explored, particularly in the context of a postgraduate business school.

Presenteeism in Australian Workforce; Impact of Psychological Flexibility and Autonomous Motivation

Nazanin Najafi — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:15:00 PDT

Modern workplaces should acquire proper strategies in reacting effectively to presenteeism and its associated cost of productivity loss in order to increase firm’s profitability. Presenteeism is defined as being present at work but unable to be fully engaged with the work environment. In fact, presenteeism is employees’ inappropriate copying strategies to deal with stress and exhaustion caused by unfavourable work environment and fear of job or payment loss (Cooper, 1999 & Lack, 2011).

Wide range of physiological, financial, social, and medical studies has been conducted in relation to presenteeism in the workplace; however, escalating costs of presenteeism is still one of the major health-related financial burden to the global economy and a threat to individuals’ well-being. Therefore, many researchers and scholars have emphasised on the importance of more precise research in this area. (Bond et al., 2001 & Cooper et al., 1999).

This study investigates the impact of autonomous motivation and psychological flexibility on employees’ well being and their level presenteeism. The theoretical framework in this paper is based on Self-determination theory and the research hypotheses will be examined by using online questionaries sent to randomly selected participants. The last phase of study is aiming to introduce the main elements of autonomous motivation (i.e. competence, relatedness, autonomy) and psychological flexibility (i.e. acceptance, action) in reducing the level of presenteeism at workplace.

Determining Demographic Influences on Managers’ Use of Accommodation or Non-accommodation in Communication With Direct Reports in Australian Workplaces

Ann Rogerson — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 14:15:00 PDT

This paper outlines a project aiming to identify demographic influences that influence communication by managers with their direct reports in Australian workplaces. A study has been designed using an online survey to identify whether and in what circumstances managers, in the interests of effective communication at work, consciously alter modifiers such as words, tone and the pace of speech, to accommodate perceived demographic differences. The study will also capture whether and in what circumstances managers decide not to alter the way they communicate when demographic differences are perceived. Managers’ responses rating the outcome of a critical interpersonal communication event will be measured against a range of demographic attributes – age, gender, educational background, cultural background, organisational tenure, and English language use. Variations will be analysed to determine the types of demographic factors that influence face to face communication events and perceived outcomes. In addition, the study will determine whether specific demographic factors are associated with the use of accommodative communication practices in diverse workforces.

Understanding Student Choice Criteria for Selecting an Indonesian Public University: A Conjoint Analysis Approach

Andriani Kusumawati — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:00:00 PDT

This research aims to estimate the relative importance the students attach to the factors that influence them to select an Indonesian public university and determine whether there are groups of students for whom different factors were more important. The data was examined using conjoint analysis approach, a widely accepted method for evaluating multiattribute alternatives in marketing. Findings indicate that high school leavers in developing markets, view advice from family, friends, and/or teachers, reputation, and job prospect as the most important factors for selecting a public university. However, two different preference-based segments of prospective students were identified from cluster analysis, and classified into students’ ‘social networks-based decision’ and ‘rational decision’ segments. Choice simulator was employed with three propositions and the segments were found to have dissimilar preferences. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications and limitations of the method as well as direction for the future research.

Position Paper ‐ Supply

Carol McGowan — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 11:45:00 PDT

Over the last 30 years there has been considerable research associated with supply related matters. Even though there has been much activity no one has attempted to define and explore ‘supply’ in and of itself. By observation it would appear that approximately 80% of the activities relates to ‘Supply Chain’ and its various constructs some of the more significant ones being: Supply Chain Management (SCM), Supply Chain Performance (SCP), Supply Chain Orientation (SCO) and Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM). This paper will outline what has been found in the extant literature. It highlights the fact that consensus of definitions has not been reached and this could be a consequence of not exploring the most fundamental construct of ‘supply’. After exploring and analysing what does exist it then goes on to discuss some of the challenges that exist and some key omissions that could help to define future research initiatives.

Adding Value to Public Hospital Pathology: Identifying Key Attributes that Requestors Associate with Quality

Louise Wienholt — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 14:15:00 PDT

Pathology services are undergoing a period of dynamic change in the Australian health market. As costs continue to be rationalised there has been an increasing requirement to quantitate and improve the clinical utility and value of pathology in healthcare delivery.

Through literature review we propose a model to assess how this service is valued by clinicians and the dimensions that influence the perception of quality.

A number of concepts of service delivery are examined and their applicability to pathology service discussed. From these 14 dimensions are proposed as having substantial influence on the perception of the quality of pathology services by clinicians, which are classified into pre-existing contributors, service quality dimensions and personal perception.

Exploring Positive Organisational Development in an Educational Organisation

Aylin Dulagil — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 13:45:00 PDT

The objective of this paper is to explore different concepts that relate to facilitating and measuring positive organisational development. It examines the positive change approach of appreciative inquiry, in order to explore the impact of appreciative inquiry on enhancing employee self-determination. Self-determination has been found to increase well-being and has been proposed as a framework for researching employee engagement. The proposed studies will examine this framework further, specifically in relation to autonomy support. Coaching is proposed as another important intervention for enhancing self-determination and employee engagement and also as a complementary technique for embedding and enhancing organisational change. The proposed studies to examine these relationships are described below.