SBS HDR Student Conference

NSW Public-Hospital Dietitians and Their Workplace: True Love or a Marriage of Convenience?

Marianna Milosavljevic — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 10:15:00 PDT

This study examines how NSW public-hospital dietitians are affected by their workplace. Hospitals have undergone rapid changes over the last 50 years and 43% of the dietetic workforce is located within this environment. Three different approaches were used to examine this topic: a direct overt observational study; a cross-sectional NSW wide survey; and in-depth interviews. The major findings were: the majority of tasks undertaken by the hospital dietitian occurred away from the patient; there were low to moderate levels of burnout experienced by dietitians, but level or years of experience and the type of hospital affected burnout levels. Dietitians sought validation from their workplace from five sources: knowledge acquisition, relationships, culture, role clarity and self-attributes. The conclusion was the ‘marriage’ between dietitians and the workplace is initially based on true love, but the success of the union relies on an ongoing commitment, compromise and adaptation.

Can education and training decision makiing be improved using a risk management decision making framework?

Barry Horton — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 13:45:00 PDT

Current research and literature reviews indicate that Australian organisations do not use consistent and effective decision making processes when undertaking education and training. This paper provides both context and background to underlying training decision making problems in Australia and introduces an innovative training decision making model for research and testing. The model to be tested develops a heuristic training decision making sequence based on risk management theory and is supported by the International Risk Management Standard ISO 3100:2009. The application of risk management logic to training decisions enables the development and testing of a unique decision making sequence that ranks and prioritises organisational training approaches in accordance with perceived levels of organisation risk. A defined series of training matrixes represent the decisions that embody the heuristic training model and facilitate a meta- analysis approach to organisational training needs. The potential effectiveness of the heuristic risk management decision making model will determined by testing data obtained from a stratified sample group of organisational mangers in NSW TAFE institutions and NSW Public Health.

Methodologies of Soliciting Customer Feedback in Clinical Hospital Staff: Understanding What Information to Obtain in Order To Improve Customer Service

Louise Wienholt — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 13:45:00 PDT

Health services are undergoing a period of dynamic change in the Australian health market, especially relating to creating and maintaining strong relationships between healthcare facilities such as hospitals and the clinicians who utalise and refer patients to their services. This paper outlines a number of key considerations of behavioural determinants of customer relationship management (CRM) including attitude to serve, understanding expectations, quality perceptions, reliability, communication, customisation, recognition, ensuring agreements are met, satisfaction audit and retention. Understanding these factors and how to implement them into healthcare practice will not only identify areas of improvement but also enable organisations to set achievable benchmarks in satisfaction and key performance indicators as part of a quality management system.

Coaching for targeted intentional personality change

Lesley Sue Martin — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 11:30:00 PDT

Intentional targeted personality change is a relatively unexplored research area. Related literature, however, suggests that personality change is likely to be both feasible and desirable in a coaching context, in clients without major psychopathology. This study examines the effects of a 10 week personality change coaching program. Participants were randomly assigned to a personality change coaching group (n=26) or a waitlist control group (n=26). One to one weekly coaching was conducted by psychologists, trained in personality change coaching processes, using resources developed in a previous phase of this research. Participation in the personality coaching program was associated with significant change in client chosen personality facets/sub-traits F(1,9.533, p<.01). The study suggests that intentional targeted personality change can be achieved over a 10 week period.

Accounting for Carbon in Australia – How does a CFO choose the most appropriate accounting approach?

Ron Bryant — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 12:15:00 PDT

Today’s CFOs are involved in strategy determination and implementation together with their traditional role of reporting and compliance. A factor in the complexity of the CFOs role has been the increase in accounting regulation through standard development as a response to corporate governance challenges over the past 30 years. There has been little research into the choices made by CFOs in accounting methods, especially in the Australian environment. The focus of this paper is to highlight the opportunity to research an accounting area where there is currently much debate and issues around the choice of accounting method and disclosure. This area is accounting for emission trading schemes. Currently there are no accounting standards covering emission trading. This leads to two opportunities, the first is to add to and inform both the academic and professional discussion on how best to develop appropriate standards within Australia. The second relates to researching how CFOs make choices in their accounting methods. This paper explains the background and the opportunity for this research.

Management Skills for Professionals - Are they Required? A Case Study on the Needs of Engineering Undergraduate Students

Peter Childs et al. — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 14:30:00 PDT

This paper examines issues around graduate professional engineers and their management skills, questioning whether they are adequate for the modern engineering workplace and goes on the consider the notion that for the majority of engineers, the development of managerial skills will be essential and cannot be 'picked up on the job'. Engineers increasingly need to understand the interactions between design, quality, sustainability, product planning, and organisation, management of people, team work and finance. This paper considers the need to develop managerial skills and will discuss the development of a survey to be carried out in an Australian context. The survey will cover a range of firms and governmental bodies which employ graduate engineers. The questions will cover a wide range of non-engineering skills which could be expected of engineers within the first five years from the commencement of their careers. The two disciplines, Engineering and Management have enjoyed a rather difficult relationship for some time. Each needs the other because complex engineering tasks cannot be carried out in an increasingly challenging business environment without an integrated management focus. Engineers are finding they need to take on more complex tasks which include very significant managerial issues. Most engineering faculties have attempted to teach managerial skills in their engineering curricula. However, management education has often been viewed as secondary to technical skills and hence does not encompass the integrated range of skills needed. This has not motivated students to become interested in and committed to the management aspects of their future profession with the result that management education for engineers remains an enigma. This paper considers some of the contemporary literature on teaching management to engineers. Some ideas are discussed outlining possible research which will be carried out and reported on by the authors, aimed at documenting current shortcomings with a view to developing a more effective future strategy for engineering management education.

The relationship of employee engagement and wellbeing to organisational and student outcomes

Aylin Dulagil — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 11:30:00 PDT

Employee engagement is gaining popularity in management literature; however it remains an unclear and somewhat undifferentiated psychological construct. Self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985) outlines three basic psychological needs that enhance human flourishing and offers a potentially comprehensive framework for defining and predicting employee engagement. This paper reviews the literature surrounding employee engagement, well-being and perceived autonomy support in organisations. In doing so, this paper examines existing theories of employee engagement. Finally, this paper reviews the literature regarding the relationship between employee engagement and organisational outcomes.

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.

The Impact of Social Capital and Policy Inducement on Collective Efficiency in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Cluster

Mukhammad K. Mawardi — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:00:00 PDT

Cluster or industrial district has long been acknowledged as firm’s, in particularly micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) mechanism to cope their limitation. Two compelling theories explaining this phenomenon are cluster and industrial district. Although, root on common theoretical ground, these theories focus on different unit analysis and emerges in different context. This paper propose the conceptual model in interpreting the dynamics of cluster and how social capital and cluster policy impact on the collective efficiency of cluster. To support the model, literatures explaining the collective efficiency, social capital and cluster policy are critically reviewed. This paper is ended by proposing research method to apply the model in the empirical study.

Psychological Flexibility as a Mechanism of Change in the Quality of Care in Health Care Settings: A Brief Review of Literature and Study Outline

Gorjana Brkic — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:15:00 PDT

The construct of psychological flexibility is emerging as a relevant variable for study of individual and organisational outcomes. This paper provides a brief review of literature on the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ACT in the workplace settings and outlines elements of the current study, seeking to investigate psychological flexibility as a change mechanism in the quality of care in health settings. It is hypothesised that enhancing psychological flexibility will have a positive effect on the quality of care delivered and the capacity of employees to cope with the demands of the workplace as evidenced in better psychological health and greater resilience.

The study will utilise principles of participatory action research to deliver an ACT based intervention to enhance psychological flexibility. The proposed research is expected to contribute to the recognised lack of empirical work investigating the role that the concept of psychological flexibility may play in achieving organisational outcomes.

The Challenges of Corporate Performance Measurement

Scott Reed-Stephenson — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 10:00:00 PDT

Corporate performance measurement has evolved in recent decades to encompass perspectives beyond historical financial information provided by accounting systems. Despite this evolution, organisations still face challenges in selecting performance measures and combining them into a performance measurement system to guide the implementation of strategy and improve corporate performance. This paper reviews the literature related to corporate performance measurement to highlight the challenges facing organisations in measuring and managing corporate performance.