A Survey of Church Libraries

This article reports the results of a survey of congregational libraries, documents the current state of congregational libraries, and updates previous statistical studies. A survey was conducted to collect demographic statistics, information on collection size and composition, budgets and acquisitions methods, staffing characteristics, automation, and circulation

Catalytic polymeric nanoreactors : more than a solid supported catalyst

Polymeric nanostructures can be synthesized where the catalytic motif is covalently attached within the core domain and protected from the environment by a polymeric shell. Such nanoreactors can be easily recycled, and have shown unique properties when catalyzing reactions under pseudohomogeneous conditions. Many examples of how these catalytic nanostructures can act as nanosized reaction vessels have been reported in the literature. This prospective will focus on the exclusive features observed for these catalytic systems and highlight their potential as enzyme mimics, as well as the importance of further studies to unveil their full potential

Implementing measures of cost control (food & labour) for small restaurant businesses

In 2012, Auckland Region Restaurant Record estimated that there were 2000 restaurants in the Auckland area. Therefore, with fierce competition in the market, it is important for small restaurants to think how they can save costs and be more competitive. This research aims to identify feasible measurements for small restaurant businesses to control food and labour costs in order to possess advantages in the competitive environment. This research contains both quantitative and qualitative research by convenience-based sampling methods. The researched restaurants are located in Hamilton. To analyse the answers from the participants, the responses will be compared with results shown in the literature review and displayed as graphs. Due to limited time and resources, the sample selecting, size and location will be limited. The tentative results from the research illustrate that few of the researched restaurants take measures to deal with food waste and leftovers. They usually dispose of waste into the rubbish bin. Apart from participants who are unaware of inventory storage systems, they adopt FIFO as their storage inventory method. Moreover, employees are not happy if their wages/working hours are cut down, and some of them will decrease their working quality or efficiency. Consequently, restaurants need to balance between employee wages and work efficiency

Prevalence of Bitcoin in New Zealand

Global warming is a reality. Organisations realise their corporate responsibility to conduct their business with the 'future' in mind. Sustainability is having a green conscience and ensuring the steps you take today do not have a negative impact on the future. Green Human Resources Management is to promote the sustainable use of resources within business organisations. The aim of this research is to provide organisations with a Green Human Resource Management Strategy (GHRM). A qualitative approach was followed, and five participants interviewed. The researcher followed this approach to gain an in-depth understanding of business eco-friendly practices, to ascertain if they utilise HR to drive “green” in the organisation and engage employees. The study found that most organisations have implemented some eco-friendly practice and know the value of becoming a 'green' employer. However, the researcher identified a significant gap in that organisations are not aware of or lack the knowledge of how to utilise HR practices to get staff engaged in green policies and procedures. The researcher will strive to come up with various ideas and recommendation to the business on how they can utilise their HR practices to go green and engage their staff

Job costing: An analysis of the construction industry

The construction industry in New Zealand is very large and shows no signs of slowing down in the near future. It is one of the largest contributors for employment growth. However, some of the largest construction companies are seeing huge losses and debts. This report sets out to find out why this is happening and will do so by analysing job costing methods and investigating variances of quoted and actual costs in the construction/painting industry. Many Potential Job Costing methods have been identified, but the best-suited options were the profit point analysis and micro costing methods. Another potential method to improve quoting would be to use a structured project learning approach. However, the answer may not lie within job costing but with the fact that material and labour prices are increasing yearly and will be different when jobs are quoted from when they are carried out. A survey was sent via email to 85 construction businesses. 10 viable responses were gathered back. A financial analysis was also carried out on 45 jobs gathered from a painting business known to the researcher. The financial analysis found there was an average variance of 5 %, with labour contributing 69% of this. When looking at jobs under $5000 it was found the average variance was 19$5000 averaged 1% variance. The survey results found that average estimated variance for labour was 6% and materials were 1%. The researcher recommends using a structured learning approach. It is essential that construction businesses are aware of increasing material and labour costs. It is also evident that smaller jobs saw larger variances, therefore smaller jobs should be quoted as accurately as larger jobs

Control of the house mouse (Mus musculus L.) in the Netherlands

Rodent control in the Netherlands is carried out by local authorities, extermination companies or the owners of infested premises. The control of the house mouse, especially in food-handling establishments, is a problem that has existed for some years. Testing in the laboratory indicates a warfarin resistance although the application of new rodenticides like bromadiolone, calciferol and difenacoum has given good results. A "manual" for the control of suspected warfarin resistant house mice is given