9 research outputs found

    The experience of pain and pain management among culturally and linguistically diverse communities living in Australia

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    The studies presented in this thesis enlighten contemporary understandings of the experience of chronic pain for CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse) communities. Each study is an original piece of scientific work that contributes to the field of research in chronic pain and provides healthcare providers with tangible opportunities to culturally adapt their interventions.Taken together, the studies also provide a practical guide for future researchers seeking to engage CALD communities. Finally, this thesis argues that for healthcare to be responsive to the needs of multicultural Australia, change needs to be enacted more broadly. Educational institutions, professional organisations and healthcare accreditation agencies have a role to play to ensure that CALD patients and communities are part of initiatives seeking to address the multifaceted disparities in healthcare that exist for CALD communities

    Brexit impacts on British tourism

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    The paper examines current debates on the impacts of Brexit on tourism in Britain. Brexit is a source of much concern and anxiety for British government, industry and tourists alike. The paper outlines and analyses some of the major impacts expected from the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union on the British inbound, outbound and domestic tourism. The methodology used is content analysis of secondary data in the form of government and industry surveys and reports and media articles on the expected and projected short and long-term impacts of Brexit. Results argue that although reducing EU-based regulations could have some positive implications for the British tourism industry, major areas of concern exit. Reduced access to EU programmes and funding is likely to impact domestic tourism heavily and limit participation and collaboration in international projects. Withdrawal of the UK from EU travel agreements is expected to have major consequences especially in terms of freedom of movement and security. As UK British hospitality and catering industries employ a considerable amount of EU nationals, a potential staff shortage is likely to impact service quality. Britain’s tourism destination image is also likely to be negatively impacted requiring increased marketing efforts

    Aspects of the tourism market development within the European rural space

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    The paper makes an analysis of rural tourism market development with the presentation of the main players in the European rural tourism. The methodology used is based on the synthesis of information from articles and studies published in specialty journals, in Government documents as well as in other development strategies on tourism and rural space. The results of this scientific research study reconfirm that rural tourism promotion and development are based on the existing tourism potential and also on the involvement of governmental and non governmental institutions

    A study of the characteristics and dynamics of women at heightened risk of HIV in rural Zimbabwe

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    Among many behaviour changes associated with recent declines in HIV prevalence in Zimbabwe, the number of men reporting buying sex halved between 1999 and 2005 possibly due to economic deterioration reducing disposable income. As the economy recovers, a key question is how this is reflected in sexual behaviour trends. A recent modelling analysis of the modes of transmission of HIV in Zimbabwe suggested diminished role for sex work in driving new infections. A central conclusion was that the analysis was hampered by a lack of contemporary data on sex work in Zimbabwe. As Zimbabwe enters a new strategic phase of policy towards interventions, the data of the women at risk study are timely. Sex workers – defined broadly as women >17 years old who received money, goods or any form of material benefit in exchange for sexual intercourse – were enrolled into a 12 month cohort across four socio-economic areas in rural Zimbabwe. Biological and behavioural data were collected. Two methods were used to recruit women: a venue-based strategy; and a modified snowball. Women were asked questions for 20-30 minutes in a face-to-face interview delivered either onsite in venues or at an arranged meeting time. The population size from the census was triangulated with a capture-recapture survey and with the prevalence of reporting on a general population survey. Depending on the defintions SW make up between 5.9% and 7.2% of the general female population according to WR study data. This is slightly higher than, but comparable to a general population estimate of 4.7%. The venue-based population was estimated as 1.36%. Research into the payments for sex revealed a 27% price reduction for sex when a client requests a condom. Client preferences determine whether a condom will be used or not. This has implications for interventions targeted at sex work.Imperial Users Onl

    Key Stakeholders’ Experiences of International Education at one Australian University

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    Aim: This study aimed to explore the experiences which influenced the perceptions of three key groups of stakeholders: academic and support staff, international students, and their domestic peers, when engaging in International Education at one Australian university. The original research questions for this study were: 1. What experiences influence staff members’ perceptions of International Education at one Australian university? 2. What experiences influence international students’ perception of their education at one Australian university? As directed by theoretical sampling, the views of domestic students were then also sought, to shed light on the following research question: 3. What experiences influence domestic students’ perceptions of International Education at one Australian university? Conceptual Framework: A Social Constructivist theoretical framework was employed within a Case Study approach for a number of reasons. First, institutions have their own specific characteristics, budgets and student populations and so can be studied separately in order that the researcher might develop a detailed critical understanding of the intricacies of the single case. Since International Education is a complex phenomenon, the researcher also needed to include the multiple realities of the different stakeholders involved. The researcher’s personal philosophy aligned with Social Constructivism, which argues that perceptions of reality are subjective to the person experiencing them. As such, Social Constructivist Grounded Theory allowed for the interpretation of both the participants’ views of reality as well as the researcher’s. Finally, this approach allowed for a co-construction of reality through the interactions of the participants and the researcher during the data collection process. This was important since the researcher, too, is an international student. Data collection strategies associated with Grounded Theory (GT) were used to obtain a more holistic understanding of the complex issues at play, and allowed for theoretical sampling, such that the researcher could follow up new directions as they arose during data analysis. Methodology: The study evolved in three interwoven stages, during which 25 international students, 38 staff members (academic and non-academic) and 10 domestic students were interviewed using semi-structured, face-to-face interview techniques. Theoretical sampling allowed new issues to be addressed in subsequent interviews as the study progressed. Participants: Data collection ceased after 38 interviews for staff members. This group comprised of 28 females and 10 males, most over 45 years of age, and an approximately equal mix of academic and non- academic staff. For international students, data collection ceased after 25 interviews. This group included both undergraduates and postgraduates, with only two having English as their first language. Length of stay in Australia varied from 2 months to 9 years. Data collection for the third group of participants, the domestic students, ceased after ten interviews, due to the difficulty of recruiting more students. There was an important gap in the sample of staff members, with no representatives from the SSC (Student Services Centre) responding to the numerous invitations to participate in the research. Ironically, SSC staff reported there was a policy based deterrent by which any staff working in the SCC were technically unable to participate in this (or any) research within the course of working hours. Procedure: The sampling process was carried out using snowball and volunteering techniques. Invitational emails, flyers and website posts were used to inform staff members, international and domestic students about the research. The participants then contacted the researcher to arrange for an interview date and time suitable for all parties. Interviews ranged from 30 to 45 minutes in length and data were transcribed immediately after each interview, so that a constant comparison with previous data could be carried out. Data were analysed using Constructivist Grounded Theory techniques. Findings: Perceptions of the key stakeholders were influenced by experiences both at the university level as well as at student and staff levels. It was observed that experiences of International Education depended on staff members’ roles and how much experience they had had with international students; how they perceived their international students; questions about the motivation of some students; and concerns about some students’ communication skills. At the university level, staff experiences were influenced by frustration with existing services and multi-level miscommunication across the university. These factors led to a number of implications for the staff, the students and the university. Issues such as lack of time to work with students, heavy workloads, lack of training or incentives to participate in training, and tensions around student assessment led to some staff members feeling “frustrated” or “resentful” about working with international students. International students’ perceptions of their education were influenced by concerns about the adequacy of their own communication skills, a lack of confidence in participating fully in the academic and social life of the university; and their perceptions of staff roles and responsibilities. Their broad experiences of their education were also affected by concerns about the services provided, which were either not specific enough, not familiar enough, or poorly coordinated. They also perceived some negative responses from their domestic peers. These combined factors resulted in a reluctance to access available services; some level of withdrawal from full participation in classroom activities, and feelings of being treated as the ‘other’ by some staff and students. Domestic students were recruited to the study using theoretical sampling after issues surrounding culturally-mixed group work were raised in the interviews with staff members and international students. Domestic students’ perceptions of International Education were influenced by concerns about some international students’ communication skills; in-group favouritism; and their belief that teachers did not facilitate group work to the extent required. At the university level, some commented that limited promotion of both the benefits of diversity, and of a sense of community on campus, influenced their experiences of working with individuals who were culturally and/or linguistically different. Conclusions: The study highlighted the importance of the university’s Value Position in influencing the International Education experiences of staff and students. The findings of the study supported the view that the model of service provision did not acknowledge that different student cohorts had, to some extent, different needs. This stance then influenced how staff and students responded to those they deemed as different. The contributions of the current study, its limitations and directions for future research are also discussed, along with a set of recommendations for the current Case aimed at enhancing the key stakeholders’ experiences of International Education

    Corporate social responsibility, gender equality and organizational change: a feminist perspective

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    There is a growing literature on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and gender issues, which draws upon a range of feminist theory and perspectives. However,research in this field appears to have been somewhat hampered by a lack of systematic engagement with ‘gendered organizations’ studies (GOS), and with a broad range of CSR theory, in particular that related to governance. This thesis sets out to address these gaps in the literature. It opens up new dialogue between the fields of GOS and CSR. Through a review of the GOS literature this study notes a number of organizational change strategies identified by feminist scholars. With reference to these it develops a set of research questions with which to investigate the possible contribution of CSR to organizational change with regard to gender equality. These are then employed in an exploration of CSR practice, focusing on CSR reporting and stakeholder relations. Through this analysis the thesis identifies several ways in which CSR might contribute to advancing the feminist organizational change agenda. Particular attention is paid to recent developments in political theories of CSR, which regard CSR as a governance process involving business, government and civil society. Thus, the thesis addresses organizational change and gender equality in the context of new governance, and particularly CSR, and by extending the literature both empirically and conceptually produces insights for feminist studies relating to CSR theory and practice. Noting that the private sector is playing an increasingly important role in employment, and more broadly in societal governance in many parts of the world, and the growth of CSR, research in this thesis critically engages with CSR literature and practice from a feminist perspective. The research presented assesses the importance of CSR for organizational change on gender equality through an investigation of two related questions, namely how gender equality issues are addressed within CSR practice, and how CSR might help advance organizational change on this agenda. These questions are explored through the use of nine secondary research questions in three studies involving document analysis of company reports, and semi-structured interviews with corporate managers, and with leaders of women’s NGOs. The thesis thus updates our knowledge of CSR reporting on gender equality issues, and explores the views of corporate managers about CSR and gender equality. It also investigates the views of leaders in women’s NGOs on private sector accountability for gender equality, and the field of CSR more broadly, thus engaging with a group of stakeholders not normally included in the CSR literature. The research suggests that, despite its limitations, CSR can contribute to the gender organizational change agenda in several ways, which revolve around the new governance systems which CSR presages. These include new organizational rhetoric and practices, new external drivers of change within business, and new kinds of regulation. The three studies are informed by, and contextualised with reference to the CSR literature on governance, and are ultimately brought together in a discussion of CSR as a governance process from a feminist perspective. From this vantage point the potential of CSR to facilitate organizational change suggested in this thesis appears to be underdeveloped at the present time. While recognizing many important critiques of the field, with reference to the research outcomes the thesis frames CSR as a political opportunity with regard to gender equality. The aim here is therefore to contribute not only to knowledge but also perhaps to feminist action

    The psychology of religious experience : a qualitative approach

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    This study examined religious experience in ten evangelical participants recognized by peers. Supplementary information was obtained from two additional participants, one a mentor to a participant, and one religiously uninvolved. Through qualitative approaches in analyzing interview transcripts, a core category of religious experience emerged, and its relationships to other factors were delineated in a model. Typical questionnaire approaches measure linear relationships among religious and psychosocial variables. Such studies are limited because of extraneous effects of factors such as age or religious affiliation, because questionnaire items may not accurately reflect experiences, and because some relationships among variables are nonlinear. In contrast, the present study used an open-ended approach, with minimal pre-imposed structure. The core category of religious experience is conceptualized as a synergizing process, which includes elements such as cognitive learning, personal faith application, collective spiritual insight, complementary interactions with God, or being healed. It is a holistic, meaning-making process whose components cannot be meaningfully separated. Furthermore, it is embedded in a context of individual and cultural variables which effect considerable variation among individual religious experiences. Study findings challenge aspects of some theories of religious development, which propose hierarchical development, invariant sequence of stages, and universality. Although religious experience is presented as an ongoing process, the study emphasizes the uniqueness of individual experiences, variations in development, and influences of contextual variables. It is proposed that individuals are either engaged in or disengaged from the synergizing process, with an emphasis on the fluid processes leading to these states, rather than on placing persons into trait-like categories. Regarding generalization of results, it is proposed that the present model may represent the ideal evangelical experience or that of highly committed evangelicals. Persons may be affiliated with an evangelical denomination and not be actively involved in the process of religious experience identified by the model. Application of the model to dissimilar religious groups and to nonreligious processes is discussed. The study is relevant to broader issues of ontology, epistemology and methodology. Because it takes a postpositivist position in studying material typically associated with constructivist ideology, assumptions from both of these views are challenged and clarified

    Corporate social responsibility, gender equality and organizational change: a feminist perspective

    Get PDF
    There is a growing literature on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and gender issues, which draws upon a range of feminist theory and perspectives. However,research in this field appears to have been somewhat hampered by a lack of systematic engagement with ‘gendered organizations’ studies (GOS), and with a broad range of CSR theory, in particular that related to governance. This thesis sets out to address these gaps in the literature. It opens up new dialogue between the fields of GOS and CSR. Through a review of the GOS literature this study notes a number of organizational change strategies identified by feminist scholars. With reference to these it develops a set of research questions with which to investigate the possible contribution of CSR to organizational change with regard to gender equality. These are then employed in an exploration of CSR practice, focusing on CSR reporting and stakeholder relations. Through this analysis the thesis identifies several ways in which CSR might contribute to advancing the feminist organizational change agenda. Particular attention is paid to recent developments in political theories of CSR, which regard CSR as a governance process involving business, government and civil society. Thus, the thesis addresses organizational change and gender equality in the context of new governance, and particularly CSR, and by extending the literature both empirically and conceptually produces insights for feminist studies relating to CSR theory and practice. Noting that the private sector is playing an increasingly important role in employment, and more broadly in societal governance in many parts of the world, and the growth of CSR, research in this thesis critically engages with CSR literature and practice from a feminist perspective. The research presented assesses the importance of CSR for organizational change on gender equality through an investigation of two related questions, namely how gender equality issues are addressed within CSR practice, and how CSR might help advance organizational change on this agenda. These questions are explored through the use of nine secondary research questions in three studies involving document analysis of company reports, and semi-structured interviews with corporate managers, and with leaders of women’s NGOs. The thesis thus updates our knowledge of CSR reporting on gender equality issues, and explores the views of corporate managers about CSR and gender equality. It also investigates the views of leaders in women’s NGOs on private sector accountability for gender equality, and the field of CSR more broadly, thus engaging with a group of stakeholders not normally included in the CSR literature. The research suggests that, despite its limitations, CSR can contribute to the gender organizational change agenda in several ways, which revolve around the new governance systems which CSR presages. These include new organizational rhetoric and practices, new external drivers of change within business, and new kinds of regulation. The three studies are informed by, and contextualised with reference to the CSR literature on governance, and are ultimately brought together in a discussion of CSR as a governance process from a feminist perspective. From this vantage point the potential of CSR to facilitate organizational change suggested in this thesis appears to be underdeveloped at the present time. While recognizing many important critiques of the field, with reference to the research outcomes the thesis frames CSR as a political opportunity with regard to gender equality. The aim here is therefore to contribute not only to knowledge but also perhaps to feminist action
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