Investigating familiarity in older adults to facilitate intuitive interaction

This paper discusses how intuitive interaction is a possible way to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of interaction with older adults. It provides insights into existing research on intuitive interaction, and the role of prior experience and familiarity in intuition. An experiment is discussed which investigates differences in familiarity between younger and older adults. A comprehensive coding system has been developed to help analyse the data collected. This research is currently in progress

Finding and filling the gaps in the Australian governments\u27 innovation and entrepreneurship support spectra

A national innovation system is concerned with the full process of converting new knowledge into commercially viable results. Governments are policy-active in trying to create productive national innovation systems. This paper reviews ways of thinking about entrepreneurship as the commercialisation component of Australia&rsquo;s innovation system. The paper explores the impact and relevance of selected existing Australian Commonwealth, and to a lesser extent State government, programs for the commercialisation channels so identified, using four frameworks for the analysis: financial, management/start-up, innovation and entrepreneurial. The analysis indicates program initiatives covering the later development and commercialization phases, but serious gaps in the support available for the entrepreneurship phase involving the act of new entry. This gap is covered by research provider business development people and to a limited extent by incubator and State government initiatives. A critical issue has been and is access to smaller amounts of seed finance. The critical human component is the education of public servants and politicians about the nature and operation of entrepreneurship.<br /

Papers Delivered to the 36th Annual Conference of the Australian Agricultural Economics Society, Canberra, 1992

Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

Biodiversity of Australian marine macroalgae — A progress report

The biodiversity of Australian macroalgae is assessed by reference to species numbers recorded for the various biogeographical and political regions. The figures show a marked disparity between northern and southern Australia, with the former apparently depauperate as compared to the rich flora recorded from Southern Australia. Whilst a reduction in numbers is expected when comparing tropical to temperate regions, the situation in Australia is greatly exaggerated by relative levels of collecting and research. The completion of an Australia-wide macroalgal flora will be severely hampered until additional effort is directed towards these unexplored regions

Ideological Implications in Julia Gillard's Speech on Immigration: A Critical Discourse Analysis

يختلف نتاج فكر أي نص مكتوب أو منطوق من شخص لآخر نتيجة لاختلاف الدوافع الشخصية&nbsp; والمواقف السياسية والإجتماعية والإيديولوجيات. تسعى كل مجموعة اجتماعية للتعبير عن ايديولوجيتها واقناع الآخرين بها بإستخدام إستراتيجيات مختلفة. إن إستراتيجية التضمين واحدة من هذه الاستراتيجيات الأيديولوجية التي استخدمتها جوليا جيلارد، رئيسة وزراء أستراليا السابقة.&nbsp; ان الدراسة الحالية محاولة للكشف عن التضمين في خطابها قيد الدراسة. لتحقيق هذا الهدف تبدأ الدراسة بإطار نظري يشرح تحليل الخطاب النقدي والإيدولوجيا والنهج الاجتماعي المعرفي, ثم تشرع في تحليل خطاب جيلارد اعتمادا على نهج فان دايك الاجتماعي المعرفي. تخلص الدراسة إلى أن جيلارد تسعى للتعبير عن أيديولوجيتها ضمنياً. كما وتظهر الدراسة انه يمكن التعبير عن التضمين من خلال استراتيجيات اخرى خاصة استراتيجية عرض ايجابية الذات وسلبية الاخر.&nbsp;The production of&nbsp; any written or spoken text differs from one person to another as a result of personal motivations, political/social attitudes and ideologies. Each group seeks to express its ideological thoughts to convince others, using different strategies to achieve this aim. Implication is one of the ideological strategies used by Julia&nbsp; Gillard, the former Prime Minister of Australia. The present study is an attempt to detect implication in her speech. To accomplish this aim, the paper starts with a theoretical background that explains Critical Discourse Analysis, ideology and sociocognitive approach. It proceeds to analyze Gillard's speech depending on van Dijk's sociocognitive approach. The study concludes that Gillard tends to express her ideology implicitly. It also reveals that implication can be expressed through other ideological strategies mainly that of positive self-/negative other-presentation

Developments in the use of Mathematica for Computable General Equilibrium analysis

The use of Computable General Equilibrium modelling in evidence-based policy requires an advanced policy making frame of reference, advanced understanding of neoclassical economics and advanced operations research capabilities. This paper examines developments in the advanced operations research capability of a modern generalised mathematical software platform. Intertemporal general equilibrium modelling has become feasible over recent decades due to the development of powerful computer software and hardware. Software for this purpose has traditionally been highly specialised in its ability to define optimisation problems, presolve, and submit the modified mathematical specification to industrial strength optimisation algorithms. In the last two years, general purpose mathematical software has achieved industrial strength. For example, Mathematica now provides interior point optimisation, a technology that has taken three decades to evolve from mathematical research into a general application. It is now possible to take advantage of the many other attributes of general purpose modelling suites, for example graphics for data visualisation that greatly enhance the execution of research and communication of results to policy makers. This paper outlines techniques for the application of Mathematica to data mining of the GTAP database and in using interior point optimisation for Computable General Equilibrium modelling

Internationalising auditing standards : stakeholder views on Australia\u27s strategic directions

Purpose: &ndash; The purpose of this paper is to examine and evaluate the internationalisation of Australian auditing standards by analysing the submissions to the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board\u27s (AUASB) strategic directions paper (SDP) and comparing the proposed and approved strategic directions frameworks of the AUASB.Design/methodology/approach: &ndash; A content analysis of the submissions to the SDP is conducted to identify the extent of support, and arguments for and against the proposed strategic directions. This study attempts to find a link, if any, between the proposed strategic directions, the views expressed by the stakeholders, and the final set of strategic directions issued by Australia\u27s Financial Reporting Council.Findings: &ndash; Overall, the final set of strategic directions released in April 2005 are consistent with the views expressed in the submissions, which support minimal divergence from International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) and using the ISAs as the base for developing Australian auditing standards. Major changes from the SDP include a requirement for the AUASB to undertake research and monitor auditing standards issued by national standard setters. However, the AUASB is no longer obliged to contribute to the international standard arena and need only have regard to any program initiated by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board.Research limitations/implications: &ndash; The findings of this study provide an insight into the future of Australia\u27s role in the international arena and increase awareness of stakeholders\u27 views on the international harmonisation of auditing standards.Originality/value: &ndash; While there have been several studies examining the international harmonisation of accounting standards, there is comparatively little research on the international harmonisation of auditing standards. This paper attempts to address this void, in part, and contribute to the literature on the convergence of auditing standards with ISAs. <br /