28 years of vegetation change (1978 – 2006) in a calcareous coastal dune system

Changes in vegetation structure and composition over a 28 year period (1978–2006) following removal of human-induced disturbances, were examined in a calcareous coastal dune system in Point Nepean National Park (380 19’S, 1440 41’E) in south-eastern Victoria, Australia. In the early 1980s human habitation of Point Nepean was abandoned and disturbance regimes such as burning, slashing and land clearing were altered or removed, providing an opportunity to study the recovery of disturbed coastal vegetation. Broad-scale and community-level vegetation changes were assessed by comparing quadrat and GIS mapping data from 1978 with data collected in 2006. Results indicate a change in broad vegetation patterns; shrubland vegetation has replaced hind dune grasslands and disturbed areas and there has been a decrease in exposed coastal areas (such as blowouts, dunes and cliffs), and an increase in woody native species and highly invasive woody weeds. The changes highlight the importance of incorporating vegetation states in planning management actions in dynamic coastal vegetation

The vegetation of the Nepean Peninsula, Victoria : an historical perspective

We use historical information and extensive contemporary surveys to describe the pre-European vegetation of the Nepean Peninsula, an extensive area of calcareous sand dunes at the tip of the Mornington Peninsula, south of Melbourne, Victoria (38º19’S 144º43’E). We conclude that much of the area was once covered by open, grassy woodlands, variously dominated by Allocasuarina verticillata (Drooping Sheoak), Banksia integrifolia subsp. integrifolia (Coast Banksia), Acacia species (Wattles), and Melaleuca lanceolata subsp. lanceolata (Moonah), along with a range of other species. Some areas supported shrublands, woodlands, forests, grasslands and wetlands. This area was markedly distinct from most other nearby areas, and has ecological affinities with areas in western Victoria. Over 200 years of ‘European’ land use have left this landscape remarkably different today – even in places where native vegetation persists. We review and discuss the environmental factors that have influenced the pattern and structure of the vegetation

Should we try out for the major leagues? A call for research in sports operations management

Purpose - Research related to operations management in the sport industry is underdeveloped, despite sport being a continued context of study in other management disciplines. Most studies on the topic are conducted largely in isolation and not linked to the wider operations management theory base. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the few studies conducted and develop a detailed research agenda to encourage future research in this interesting, important and topical context. Design/methodology/approach - This paper uses a comprehensive systematic literature review methodology to synthesize the research on sport operations management to date. Gaps within the literature are identified and avenues for future research to drive improved performance in multiple aspects of sport operations management are suggested. Findings - Examination of the literature shows sports operations management to be underdeveloped, with little cumulative learning between existing studies and weak linkages between sport and operations management research. To develop the topic further there is a clear requirement for more theory-based research as well as more rigorous empirical testing. The sport industry has special characteristics that differentiate it from the overall service industry and call for targeted research. Practical implications - Sport today is a major business. The industry also contributes to individual health and well-being. This paper suggests several research directions designed to improve off-field performance in sport operations. Originality/value - This paper is the first to identify and synthesize the separate studies that have been conducted on operations management in sport to date in order to provide a multifaceted research agenda aimed at developing both theoretical and managerial contributions within this important yet under researched area

Performance Measurement Systems and Strategic Management within UK Healthcare

April 2009 was an important period for all National Health Service (NHS) Community Health Services (CHS) organisations as they were formally separated from the commissioning service in the Primary Care Trust (PCT). This had many implications, including the need to establish individual board, develop independent strategy, and set-up autonomous governance. The host organisation was keen to investigate the effectiveness of the current strategy deployment process and subsequently identify areas for improvement. Our investigation looked into adapting strategy deployment systems such as the Closed-Loop Management Systems (Kaplan and Norton 2008) at NHS CHS organisations which can facilitate organisational needs in the area of strategy deployment. As human capital with the suitable skills is required for any successful implementation of a management system, the researchers expanded the scope by including an assessment of the organisation’s readiness for adapting formal strategy deployment systems in terms of management skills levels

Well played? Examining strategy and performance in off-field sporting operations

Professional sport is in many ways a type of business. From an operations management perspective it is worthy of note that professional sport exhibits several specific features that require a customised set of practices to ensure effective operations (Smith and Stewart, 2010). In this paper we focus on developing four key constructs that exemplify the special characteristics of the sport industry: i) limited control of the sports product, ii) uncertainty of on-field outcome, iii) spectator co-creation and iv) enforced collaboration. We outline the development of a survey on stadium operations and share the next steps in the research

Measuring the performance of voluntary and community organisations

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