Why are we still waiting? Views of future-focused policy and the direction of the profession from dissatisfied recent pharmacy graduates

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Trudi Aspden ◽  
Munyaradzi Marowa ◽  
Rhys Ponton ◽  
Shane Scahill
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Highly Qualified ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Positive Direction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Pharmacy Profession ◽  
Pharmacist Workforce

PurposeThe New Zealand Pharmacy Action Plan 2016–20 acknowledges the young, highly qualified pharmacist workforce, and seeks to address pharmacist underutilisation in the wider health setting. Anecdotal evidence suggests many recently qualified pharmacists are dissatisfied with the profession. Therefore, those completing BPharm programs after 2002, who had left or were seriously considering leaving the New Zealand pharmacy profession, were invited to comment on future-focused pharmacy documents, and the current direction of pharmacy in New Zealand.Design/methodology/approachAn online questionnaire was open December 2018 to February 2019. Recruitment occurred via e-mail lists of universities and professional organisations, print and social media, and word-of-mouth. Free-text responses were thematically analysed using a general inductive approach.FindingsFrom the 328 analysable surveys received, 172 respondents commented on the documents and/or direction of the pharmacy profession. Views were mixed. Overarching document-related themes were positive direction, but concern over achievability, the lack of funding details, lack of implementation, their benefits for pharmacists and the public, and ability to bring about change and secure a future for the profession. Overall pharmacy was considered an unattractive profession needing to change.Originality/valueThis study highlights dissatisfied recent BPharm graduates agree with the vision in the documents but do not see progress towards achieving the vision occurring, leading to frustration and exit in some cases. Policymakers should be aware of these views as considerable resource goes into their development.

scholarly journals Public engagement and dialogic accounting through social media during COVID-19 crisis: a missed opportunity?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Landi ◽  
Antonio Costantini ◽  
Marco Fasan ◽  
Michele Bonazzi
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Public Engagement ◽  
Fake News ◽  
Public Agencies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Agencies

PurposeThe purpose of this exploratory study is to investigate why and how public health agencies employed social media during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak to foster public engagement and dialogic accounting.Design/methodology/approachThe authors analysed the official Facebook pages of the leading public agencies for health crisis in Italy, United Kingdom and New Zealand and they collected data on the number of posts, popularity, commitment and followers before and during the outbreak. The authors also performed a content analysis to identify the topics covered by the posts.FindingsEmpirical results suggest that social media has been extensively used as a public engagement tool in all three countries under analysis but – because of legitimacy threats and resource scarcity – it has also been used as a dialogic accounting tool only in New Zealand. Findings suggest that fake news developed more extensively in contexts where the public body did not foster dialogic accounting.Practical implicationsPublic agencies may be interested in knowing the pros and cons of using social media as a public engagement and dialogic accounting tool. They may also leverage on dialogic accounting to limit fake news.Originality/valueThis study is one of the first to look at the nature and role of social media as an accountability tool during public health crises. In many contexts, COVID-19 forced for the first time public health agencies to heavily engage with the public and to develop new skills, so this study paves the way for numerous future research ideas.

scholarly journals The influence of celebrity chefs on a student population

2015 ◽  
Vol 117 (2) ◽  
pp. 614-628 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Rosemary Lane ◽  
Stephanie Margaret Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Food Habits ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Student Population ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Study Population

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the exposure of a student population to celebrity chef television programmes, to assess the influence these figures have, and how they are perceived. Design/methodology/approach – A survey was conducted through an online questionnaire distributed at Bath Spa University. The approach included asking respondents why they watched programmes featuring celebrity chefs; to select a named celebrity chef whom they thought had most influenced their food habits, and to name particular chefs relating to campaign descriptions. Findings – A significant proportion of the study group watched television programmes fronted by celebrity chefs (84 per cent); the main reason for watching was for entertainment. Overall, reported influence was insignificant, though Jamie Oliver was selected as the chef with most influence on the respondent’s food habits. Jamie Oliver’s campaign to improve school dinners was also the most recognised, and celebrity chefs were generally viewed positively. Research limitations/implications – The study population was quite specific in its gender, age and ethnicity, and therefore might not be representative of wider society. Further work could consider gender differences in chef influence, as well as different forms of exposure. Originality/value – Despite their ubiquity, academic research into the role of the celebrity chef in modern society is limited, where very few studies have assessed the influence of named chefs or the public perception of these figures. This paper gives an insight into this under-researched field.

Data sharing, international property practices and the GDPR: communicating with your consumers

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy Cradduck ◽  
Scarlett Stevens ◽  
Matthew Cowan
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Public Access ◽  
European Economic Area ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Content Type ◽  
General Data Protection Regulation ◽  
The Public ◽  
Business Partners ◽  
General Data

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) in order to: identify its requirements for the Australian and New Zealand based members of multi-national property firms (“MNPF”); and understand how those firms are currently engaging with customers regarding the obligations the GDPR imposes.Design/methodology/approachThe research was undertaken by means of doctrinal legal research that engaged with statutory law, related policy documents, accessible private firm documents and website materials, and academic and other related writings. The authors considered these in the context of the GDPR's requirements, and how relevant obligations were communicated to the public on the MNPF Australian and New Zealand members' websites.FindingsThe research confirms the available literature's observations of the GDPR's broad reach and the firms to which it applies. The difficulties experienced in locating relevant information highlights the need for a change to firm processes to ensure that any communication obligations are met. The cases engaged with also serve to highlight the need to ensure that the actual practice is consistent with required GDPR processes.Research limitations/implicationsThe research faced three limitations. First: there was a limited number of relevant Australian and New Zealand based property related firms available to consider: not all property related firms were members of a MNPF or had business partners or customers/clients in the European Union or European Economic Area. Second: one of the relevant firms had already identified it was withdrawing from the Australian market. Third: there was a lack of public access to all materials as, while privacy policies as required by domestic laws were readily accessible, access was not readily available to GDPR related or required information or documents.Originality/valueThe research adds to the academic literature in this emerging area of international legal obligation.

An updated survey of factors influencing property valuation accuracy in Australia

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rotimi Boluwatife Abidoye ◽  
Wei Huang ◽  
Abdul-Rasheed Amidu ◽  
Ashad Ali Javad
Keyword(s):  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Property Valuation ◽  
Current State ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
The Subject ◽  
And Training ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThis study updates and extends the current work on the issue of accuracy of property valuation. The paper investigates the factors that contribute to property valuation inaccuracy and examines different strategies to achieve greater accuracy in practice.Design/methodology/approachAn online questionnaire was designed and administered on the Australian Property Institute (API) registered valuers, attempting to examine their perceptions on the current state of valuation accuracy in Australia. The variables/statements from responses are ranked overall and compared for differences by the characteristics of respondents.FindingsUsing mean rating point, the survey ranked three factors; inexperience valuers, the selection, interpretation and use of comparable evidence in property valuation exercise and the complexity of the subject property in terms of design, age, material specification and state of repairs as the most significant factors currently affecting valuation inaccuracy. The results of a Chi-square test did not, however, show a significant statistical relationship between respondents' profile and the perception on the comparative importance of the factors identified. Except for valuers' age and inexperience valuers and valuers' educational qualification and inexperience valuers and the selection, interpretation and use of comparable evidence in property valuation exercise. Also, the three highly ranked strategies for reducing the level of inaccuracy are: developing a global mindset, use of advanced methodology and training valuers on market forecasting skills.Practical implicationsIn order for valuers to provide state-of-the-art service to the public and to remain relevant, there is a need to accurately and reliably estimate valuation figures. Hence, the strategies highlighted in this study could be considered in a bid to reduce property valuation inaccuracy in practice.Originality/valueThis study provides an updated overview of the issue of property valuation inaccuracy in the Australia valuation practice and examines the strategies to reduce it.

The investment turn

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodney J. Dormer
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Public Management ◽  
Public Investment ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Accounting Profession ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Future Research Agenda ◽  
Operational Activities

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the recently increased use of the word “investment” in the public management discourse. In particular, it examines the implications of this for accounting and public governance. It asks, is that discourse simply concerned to account for “investment” in the efficient provision of public goods and services? Or does it also seek to hold governments, and government agencies, to account for the results they achieve and, more broadly, for their investment in, and stewardship of, the capacity to do so in the future? Design/methodology/approach The paper draws on a range of literature as well as speeches made by both New Zealand politicians and officials to track the emergence and evolution of a discourse in respect of “an investment approach”. As such, the analysis represents a diachronic approach for, as Jäger and Meyer (2009) note: “To identify the knowledge of a society on a topic, the analyst has to reconstruct the genesis of this topic” (p. 46). Findings The initial adoption of “an investment approach” occurred in the context of attempts to gain a clearer focus on, and accountability for, the results of government interventions. Subsequently, a broader, and arguably more classic, conception of public investment has involved a developing focus on changes to the nation’s economic, social and environmental capitals. Both approaches provide significant practical challenges for accounting and the continued relevance of the accounting profession. Research limitations/implications The paper points to an urgent need to engage the accounting profession in debates that extend beyond the adoption of accrual accounting for the control of inputs and the provision of outputs. It is suggested that a future research agenda should focus on how models of well-being, and the public capitals that enable well-being, might be better accounted for and monitored. Originality/value This paper provides an insight into the emergence, spread and ultimate fading of the use of the word “investment” in the public policy discourse in New Zealand. However, it also places that process in a wider development that is focusing on citizens’ well-being. In so doing, it also highlights the challenges for the accounting profession created by the investment turn – whether relating to investment in operational activities or in public capitals.

Support for recognition and payment options for egg and sperm donation in New Zealand and Australia

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonja Goedeke ◽  
Daniel Shepherd ◽  
Iolanda S Rodino
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Gamete Donation ◽  
Sperm Donation ◽  
The Public ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Donation Process ◽  
Donor Gamete ◽  
Dependent Samples ◽  
Industry Professionals

Abstract STUDY QUESTION To what extent do infertility clinic patients, fertility industry professionals and members of the public support different forms of payment and recognition for egg and sperm donation? SUMMARY ANSWER While participants expressed support for reimbursement of expenses for both egg and sperm donation, payment constituting explicit financial advantage was regarded less favourably although potentially necessary to address donor gamete shortages. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY In both New Zealand and Australia, commercial inducement for the supply of gametes is prohibited. This prohibition has been argued to contribute to limited availability of donor gametes with the effect of increasing waiting lists and/or the pursuit of potentially unregulated cross-border reproductive care by domestic patients requiring donor gametes. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION The study was a mixed methods study drawing on data from a questionnaire completed by 434 participants from across New Zealand and Australia between November 2018 and March 2019. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Stakeholders involved in donor-assisted conception (past and present infertility patients, gamete recipients and donors), fertility industry professionals and members of the public were recruited following online advertisement of the study. All participants spoke English and primarily identified as Caucasian. Participants anonymously completed an online questionnaire gauging their support for a range of recognition and payment options. Dependent samples t-tests were used to probe for differences in support of recognition and payment options in relation to egg and sperm donation. Linear regression models were used to determine factors predicting support for the different options for both egg and sperm donation. Thematic analysis was used to identify main themes in free text question responses. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Broadly, there was agreement that donors be reimbursed for medical expenses, travel time, unpaid time away from work relating to treatments and out-of-pocket expenses directly related to the gamete donation process, with greater support suggested for egg versus sperm donors. Items gauging support for non-material recognition and tokens of thanks for donations were not significantly different between egg and sperm donation programmes (P > 0.05) nor rated as highly as reimbursement alternatives. Lowest ratings of support were indicated for the outright payment or reward of donors for the supply of their gametes, options that would leave donors in better financial positions. Qualitatively, themes valuing gamete donation as ideally relating to gifting were identified, although counterbalanced in opinion by concepts of fairness in reimbursing gamete donors for their costs. Where payment over and above the reimbursement of costs was supported, this was related to pragmatic considerations of limited supply of donor gametes. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This study used a cross-sectional design and consequently causal inferences cannot be made. Additionally, participants particularly professional fertility staff, were required to self-report on politically sensitive and legal issues with the potential for social desirability response bias. Snowball sampling may have led to participation of like-minded individuals, thus limiting generalizations of findings. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS In a climate of global commercialization of reproductive medicine, limited donor gamete availability and rising incidences of cross-border reproductive care, the findings of this study can be used as a basis for further discussion between regulators and professional industry stakeholders with respect to shaping ethical policy and practice relating to donor conception. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) No external funds were sought for this work. None of the authors have any competing interests to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.

Corporate governance structures and firm performance in large agriculture companies in New Zealand

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 987-1006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamal Roudaki
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Gender Diversity ◽  
Board Independence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Board Compensation ◽  
Board Gender Diversity ◽  
High Level ◽  
Board Ownership

PurposeThis study aims to explore the role of corporate governance (CG) characteristics on the financial performance of large agricultural companies in New Zealand. External auditor remuneration and board characteristics, such as board ownership, board compensation, board independence and board gender diversity, are addressed in the context of New Zealand’s agricultural companies by applying agency theory.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses a balanced panel data generalised least square regression analysis on 80 firm-years of observations over the period from 2012 to 2015.FindingsEmpirical analysis revealed that external auditors’ remuneration and board characteristics, such as board compensation and board independence, except for board ownership and board gender diversity, held no association with the agricultural companies’ performance. While board ownership and board gender diversity were negatively, but significantly, associated with firm performance, these results were pronounced in the listed agricultural companies rather than in the non-listed companies.Research limitations/implicationsThis study encountered limitations commonly associated with the majority of industry-specific studies, i.e. small sample size and lack of published financial information from databases. Therefore, for generalisation, these limitations were considered relevant.Practical implicationsThe results of this research project are beneficial for authorities and agricultural company directors in implementing CG principles and guidelines to empower such companies in international competition. Encouraging agricultural companies to maintain a high level of transparency in financial reporting is of central interest for the government’s economic development, and stock market investors achieve a high level of transparency in non-financial disclosures, the chief objective of this study. Finally, the results of this paper may encourage auditors to scrutinise CG disclosures by agricultural companies in more detail, looking for undisclosed information.Social implicationsThe results of this paper may encourage managerial transparency by providing appropriate disclosures for the public benefit. Investors may benefit from the disclosure provided in their economic decision-making and the public may expand on the information disclosed in facilitating development through exports, expansion of foreign investments and the indigenous economy.Originality/valueThe findings contribute to the literature by providing novel and original insights into using a sample of listed and non-listed agricultural companies to extend the current understanding of the governance-performance nexus.

Driving forces influencing the uptake of sustainable housing in New Zealand

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xintong Li ◽  
Yisheng Liu ◽  
S. Wilkinson ◽  
Tingting Liu
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Housing Stock ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
The Public ◽  
Sustainable Housing

Purpose Sustainable houses remain at a low rate among the housing stock in New Zealand. Government, industry and the public are wanting to deliver homes that are energy and water efficient, healthy and adaptive to the climate. The purpose of this paper is to find out the driving forces influencing the uptake of sustainable housing in New Zealand. Design/methodology/approach Comparative case studies of Hobsonville Point, Wynyard Quarter and Long Bay were adopted as the primary research method. Semi-structured interviews and an online survey were both conducted for data collection to increase the validity of the research. Findings Central and local governments were the most effective driving forces for encouraging sustainable housing. Corporate brand and leadership were critical drivers for public-owned companies, whereas private-owned companies were mainly driven by local governments’ policies and strategies. Social awareness and client demand were increasing to influence the sustainable housing, but there was still room for improvement. Research limitations/implications The developers can learn from the sustainable development frameworks to set the sustainability goals. Policymakers can draw lessons from the public sectors’ experiences to carry out new policies and inspire the private sectors to follow. Besides, the basic framework could help the further study to use a larger sample size and more rigorous statistical analysis to explore the synergies among the identified drivers. Originality/value This paper provides the useful information on how to promote the uptake of sustainable housing in New Zealand.

scholarly journals Benefits and barriers in uptake of mobile apps in New Zealand construction industry

Facilities ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 254-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tong Liu ◽  
Anuradha Mathrani ◽  
Jasper Mbachu
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Equal Opportunity ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Productivity Improvement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Minimum Requirement

Purpose Mobile apps offer construction workers a quick, affordable and user-friendly platform for meeting their information, communication and computing needs, with nearly 13,000 construction apps currently available in the market. This study aims to report construction managers’ perspectives on the uptake of mobile apps in the New Zealand construction industry. Design/methodology/approach Exploratory research methods were used in two stages. First stage involved interviews with 14 construction managers who were registered with the New Zealand Registered Master Builders Association, followed by an online questionnaire in the second stage. The link of online questionnaire was sent to all members of participating professional organisations by their administrators. In total, 228 responses were received, of which 60 per cent participants completed the entire questionnaire. Findings Results show an overall positive attitude towards the use of apps. Perceptions of top management personnel differed slightly from those of middle managers; the former expressed interest in apps usage at strategic level such as improving long-term client relationship management and satisfaction; while the latter were more interested in the apps use at operational and tactical levels such as task- or project-level productivity improvement. Research limitations/implications Though bias has been minimised by giving equal opportunity to each member of trade and professional organisations to participate in this survey, of the 228 responses received, only 60 per cent participants completed the entire questionnaire. This is below the minimum requirement for a holistic representation of views. As a result, the findings might not be generalised beyond the study’s scope. Originality/value The study provides new insights on the uptake of smartphone apps in New Zealand’s construction sector from the perspective of construction managers who make strategic decisions. The findings have implications for policy formulation and implementation in regards to the use of mobile apps for productivity improvement in the sector. Mobile apps developers could also gain understanding on functional needs and preferences of the construction workforce, which will help in development of more relevant apps.

How and why did regulatory governance fail finance company directors in New Zealand?

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 444-462
Author(s):  
Christina Chiang ◽  
Paul Wells
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Economic Regulation ◽  
Control Mechanisms ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Regulatory Governance ◽  
Private Interests ◽  
Government Documents ◽  
Company Directors

Purpose The theory of economic regulation is used to ascertain how and why the failure of regulatory governance in New Zealand contributed to investor losses of $8.5bn following the collapse of more than 60 public finance companies since 2006. Design/methodology/approach Relevant documents in the public domain, including government documents, government agency reports, newspaper articles, business journals, academic journals and trade publications were examined to gather evidence for this study. Findings This study found that the regulatory and supervisory framework failed to provide the trustee companies with the necessary enforcement powers and/or responsibilities and ensure effective auditor performance. Practical implications The findings suggest that, segmenting the market with different regulations for each market segment may discourage competition and may protect private interests rather than the public interest. It was also found that the control mechanisms for monitoring auditor performance are detective rather than preventive in nature which means investor losses from poor auditor performance can only be mitigated and not prevented. Originality/value This study analyses the contributing factors to the investor losses.

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