Barriers In Australia Research Articles

Volunteering behavioral declines amid personal and organizational upheaval: Recruitment, retention, and barriers in Australia

ABSTRACT Volunteers have faced recent social disruptions which have brought about a new wave of barriers to wash over survivors of an already declining number of formal volunteers in Australia. How the “environmental jolt” of recent social disruption has played out for volunteering is important to understand because less is known about how organizational responses have interacted with changing individual volunteer motives and meanings in the volunteering context. Understanding the impact of this environmental jolt of recent social disruption on volunteering is crucial, especially considering the implications for well-being in communities of volunteers.

Termination of pregnancy in Tasmania: access and service provision from the perspective of GPs.

Termination of pregnancy (TOP) is considered an important component of sexual and reproductive health internationally, but there are known barriers in Australia and countries worldwide. This study investigated the issues for GPs regarding aiding access to TOP and providing early medical abortion (EMA) services for Tasmanian women. Specifically, the aims of the study were to identify the knowledge and attitudes of Tasmanian GPs regarding TOP services and to determine which known barriers to providing EMA are most significant for GPs in Tasmania, Australia. A survey was developed and piloted based on previous qualitative research that identified known barriers to accessing TOP. Surveys were posted to all identified GPs in Tasmania with a reply-paid envelope. In all, 211 (27.4%) responses were returned. GPs identified difficulty accessing TOP services, particularly for rural women and those on a low income. Almost half the GPs, excluding conscientious objectors, indicated they would be interested in providing EMA services, but perceived barriers were significant. The most significant barriers related to accessing appropriate training and support. There was uncertainty around financial reward, support services, medical indemnity and access to the medical abortifacient medications mifepristone and misoprostol. In conclusion, accessing TOP remains an issue for Tasmanian women. Many Tasmanian GPs are interested in providing EMA services if barriers are addressed, but there is a lack of knowledge about the practicalities of implementing EMA. Providing practical support to GPs and increasing knowledge pertaining to EMA provision in general practice could improve access in primary care.

Improving the delivery of primary care for older people.

Improving the delivery of primary care for older people.

Barriers to adopting E-commerce with small to midsized enterprises-SMEs in developed countries: An exploratory study in Australia

AbstractThe paper aims to provide an insight about barriers affecting e‐commerce adoption with small to midsized enterprises (SMEs) in Australia. The objective of this research is also to consolidate the factors and determine the level of influence, either positively or negatively from the adopter’s perspective, on the adoption decision. This study also examines the factors influencing e-commerce adoption decisions in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Australia. Three groups of factors influencing adoption decisions are identified, including organisational, technology and environmental barriers influencing e‐commerce adoption and implementation in Australia. This paper mainly has used secondary research data and methods to provide a broad investigation ofthe barriers inAustralia, howto overcome the hurdles inSMEs ofAustralia necessary for SMEs tohelpfacilitatee-commerceadoption.Theresearchis subjecttoacademic journal articles, projectreports,media articles, corporation based documents and other appropriate information. In future, questionnaire‐based survey and interview will be conducted with small to midsized businesses in Australia about e‐commerce adoption and implementation. The finding says that one of the most vivid implication sofe commerce for SMEs is the potential for external communication and information gathering for market and product research. However, the most common limitation of e-commerce in Australia is that ecommerce is mainly used for payment purposes only. The study has found that the historical relationship problems between Business Link and SMEs are still causing problems. Cost was not seen as an inhibitor to adopting e‐commerce. Some evidence is emerging that e‐commerce may be able to save failing or struggling businesses. Other unexpected outcomes are that e‐commerce had social benefits for SMEs’ owners in reducing working hours yet still increased sales. The findings also show that in Australia, organisations and manager’s characteristics, perceived benefits, organisational culture, organisational IT competence, technological competency, IT support, availability of financial support, management commitment/support, external pressure and cost of adoption are significant predictors of e-commerce acceptance in the SMEs and have significantrelationships with e-commerce adoption in Australia. Keywords: E-commerce, barriers, Internet, small to medium‐sized enterprises-SMEs, adoption, Australia

Australia-Thailand trade: An analysis of competitiveness and effects of the bilateral FTA

This paper undertakes an analysis of bilateral trade linkages between Australia and Thailand over 1990 to 2011, analysing changes in trade competitiveness, and possible role played by the Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA) that came into force in 2005. Trade competitiveness changes are measured by the revealed comparative advantage index (RCAI) at an aggregate and value-added level, as well as a constant market share analysis (CMS) analysis. An export-demand model utilizing interaction effects in presence of the TAFTA is then estimated, hitherto not attempted earlier in the empirical literature on Australia-Thailand trade. The findings of the paper suggest that the Thailand-Australian trade relationship has undergone further adjustment since the establishment of the TAFTA. However, the changes in trade patterns are not necessarily due to TAFTA but more of a long term trend. CMS analysis suggest that Thailand’s export competitiveness significantly contributed to the remarkable growth of exports to Australia experienced over the period, and the strongest trade link between the two countries has been the export of automotive vehicles from Thailand to Australia. However, value-added RCAI reveals that Thailand’s domestic industry have been contributing to its exports to a much lesser extent than as actually observed in its gross exports, and this reflects the increasing role of foreign firms and imported inputs in Thailand’s machinery and transport equipment sector. The export demand model therefore finds a significant positive impact of the TAFTA only on Australian exports to Thailand, but not vice-versa. The observed statistically insignificant impact of the TAFTA on Thai exports to Australia could be due to the limited impact of the TAFTA on trade barriers in Australia, as Thai exporters already enjoyed low tariffs prior to implementation of the TAFTA. The insignificant income effect observed in presence of TAFTA confirms that the TAFTA agreement had no impact on Thailand’s demand for Australian exports even while the Australian economy was growing. The results imply that Australia and Thailand’s membership with the same country in three different FTAs (bilateral, regional and cross-regional) could throw up additional challenges of utilization of these agreements for actual business purposes in the near future.

ICT BARRIERS TO IMPLEMENTING BIM IN THE AUSTRALIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Advances in Information Communication Technology (ICT) have led to the development of more advanced computer management systems in the Australian construction industry, including Building Information Modelling (BIM). BIM is an ICT-enabled approach involving digital representations of building elements and information related to different phases of the building lifecycle, and is used to provide shared information and to form a reliable basis for decision making. Pilot projects and research papers have verified many claims about BIM, and prove a viable economic case, yet uptake of the technology still remains low. A literature review revealed three key productivity gains experienced by BIM use on a construction project: accuracy, communication and time/performance. Four ICT barriers to its implementation were identified as interoperability, funding and resource cost, cultural barriers and perceived risk, and security and protection. Findings on research done on these barriers in Australia reveal that many companies see the benefits for BIM, but believe other disciplines and the client should implement the model. Construction professionals usually work within their field of expertise, with limited interaction with other disciplines, even though many issues on work sites require collaboration from multiple disciplines. A common medium of communication, provided by BIM systems, will achieve this integrated building approach. This paper finds that ICT barriers prevent the Australian construction industry from taking full advantage of potential productivity gains proven in BIM.

Midwives and oral health care during pregnancy: perceptions of pregnant women in south‐western Sydney, Australia

This study sought to explore the perceptions of pregnant women in Australia towards oral health care during pregnancy and their views regarding midwives providing oral health education, assessment and referrals as part of antenatal care. Maintaining oral health during pregnancy is important. Yet, many pregnant women do not access dental services during this time. Antenatal care providers are now recommended to promote maternal oral health, and various countries have adopted this strategy. However, in Australia, a lack of emphasis is placed on maternal oral health especially by antenatal care providers. Currently, a preventive programme is being developed to promote maternal oral health with the help of midwives in Australia. Very little is known about the perceptions of such an approach from pregnant women. Qualitative approach. Data were collected via semi-structured telephone interviews with 10 pregnant women residing in south-western Sydney. Thematic analyses of the data suggest a high prevalence of poor oral health among pregnant women, especially those socioeconomically disadvantaged. The findings also highlight various barriers deterring these women from seeking dental care the most significant being lack of dental awareness, high treatment costs and misconceptions about dental treatment during pregnancy. The absence of affordable dental care remains a major barrier in Australia. The proposed preventive programme was well received by women although issues such as education for midwives and referral pathways were highlighted. The findings suggest that a tailored midwifery-initiated oral health programme has potential in Australia, especially for low-income families as it addresses many existing barriers to dental care. Antenatal care providers in Australia should provide more information about oral health. These health professionals should be adequately educated to promote oral health. Health services should also consider offering pregnant women affordable and accessible dental services.

Injury typology of fatal motorcycle collisions with roadside barriers in Australia and New Zealand

Motorcyclists contribute significantly to road trauma around the world through the high incidence of serious injuries and fatalities. The role of roadside safety barriers in such trauma is an area of growing concern amongst motorcyclists, road authorities and road safety researchers and advocates. This paper presents a case series analysis of motorcyclists that were fatally injured following a collision with a roadside barrier during the period 2001–2006 in Australia and New Zealand. Injury profiles and severities are detailed, and associations with crash characteristics are investigated. It is shown that the thorax region had the highest incidence of injury and the highest incidence of maximum injury in fatal motorcycle-barrier crashes, followed by the head region. This is in contrast to fatal motorcycle crashes in all single- and multi-vehicle crash modes, where head injury predominates. The injury profiles of motorcyclists that slid into barriers and those that collided with barriers in the upright posture were similar. However, those that slid in were more likely to receive thorax and pelvis injuries.

Characteristics of fatal motorcycle crashes into roadside safety barriers in Australia and New Zealand

This paper reports on the findings of a retrospective case series study of fatal motorcyclist–roadside barrier collisions. Cases were retrieved from the National Coroners Information System (NCIS), the coronial case files of Australian jurisdictions, and the Crash Analysis System (CAS) of the New Zealand Transport Agency. Seventy seven (77) motorcycle fatalities involving a roadside barrier in Australia and New Zealand were examined. The fatalities usually involved a single vehicle crash and young men. The roadside barriers predominantly involved were steel W-beams, typically on a bend in the horizontal alignment of the road. A majority of fatalities occurred on a weekend, during daylight hours, on clear days with dry road surface conditions indicating predominantly recreational riding. Speeding and driving with a blood alcohol level higher than the legal limit contributed to a significant number of these fatalities.

Translational research and rational therapy: structural barriers in Australia

Second-generation clinical trials are refining the use of toxic and expensive drugs, but silo regulatory and funding structures prevent Australia participating.

Attitudes of novice heroin injectors towards non-injecting routes of administration to prevent the transmission of blood borne viruses

This study aimed to investigate attitudes towards and experiences with heroin use, by means other than injecting, in the West Australian city of Perth. As part of a major study of hepatitis C, injecting and the prevention of hepatitis C, a study group of 65 current drug injectors were invited to describe their experiences with heroin chasing, smoking or snorting and to discuss their attitudes towards the suggestion that using heroin by non-injecting methods could be utilised as a prevention strategy for hepatitis C. Experience with non-injecting (smoking or chasing) for the study group was limited, with less than half having initiated heroin use by non-injecting means and none having sustained the practice. Attitudes towards the promotion of non-injecting methods were largely negative. A small proportion of the study group expressed support for using non-injecting methods for health reasons, the majority being dismissive of the idea. The major barriers from the injectors’ perspective were seen to be related to cost and drug effect. A pre-existing barrier in Australia to using non-injecting methods is the predominance of salt of heroin, which does not lend itself to chasing or smoking. The results of this investigation are discussed in terms of the barriers to the promotion of non-injecting drug use and methods by which such barriers might be overcome to encourage a cultural change from heroin injection to non-injecting means of administration.

Australian Governments and Automotive Manufacturing, 1919‐1939

In recent years the progressive lowering of tariff barriers in Australia has produced a predictable backlash from those who are directly affected. The reaction, however, extends to academics and others who have no pecuniary interest in the outcome, and who have argued that the tariff represented a policy consciously designed to promote the economic development and defence capacity of this country. On the basis of experience in the motor vehicle industry, we argue that these factors had very little to do with interwar tariff policy. Rather, it was the outcome of an interplay between the Commonwealth government’s need for revenue, the activities of “the lobby” in seeking rents, and the practices of the Customs bureaucracy.

Career barriers and the older woman manager

Following the removal of the age retirement barrier in Australia, it is expected that more older workers will remain in the workforce beyond the age of 65. An important segment of this older workforce is the managerial and professional woman, aged in her 50s and part of the first generation of women to have had a long‐term career. This paper reports on an investigation into the career and life decisions of 33 such women in Perth, Western Australia. The research looked at issues such as career histories and future work goals; impact of ageing process on career achievement, and retirement plans, and also examined the implications of barriers facing the older career woman. The research identified five related career barriers and goes on to examine the management and organisational implications of these barriers. The need to further develop career development models to include the varying circumstances and experiences of older women employees is also discussed.

Research and Reform in Industrial Relations

Industrial relations issues are never far from the limelight in most English-speaking countries. Calls for greater insights to the problems, often through better research, are not infrequent, at least in Britain and the United States. In Australia the role of research is less obvious. This paper examines the idea that relevant research might inform and direct reform efforts. Aspects of US and British experience are explored and an attempt made to explain the relative apathy in Australia to industrial relations reform and research. The conclusion is that universally the research -reform links are indirect at best, and that the barriers in Australia to reform are considerable. However, changes are likely to evolve as the impact of education (and research) in the preparation of industrial relations practitioners continue to grow.

Current Australian—Asean Relations

The comments of this anonymous Indonesian officiai, quoted by Peter Hasdngs in the Sydney Morning Herald (11 August 1978), seem representative of a general perceprion of Australia by policy-makers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1979. Such complaints have not gone unnoticed in Australia. In September, the Harries Report,1 a major review of Australia's relations with the Third World, recommended important changes in Australian policies in the region. The Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, chaired by Senator Peter Sim, also began an inquiry in March into AustralianAS ELAN relations. These government inquiries contributed to a growing, if somewhat confused, debate in Australia about our policies in Southeast Asia. That Australi an-ASEAN relations are characterized by a deep-seated malaise is obvious; what should be done about it is not so obvious. Nor is there general consensus that all the adjustments should be made by Australia. Two specific issues dominated Australia's relations with ASEAN during the year: the aftermath of the first major power shift in Indochina since 1975 and its attendant refugee crisis, and the dispute over Australia's new International Civil Aviation Policy (ICAP). These events occurred against a background of sustained resentment in AS PLAN of protectionist barriers in Australia against ASEAN exports. Apart from the ICAP dispute, the general Australia-ASEAN relationship continued to be dominated by bilateral relations with Indonesia, which improved during the year but were not devoid of continuing problems. The Australian-Philippine relationship has also recently significantly increased its importance.