Masters Dissertations
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The Masters Dissertations collection contains digital copies of AUT University masters dissertations deposited with the Library since 2007 and made available open access. From 2007 onwards, all dissertations for masters degrees awarded are required to be deposited in Tuwhera Open Theses & Dissertations unless subject to an embargo.
Dissertations submitted prior to 2007 are usually recorded in the AUT Library catalogue where the full text, if available, may be accessed with an AUT password. Other people should request an Interlibrary Loan through their library.
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- ItemThe Impact of Cancelling New Zealand Badminton Open: A Stakeholder Analysis(Auckland University of Technology, 2014) Ji, Chengming; Wright, Richard; Molloy, TracyThis dissertation investigates the cancellation of the New Zealand Badminton Open and its effect within the local badminton community. Through the analysis of personal narrative, researcher observations and survey responses with key stakeholders, this intrinsic case study discovers diverse perspectives and concerns surrounding the event’s cancellation. Stakeholders expressed concerns about lost player development opportunities, reduced visibility, and reputational repercussions for Badminton New Zealand. Despite limitations in scope and sample size, the study provides valuable insights for organisers to formulate strategies addressing stakeholder needs and enhancing community satisfaction. Recommendations include tailored engagement strategies and transparent decision-making processes. The findings highlight the challenges faced by the New Zealand badminton community and advocate for stakeholder-centric approaches to navigate disruptions in the future. This research contributes to event management literature and offers actionable insights for future planning and decision-making processes. Future research should aim to address limitations by expanding sample size and adopting a balanced approach to examining challenges and opportunities of event cancellations. This study serves as a valuable resource for organisers seeking to cultivate positive relationships with stakeholders and drive future success in organising badminton events in New Zealand. Although it does not provide comprehensive findings, it offers fresh insights and insider perspectives that would be greatly useful for future events.
- ItemSolo Sojourns of Indian Women: Narratives from Travel Blogs(Auckland University of Technology, 2024) Hegde, Sushmitha Dattatreya; Schänzel, HeikeThis research study focuses on the experiences of female travellers, specifically Indian women. Asian female travellers account for a sizable portion of the Asian travel market. Globalisation and the experience economy have recently driven an increase in the number of single Asian women seeking meaningful travel experiences. However, prior studies have largely reflected Western attitudes or generic views of Asian women, thereby creating a gap in the discussion of Indian women's solo travel experiences. India's distinct cultural and religious milieu sets it apart from other Asian countries. Unlike regions with large numbers of customers or distinct cultural influences, India's travel business is built on rich and diversified traditions. Despite this uniqueness, research into Indian women's solo travel experiences is sparse. Understanding the experiences of solo Indian women travellers through an Indian lens is, therefore, crucial to highlight the specific challenges and opportunities faced by these travellers. This research study aims to address that vacuum by providing valuable insights into the motivations, challenges, and experiences of Indian solo female travellers in India. To address this gap, this research study conducted exploratory qualitative research to examine this specific group. The data gathering process comprised of an examination of the autonomous travel narratives supplied online by six Indian female bloggers, Thematic analysis was utilised to uncover the constraints and challenges they faced throughout their solo excursions, and the tactics they employed to overcome these obstacles. Furthermore, the research study investigated the significance of the travel experiences for these bloggers, specifically how they helped them to become more autonomous and empowered. The findings show that these solitary excursions are not merely leisure activities, but also significant personal growth opportunities. The bloggers claimed increased self-confidence, resilience, and a more expansive worldview as a result of their travels. The research study emphasises the possible impact of these travel experiences on the cultural perceptions of these Indian women who defy conventional wisdom, by offering encouragement for women to embark on solo excursions. These findings can be used to inform policy and support services that focus on the provision of safe and rewarding travel experiences for women. This study helps to deepen our understanding of the interaction of gender, culture, and travel in India, providing a nuanced perspective on the changing dynamics of female solo travel within India.
- ItemAuditor Choice by Incorporated Societies – Why Choose a Casual Audit(Auckland University of Technology, 2024) Davis, Morgan; Scott, TomI investigate audit quality by examining 581 Incorporated Societies in New Zealand. Incorporated Societies in New Zealand are in a unique situation as they are currently allowed to choose to be audited or not and receive assurances at any level, including from an ‘auditor’ no qualification. I run multiple regressions testing various variables as proxies for size and complexity in order to help us find out what influences the audit quality choice made by the Incorporated Society. I find results that reveal contradictory relationships between the types of assurances provided, while also having results that support prior literature. Thus, I provide new insight into the determinants of assurance at different quality levels and why entities are voluntarily audited.
- ItemRefining Through Digestion(Auckland University of Technology, 2024) Turner, Hannah Lee; Randerson, Janine; Joseph, Frances‘Refining through Digestion’ is an exploration in material design that involves collaborating with organisms capable of converting textile waste into a circular system. The research investigates how a practice-led design approach utilises biomimicry, biomaterial, and bio-collaboration to reduce our textile waste resolve and increase circularity through alternative, biological systems of waste recycling. This endeavour offers solutions for creating new material hybrids and/or facilitating the degradation of fibers. Through experimentation and speculation, I conducted trials cultivating mycelium under various conditions and observed how textile waste feeds (such as polyester, cotton and a polyester wool blend) interacted with this process. These observations aided the refinement of mycelium growing methods. The process yielded a material with potential applications for artistic, architectural and agricultural practices, as well as industrial settings. My focus was on artistic design of an installation that can evoke hope through the resilient, adaptive sensibility of mycelium, as well as a proposition for a new biomaterial. Collaborating with living organisms opens avenues for exploring possibilities beyond mere product outputs. It fosters a deeper consideration of resources and contributes to the development of sustainable outcomes. By reconnecting and recalibrating our relationship with biological systems, we pave the way for applying these insights to future materials and practices.
- ItemAgeism in Job-Seeking and Recruitment Practices: A Systematic Literature Review(Auckland University of Technology, 2024) Oudomvilay, Thanakone; Ho, Marcus; Staniland, NimbusDespite a wealth of experience across generations, ageism remains a persistent barrier in job seeking. The global trend of an aging population has created a unique workforce with up to five generations, from Traditionalists to Generation Z. Nevertheless, both older workers and younger workers face persistent ageism in the workplace. As a result, ageism in recruitment and its mitigation has become an emerging issue for scholars and practitioners. While existing studies provide valuable insights, the current body of knowledge remains fragmented. This paper addresses two key research questions: 1) what is known from the literature on the challenges of ageism experienced by different age groups in job seeking? and 2) how do employers account for age diversity in recruitment practices? In addition, it aims to analyse and synthesise the findings from the literature to identify themes, knowledge gaps and recommendations for future research and practices. Six key themes were identified through the analysis of 27 studies: 1) ageism in stages of recruitment, 2) ageist stereotypes, 3) intersectional impacts of ageism, 4) age cues and physical appearance in ageism, 5) reverse ageism in recruitment, 6) ageism mitigation intervention. This paper contributes to the theoretical understanding of ageism within the specific context of recruitment and its parallels with intersectionality, internalised ageism, the negative discourse of aging and social theories. Furthermore, the paper also highlights age-diversity approaches to mitigate ageism in recruitment practices. Lastly, it identifies the key areas for future research to empirically identify and evaluate ageism mitigation interventions across diverse contexts.