Baxter-Tomkins, T. & Wallace, M. (2009) "Volunteering and remuneration: can they co-exist?", pp. 1-11.

Abstract

Title: Volunteering and remuneration: Can they co-exist?
Keywords: Volunteers; Emergency Services; Re-imbursement.
Category of paper: Research paper.
Purpose of the research paper: This research focuses on recruitment and retention of volunteers within the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) and the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) and their views about whether they believe they should be paid for the work they do. Volunteering has an undisputable tenet: it is unpaid. However, is this concept dated given what is required of today's emergency service volunteers? This paper argues from empirical evidence that the issue is far from clear cut. Admittedly, there are two poles in the debate about volunteers and remuneration but there is also a continuum between these positions that may justify a re-definition of remuneration in certain circumstances.
Methodology: Conversational interview technique. This is consistent with an unstructured interview process and was controlled to ensure the interviewer's research interests were achieved.
Findings: Many volunteers believed the real costs incurred by their action should be recompensed.
Value of the paper: Our findings add to contemporary knowledge about emergency services volunteers.
Number of pages: 11
Section Headings: Introduction , Methodology , Volunteering as unpaid work , Findings , Volunteers or casual employees? Tax concessions and donations , Conclusion.

Bertram, L. & Ellis, A. (2009) "So who's normal? The relationship between policy and practice in the care of people with intellectual disabilities", pp. 12-35.

A$27.50
inc. GST

Abstract

Title of paper: So who's normal? The relationship between policy and practice in the care of people with intellectual disabilities
Keywords: Intellectual disability, disability policy, Normalisation, Social Role Valorisation, the rights of the disabled, sexuality.
Category of paper: Research paper
Purpose of the research/paper: There is very little research into the efficacy of policies that regulate the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. The objective of this study was to determine the relevance of policies by comparing them with actual practices. Wherever available, the attitudes of workers and service managers to administering those policies were recorded.
Methodology: Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to gain the information; using a 43-question self report questionnaire for care workers and telephone interviews and a 30 question self-report questionnaire with the managers of disability service providers.
Findings: Most research in this area explores ways to make the policies work. This research revealed that the services surveyed, whilst mostly adhering to policy, had little success in effecting them, given the disabilities of their clients.
Value of the paper: The paper will be of interest to politicians, policy makers, disability service providers, and workers, as well as people with intellectual disabilities.
Number of pages: 24
Number of tables/figures: 9 tables
Section headings: Abstract, Introduction, Normalisation Theory, How to be valued, What is Normal ? Behaving in Public, Normal people have jobs, Integration or interference? My home; your workplace Is sex normal for people with ID? Methodology, Results and discussion, Conclusions

Gribble, L.C. & Miller, P. (2009) "Identifying the psychological constructs underpinning the effects of retrenchment", pp. 36-52.

A$27.50
inc. GST

Abstract

Title: Identifying the psychological constructs underpinning the effects of retrenchment.
Keywords: Retrenchment, effects of retrenchment, loss of self concept, uncertainty, attachment to organisations
Category of paper : Research paper
Purpose of the research/paper : This paper seeks to identify the underlying psychological constructs underpinning the effects of retrenchment. It moved beyond describing what is felt by the retrenchee to how those feeling occur.
Methodology: Utilising an ex post facto design, this research employs a mixed methodology, comprising a quantitative survey informed by thematic analysis of qualitative data and interviews. Principle components analysis creates the constructs and these are further explored by profile analysis giving insight to the behaviour of a known and defined group.
Findings: The psychological constructs underpinning the effects of retrenchment are identified and discussed in depth showing that four constructs concern over uncertainty, pressure to find a new job, loss of self-concept and attachment to the former organisation exist. All retrenchees, regardless of who they feel about being retrenched experienced these constructs negatively.
Implications for practice: This is the first research to look beyond describing effects of retrenchment into the deeper issues that may be addressed by professional assisting retrenchees and by the retrenchee themselves.
Value of the paper: This paper is suitable for academics, practitioners of outplacement, managers and consultant who wish to better inform their practice. It seeks to move beyond the qualitative descriptive data to more generalisable findings that can assist the retrenchee and any person who deals with retrenchment.
Number of pages : 17
Number of tables/figures: Four
Section headings: Introduction, Understanding psychology as a background, The known effects of retrenchment, Research design and methodology, Results and analysis, Discussion, conclusions and implications

Singleton, M. & Miller, P. (2009) "A Preliminary Investigation into Australia 's Registered Club Industry: Issues of Corporate Governance and Government Review", pp. 53-71.

A$27.50
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Abstract

Title: A Preliminary Investigation into Australia 's Registered Club Industry: Issues of Corporate Governance and Government Review
Keywords: Corporate governance – Boards of directors – non-profit – for-profit – isomorphism – government regulation Australia
Category of paper: Research paper
Purpose of the research/paper: This paper discusses the initial results of an ongoing longitudinal corporate governance research project being conducted by Southern Cross University, New South Wales, Australia in association with the peak industry body, the Club Managers' Association of Australia (CMAA). The target organizations comprise non-profit registered clubs and associations in Australia . These organizations are currently under review by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) that suggests, in its February 2008 draft report, that corporate governance is a substantive issue in the registered club industry and, as a result, registered clubs and associations are under increased pressure to adopt what are, essentially, generic corporate governance principles.
Methodology: The research is utilizing a modified version of an instrument developed by Mercer Delta Consulting (2005) and summarized by Nadler, Behan and Nadler (2006).
Findings: The results confirm that the adoption by the clubs of generic corporate governance principles is well advanced and the distinctions between registered clubs as non-profit entities and the for-profit sector are rapidly evaporating in relation to corporate governance.
Implications for theory and practice: If a process of convergence is occurring it suggests two possibilities. If commentators such as Steane (2001) and Mason, Kirkbride and Bryde (2007) are right, then the process is one of deformation whereby the fundamental perspectives and values of these organizations are somehow compromised or distorted by a process of convergence with generic corporate governance principles. The second possibility is that these fundamental perspectives and values are themselves changing.
Value of the paper: This process raises some key issues in relation to the validity and appropriateness of this process of isomorphism for non-profit entities which are discussed.
Number of pages: 19
Number of tables/figures: Six Table and 1 figure
Section headings: Introduction, literature review, methodology, results and discussion, conclusions.