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1 – 10 of 78Nicole R. Johnston and Rebecca Leshinsky
The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which gatekeepers of information stymie due diligence investigations in the multi-owned property environment.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which gatekeepers of information stymie due diligence investigations in the multi-owned property environment.
Design/methodology/approach
The study reviewed and analysed the relevant state legislative provisions providing statutory protections for (pre)purchasers of lots within the multi-owned property context. Further, an exploratory survey questionnaire was distributed to owners corporation (OC) managers in Victoria to gain knowledge and a greater understanding of the extent to which OC managers are gatekeepers of information.
Findings
The study emphasises how relevant state governments, OC managers and sellers of multi-owned properties (MOPs) are involved in gatekeeping activities. The governments have created a legislative framework that appears to offer “protections” to pre(purchasers), however, discretion and exemptions within the legislation can hinder the undertaking of due diligence investigations. OC managers are, generally, protective about the information in their custody and contribute to the gatekeeping environment by stymieing the dissemination of information.
Originality/value
To date, there has been a paucity of scholarly attention directed to understanding the barriers faced by purchasers when buying into the MOP environment. This paper contributes to the wider body of knowledge relating to purchasing decisions within the multi-owned property context. More specifically, gatekeeping theory is used in this context to highlight the barriers that stymie a buyer’s right to discover information and decide on their purchase. The findings of this study are relatable to other countries using a similar MOP structure as Australia.
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The purpose of this study is to develop a governance typology which identifies governance issues and outcomes. Multi-owned properties (MOPs) are a unique property type due to the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to develop a governance typology which identifies governance issues and outcomes. Multi-owned properties (MOPs) are a unique property type due to the incorporation of a private governance association. Although there are jurisdictional differences, these associations are generally responsible for the management, maintenance and control of the commonly owned property; determining the contributions payable by each lot owner to the operation of the association; enforcing the rules of the association; and ensuring that records meet legislative requirements. Legislation for MOP schemes was enacted in different jurisdictions to guide the governance and management of these matters. However, challenges relating to the governance of MOPs have continued to be a problem as identified in the literature and practice.
Design/methodology/approach
The study first reviewed the legislation in three Australian states to identify specific governance categories and the legislative requirements related to those categories. To gain group opinion about the specific governance issues and outcomes, the Delphi method was utilised whereby industry experts participated in a two-round survey questionnaire.
Findings
A typology was developed as a result of consensus found between participants. The findings identified key governance issues and outcomes for MOPs.
Practical implications
The governance typology forms the basis for the development of a more comprehensive audit tool for the assessment of governance quality in individual schemes.
Originality/value
This paper is the first of its kind to collate issues impacting upon effective owners’ corporation governance and the potential outcomes associated with poor governance practices in MOPs.
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Nicole Johnston and Rupert Williams
The purpose of this paper is to investigate and document the skills and knowledge needs of future library professionals in Qatar and to use the outcomes of this research to help…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate and document the skills and knowledge needs of future library professionals in Qatar and to use the outcomes of this research to help develop or refine focused library and information studies course curricula that meet the needs of the local workforce and also guide or improve national or local professional development programmes.
Design/methodology/approach
A skills and knowledge needs assessment survey was sent to library professionals, LIS students and library managers in Qatar. A total of 109 respondents completed the survey, a representation of around 25 per cent of the current LIS workforce in Qatar.
Findings
Findings indicated that respondents felt that the most needed future job roles included more client focused positions such as research librarians, information services librarians and subject librarians, as well as technical roles such as Arabic cataloguers, electronic resources librarians and system librarians. The largest amount of needed positions was also felt to be in school libraries. Respondents to the survey also felt that there was a lack of opportunities for professional development in Qatar and that the most needed area of skills training was information literacy, followed by copyright training and technical skills including RDA and Arabic cataloguing. One further finding identified from the survey was the concern felt by respondents about the lack of a professional body in Qatar that represented LIS professionals.
Practical implications
This paper provides data on future roles, skills and knowledge needed by library professionals working in international and culturally diverse workforces. It also provides findings that can be used to develop LIS curriculum and professional development programmes in international LIS environments.
Originality/value
A detailed needs assessment of this kind has not previously been undertaken in Qatar. The library and information sector in Qatar is an emerging field with a largely international workforce. This situation provides a distinct perspective on the needs of an emerging library sector that is a blend of different cultures, workplace practices and differing expectations and understandings of the role and skills needed to be a LIS professional.
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Nicole Johnston and Sally Marsh
This case study describes the collaborative process between library staff and faculty of embedding information literacy into an EFL (English as a Foreign Language) foundations…
Abstract
Purpose
This case study describes the collaborative process between library staff and faculty of embedding information literacy into an EFL (English as a Foreign Language) foundations (bridging) course through an information literacy matrix, iBooks and iPad apps.
Design/methodology/approach
The study focuses on the approach taken to embed information literacy through iPads and iBooks through the development of an information literacy matrix and iPad activities created in collaboration with faculty in a foundations bridging course in an EFL environment. Feedback was sought from faculty on the content of the iBooks and the outcome of using them in the classroom.
Findings
The embedding of information literacy into the curriculum though iPads and iBooks created new opportunities for library staff to collaborate with faculty and professional development opportunities for library staff. Feedback from faculty about the iBooks indicated that the “hands on” nature of the activities and the interactivity provided by the apps contributed to student engagement in the lessons. Literature on using mobile technology in education has also found that it fosters collaboration and interactivity in the classroom.
Research limitations/implications
Further research is needed that assesses and gathers feedback from students regarding the usability of the iBooks from the students' perspective. This research fills a gap in the literature that explores using mobile technology, specifically iPads to develop information literacy curriculum.
Practical implications
This case study can be used as an example of how to embed information literacy curriculum using iPads and iBooks into English foundations or bridging courses. Students and faculty will develop information literacy and technological skills through teaching and learning from these iBooks.
Originality/value
There are currently only a few academic articles written on the use of iPads in the library. Most of these articles focus on reference services and one-shot instructional lessons. There are few academic articles that focus on using iPads and iBooks to embed information literacy into curriculum.
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This exploratory research paper aims to examine the social interactions within multi-owned properties (MOPs) in suburban Brisbane, Australia, and the influences these have on…
Abstract
Purpose
This exploratory research paper aims to examine the social interactions within multi-owned properties (MOPs) in suburban Brisbane, Australia, and the influences these have on “sense of community” (SOC).
Design/methodology/approach
A constructivist grounded theory research approach is adopted, utilising qualitative research methods of 17 in-depth interviews across four suburbs.
Findings
Respondents of this research do know others within their MOP, although these are surface-level social interactions rather than deep social ties. Social interactions are influenced by concerns for privacy, resident homogeneity, tenure type and the safety and security of the built environment. A disconnect exists between marketing and reality when respondents discuss an SOC. Development of an SOC is also constrained by the strata and community title legislation that enables MOPs ' existence. Self-governance measures exclude the majority of MOP residents from engaging in community participation, through bodies ' corporate and decision-making practices.
Research limitations/implications
The research design limited external validity to other groups and settings. It was also challenging accessing residents and MOP owners for inclusion in this research.
Originality/value
The research is significant in addressing the knowledge gap of social relations within MOPs. MOPs will be a key driver for the development industry in coming decades, so it is important to understand the lived experience of residents to ensure a liveable and sustainable residential product for the future.
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Nicole Renae Johnston and Sacha Reid
The purpose of this paper is to highlight the international significance of multi-owned developments (MODs), present an MOD life cycle conceptual model and review the range of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to highlight the international significance of multi-owned developments (MODs), present an MOD life cycle conceptual model and review the range of identified peer-reviewed empirical research papers.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper utilises an exploratory qualitative methodology to collate and analyse literature focusing on MODs. From the 403 research papers identified 96 peer-reviewed empirical research papers specific to MODs were examined. A MOD life cycle model has been conceptualised to facilitate a content analysis of the reviewed papers.
Findings
The findings of this paper highlights the gaps in knowledge pertinent to MODs and outlines avenues for future research that argues for the need to develop a more holistic and multi-disciplinary research approach.
Research limitations/implications
The research is based on reviewing published papers as identified using specific search terms.
Originality/value
The paper makes an important and innovative contribution to the body of knowledge by developing a MOD life cycle model and identifying the range and scope of peer-reviewed empirical research literature published on MODs. Understanding the MOD life cycle phases and the gaps in the literature can enable academics from a multitude of disciplines to enhance this field of inquiry in order to better understand this emergent property type.
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Andrea Sharam, Lyndall Elaine Bryant and Thomas Alves
The purpose of this paper is to identify the financial barriers to the supply of affordable apartments in Australia and examine whether demand aggregation and “deliberative…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the financial barriers to the supply of affordable apartments in Australia and examine whether demand aggregation and “deliberative development” (self-build) can form a new affordable housing “structure of provision”.
Design/methodology/approach
Market design, an offshoot of game theory, is used to analyse the existing apartment development model, with “deliberative development” proposed as an innovative alternative. Semi-structured interviews with residential development financiers are used to evaluate whether deliberative development could obtain the requisite development finance.
Findings
This investigation into the financial barriers of a deliberative development model suggests that, while there are hurdles, these can be addressed if key risks in the exchange process can be mitigated. Hence, affordability can be enhanced by “deliberative development” replacing the existing speculative development model.
Research limitations/implications
Market design is a new innovative theoretical approach to understand the supply of housing, offering practical solutions to affordable apartment supply in Australia.
Originality/value
This research identifies financial barriers to the supply of affordable apartments; introduces theoretical understandings gained from market design as an innovative solution; and provides evidence that a new structure of building provision based on “deliberative development” could become a key means of achieving more affordable and better designed apartments.
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Nicole Johnston, Helen Partridge and Hilary Hughes
This paper aims to outline research that explores the information literacy experiences of English as a foreign language (EFL) students. The question explored in this research was…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to outline research that explores the information literacy experiences of English as a foreign language (EFL) students. The question explored in this research was: how do EFL students experience information literacy?
Design/methodology/approach
This study used phenomenography, a relational approach to explore the information literacy experiences of EFL students. Phenomenography studies the qualitatively different ways a phenomenon is experienced in the world around us.
Findings
This research revealed that EFL students experienced information literacy in four qualitatively different ways. The four categories revealed through the data were: process, quality, language and knowledge. This research found that language impacted on EFL students’ experiences of information literacy and revealed that EFL students applied various techniques and strategies when they read, understood, organised and translated information.
Research limitations/implications
This research was conducted in a specific cultural and educational context; therefore, the results might not reflect the experiences of EFL students in other cultural or educational contexts.
Practical implications
The findings from this research offer an important contribution to information literacy practice by providing important insights about EFL students’ experiences and perceptions of information and learning that can be used to inform curriculum development in second language learning contexts.
Originality/value
There is currently a lack of research using a relational approach to investigate EFL students’ experiences of information literacy. There is also limited research that explores the impact language has on information literary and learning in EFL or English as a second language (ESL) contexts.
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Rebecca Leshinsky and Clare M Mouat
This paper aims to advance best practice by gaining insights into key multi-owned property (MOP) issues challenging policymakers and communities. Ontario (Canada) and Victoria…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to advance best practice by gaining insights into key multi-owned property (MOP) issues challenging policymakers and communities. Ontario (Canada) and Victoria (Australia) are internationally recognised for best practice in MOP living and law. Yet, both jurisdictions struggle with the emerging urbanism related to condominium MOP.
Design/methodology/approach
Different ways of recognising community in MOP urbanism will be examined against public policy and political theory perspectives promoting social sustainability. A rich mixed-data and content analysis method is relied upon which synthesises three pillars of MOP community governance: harmonious high-rise living; residential-neighbourhood interface; and metropolitan community engagement. The article cross-examines Canadian policy and law reform documents and Australian dispute case law from the state of Victoria to explore and showcase critical MOP management, residential and policy issues.
Findings
A theory-building typology formally recognises “community” as an affective performance across MOP governance contexts: cosmopolitan, civic-citizen and neighbourly. These ideal types differentiate community affects in and beyond (case) law and land-use planning: from determining alternative dispute resolution remedies; addressing neighbourhood and metropolitan NIMBY-ism in urban consolidation to bridging the critical policy and civic gap between the limits and aims of socially sustainable MOP vertical-tenured community affects.
Research limitations/implications
Strong cross-jurisdictional MOP community lessons exist, as other cities follow best practice in legal and governance structures to effect change at the frontiers of twenty-first century urbanism.
Originality/value
Past studies emphasise classifying dispute issues, single-issue concerns or historical and life cycle evaluations. This theory-building article advances why and how community must be better understood holistically across community contexts to inform cutting-edge governance practices.
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