Open Theses & Dissertations

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Tuwhera Open Access Theses & Dissertations contains digital copies of theses, dissertations and research projects from AUT's postgraduate research, deposited with the Library since 2002. The full text digital files are available if the author has given permission for their thesis, dissertation or research projects to be available open access.

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Browsing Open Theses & Dissertations by Supervisor "Ahsan, Kamrul"

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    Project Human Resource Management in the public sector: what motivates public employees to work on projects?
    (Auckland University of Technology, 2011) Maass, Norbert; Ahsan, Kamrul; Mowatt, Simon
    Public sector organisations in various countries increasingly rely on project management to effectively implement government policies and organisational strategies. The management of human resources for public sector projects has recently received growing attention for its critical role in successfully delivering projects. In particular, the staffing of public sector projects can be a challenge for project managers. This study complements previous literature on project human resource management by exploring factors that influence the motivation of public employees to work on public sector projects. Drawing on established models of human behaviour, the present study introduces a model of public employees’ intention to work on projects. To empirically verify the model, a multiple regression analysis is performed using survey data collected among New Zealand public employees (N = 108). The results from the analysis highlight four factors influencing the motivation of public employees to work on projects. Public employees are more motivated to work on projects when they believe that: 1) project management tools and techniques will improve their job performance and quality of work; 2) a project position does not require radical changes in the way they usually work; 3) their colleagues have a positive opinion about project-based work and want them to work on projects; and 4) a project position is associated with high social status and prestige. The comparison of the findings of the present study and findings of previous research indicates that the influence of the first three factors on intention could be generalised across contexts. In developing a model of employees’ intention formation and providing empirical support of the model, this research contributes to future research on similar topics.
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    Supply chain integration in New Zealand public hospitals: impact on supplier commercial relationships and order fulfilment
    (Auckland University of Technology, 2010) Msimangira, Kabossa Adolf Barthazar; Wright, Nevan; Ahsan, Kamrul; Pringle, Judith
    Although there is general understanding on the importance of supply chain integration (SCI), little is known regarding SCI operational issues and their impact on supplier commercial relationships and order fulfilment in public hospitals. In response, this thesis investigates the critical operational factors influencing the supply chain integration and their impact on supplier commercial relationships and order fulfilment in New Zealand public hospitals. This study explores critical SCI issues using the process-based management theory (approach) proposed by Lambert (2004, 2008). A new construct of focused SCI and a theoretical model have been developed for this study. A survey research approach was used to collect data. The results of empirical study are based on the responses from a survey with purchasing and supply personnel in public hospitals. This research tested eighteen hypotheses using multiple regression analysis. The results of this thesis support sixteen hypotheses proposed in the theoretical model and two hypotheses are not supported. The major findings of this research are that SCI operational issues in the hospitals, supplier commercial relationships, and focused SCI have positive influence on order fulfilment. Barriers to SCI (one of the operational issues) have negative influence on supplier commercial relationships, focused SCI, and order fulfilment. The results for two hypotheses not supported in this thesis show that organisation environmental forces (suppliers or customers have initiated integration effort) do not have significant influence on focused SCI (integrated service functions, following national procurement policies and procedures). Also, organisation environmental forces do not have significant influence on supplier commercial relationships (reliable suppliers and good process integration between suppliers, customers and the DHB). The results of the rejected hypotheses indicate that integration initiated by suppliers or customers do not have impact on the organisation's focused supply chain integration and supplier commercial relationships. Most of the critical barriers of supply chain integration identified in this study are consistent with the findings of Fawcett and Magnan (2001) and Fawcett, Magnan, and McCarter (2008). However, Fawcett and Magnan (2001) and Fawcett et al. (2008) found inappropriate information systems as the key barrier to effective SCI, whereas, this research identified lack of willingness to share information as the key barrier to effective SCI in the public hospitals. Overall, this research provides significant contributions to the SCI, supplier commercial relationships, and order fulfilment literature and the practices of SCI in New Zealand public hospitals. This research also contributes to theoretical and practical knowledge by providing a new model for enhancing SCI in an organisation. The model can help researchers and managers to focus on important SCI, supplier commercial relationships, and order fulfilment factors. The critical SCI operational factors linkage to supplier commercial relationships, focused SCI, and order fulfilment has been tested for the first time. Furthermore, researchers and practitioners can use a survey instrument developed and tested in this study for understanding operational SCI factors, supplier commercial relationships and order fulfilment in the organisations. This study also provides practitioners with key recommendations to enhance SCI in an organisation, such as recognising procurement as a strategic function, the importance of support from top management, and the need to cement relationships with critical suppliers.

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Theses, dissertations and research projects are protected by the Copyright Act 1994 (New Zealand). The thesis, dissertation or research projects may be consulted by you, provided you comply with the provisions of the Act and the following conditions of use:
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