No

No / This paper presents a guided reflection (GR) framework compiled and used specifically in a gender equality change management programme. The programme involves seven partners (one being an evaluation partner) from across Europe, each partner implementing a change management programme in their university setting. A guided reflection framework, including verbal reflective discussions and written reflections, was devised and deployed to enable and facilitate the collection of narratives and stories on the experience of gender transformation within the university institutions. The resulting outcome so far has been a successful application of the GR framework, with emerging findings suggesting that participants found the opportunity to share and reflect useful. Both written and verbal reflection tools were effective within this programme, with lessons emerging around increasing and improving the journaling aspect of written reflections. The process findings illustrate how people in our organisations are very constrained for time for reflection within their busy work schedules, and therefore the applicability and usefulness of the GR framework has been in enabling a space for such reflection and thought, which in turn contributes to organizational learning and potential for change.

Yes / This article investigates the representation of black, Asian and minority ethnic staff in NHS disciplinary proceedings. The study involved an in-depth knowledge review and analysis of literature on the representation of black, Asian and minority ethnic staff in NHS disciplinary proceedings from 2008 to 2017, as well as semi-structured interviews with 15 key stakeholders. Participants were stakeholders from both primary and secondary care and included equality and diversity leads, human resource professionals, NHS service managers, representatives of trade unions and health professional regulatory council representatives. The knowledge review indicates that to date, black, Asian and minority ethnic staff are disproportionately represented in NHS disciplinary proceedings. Evidence gathered demonstrates the continuation of inappropriate individual disciplinary action and failure to address organisational shortcomings against black, Asian and minority ethnic members of staff. Overall, six factors were identified as underpinning the disproportionate representation of black minority ethnic staff in disciplinaries: closed culture and climate; subjective attitudes and behaviour; inconclusive disciplinary data; unfair decision making; poor disciplinary support; and disciplinary policy misapplication.

The purpose of this study is to explore the ways racial and socio-economic diversity potentially affect economic development in Columbia City, one of Seattle's most diverse neighborhoods. Case studies of diverse metropolitan neighborhoods have not considered the impacts of diversity on economic development directly, and quantitative studies regarding diversity and economic development have produced conflicting results. Therefore, this exploratory research will attempt to answer the question, how do neighborhood actors perceive the relationship between racial and socio-economic residential composition and economic development in a diverse, urban neighborhood? For this study, the author conducted 22 semi-structured interviews with neighborhood stakeholders including nonprofit leaders, government officials, business owners, and residents. The author used the interpretive approach to analyze the interviews. Results derived from the perspectives, accounts, experiences, opinions, and understanding of neighborhood informants suggest an important connection between diversity and economic development. / Master of Urban and Regional Planning

Acer rubrum L. and Liriodendron tulipifera L. are prolific throughout their ranges in the Southeastern U.S. and also have increasingly important roles in forestry and wood products in this region. The relatively low density and intermediate strength of the wood makes them versatile for use in many different wood products. Exploring the genetic structure of these species could provide a foundation for further genetic and breeding exploration with these economically important trees. This study utilizes amplified fragment length polymorphism to determine the level of genetic diversity of these species in contrasting physiographic provinces. AFLP was performed using five primer combinations on samples collected from six unmanaged populations of each species in the Mountains and Coastal Plain of the Southeastern U.S. Wood density was determined using an X-ray densitometer. A. rubrum lacked strong genetic structure while L. tulipifera showed differentiation between physiographic provinces. Genetic diversity of A. rubrum was lower within the Mountain populations (He: 0.327) than the Coastal Plain populations (He: 0.365). The average wood density for A. rubrum is lower in the Mountains (539.00 kg/m^3) than in the Coastal Plain (575.43 kg/m^3). Genetic diversity of L. tulipifera was higher overall (He: 0.289) than within the Mountain populations (He: 0.281) or the Coastal Plain populations (He: 0.271). The average wood density for L. tulipifera is greater in the Mountains (445.45 kg/m^3) than in the Coastal Plain (441.67 kg/m^3). / Master of Science

Emerging more than 3000 years ago - an era of hermit culture in China - private gardens played an important role in the development of Chinese culture. In this thesis, the essence of Chinese private gardens, especially the principles of their spatial organization, is used to direct the design. In a Chinese garden, the aim of spatial design was to create an experience of variety and change in a highly limited space. Gardens normally were made up of a series of spatial units, each with its own function and distinguishing characteristics through skilled manipulation of spaces, materials and plants. This Chinese Community Center was designed for the Association of Chinese Students and Scholars, the largest international organization on the campus of Virginia Tech. As the joining of the eastern and western culture, the building was designed by syncretizing the spatial organization of Chinese gardens and the form and material of western modern architecture. In my design, three units were introduced into the building. As to the spatial layout of the building, the garden was an open space; the exhibition area was enclosed; and the entrance corridor unit was partly open and partly enclosed as a transition. Three units organized the inter-penetrative spaces, integrating spatial units of different types and forms, and achieving diversity, contrast and harmony. Perforated aluminum panels with Chinese patterns were introduced into the entrance area to create a semi-open space, which gave the impression of Chinese architecture and culture identity. The method of the borrowing of scenery was also introduced in this unit. From the framed gate at the entrance, the balcony at the end of the building was connected visually with the beginning. At this point, the perforated panels contrasted with the solid concrete wall, symbolizing the contrast between tradition and modernity in time and space. Also, following the principle of Chinese gardens, two choices of touring the building were provided to visitors at the entrance: by entering the hall of the building or by going down to the garden directly by way of the wood stairs. The enclosed concrete unit served as the exhibition area, introducing Chinese culture and architecture to visitors. An interior bamboo garden was arranged in the middle of the unit, connecting the lower and upper levels. The color and the fragrance of bamboo were borrowed from the nature, being the focus of the whole unit. The two-story high tea area faced the trianglar bamboo garden outside, conveying a quiet feeling. Staying in the modern space with traditional Chinese culture and plants will be a great feeling for visitors, touching the spirits of antiquity and today at the same time. The open garden space in the center connected and separated the enclosed unit and semi-open unit. Because water in a garden was the artistic simulation of natural lakes in the basic concepts of Chinese gardens, a shallow water pond was arranged in the garden close to the main hall of the building, occupying one corner in the garden. A trianglar bamboo garden occupied another corner, leaving the central part for activities. Looking at the design as a whole, the paradox is that the three units were spatial divisions on the one hand, and at the same time spatial linkages on the other. Out of this complexity, the visitors will be delighted by the changing views as they stroll from one part of the building to another. / Master of Architecture

Eight study sites were established in mid-elevation, south aspect, mixed-oak forests in the Ridge and Valley and Allegheny Mountain physiographic provinces of Southwestern Virginia and West Virginia to address questions concerning the variability in species composition, richness, and relative abundance of vascular plant species in those communities. All forest strata were sampled using a nested plot design. Variability in species richness and species composition was found to be high. Total species richness values ranged from 84 to 273, and Sorrenson's Coefficient of Similarity index values indicated that approximately 46, 38, and 51 percent of the species in the overstory, mid-story, and herb stratum were the same among sites, respectively. However, despite differences in composition and richness, K-S tests revealed significant differences in the distribution of ranked relative abundance only in the mid-story at two sites. Differences did occur in the relative abundance of twelve growth form categories. While tree seedlings and perennial herbs dominated, on average, woody vines and fern species represented substantial coverage on sites in the Allegheny Mountains. Correlations among forest strata were weak. The greatest amount of variation in species richness was attributiable to the standard deviation of a forest site quality index (FSQI), which was thought to represent the variation in microtopography across each site. The lack of correlation and high variability in plant species richness and composition, despite similarities in topographic characteristics, reinforce the inherent weaknesses involved with using the chronosequence approach to studying ecological responses in the Southern Appalachian mixed-oak region. Future remeasurement and long term monitoring of these study sites, following the implementation of silvicultural manipulations, will provide the information needed to make inference on the effects of forest management practices on Southern Appalachian mixed-oak forests. / Master of Science

No description available.

Yes / Although language is gaining increasing attention in the international management literature, much of the existing empirical work takes a mechanistic approach and as such fails to give sufficient attention to the relationship between language policies and power. By synthesizing the language-sensitive literature in international management with that of organization studies, I demonstrate how the choice of language policy can be viewed as a particular application of power and how employees may seek to resist such choices. This is an important contribution to the cross-cultural management literature, as it extends the understanding of the link between language policies and power by moving away from neutral, pragmatic understandings of language use which have dominated previous research. In doing so, it provides future directions for empirical research in order to enable a deeper understanding of the microprocesses by which employees subjectively experience and resist the imposition of such policies.

No / This book draws on case studies of language management within British organisations to examine the decisions they make about language diversity in their professional communications in order to be successful in a multilingual world. It explores the practices that the organisations use to manage language diversity in interorganisational relationships, and why certain practices occur in some situations and not others. The book highlights how organisations rely on individual employees to perform a variety of language tasks and the implications of this; the effect of English as a global lingua franca; and the translation challenges which organisations face. The book demonstrates that practices to manage language diversity are often a result of the resources organisations have at given moments in time, rather than being part of a deliberate language management strategy.