Because mobility is associated with rural social decline, this two-phase cross sectional study investigates whether social patterns in small, rural Australian towns are affected by commuting. Quantitative data, which was gathered via a mail-out questionnaire (response = 54 per cent) that was issued to 1,040 occupationally diverse professionals who worked in fourteen towns throughout north-western Victoria, was analysed to determine whether commuting and non-commuting professionals differed significantly in their community involvement. To explain why certain relationships emerged from survey analysis, face-toface interviews were subsequently undertaken with 24 questionnaire respondents. The key finding of this study is that there is a significant relationship between commuting status and the retention of rural professionals. A significantly greater proportion of noncommuters than commuters remain working in the one location for longer than five years. This finding has important implications for the sustainability of rural areas. / Doctor of Philosophy

The aim of the thesis is to investigate the barriers to, and the driver of, the adoption of organic agriculture, especially from the point of view of agricultural professionals (scientists, researchers, academics and extension officers). The thesis also summarises the economics of organic agriculture, and provides a unique case study on organic viticulture in Foster's Clare Valley Estare from the 1980s to mid 2000. / PhD Doctorate

Because mobility is associated with rural social decline, this two-phase cross sectional study investigates whether social patterns in small, rural Australian towns are affected by commuting. Quantitative data, which was gathered via a mail-out questionnaire (response = 54 per cent) that was issued to 1,040 occupationally diverse professionals who worked in fourteen towns throughout north-western Victoria, was analysed to determine whether commuting and non-commuting professionals differed significantly in their community involvement. To explain why certain relationships emerged from survey analysis, face-toface interviews were subsequently undertaken with 24 questionnaire respondents. The key finding of this study is that there is a significant relationship between commuting status and the retention of rural professionals. A significantly greater proportion of noncommuters than commuters remain working in the one location for longer than five years. This finding has important implications for the sustainability of rural areas. / Doctor of Philosophy

Diss. Universität Passau, 2009. / Business and Economics (German Language) (Springer-11775) (GWV).

Diss. Universität Passau, 2009. / Business and Economics (German Language) (Springer-11775) (GWV).

Diss. HHL - Leipzig Graduate School of Management, 2009. / Business and Economics (German Language) (Springer-11775) (GWV).

Diss. HHL - Leipzig Graduate School of Management, 2009. / Business and Economics (German Language) (Springer-11775) (GWV).

Diss. European Business School, International University Schloss Reichartshausen, Oestrich-Winkel, 2008. / Business and Economics (German Language) (Springer-11775) (GWV).

Diss. European Business School, International University Schloss Reichartshausen, Oestrich-Winkel, 2008. / Business and Economics (German Language) (Springer-11775) (GWV).

Diss. Univ. der Bundeswehr München Neubiberg, 2009. / Business and Economics (German Language) (Springer-11775) (GWV).