Copyright (c) 2010 All rights reserved. http://works.bepress.com/peter_steane Recent documents in Peter Steane en-us Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:56:08 PDT 3600 http://works.bepress.com/peter_steane/10 http://works.bepress.com/peter_steane/10 Sat, 29 May 2010 21:39:09 PDT Peter Steane http://works.bepress.com/peter_steane/9 http://works.bepress.com/peter_steane/9 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:46:27 PST This article reports the findings into patterns of governance on nonprofit boards in Australia. The research surveys 118 boards, upon which serve a total of 1405 directors.The findings indicate that nonprofit boards can mimic some aspects of a shareholder approach to governance. But nonprofit boards, in the main, indicate priorities and activities of a stakeholder approach to governance. The features of 'isomorphism' that arise largely stem from legislative requirements in corporate governance. Generally, nonprofit directors are influenced by agenda and motivations that can be differentiated from the influences upon director activity in the corporate sector.The study indicates that nonprofit boards prize knowledge and loyalty to the sector when considering board composition. The survey suggests nonprofits "compensate" for the demands placed upon them about fiduciary duty and due diligence responsibilities with the diverse intellectual expertise of non‐executive directors. Nonprofit boards possess greater diversity than boards in the corporate sector; they include more women as directors than corporate boards and they include a greater proportion of directors from minority groups. While strategic issues feature significantly as a task of the nonprofit board, they distinguish themselves from their corporate counterparts by engaging in operational management.The findings indicate that, in the main, directors on nonprofit boards deliberate and operate in ways distinctive from their corporate counterparts. Such findings offer a contribution to the reform of Corporations Law in other countries and the likely consequence on boards outside the corporate sector. Peter Steane http://works.bepress.com/peter_steane/8 http://works.bepress.com/peter_steane/8 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:30:58 PDT J Rodwell http://works.bepress.com/peter_steane/6 http://works.bepress.com/peter_steane/6 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:30:57 PDT The purpose of this paper is to trace the development of economic theory to the point where "economic rationalism" is a commonly used term. The paper draws on earlier research and published works examining: the history of economics; economic rationalism; and the different influences in comprising basic economic concepts. The analysis of writing indicates that rationalism has been a focus of discussion in economic writing since Classical times, through to the "rational" influence in economic policy making from neoclassical economic writing. But, the specific term "economic rationalism" gained wider usage after Pusey's book. From that time, the term was used outside academia as a disparaging means to criticise economic theorists and policy makers. The research is limited by the ability to examine all the literature in the field in greater depth. However, this has been ameliorated by examining a sufficient sample of literature relevant to the concept of rationality in economic theory and policy. This paper provides a useful critique - from the classics to the modern era - of the contribution made to economic theory and practice. It provides managers with a comprehensive historical overview. This paper fulfils an identified need and gives support to executives and managers who have doubts about theological justification for some values and accountability procedures being employed in policymaking. Donald K. Gates http://works.bepress.com/peter_steane/7 http://works.bepress.com/peter_steane/7 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:30:57 PDT The application and performance of Internet Commerce (IC) strategy has become a critical success factor in an industry characterised by volatile change and transformational upheaval. This article presents research examining how IC has been applied in Australian electricity utilities from a retail perspective. The industry's transformation from government regulation to full retail contestability means that retailers need to reassess the way they position themselves in the market and determine how best to interact with their environment. The article reports how Australian electricity retailers have utilised IC to strengthen their relationship with their customers and proactively respond to customer expectations in the provision of more information, greater interactivity and increased access to information in a timely manner and suggests further enhancements. Peter Maher http://works.bepress.com/peter_steane/5 http://works.bepress.com/peter_steane/5 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:30:56 PDT The purpose of this paper is to show that knowledge management (KM) practitioners usually describe implementation in ideal and positive terms, such as making KM strategy happen, putting ideas into practice or turning embryonic KM strategies into reality. Research has been mainly confined to failures or mistakes in implementation. Yvon Dufour