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    Professional identity positioning of internationally qualified nurses during workplace interactions with colleagues in New Zealand healthcare settings : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Linguistics at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2024) Taylor, Dana
    The global nursing shortage has been a catalyst for the international migration of nurses. Internationally qualified nurses (IQNs) are valued in New Zealand as capable and competent healthcare professionals. As limited research exists into the professional identity of IQNs in New Zealand, my aim for this study was to explore IQNs’ discursive identity positioning. Research determining ways to support IQNs’ career sustainability was missing in the extant literature, which this study sought to address. Taking a social constructionist perspective, I employed narrative inquiry to empower eight IQN participants to tell stories of challenging and positive workplace interactions with their colleagues. The participants had English as their first or additional language and had been nursing in New Zealand for at least three years. Narrative data from participants were collected during COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in New Zealand by means of semi-structured interviews (‘Story-Led Conversations’) and peer-facilitated conversations via Zoom (‘Zoom Pair Shares’). Participants’ storied experiences were analysed to reveal aspects of IQNs’ discursive positioning. This allowed me to identify: how IQNs positioned themselves and others as they told stories of participating in workplace interactions with colleagues in New Zealand healthcare settings; how they used discursive positioning in their stories to jointly construct aspects of their professional identity; and the implications of understanding, and responding to, participants’ stories for the IQNs themselves and the wider nursing community. I used thematic analysis to construct six themes related to IQNs’ workplace interactions. I also developed an analytical framework based on positioning theory—the multimodal positioning analysis (MPA) model—to analyse participants’ discursive positioning of self and others when telling their stories of workplace interactions. Research findings indicated that IQN participants’ workplace interactions with colleagues impacted upon their professional identity positioning. The nature of this impact included IQNs’ sense of professional self, agency, collegiality, and wellbeing, which are critical for IQNs’ feelings of belonging and career sustainability. Findings from this study may lead to greater understanding and support of IQNs as they build a successful long-term nursing career in New Zealand.
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    What makes a 'good' doctor? : the patients' perspective : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2018) Lane, Michael Craig
    Personalised care by doctors has been shown to facilitate better engagement by patients in their care (Thorne, Oliffe, & Stajduhar, 2013). However, the communication required for care that is more effective has been primarily characterised from the perspective of medical experts. The patient perspective remains understudied. The aims of the current study were three-fold. Firstly, to explore the way patients’ interpret their General Practitioner’s (GP’s) communication behaviour. Secondly, to organise these behaviours into practice styles describing patient preferences. Finally, to compare the practice styles patients prefer to the practice styles they experience, and examine the impact of preference mismatch upon patient-doctor alliance. To address these aims participants were interviewed about their positive experiences with their GPs, and thematic analysis conducted on the transcripts. This identified a set of 90 communication behaviours, which participants sorted by similarity, and multi-dimensional scaling was utilised to map the behaviour. To organise the behaviour further into practice styles preferred and experienced, 100 participants sorted 67 of the behaviours by both degree of helpfulness and relative frequency with which their GP utilises the behaviours. As hypothesised, participants described behaviours consistent with collaborative interactions, which incorporate patient perspective, feelings, and problem-solving. The organisation of communication behaviours within the multi-dimensional map were consistent with such collaborative interactions, with decision-making and biomedical behaviours grouping with behaviours facilitating participation. Furthermore, the map also demonstrated communication varied along a unique relational dimension in addition to the predicted instrumental and affective dimensions. Participants organised GPs’ communication behaviour into five practice styles consistent with past research, but surprisingly, a high doctor-control, paternal practice style was not evident. The discrepancy between participants’ preferred and experienced styles had a weak negative impact on patient-doctor alliance. These findings support the theories of social reciprocity and socio-pragmatics in General Practice consultations. The absence of a paternalistic practice style is consistent with the personality traits associated with GPs, which include agreeableness, abasement, and nurturance. The findings imply that it is important for doctors to facilitate patient participation and tailor practice behaviour to patient preferences for a personalised experience.
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    Kiwi circle : a social platform connecting Chinese international students with local New Zealanders : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree of Master of Design, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2019) Yu, Liang
    In the past 25 years, international education has grown to become New Zealand’s fourth largest export industry, generating around 5.1 billion dollars to its economy (New Zealand Education, 2018). While Chinese students comprise the largest proportion of consumers within this sector, research indicates that Chinese international students in New Zealand are less satisfied than students from all other countries. This research proposes to design an online social platform to facilitate connections between these Chinese international students and local New Zealanders, in order to assist them in adjusting to studying and living in New Zealand. Furthermore, the platform would provide a channel for local New Zealanders who are interested in the Chinese culture to learn about and interact with it through contact with Chinese students. This research project aims to add value to New Zealand’s international education industry, by improving the overall quality of international students’ experience.
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    The process of knowledge acquisition through interpersonal communication in the "Parents as first teachers" programme : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management in Communication Management at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2001) Williams, Jocelyn Elizabeth
    Communication researchers interested in the role played by knowledge in social terms have produced a variety of explorations in recent times of "knowledge gaps" and informational inequities between various groups in society. More broadly, studies of the significance of issues of relative access to information and thus ability to participate in civil society have been described as the sociology of knowledge. Arising out of an interest in documenting successful strategies in bridging knowledge gaps, the present study aimed to explore an information programme called Parents As First Teachers (PAFT), which operates on the basis of a one­ to-one relationship between informationally needy individuals (parents of newborn infants) and trained experts in parenting matters. This arrangement continues monthly for three years. It seemed likely that this information programme could present an example of an effective receiver-focused model of bridging knowledge gaps. A series of 22 in-depth interviews was conducted with parent and educator participants in the PAFT programme in Auckland, New Zealand. In addition, observation was carried out of the hour-long monthly home visits so that a detailed picture could be obtained of the significance of the interpersonal relationship between parent and educator for effective learning. Transcripts of interviews were analysed using a coding protocol developed on the basis of the research objectives. The study found limited support for the contentions of extant information poverty literature in regard to self-imposed isolation and avoiding disclosing problems. Interviewees preferred to isolate themselves within their neighbourhoods, but they did seek information via family and social networks. They were also highly motivated in regard to seeking the best for their children, and it is possible that motivation in this instance has been a more powerful factor in knowledge acquisition than education, often used as a predictor of response to informational need. The significance of this study is in its detailed presentation of the information world of the insider, and the support the data give for a situational approach to knowledge gaps. It signals that there is a definite role for a close and trusting interpersonal relationship between source and receiver in the knowledge acquisition process. Two key areas for follow-up studies are the role played by interpersonal communication networks in disseminating knowledge beyond the original knowledge exchange context, and whether the strong motivation observed in the parents interviewed for this research was attributable to the PAFT programme itself or was a characteristic already present in participants.
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    Cleared to disconnect? : a study of the interaction between airline pilots and line maintenance engineers : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Aviation at Massey University, Manawatũ, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2016) Fisher, Tahlia Jane
    Accurate information regarding the maintenance status of an aircraft is essential for safe and efficient airline operations, yet there is evidence to suggest that pilots and line maintenance engineers do not always communicate effectively with each other. To date the majority of this evidence has been anecdotal, and formal studies have focused primarily on the shortcomings of the aircraft logbook as a communication medium. Despite the notion that poor communication between these two groups can potentially have undesirable consequences, there has been little discussion about how this might manifest within an airline environment. The studies undertaken for this research examined three distinct aspects of the pilot-maintenance interface: 1) the intergroup relationship between airline pilots and line maintenance engineers, 2) operational radio communications between airline pilots and line maintenance engineers, and 3) the effects of deficient pilot-maintenance communication on aircraft operations and flight safety. Thematically analysed discourse from a series of focus groups held at a large New Zealand airline, found that communication difficulties are primarily the result of an interrelating set of organisational, physical and psychosocial barriers, all of which influence the nature of the intergroup relationship between pilots and line maintenance engineers. The use of Interaction Process Analysis (IPA) to examine radio calls between pilots and maintenance personnel identified that while the two groups share similar communication patterns and styles, indications of these barriers were present within their communication exchanges. The effects of deficient communication were then examined using data from the United States Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS). Using Correspondence Analysis (CA) to map associations between deficient pilot-maintenance communication and adverse outcomes, evidence was found that poor communication can be associated with both schedule disruptions and potential safety ramifications. Ultimately, this research has important implications for airlines, particularly given the degree to which organisational factors can influence the efficacy of communication between these two groups. In light of the findings which suggest that problematic interactions between pilots and maintenance personnel can have both commercial implications and pose a threat to flight safety, it is recommended that airlines give consideration to facilitating joint Crew Resource Management (CRM) training for these two groups.
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    The effect of public communication campaigns on family communication and behaviour : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Business Studies in Communication Management at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2004) Hopkins, Kane
    This thesis examines how mass communicated messages from a public communication campaign affect interpersonal communication within families. It also considers how interpersonal communication among family members flows on to affect behaviours in the family. The study uses McDevitt and Chaffee's five-stage sequence of behavioural activation within families to examine two pro-environmental campaigns: the Big Clean Up and Clean Up NZ. Seven families exposed to the messages of the communication campaigns were interviewed to gain an understanding of what communication process occurred as a result of these interventions. "Downward" (parent to child), and "upward" (child to parent) flows of communication were examined. The results suggest that communication among family members has a substantial bearing on a family's behavioural response to campaign messages. However, the person who engenders the discussions also plays a major role in the success or otherwise of the communication outcomes. The campaign messages had different effects on children than they did on parents. There were no significant behaviour changes in families where the parent was the initial message receiver; however where the child provided the initial intervention behaviour changes tended to occur. While children received new information, and developed new behaviours based on the campaign messages, parents tended to have existing beliefs and patterns of behaviour endorsed. The relationship between interpersonal family communication, campaign messages and changes in behaviour has implications for communicators developing campaigns that aim to change behaviour.
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    Comparison of communication medium preferences in two different cultures : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Information Sciences in Information Technology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2014) Wang, Fei
    Young people have many mediums for interpersonal communication; among them, Twitter, Facebook (FB), Instant Messaging (IM), face-to-face (FTF), telephone, email, Short Message Service (SMS) and Discussion Forums (DF). In our study we examine the impact of different cultures on the personal communication medium preferences of young people in three specific scenarios: communicating with peers, lecturers or with parents. We conducted a survey among university students in two countries, China and New Zealand, who may be seen, to some extent, as representatives of Eastern and Western cultures. The results show that medium preference is different in different scenarios. In Western cultures, people are more likely to use telephone, face-to-face, SMS and IM to discuss personal problems with their parents and peers. However, they are more likely to choose telephone, face-to-face, DF and email as their most preferred tools to talk with higher authorities or under the supervision of the authorities. In Eastern cultures there are no significant differences between three scenarios. People are more willing to use telephone, face-to-face, SMS and IM to discuss problems with their parents, peers and lecturers. In general, our survey results show that FTF, telephone and IM were the most preferred mediums for most activities in both cultures. For people in the East, SMS is still a very popular communication tool, whereas DF, RenRen, Weibo and email are the least preferred mediums for most activities. For Western people, email, SMS, DF and Facebook are very common communication tools, regardless of who they communicate with, while Twitter is the least preferred medium.
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    Attachment and conflict in close relationships : the association of attachment with conflict resolution styles, conflict beliefs, communication accuracy and relationship satisfaction : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2006) Du Plessis, Karin
    The present research aims to obtain a more complete view of couple relationships. In particular, it investigated the manner in which attachment styles (and more specifically the combination of attachment styles to one’s partner and one’s primary caregiver, such as the mother) are related to conflict beliefs, conflict resolution styles, relationship satisfaction and communication accuracy. Two studies were conducted to explore these relationships. In Study 1 individuals in couples relationships (N = 83) were asked to participate in an online questionnaire regarding primary caregiver and partner attachment, conflict resolution, and conflict beliefs. Study 2 saw the recruitment of twenty-two couples from public advertisements. Couples were asked to participate in a ten minute videotaped discussion around a major disagreement. The discussion exercise and accompanying self-report questionnaires indicated each couple’s communication accuracy. Trained post-graduate raters also coded the observable conflict styles of the couples on a scale developed for the purpose of this research. These were compared with self-reported conflict resolution styles. Couples were also asked to complete questionnaires individually to identify their parent and partner attachment styles, relationship satisfaction, conflict resolution styles and conflict beliefs. Qualitative questions around attachment and conflict resolution provided a more in-depth perspective of more and less securely attached individuals’ relationships. Results from both studies indicated that there is some difference between ongoing influence from current models of primary caregiver attachment and the influence from current models of partner attachment on relationship variables. Relationship satisfaction and conflict beliefs were influenced by specific attachment to the partner. Conversely, conflict resolution styles, in particular positive problem solving, withdrawal and compliance, were heavily influenced by more general current conceptualizations of primary caregiver attachment. Additional results regarding quantitative and qualitative findings, including gender differences are discussed in the thesis. Finally, limitations regarding both studies are noted, and suggestions for future research are made.