Digital Commons Network^™

A Systematic Review Of Children’S Digital Funds Of Knowledge In Early Childhood Education And Care: Beginning The Conversation, Jess Hardley, Lennie Barblett, Maria Enriquez-Watt

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Children's ‘funds of knowledge’ (FK) offer a strengths-based approach to recognising how children contribute to the curriculum. Growing up in a postdigital world, young children's lives are enmeshed with digital technologies. Yet the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector remains hesitant to embed digital experiences in play and learning. While the concept of ‘digital fund of knowledge’ (DFK) has been explored in primary and secondary education, it remains underexamined in ECEC. This systematic review of four databases identified seven studies spanning Europe, Australia, the USA, Malta, Sweden and Finland. These highlight challenges including limited educators' understandings of children's DFK, …

Benefits Of Prehabilitative Exercise On Physiological, Functional And Patient-Reported Outcomes In Patients Undergoing Oncologic Surgery: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Natália Casagrande, Favil Singh, Anderson Rech, Régis Radaelli, Bruna M. Paniz, Guilherme T. Silvestro, Guilherme N. Eberhardt, Janaína Brollo, Maximiliano C. Kneubil, Claudio P. Júnior, Pedro W.M. De Almeida, Maria Cristina F. Magalhães, Francesco Bettariga, Pedro Lopez

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: Prehabilitation, delivered between cancer diagnosis and surgery, may enhance functional reserve and improve tolerance to surgical stress, but evidence remains conflicting across cancer types and outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the effects of prehabilitative exercise on physiological, functional, and patient-reported outcomes in patients undergoing oncologic surgery.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted (PROSPERO: CRD420251072796). Randomized controlled trials comparing structured exercise interventions with usual care in adults undergoing oncologic surgery were included. Searches were performed across seven databases until June 2025. Outcomes included cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, physical function, fatigue, psychological distress, and quality of life. A three-level …

Effect Of Traditional And Cluster Set Structures On Bar Path Kinematics During High-Volume Power Clean Training, Tsuyoshi Nagatani, Shayne Vial, Kristina L. Kendall, Paul Comfort, Jiahao Yang, G. Gregory Haff

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of traditional (TRAD) and cluster (CLU) set structures on bar path kinematics during a series of high-volume power clean sets, and compare insights gained from discrete versus waveform analysis. Twenty participants completed TRAD or CLU protocols in a randomised, crossover design. Each protocol involved three sets of nine repetitions at 70% of one-repetition maximum. In CLU sets, a 30-second inter-repetition rest was applied. During TRAD sets, peak velocity declined, and significant (p ≤ 0.05) changes were observed in both vertical and horizontal barbell displacement across repetitions, indicating fatigue-related technical alterations. …

Effects Of An 8-Week Minimal-Dose Home-Based Eccentric Exercise Program On Physical Health And Exercise Adherence, Benjamin J.C. Kirk, Georgios Mavropalias, Anthony J. Blazevich, Jodie L. Cochrane Wilkie, Aus Molan, Kazunori Nosaka

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: This study investigated whether extending a previously tested minimal-dose 4-week, 5-min daily home-based eccentric exercise program to 8 weeks would lead to continued improvements in physical fitness, health markers, and mental well-being in sedentary individuals, and whether it could promote sustained exercise habits up to 12 months post-intervention. Methods: Ten sedentary participants (54 ± 9 y) completed an 8-week daily home-based exercise program involving four bodyweight-based exercises (chair squats, wall push-ups, chair-reclines, and heel drops) and their progressed variations. Outcome measures were collected at baseline and 4 and 8 weeks, including isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), handgrip strength (HG), push-ups, …

Invisible Innovation: Intellectual Labour On Regional University Campuses In Australia, Merete Schmidt, Lucinda Aberdeen, Colleen Carlon, Robyn Eversole

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In Australia, regional university campuses occupy a geographically and institutionally peripheral position in a metrocentric higher education system. We argue that the concentration of research funding and capabilities at metropolitan campuses devalues the intellectual labour of academics working on regional university campuses. The authors use collaborative autoethnography to explore a common theme of ‘gap filling’, that is, mobilising scarce resources to create unique solutions for local issues, and draw on Southern Theory to theorise the implications for our work in the location-based power relations of the Australian knowledge production economy. In this context, we utilise Eversole's concept of ‘invisible innovation’ …

Tour Guide Research Revisited: A Thematic Synthesis And Future Directions, Zhicheng Yu, Songshan (Sam) Huang, Jiqing Deng, Wenling Zhou, Zhiyong Li

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: Existing knowledge on tour guiding is fragmented, which limits the understanding of this important profession. This paper aims to critically examine the progress of tour guide research, identify key theoretical tensions and propose future research directions based on a systematic synthesis of existing knowledge. Design/methodology/approach: A thematic analysis was conducted on 267 papers retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus and Google Scholar databases. Papers were systematically coded, categorized into themes and integrated into a framework that represents relationships among key themes in tour guide research. Findings: The analysis generated an integrated framework consisting of nine interrelated …

Uncovering The Intervening Mechanisms In The Relationship Between Technological Stressors And Individual And Work-Related Consequences, Saeid Nosrati, Seongseop Kim, Dori Davari, Jaehee Gim, Antony King Fung Wong

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study examined how workplace telepressure and cyber incivility, as work-related stressors, affect individual and work-related outcomes in hospitality employees, using a mixed-methods approach. After developing a draft, following a thorough literature review and interviews with hotel staff, the drafted questions were refined through a pre-test and a pilot test. Finally, the main survey was conducted with 792 hotel staff in China. Structural equation modeling was performed using Mplus (Version 8.3) to test both direct and serial mediating effects. It was found that workplace telepressure and cyber incivility, through the serial mediating effect of technostress and poor mental health, had …

Determining The Mental Wellbeing Of Family Day Care Educators In Australia, Theresa Rayfield, Ruth Wallace, Karen Lombardi, Eben Afrifa-Yamoah, Brennen Mills

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Family Day Care (FDC) is an essential service supporting Australian families requiring convenient, versatile, and quality education and care for their children. FDC educators’ mental wellbeing (MWB), often overlooked, is vital to ensure optimal education and care. This study aimed to gauge Australian FDC educators’ MWB and identify factors positively or negatively affecting MWB. A cross-sectional questionnaire measuring MWB, and eight predictor variables influencing MWB, was completed by Australian FDC educators. Structural equation modelling was utilised to ascertain relationships of the predictor variables on MWB. This study established MWB was lower than population norms (N = 292) and provided a …

Nurse Leaders’ Perceptions Of Organisational Policies, Guidelines, And Practices That Enact Children And Young People’S Involvement In Hospitals, Mandie Jane Foster, Julie Blamires, Virginia Jones, Smita Keshoor, Chris Moir, Annette Dickinson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

There is limited literature on nurse leaders’ perceptions of organisational policies, guidelines, and practices that enact children and young people’s (CYP) involvement in hospitals. Nurse leaders within what were the four District Health Board providers of children’s tertiary health services in New Zealand (Auckland, Counties Manukau, Wellington, and Canterbury) were invited to respond to an online survey during November 2022 through to January 2023. The survey was developed by the researchers in accordance with the literature and included 11 open-ended questions. The open-ended questions were analysed iteratively through inductive thematic analysis. Eight out of 24 invited nurse leaders responded to …

The Nurse's Role In Curative-To-Palliative Transitions In Advanced Cancer: A Theory Synthesis Using Turner's Method, Geya George, Deborah Kirk, Davina Porock

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: This paper aims to explain the process of formulating a robust theory that comprehensively explains the nurse's role during the transition from curative to the palliative phase in advanced cancer care. Design: A qualitative theory synthesis approach was applied, utilising Turner's 9-step theory synthesis method to integrate five grounded theories and 10 qualitative studies. The Walker and Avant method of concept development and analysis further ensured rigour. Methods: Turner's theory synthesis was used to formulate a more comprehensive, testable theory from five existing grounded theories and 10 other qualitative studies that explain the nurse's role in supporting and facilitating …

Workplace Mistreatment: A Systematic Review Of Interventions And Future Research Agenda, Gillian Leake, Albert Amankwaa, Irene Elisabeth De Pater

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Workplace mistreatment has garnered increasing attention from scholars and so has calls for research on interventions to prevent or reduce this phenomenon. However, there has been a lack of broad systematic approaches to studying interventions and existing reviews on workplace mistreatment interventions have predominantly focused on workplace bullying and incivility in the healthcare sector. To address these gaps and set an agenda for future interventions research, our review focuses on interventions for all forms of mistreatment and across industries and organizations. We reviewed 40 intervention studies from 38 articles finding a wide variety of interventions for specific forms of workplace …

Leveraging Esg Investment To Enhance Labor Employment In Hospitality And Tourism Firms: An Signaling Theory Perspective, Bing Hu, Tianyu Zheng, Songshan Huang, Ke Zhang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Despite the growing focus in hospitality and tourism literature on the impact of environmental, social and governance (ESG) investment on corporate performance, empirical research has yet to explore its effects on labor employment, which are critical to economic vitality and social cohesion. Drawing on signaling theory, this study explores the effect of ESG investment on hospitality and tourism firm’ labor employment. The results of a fixed effects panel model suggest that ESG investment positively influences the labor employment of hospitality and tourism firms. Moreover, this positive effect is stronger for hospitality and tourism firms with fewer financing constraints and less …

Navigating The Deep Features Of Change: A Dynamic Approach For Skill Development In The Construction Industry, Keyao Li, Mark A. Griffin, Heap Yih Chong

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: Digitalisation promises new levels of productivity and efficiency in construction but requires a well-equipped, skilled workforce to meet future demands. Beyond attracting skilled workers, the industry must understand future skill requirements. This study addresses this need by developing a skill framework that defines key skill levels and patterns in response to evolving demands. Design/methodology/approach: A mixed-methods approach with three consecutive analyses was adopted. First, a theoretical analysis developed a conceptual framework based on work and role performance theories. Second, a scoping review and descriptive analyses provided quantitative insights into the skills covered in current literature. Finally, identified skill groups …

Are Australian Schools Becoming Less Inclusive? Changes To Class Ability Grouping Practices In Australian Secondary Schools, Olivia Johnston, Peter Palamara

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Class ability grouping does not improve overall academic results, and is inequitable because it segregates students according to their disability, race, class, gender, and other factors that already make students at risk in education. The practice is not inclusive and previous research has shown that it exacerbates social disadvantage. Despite the evidence, historical efforts to change practices in Australia have been unsuccessful and many schools still use class ability grouping. This paper presents analysis of data from the Class Ability Grouping Survey about how often schools reported changing their class ability grouping practices in Year 7–9 Mathematics, English, Science, and …

Evaluating The Impact Of Learning And Development On Staff Motivation In International Non-Governmental And International Non-Profit Organisations, Munira Amidkhonova, Michelle Gander

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The main objective of this study was to understand the impact of learning and development (L&D) on staff motivation in international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) and international non-profit organisations (INPOs), focusing on those organisations operating in the Global South, also known as developing countries. Using a mixed-methods approach, 46 participants with decision-making authority from several INPOs and INGOs completed an online survey to investigate the impact of L&D and organisational factors on staff motivation and how well a model of L&D evaluation was undertaken. Follow-up semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 18 of these participants. It was found that organisations were generally …

Stakeholder Co-Design Of Sustainable Urban Pest Management Strategies, Elizabeth C. Lowe, Nathan J. Butterworth, Alexander Austin, Cameron Webb, Tanya Latty

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The high levels of broad-spectrum insecticides used to manage invertebrates in many cities around the world has significant environmental and health impacts. Integrated pest management (IPM) is a framework for sustainable pest control practice, but uptake of IPM remains low in most cities. We used participatory action research with pest management industry stakeholders (practitioners, industry representatives, researchers and government employees) to identify key issues in urban pest management in Australia, set priorities for change and discuss collaborative solutions. Via an online survey and a face-to-face workshop, the participants identified the key themes of education and training, public awareness, environmental impacts …

Fall Prevention Interventions In Community-Dwelling Older People With Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review, Sumattana Glangkarn, Pelden Chejor, Rujira Nonsa-Ard, Kasama Wongprachum, Sirapat Khodseewong, Chaiwut Bourneow, Davina Porock

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Falls are a major health concern for older adults, particularly those with cognitive impairment. Many factors contribute to the risk of falls, making it a complex issue to manage. Aim: This systematic review aimed to identify and describe the implementation strategies used for fall prevention in community-dwelling older people with cognitive impairment. Eligibility criteria: The review included studies on fall prevention interventions for community-dwelling adults aged > 50 years with cognitive impairment. Eligible studies were primary research, including experimental, quasi-experimental, qualitative, and mixed methods designs, with detailed implementation strategies. Systematic reviews, protocols, editorials, opinions, commentaries, and conference papers were excluded. …

Research Publication Performance Of The Australian And New Zealand Nursing And Midwifery Professoriate, Lisa Mckenna, Fiona Bogossian, Simon Cooper, Tracy Levett-Jones, Philippa Seaton

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: To analyse research publication performance of Australian and New Zealand professors and associate professors of nursing and midwifery, and compare with 2016 data. Methods: A search of university websites was conducted to identify all nursing and midwifery professoriate in Australia and New Zealand. Each individual was then searched in the Scopus database to identify individual total citations, h-index, number of publications, first author Field Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and overall FWCI. Comparisons with 2016 data were also undertaken. Results: A total of 304 academics were included, comprising 270 from Australia and 34 from New Zealand, and 169 full professors …

A Collaborative Communities-Of-Practice Methodology For Environmental Design Research: A Case Study Application In Palliative Care, Emil E. Jonescu, Benjamin Farrell, Chamil Erik Ramanayaka, Lori Delaney, Edward Litton, Talia J. Uylaki, Gareth Watts, Bella Brigham, Frances Bellemore, Davinia Seah

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Environmental design in palliative care settings receives increasing attention, yet methodologies for studying such environments often lack interdisciplinary integration. Traditional research designs may overlook the lived expertise of clinicians and designers. Objectives: This article describes a collaborative, cross-disciplinary communities-of-practice model developed as a methodological framework to enable effective environmental evaluation and design processes in healthcare settings. Its application is illustrated through a case study in a palliative care unit. Methods: A co-designed, multi-methods approach was developed by a team of clinicians, facility managers, and academic researchers. The methodology included a scoping review, site-specific environmental data logging (sound, temperature, lighting), and …

Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Conversational Agents In Tourism & Hospitality: A Systematic Literature Review & Future Research Directions, Abdulaziz Alharbi, Ameet Pandit, Violetta Wilk, Philip J. Rosenberger, Shah Miah

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled conversational agents (AICAs) are transforming the tourism and hospitality sector. While studies focus on technical and operational aspects, there is limited exploration of consumer behaviour. This study employs the TCCM (Theory, Context, Characteristics and Methodology) framework to analyse the theoretical, contextual and methodological dimensions of AICA use. By utilising an AI-first, human-lens-second approach along with Leximancer for thematic analysis, it emphasises the importance of emotional, ethical and trust-related factors that are often overlooked in adoption models. The paper proposes an integrated conceptual framework that highlights the mechanisms, modifiers and implications of AICA use, along with offering future …

Can Environmentally Friendly Hotels Lead Customers To Green Behaviors? Evidence From The Stimulus–Organism–Response Model And Social Cognitive Theory, Saeid Nosrati, Mohtaram Rabbani, Razieh Sharifipur Shirazi, Ilkay Yorganci, Niusha Talebzadeh, Negin Bassirat

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose Using the stimulus–organism–response model and social cognitive theory, this study aims to examine how environmentally friendly hotels influence customers’ green patronage intention and green word-of-mouth. The study explored the mediating effects of hedonic value and utilitarian value and the moderating role of environmental concern. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 200 customers of environmentally friendly hotels in Iran and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with Mplus (version 8.3) software. Findings The results indicate that environmentally friendly hotels positively influence hedonic and utilitarian values, as well as green patronage intention and green word-of-mouth. Additionally, hedonic and utilitarian values partially mediate …

Determining The Carbon Footprint Of Australia’S Electricity, Gas, Water And Waste Services Sector, Soheil Kazemian, Rashid Zaman, Behzad Foroughi, Morteza Ghobakhloo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose – This study aims to address the global challenge of quantifying sectoral carbon emissions, offering a scalable methodology applicable across diverse national contexts. As one of the world’s leading greenhouse gas emitters, Australia has a critical role in achieving the Paris Climate Change Agreement’s net-zero emissions goal by 2050. The utility services sector – electricity, gas, water and waste services – has historically been Australia’s largest source of CO2-equivalent emissions. However, this also highlights its significant potential to contribute to national emission reductions through targeted mitigation strategies. This research analyses the total carbon footprint of Australia’s utility services sector …

Exploring The Use Of Strategic Influencer Leadership (Sil) In Health Communication: A Cross-Cultural, Multi-Case Study, Katharina Wolf, Catherine Archer, Syafiq B. Assegaff, Joseph Nalloor

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose This study challenges the social media-centric view of influencers, arguing that health communication benefits from diverse strategic influencers beyond commercial figures. Trust, credibility and cultural resonance are essential for effective public health messaging, yet contemporary approaches often prioritise engagement metrics over strategic influence. Design/methodology/approach This paper employs a multi-case study approach to examine the strategic use of influencers in health communication across Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates and Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic. It explores how health professionals, royal representatives and a politician shaped public health messaging within culturally specific contexts. A mixed-methods approach, incorporating ethnographic research and thematic …

Research Priorities For Nursing And Allied Health: A Priority-Setting Project Using A Partnership Approach, Marina Weckend, Lucy Gent, Erin Godecke, Linda Coventry, Gemma Doleman, Amanda Towell-Barnard, Lisa Whitehead

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Research priorities guide research activities, funding and resources within health services. To ensure that research efforts are meaningful and impactful, it is vital that organisational research agendas reflect the priorities of both healthcare consumers and staff, alongside broader national and international research frameworks. This paper outlines a research priority-setting project conducted across two hospitals in Western Australia, aimed at identifying shared research priorities through a collaborative and inclusive approach. Aim: To identify the top ten nursing and allied health research priorities for two hospitals in Western Australia. Methods: A modified James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership approach was used, …

Sport Participation And The Pursuit Of Active And Healthy Lifestyles: Everyday Athletes’ Relationships With Eating And Exercise, Valeria Varea, Eibhlish O'Hara, Dawn Penney, Victoria Evans

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose – Athletes are more likely to experience eating and exercise disorders than non-athletes. Little is known about the incidence of eating and exercise disorders amongst non-elite participants, many of whom participate outside of club governance and support structures. The aim of this paper is to explore eating and exercise attitudes and behaviours amongst participants in both formal and informal sport and, in so doing, generate insights to inform future educational initiatives that seek to promote healthy and active lifestyles. Design/methodology/approach – An online survey was completed by 110 participants, 9 of whom were interviewed for the second phase of …

Ayer Y Hoy De España En Guinea Ecuatorial. Construcción De La Colonia Africana Y Sus Consecuencias En La Actualidad A Través De Las Voces Femeninas En La Literatura En Español, Jesús Ponte Bernal

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Equatorial Guinea was a Spanish colony until 1968. Despite this, it has never received much attention from the Iberian Peninsula, so its literature and history remain unknown to much of the Spanish-speaking population. This has been due to historical factors, such as the Franco dictatorship, which classified everything related to the African colony as confidential, but also due to the racial exclusion experienced by the Black population throughout history. Generally, only some Equatorial Guinean male authors have managed to carve out a place for themselves in the cultural canon.

This study analyzes eight books whose plots take place in Equatorial …