Source: Massey University – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Professor named co-editor of world’s top marketing journal

Professor Harald van Heerde at Massey University’s Auckland campus.

Professor Harald van Heerde, who holds the MSA Charitable Trust Chair in Marketing at Massey University, has been appointed to the new editorial team at the Journal of Marketing, considered the world’s leading academic journal for marketing research.

The Journal of Marketing is a bimonthly peer-reviewed academic journal, which was established in 1936 and is published by the American Marketing Association.

Professor van Heerde will work with co-editors Professor C. Page Moreau from the Wisconsin School of Business and Professor Robert W. Palmatier from the University of Washington, under the direction of incoming editor-in-chief Professor Christine Moorman from Duke University.

The team will take the helm of the Journal of Marketing on July 1, 2018 but have already outlined their planned direction in a joint statement. The editors said they will continue to focus on real-world marketing problems, which has always been the journal’s raison d’être.

“This means that theories are grounded in important marketing problems, that models are in the service of marketing questions, and that research offers implications for firms, policy makers, or society,” they said.

Professor van Heerde says he is honoured to be recognised as capable of taking on co-editing responsibilities, despite being based outside the United States.

“I want to ensure the Journal of Marketing provides real thought leadership for marketing practice and marketing scholarship,” he says. “I hope we can do this by publishing really ground-breaking papers and providing a constructive environment for authors.”

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Source: Massey University – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Massey students and alumni flying the flag for NZ

Massey students and alumni flying the flag for NZ

Massey University is well represented at next month’s Commonwealth Games.

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Source: Massey University – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Raising Kiwi chances of success at the Commonwealth Games

Raising Kiwi chances of success at the Commonwealth Games

Dr Toby Mündel from the School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition.

Sodium bicarbonate, more commonly known as baking soda, is one of the most commonly used performance-enhancing substances by athletes. It is used by those performing repeated high-intensity/maximal efforts lasting less than one minute (e.g. sprinting 100 – 400 metres) as it “soaks” up some of the acid produced by the muscle, thereby delaying fatigue.

However, no previous research has questioned whether this is effective when exercise is performed in a hot environment, such as will likely be happening to those competing at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast next month.

Now, new research from Dr Toby Mündel from Massey University’s School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition, has identified that sodium bicarbonate ingestion improves repeated sprint performance in the heat by the same magnitude it does in cooler environments.

“These findings should be of particular interest to some of the travelling New Zealand team, such as our track cyclists and paddlers [kayakers and canoeists] who often compete in multiple heats on a daily basis, each requiring maximal effort,” Dr Mündel says.

One frequent problem with sodium bicarbonate ingestion is that it can cause gastro-intestinal (GI) issues such as cramping, bloating and diarrhoea. However, Dr Mündel trialled a dosing regimen that overcame this issue.

“Instead of providing one large dose of sodium bicarbonate, we provided athletes with a much lower dose that was taken at regular intervals with meals throughout a whole day. None of the athletes complained of GI problems but all displayed the improved buffering capacity due to the sodium bicarbonate in their blood, making this an athlete-friendly method of consumption,” Dr Mündel says.

Sodium bicarbonate ingestion improves repeated high-intensity cycling performance in the heat was recently published in the journal Temperature.

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Source: Massey University – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Scholarship for sustainability-focused students

Assistant Vice-Chancellor Research, Academic and Enterprise Professor Giselle Byrnes, Air New Zealand representative Sam Winstanley and Massey scholarships committee member Dr Nives Botica Redmayne.

A new Massey scholarship made possible by Air New Zealand, is aiming to support undergraduate students who have a passion for sustainability.

The Air New Zealand Sustainability Scholarships were established as part of the partnership between Massey University and Air New Zealand to support up to three undergraduate students of $5000. Sustainability is a theme of interest and priority for both Massey University and Air New Zealand.

Students will be selected based on their personal commitment to sustainability and how this will be achieved through their study at Massey as well as their academic record.  Preference will be given to a Māori student, a female business student, and a student studying at distance.

Specifically, the students should be engaged in advancing understandings of how to sustain our people, our place and our economy, as outlined in the Sustainability Framework developed by Air New Zealand.

These scholarships will be of interest to students learning about and advancing progressive workplace practices, inclusive communities, an ultra-low carbon economy, biodiversity, tourism and world-class health and safety standards.

The scholarships are open to both domestic and international undergraduate students studying full or part-time, in any field of study at Massey University, who can demonstrate their commitment to and advancement of sustainability for Aotearoa New Zealand.

Applications close on 1 April of the year the scholarship is awarded and for this year close on 1 April 2018. Applications can be made on the Massey University student portal.

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Source: Massey University – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Jack Reacher and Thinking Inside the Box

Tom Cruise as Lee Child’s fictional retired military policeman Jack Reacher. The character can teach readers a lot about leadership, says Dr Ralph Bathurst.

This is the second in a series of five articles on leadership by Dr Ralph Bathurst, who is the academic coordinator for Massey’s Master of Advanced Leadership programme. Each week he will tackle an aspect of leadership through the lens of a favourite fictional character, Jack Reacher. 

Read Article 1: Jack Reacher and the Call to Leadership

Constraints can lead to creativity

So, let’s return to the box that we are encouraged to think outside of. The Continental Philosophers would say, “Hold on, why are you trying to think outside your box? You need to know your world deeply. You have to think inside your box!”

Creative people know this very well. For an artist, creativity is not found outside, but inside the box. When an artist knows the constraints within which they must operate, then they are free to create.  

Think about a painter and the constraints they must confront. Canvas size (large or small), medium (oil or acrylic), tool (brush or knife) are just a few of elements that box them in. And this is not to mention the genre and style that will bound their work. All the famous painters throughout history worked within boxes, and many produced works that were revolutionary.  

So, we return to Jack challenged with getting inside the apartment without breaking anything. Following our reasoning, he must think inside the box and recognise what is ready-to-hand. 

Let’s pick up the story with the team standing outside the door.

Griezman said, ‘We need a warrant.’

Reacher said, ‘Are you sure?’

‘In Germany it is essential.’

‘But he’s American. And we’re American. Let’s do this the American way.’

‘You need a warrant also. I have seen it in the movies. You have an Amendment.’

‘And credit cards.’

‘What for? To buy something? To pay someone off?’

‘For ingenuity and self-reliance. That’s the American way.’ 

The credit card, with its strong yet flexible plastic, can be repurposed and used to slide around the tongue of the locking mechanism and, with some pushing and pulling on the handle, open the door. Reacher had to first know what was available to him – what was present-at-hand – choose among all the options available – what was ready-to-hand – and then take action. He had to think inside the box.

Creativity and innovation are highly prized abilities not only in business but in solving the many social and environmental problems that threaten our future. The world needs leaders who can act wisely and decisively, leaders who can think inside the box and devise creative solutions within existing constraints.

Learn about the Master of Advanced Leadership Practice

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Source: Massey University – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Scholarship allows student to dive deeper into study

Massey MBA student Michael Weston in the pool area at Northern Arena.

Massey Master of Business Administration student Michael Weston has been awarded an inaugural NZ Institute of Management scholarship, worth $15,000. The swim school manager at Northern Arena, in Silverdale, says the scholarship will help with the cost of his MBA study tour to South America and further study materials.

“My goal is to move forward into a PhD,” Mr Weston says, “so I plan to keep some of the money back so I can audit further MBA papers, which are made available to alumni in the future.

“Continuing to learn is really important to me. Wherever I work I try to facilitate a learning environment because I think that’s crucial to the organisation, and New Zealand, moving forward.”

Gaining a PhD is only one of the audacious goals Mr Weston has set for himself. As a former competitive swimmer who has also been a swim teacher for 15 years, he has his eye on the top job at Swimming New Zealand. His long-term ambition is to be chief executive officer of High Performance Sport New Zealand. 

An MBA is just the first step

Undertaking his MBA is a key step on this journey and Mr Weston says he appreciates the “pracademic” nature of the programme. 

“For a traditional postgraduate degree you study a lot by yourself and it’s very academic. Through the MBA programme I’ve met 50 great people from all around the country. We have a lot of fun learning together. The collaboration, co-learning and reverse mentoring is so important. Everybody has different strengths and weaknesses and being able to leverage off each person’s strengths is really good.”

Mr Weston has a sports science degree, also from Massey University, and says he enrolled in the MBA programme because he realised there were skills he needed to develop.

“The sports science degree is obviously useful for my job, but the job is also about business. I figured out pretty quickly, once I was in a management role, that I had some gaps in my knowledge.The first year of the MBA has given me a broad knowledge base and has strengthened my focus on developing our brand, creating value for the organisation and developing our people.” 

Don’t fear failure

Northern Arena has certainly won its fair share of awards, receiving Westpac Business Awards for marketing, innovation and sustainability. Mr Weston says the company has always focused on being innovative with the management team creating an environment where failure is not feared. 

“We are seven years old now and we are still trying new things all the time. That’s because we are allowed to take a sandbox approach to ideas – there have been failures along the way, but that is okay.”

Mr Weston will soon begin work on his master’s thesis, an analysis of high performance organisations globally with the aim of developing a best practice framework for New Zealand. If all goes well, he will expand on the topic for his PhD.

In the meantime, he will complete his MBA this year, maintain full-time hours at Northern Arena and remain on the board of the New Zealand Swim Coaches and Teachers Association, all while raising a two-year-old toddler.

“Yes, I’m balancing a lot in life,” he says, “but I think that’s what the scholarship selection panel liked about my application. I would like to thank the NZ Insitute of Management for helping me continue to move forward and I am honoured to receive this scholarship.”

Find out more about Massey’s MBA programme

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Source: Massey University – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Massey University Press publishes ‘Poetry New Zealand Yearbook’

Poetry New Zealand Yearbook is New Zealand’s longest-running poetry magazine; the esteemed home of exciting new writing from talented newcomers and established poets. Continually in print since 1951, when it was established by poet Louis Johnson, this annual collection of new writing, reviews and poetics discussion is mandatory reading for poetry fans.

Proudly published by Massey University Press, Issue #52 of Poetry New Zealand Yearbook features 130 new poems by 87 poets, including Alistair Paterson, Jennifer Compton, David Eggleton, Sue Fitchett, Ted Jenner, Bob Orr, Albert Wendt and Mark Young.

“More than 300 submissions were received for this issue, making the selection particularly difficult,” says editor Jack Ross. There are also six essays and reviews of 30 new poetry collections.

Issue #52 is notable for a skew towards younger writers, some still in their teens. This issue also publishes the three winning entries in the 2018 Poetry New Zealand Poetry Prize. Claiming first prize is University of Otago medical student Fardowsa Mohamed; Semira Davis from north of Wellington takes second prize; and Nelson-based poet Henry Ludbrook receives third prize.

About the editor

Dr Jack Ross is a senior lecturer in creative writing at Massey University’s Auckland campus. He is the author of five books of poems, including City of Strange Brunettes (1998), Chantal’s Book (2002), To Terezin (2007), Celanie (2012) and A Clearer View of the Hinterland (2014), as well as three novels, a novella, and two collections of short fiction. He has edited a number of books and literary magazines, including (from 2014) Poetry New Zealand.

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Source: Massey University – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Massey University Press publishes ‘Dear Oliver’

Letters are time capsules, portals to other times and places. Rarely written in today’s world of instant communication, letters record domestic dramas and reflect great historical moments. They can be by turns gossipy and intimate, grandiose and business-like.

When acclaimed writer, film director and historian Peter Wells discovered a cache of family letters amongst his elderly mother’s effects, he found the means to retrace his family history. English born, the Northes were hard-working, entrepreneurial folk, swept out to New Zealand during the great nineteenth-century human diaspora from Britain. They settled in Napier, and their upwardly-mobile trajectory — from servant class to merchants and landowners — was not untypical. Individually, their stories are anything but.

Digging deep into their stories, examining letters from the past and writing a letter to the future, Wells recounts a rich and, at times, heart-breaking Pākehā family history. The Northes’ military origins caught them up in the New Zealand Wars, the Anglo-Boer war and World War One. They also lived through the Depression and the devastating Napier earthquake of 1931. There was army desertion, suicide, adultery, AIDS, secrets and lies. There was also success, prosperity and rising social status.

As well as sharing the stories of his ancestors, Wells records his own history, not least coming out to his parents via a letter from the UK when he was in his early twenties. Wells talks about his close relationship with his mother — a woman with her own secrets — the complexity of his feelings for his emotionally absent father and his hero worship of his adored older brother. Colourful and intriguing, Dear Oliver is tender, poignant, engaging and revealing, the work of one of this country’s finest writers.

Peter Wells recently came to national attention with the publication of “Hello Darkness”, a series of moving Facebook posts/diary entries about finding himself in the cancer ward. These were latterly published on popular news website, The Spinoff.

About the author

Peter Wells is a writer of fiction and non-fiction, and a writer/ director in film. His fiction looks at a world of secrets, identity, subterfuge and illusion, frequently using the lens of a gay narrator. His first book, Dangerous Desires, won the Reed Fiction Award, the NZ Book Award, and PEN Best New Book in Prose in 1992. His memoir Long Loop Home won the 2002 Montana New Zealand Book Award for Biography, and he has won many awards for his work as a film director. He is co-founder of the Auckland Writers Festival. In 2006, Wells was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to literature and film. His most recent histories examined William Colenso, a resident of Napier, and Kereopa Te Rau, the Pai Mārire follower who was hanged in Napier for murdering Reverend Carl Völkner. Dear Oliver brings to an end this Napier trilogy.

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Source: Massey University – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Huntington leading School of Nursing

Professor Annette Huntington, acting head of the School of Nursing.

One of New Zealand’s most experienced nurse academics has been appointed as the acting head of Massey University’s School of Nursing.

Professor Annette Huntington, who led the nursing programmes from 2008 – 2016 first as director of nursing and then as head of school, has stepped into the interim role, while a search is conducted for a new head.

Recruitment of new School of Nursing staff is also proceeding well, including a professor of nursing, an associate professor of nursing, an associate professor of health sciences and two highly experienced clinical lecturers. Interviews have been conducted for new lecturer and senior lecturer positions.

Professor Huntington has conducted internationally recognised research into nursing, particularly into the nursing workforce. In 2012, she was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to nursing research.

She was the New Zealand director of both the Nurses and Midwives e-Cohort Study and the Graduate Nurses Study, in collaboration with institutions in Australia, Canada, Ireland and Britain. She has published and presented extensively nationally and internationally on aspects of the nursing workforce and also prepares comprehensive nursing workforce data reports for the Nursing Council of New Zealand.

She has been actively involved in the strategic development of nursing nationally and internationally, and has led policy development to implement change in nursing regulation, education and research. She is on the editorial boards of several international journals, is a fellow of the College of Nurses Aotearoa, and is a member of the Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery, Australia and New Zealand and was previously deputy chair.

“The School of Nursing has made a strong start this year, with an increase in undergraduate student enrolments, up from 202 last year to 210 this year. Postgraduate enrolment numbers are also projected to be up on last year following mid-year entry,” she says.

“The School will continue to revise its qualifications in order to ensure the best possible use of teaching staff resources and technologies that provide high-quality, accessible, contemporary programmes designed to provide an excellent student experience. Students, staff and external stakeholders will continue to be consulted about any proposed changes.”

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