Masters Dissertations

Permanent link for this collection

https://hdl.handle.net/10292/476
The Masters Dissertations collection contains digital copies of AUT University masters dissertations deposited with the Library since 2007 and made available open access. From 2007 onwards, all dissertations for masters degrees awarded are required to be deposited in Tuwhera Open Theses & Dissertations unless subject to an embargo.

Dissertations submitted prior to 2007 are usually recorded in the AUT Library catalogue where the full text, if available, may be accessed with an AUT password. Other people should request an Interlibrary Loan through their library.

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 1150
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    The Culture of Silence around Sexual Harassment in the Hospitality Industry
    (Auckland University of Technology, 2024) Vincent, Tirzahmary Solomon
    Sexual harassment is prevalent in the hospitality industry. This dissertation investigated the factors influencing victim and bystander responses to sexual harassment within the New Zealand hospitality sector, aiming to understand why employees choose to speak up or remain silent. Further, it explored whether the employee’s characteristics, such as age, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and visa status, play a role in their response to sexual harassment. Employing a qualitative approach, the research used in-depth, semi- structured interviews with six hospitality professionals in New Zealand to generate the findings. The key findings revealed a complex interplay between environmental and personal factors that not only discourage victims and bystanders from speaking up, but also maintain a culture of silence around sexual harassment in the industry. The study offers new insights into the gendered nature of silence and bystander responses, explaining why women prioritise a harasser's feelings and how in-group bias affects bystander intervention. The findings also suggest a critical gap in training, whereby entry-level employees, predominantly women, lack sexual harassment training, whereas managers, who may be potential perpetrators, receive such training. This disparity creates a situation of vulnerability for young and inexperienced staff. The findings also illuminate the power dynamics at play, with the harasser's social standing influencing reporting decisions. The study offers practical recommendations for hospitality organisations and education institutes. Additionally, the findings emphasise the need for interventions that challenge societal biases and promote cultural sensitivity. This research contributes to our understanding of sexual harassment in the hospitality industry and offers valuable insights for creating a safer and more equitable work environment for all employees.
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    Influences in the Selection of Wine as a Self-Gift: An Examination of Emotions, Motivations, and Demographics
    (Auckland University of Technology, 2024) Ren, Pengfei
    Focusing on the New Zealand market, this dissertation examines the role of affective, motivational, and demographic factors in influencing consumers' decisions to purchase wine as a self-gift. Drawing on theories such as Self-Determination Theory, Affective Penetration Model and Consumer Engagement Theory, the study aims to understand how intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, affective states and demographic characteristics influence consumers' self-gifting behaviours when purchasing wine. Through quantitative analysis of the survey data, the study examines the criteria prioritised by different consumer groups when choosing self-gifting wines and the impact of positive and negative emotions on consumption and decision-making engagement. The main findings suggest that while demographic characteristics such as age, gender and income influence self-gifting decisions, positive emotions do not significantly increase consumption. Instead, factors such as product familiarity and personal preference play a more critical role in consumer decision-making. This study highlights the complex interplay between emotional and motivational drivers, contributing to the existing literature on self-gifting and providing practical insights for marketers in the wine industry.
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    Lead Myself, Live Forward: An Autoethnography of My XENITH Journey
    (Auckland University of Technology, 2024) Li, Feiran
    This autoethnographic study delves into my personal experience with XENITH, a renowned global leader in group fitness based in Auckland. Through the employment of a serious leisure perspective, I explore why I, along with many other Asian females, find myself obsessed with the XENITH FIGHTCOMBO group fitness program. It has provided me with physical and psychological benefits together with social support (Kim et al., 2014). Most importantly, it has enabled me to develop traits like individuality and assertiveness, which are often deficient among Asians due to the influence of Confucian principles (Cheng, 1990). Unique insights are uncovered through the construction and consumption of the evocative autoethnography focused on my participation and socio-cultural connection through the XENITH FIGHTCOMBO group fitness classes. Through my personal narrative of the various stages of involvement in this serious leisure pursuit – starting, developing, establishing, and maintaining, I reminisce about my past, review the present, and envision the future, displaying a leisure career of eminent showmanship (Stebbins, 2020). The whole process embodies self-discovery, allowing me to break free from the rigid Asian stereotype of characterising females as cute and weak. It liberates me from societal standards and external expectations, empowering me to lead a life guided by my own choices and aspirations. Finally, I reflect on the entire writing process and my master’s study, recognising them also as a testament to emotional intelligence and self-leadership. As I write and study, I find myself growing—learning to respect and embrace the community around me while intending to spread passion and love through my workouts and words. The purpose of this study is to resonate with readers and reveal the socio-cultural impact of group fitness as an emerging serious leisure activity, underscoring the significance of leisure education and promoting the application of autoethnography.
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    Technological Advancements in NZ Supermarkets: Digitization of Food Safe Pro Implementation (A Qualitative Study)
    (Auckland University of Technology, 2024) Asa, Tifai
    The development of technology today has contributed to an increase in implementation within many industries. For example, the retail industry has continued implementing modern technologies, machines and systems to provide a more efficient and productive working environment. One of the technologies implemented in New Zealand supermarkets, such as Pak' n Save and New World, was a digital food safety program application (FSP). The primary purpose of this research was to investigate the factors contributing to implementing the Food Safe Program despite its recognised benefits. This research explored the employee’s perception and acceptance of the technology Food Safe Program (FSP). This study adopted a qualitative phenomenological method, completed by interviewing frontline supermarket employees, managers, and supervisors. A sample size of ten respondents was selected, interviewed, and analysed from the interview transcripts through the aid of the qualitative program NVivo. Specifically, utilising two theoretical frameworks, the technology acceptance model (TAM) and Lewin’s change theory, has aided in understanding the employees’ experience during the FSP implementation. The research's benefits or results have provided insight into supermarket employees' perceptions during the implementation of food safety technology. This understanding can help determine whether employee perspectives contribute to the limited integration of food safety technology in other food businesses. By highlighting these critical insights, the study advances the comprehension of technology adoption and informs future strategies for more effective implementation in other food businesses.
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    New Zealand Housing Prices: Analysing Inflation Immunity Amid COVID-19 Pandemic and Economic Recession
    (Auckland University of Technology, 2024) He, Dan
    This study aims to fill a research gap by investigating the long-term relationship between inflation, economic growth and housing prices from 2007 to 2023 in New Zealand. This is particularly significant given the unprecedented volatility in housing prices, sustained high inflation rates, and sluggish economic growth observed in the country amidst GFC and Covid-19 period. Investigating the effectiveness of New Zealand housing prices as an inflation hedge provides valuable insights into the dynamics of the housing market and its role in protecting households and investors. Policymakers, economists, and market participants can benefit from this knowledge when navigating the evolving landscape of New Zealand's housing market.
Dissertations are protected by the Copyright Act 1994 (New Zealand). The dissertation may be consulted by you, provided you comply with the provisions of the Act and the following conditions of use:
  • Any use you make of these documents or images must be for research or private study purposes only, and you may not make them available to any other person.
  • Authors control the copyright of their dissertation. You will recognise the author’s right to be identified as the author of the dissertation, and due acknowledgement will be made to the author where appropriate.
  • You will obtain the author’s permission before publishing any material from the dissertation.