Masters Dissertations
Permanent link for this collection
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.
Browse
Recent Submissions
- ItemAgeism in Job-Seeking and Recruitment Practices: A Systematic Literature Review(Auckland University of Technology, 2024) Oudomvilay, ThanakoneDespite a wealth of experience across generations, ageism remains a persistent barrier in job seeking. The global trend of an aging population has created a unique workforce with up to five generations, from Traditionalists to Generation Z. Nevertheless, both older workers and younger workers face persistent ageism in the workplace. As a result, ageism in recruitment and its mitigation has become an emerging issue for scholars and practitioners. While existing studies provide valuable insights, the current body of knowledge remains fragmented. This paper addresses two key research questions: 1) what is known from the literature on the challenges of ageism experienced by different age groups in job seeking? and 2) how do employers account for age diversity in recruitment practices? In addition, it aims to analyse and synthesise the findings from the literature to identify themes, knowledge gaps and recommendations for future research and practices. Six key themes were identified through the analysis of 27 studies: 1) ageism in stages of recruitment, 2) ageist stereotypes, 3) intersectional impacts of ageism, 4) age cues and physical appearance in ageism, 5) reverse ageism in recruitment, 6) ageism mitigation intervention. This paper contributes to the theoretical understanding of ageism within the specific context of recruitment and its parallels with intersectionality, internalised ageism, the negative discourse of aging and social theories. Furthermore, the paper also highlights age-diversity approaches to mitigate ageism in recruitment practices. Lastly, it identifies the key areas for future research to empirically identify and evaluate ageism mitigation interventions across diverse contexts.
- ItemA Modelling Framework for Secondary School Students in Vietnam: A Case Study(Auckland University of Technology, 2024) Hoang Quoc, VietThe interplay between mathematical learning, practicing, and applying is presented through mathematical modelling. The ability to use mathematics in practical settings to solve problems showcases the highest level of mathematical reasoning. There is a growing emphasis on integrating mathematical modelling into curricula to enhance the depth of studying and teaching mathematics. This thesis aims to explore teaching approaches for developing mathematical models at the secondary level. It will accomplish this by creating a series of lessons that support the growth of mathematical modelling sub-competencies (PPAIR framework) and overarching competencies, such as social dynamics, collaboration, and metacognition. The focus will be on bilingual learners or students for whom English is a second language. Through this investigation, themes and patterns emerging from the modelling context for mathematical modelling in secondary school will be identified using reflexive thematic analysis. The study also aims to evaluate how these teaching approaches influence students’ attitudes towards mathematics. An adapted version of the Attitude Towards Mathematics Inventory (ATMI) will be used to measure the impact after the completion of the mathematical modelling unit. The purpose of the study is to gather data through teacher reflection and student surveys to strengthen and demonstrate the effectiveness and replicability of modelling tasks. The findings indicate that developing a series of authentic modelling lessons based on contemporary literature can improve certain aspects of students’ enjoyment of mathematics and boost their self-confidence in the subject. These modelling tasks enable students to explore their own ideas while acquiring new mathematical concepts, thereby providing valuable learning opportunities in terms of both social and mathematical aspects within the mathematics classroom. The parent themes arising from this research are personal learning autonomy, cultural learning of mathematics, societal influences, perseverance, modelling pedagogic structure, and communication. Further research is necessary to implement the PPAIR mathematical modelling framework on a larger scale, encompassing different grade levels and a diverse range of carefully selected modelling tasks that are suitable and accessible to bilingual students. Additionally, it is important to examine the duration of the modelling unit and the frequency of student engagement with modelling tasks in relation to their attitude towards mathematics.
- ItemObject-Sketch: An Exploration Into the Materiality of Digital Fabrication and 3D-Printed Ceramics(Auckland University of Technology, 2024) Davis, MatthewArtists and designers constantly negotiate and renegotiate assemblages of entangled relationships and intera-actions in our making practice. This practice-based research explores this negotiation with specific reference to the digital fabrication of 3D printed ceramic objects. In the process it considers the nature of digital materials as simultaneously physical and informational. It draws on theories of materiality of Simone Ferracina (“ecologies of inception”), new materialists like Karen Barad (“intra-action”), and Gilles Deleuze (“assemblage”). It refers particularly to creative work by Neri Oxman and Gramazio Kohler, who suggest a future where a design might be grown, and machine behaviours are not just the framework but the medium with which we explore and expand design potential. This research asks: how could a sketchy interplay of digital-analog interfaces in fabrication workflows allow us to explore an objects digital materiality? It involved the production of drawings, physical objects, digital models, and code, understood as a series of “sketches”: conversational and provisional diagrams that acts as a medium for values, roles and functions to emerge as part of a workflow. The project culminates in the design of a sketchy interface, a haptic means to feed data into a ceramic fabrication process.
- ItemInexpressible Love: An Exploration of Chinese Intergenerational Family Relationships via Nostalgic 2D Animation(Auckland University of Technology, 2024) Ruowen, DuanmuThe research looks at how hand-drawn animation can express longing for loved ones and hint at sentiments of “nostalgia.” I used a practice-based research methodology, combined with multiple methodologies, including autoethnography, contextualization, and pre-visualization, and used methods including mind mapping, field exploration, casual conversation, feedback, and storyboards to explore how to embody nostalgia through visual language and animation production processes. In terms of animation production, as a graphic designer, I try to use traditional hand-drawn animation techniques to explore the effect of a nostalgic emotional atmosphere. Based on my experience in graphic production and illustration/painting, I transformed static illustrative stories into animation to vividly convey nostalgia and longing for loved ones. Through these means, I redefine nostalgia and explore its expression in visual language and animation. This study particularly highlights the dynamic and complex nature of nostalgia. As a researcher, I understand nostalgia in the Chinese context as longing and yearning for relatives and childhood, accompanied by emotional experiences of warmth and regret. Nostalgia is not a static, single state but a process closely connected with the memories and emotional ties of loved ones, and is constantly evolving. Alongside this, the impact of traditional Chinese concepts on family models is discussed in depth. Through the lens of autoethnography, this project highlights my childhood memories. A hand-drawn animation featuring a little girl born in China's Qianxi era, it tells the story of her memories of her deceased grandfather. In general, I hoped that the little girl's regrets and longing for her grandfather would help people who live outside of their hometowns regain their emphasis on, and enhance their deep understanding of the emotional sustenance of, the family. Furthermore, this animated short film adds many elements related to traditional Chinese culture, such as sugar paintings with period characteristics and scene creation with Chinese characteristics and architectural styles, including gestural elements of ink painting. It is hoped that the nostalgic atmosphere created by the animation will particularly touch the nostalgic emotions of young (especially millennial) audiences with Asian cultural backgrounds.
- ItemSustianable Practices in Luxury Hotels: Case Study of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts(Auckland University of Technology, 2024) Min, YiThis research explores what sustainable practices are adopted and how they can be implemented within the luxury hotels to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts as a case study. With increasing global awareness of environmental issues and the hospitality sector’s significant ecological footprint, luxury hotels are uniquely positioned to lead the charge in adopting sustainable practices. This research utilised a qualitative case study approach to investigate the sustainable practices employed in the selected case study, and their implementation. Secondary data was obtained through: the official websites of the hotel group; associated websites, for example, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and the United Nations World Tourism Organization; and available documents, news articles, and annual reports. The content analysis method was used to explore and analyse information. This study delved into the sustainability practices in terms of environmental, economic, and social dimensions. It examined environmental sustainability through the lenses of resource conservation, waste management, ecosystem preservation, and the reduction of carbon emissions. Additionally, the research investigated social sustainability in terms of community involvement, employee wellbeing, and local purchase practices with suppliers. Economic sustainability was explored through strategies aimed at waste reduction, energy savings, and water conservation. By reviewing sustainable practices in the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, it was found that an ESG programme has been used as a framework to guide and manage its sustainable practices. Additional to a wide range of basic environmental practices, the Four Seasons has also implemented advanced environmental practices and comprehensive social sustainability practices. This study provides guidelines for luxury hoteliers by showing how sustainability practices can be implemented into their hotels. It also demonstrates that, despite adopting these practices, the Four Season’s image is positively maintained, and client satisfaction remains high.