Using Multiple Methods to Understand the Nature of Relationships in Social Networks

Effective natural resource management (NRM) often depends on collaboration through formal and informal relationships. Social network analysis (SNA) provides a framework for studying social relationships; however, a deeper understanding of the nature of these relationships is often missing. By integrating multiple analytical methods (including SNA, evidence ratings, and perception matrices), we were able to investigate the nature of relationships in NRM social networks across five service types (e.g., technical advice, on-ground support) in our case study region, Daly catchment Australia. Only one service type was rated as highly associated with free choice in establishing relationships: technical advice/knowledge. Beneficial characteristics of NRM organizations, such as collaborative and transparent, were associated with the presence of freely chosen relationships between organizations. Our results suggest a need to improve our understanding of organizational roles and characteristics, in particular for use in applied NRM contexts, such as network weaving or disseminating information.     

Threshold of tolerance model: strategy for international travel

The purpose of this research is to investigate what factors influence the management of International Business Air Travel (IBAT). The researchers interviewed 34 business travellers, travel organisers and executives involved in IBAT from ten organisations in differing industries, in Australia. It was found that there are a multitude of factors influencing IBAT management, including professionalism and job satisfaction of travellers and the achievement of organisational goals such as carrying out successful international ventures or operating effectively in international markets. From the findings a strategic model was developed called the Threshold of Tolerance Model—which illustrates the potential point where both organisational goals are most likely to be met and where IBAT is most likely to be well managed for both travellers and organisations.     

Selected geochemical factors influencing diagenesis of eocene carbonate rocks,peninsular Florida,U.S.A.

The geochemical significance of three selected ions (Mg²⁺, Na⁺, and Sr²⁺) supports a model of dolomitization by brackish groundwater. This groundwater zone contains sufficient quantities of Mg²⁺ to facilitate dolomitization ($\text{Mg}\text{Ca}\text{ratios 1}$). Rising and falling of sea level and fluctuations of the phreatic zone related to climatic variations account for the thickness of the dolomite layers and the chemical distributions within these layers. Sodium concentrations in the calcite are 70–185 ppm, indicating formation in brackish water. Dolomite has sodium concentrations between 50–1400 ppm, suggesting formation in waters of similar salinity.Strontium in calcite ranges from 320–600 ppm, suggesting diagenesis in slightly saline waters in an open system. Dolomite contains 241 ppm Sr²⁺ on the average and calcite has 418 ppm Sr²⁺. The Sr²⁺ concentrations of the dolomite are characteristic of diagenesis in water less saline than sea water. Average strontium concentrations in the dolomite occur in two distinct groups, 260 ppm for dolomite with 39–43 mole-% MgCo₃ and 195 ppm for the dolomite with 44–50 mole-% MgCO₃. The difference in the Sr²⁺ concentrations of the two dolomite groups indicates the higher mole-% MgCO₃ dolomite recrystallized in a less saline environment than the lower mole-% MgCO₃ dolomite. These different environments are attributed to a relatively more saline coastal environment and a less saline inland environment.The more nearly stoichiometric dolomite (44–50 mole-% MgCO₃) has less scatter when mole-% MgCO₃ is plotted against Sr²⁺ and Na⁺. This suggests a greater approach to equilibrium with the dolomitizing fluid than the lower mole-% MgCO₃ (39–43) dolomite. The more saline environment has higher Mg/Ca ratios and promotes more calcium-rich dolomite during diagenesis because of the inhibition from competing foreign ions and because it is thermodynamically a more favorable environment which causes more rapid crystallization. The less saline waters allow recrystallization to proceed more slowly, producing better ordering in the dolomites, textural preservation and development of subhedral to euhedral rhombic crystals.