Making Community in Business Work

Introduction -

    As early as 1893, Durkheim identified the role of industry and business in the creation of community.  He saw the need for industry-based associations to develop strong integrative bonds to replace those dissolved through the secularisation of society and the breakdown of traditional communities (cited in Ritzer 1983: 120).  This did not eventuate in the way Durkheim envisaged it.  However, the idea of business providing the principal arena for community has emerged again in recent decades.  There are two main approaches to the type of community business may develop.  The first approach is what we term the "surface" approach, the second the "deep" approach.  This article outlines both approaches.  Through a case study, it illustrates the type of community that can be created within business by applying Scott Peck's community building process for creating deep community.

Work and The Knowledge Economy

Introduction -

    Why is it now that the concept of the 'knowledge economy' is so prevalent in discussions about policy directions and work trends?  This is a question that has struck me recently, becoming aware of the growing numbers of articles in major Australian newspaper that are addressed to the knowledge economy particularly those revolving around what 'we' should do about it to not be left behind.  Though loosely connected with the processes of globalisation and post-modernity, it would appear that the term the knowledge economy has a certain resonance at the current historical juncture, across a wide number of cultural contexts.  In a number of ways, it is the claim of historical inevitability, beyond governmental control, that raises my suspicions about the analytical and sociological specificity claimed for it in the current political uses of the term.  By current uses, I am particularly aware of the position taken by both the current Australian government and the federal opposition on the role of research and development for this new kind of economy, following a number of major policy releases.

Towards the mutually friendly workplace

Introduction -

    Over the last twenty years, there have been significant changes in Australian society and in our workplaces.  So much that in the year 2000 and beyond, the greatest challenge for many of us is how to get the balance right between our work and our personal lifestyles.

How far have we come?  Women, work and politics in 2000

Introduction -

    If our great-grandmothers could see us now they would now believe their eyes.  Australian women have made real progress.  We drive cars, we have good access to education, and we are no longer expected to put up with discriminatory behaviour.

Hate crimes Against Disabled People

Introduction -

    I understand the term "hate crime" to mean a criminal act perpetrated against someone because of an actual or perceived trait that they possess.  These traits may include ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion or disability.  Bodinger-De Uriate and Sancho (1990) suggest that the following characteristics may indicate that a hate crime has occurred: symbols or words associated with hate; activities historically associated threats to certain groups (e.g.  burning crosses); jokes which are demeaning and offensive; destroying or defacing group symbols; a history of crimes against other members of the group; crimes occurring shortly after group activities or conflicts involving the group; the belief of victim that the action was motivated by bias; perpetrators demeaning the victim's group and exalting their own group; the presence of hate group literature; and previous hate crimes in the community.

Limited Horizons?  Critical Reflections on Queensland's Crime Prevention Strategy

Introduction -

    The recently published Queensland Crime Prevention Strategy (QCPS) (Queensland State Government 1999) echoes British Prime Minister Tony Blair's policy mantra: 'tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime'.

Diversity: the fibre of a vibrant rural town in Western Australia: Nannup

Introduction -

    In face of the rapid economic changes confronting small Australian rural towns in the last three decades, many of them have slip into oblivion, marked only by a signpost at the side of the road and one or two remnant retail services.  As traditional rural production bases have become eroded, so too jobs have disappeared and population and associated services have moved to other areas.  A key feature of small rural towns in Western Australia that have moved from economic decline to thriving communities is a widely diverse socio-economic population.  Such diverse population develop the range of innovation social and economic initiative needed for such towns to diversify their employment bases and to response to changing market demands.

Too White to be Black, Too Black to be White

Introduction -

    It is hard to accept social racism of this level in current times.  Sadly it still exist, although possibly not as overly as it did in the 1930's.  Fair-skinned Indigenous Australians still suffer identity issues in the year 2000, as did the Indigenous soldier in 1935-1945.  They suffer a possible perceived indignity of not 'belonging'.  Do they belong to white Australian society, or do they belong to the cultural enclave of Indigenous Australia?  Or, can it be that they walk some infinitive tightrope between the two societies that is dependent on the acceptability of either or both sub-cultures of Australian society.

The Politics of Veganism

Introduction -

    This discussion will examine the ethical and political foundations of the philosophy of veganism to ascertain the desirability of the adoption of a vegan lifestyle.  It will explore the ways in which this value system is marginalised within modern society.  The ethical, philosophical, environmental and pragmatic considerations underpinning the ideological framework of veganism will be examined, to support the view that the benefits of veganism outweigh any detriment.  Yet despite the proposed desirability of such a vegan lifestyle at levels of individual, social and global concern, there are many limitations that restrict the widespread recognition and adoption of veganism and the latter half of this discussion will be devoted to an examination of these issues.