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Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to address gaps in the knowledge about human resource (HR) professional involvement in strategic decision-making in China compared with that in Australia. Design/methodology/approach: First, the authors compare the strategic involvement of Chinese and Australian HR professionals. Second, based on the upper echelon theory, the authors compare the impact of chief executive officer (CEO) and top management team (TMT) between both countries on HR involvement in strategic decision-making. Data were collected from matched pairs of HR and TMT executives in China (n = 168) and in Australia (n = 102). Findings: Results indicate a difference, despite of no statistical significance, in HR involvement in strategic decision-making between Chinese and Australian samples. TMT behavioural integration was positively related to HR involvement in strategic decision-making in a collectivistic culture (i.e. in China), but not in an individualistic culture (i.e. in Australia). However, CEO support for HRM was positively related to HR involvement in strategic decision-making in Australia, whereas it is not related in China. Originality/value: The paper conducts a comparative study and practical, and research implications are discussed at the end. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor safety is a perennial problem for the construction industry worldwide. The concept of safety climate has been strongly linked to safety performance, yet inconsistent methodologies make international comparisons problematic. In addressing this gap in research, a comparative safety climate survey of 515 construction operatives and managers in Australia, Indonesia, and China is presented using a standardized tool. The results highlight interesting similarities and differences between safety climate in each country and question taken–for–granted assumptions that safety climate in countries with relatively mature regulatory structures like Australia are more positive than in less developed countries like Indonesia and China. Results also highlight the intermediating effects of factors such as management commitment and cultural differences in shaping safety climate. Highlighting the potential value of theories of new institutionalism and cultural and ethical relativism, the paper concludes by raising important new practical, theoretical, and methodological questions about the merits and challenges of making international comparisons of safety climate, even when using standardized measurement tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlabelled: This paper aims to evaluate the impact of the culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate education program on the following: (i) awareness of screening practices (breast awareness, mammogram, and Pap smear test); (ii) screening intention within the next six months; and (iii) knowledge about breast and cervical cancer among Chinese-Australian women. Titled "Happy and Healthy Life in Sydney," this was a quasi-experimental study with both pre- and post-test design. A convenience sample of 288 Chinese women was recruited through Chinese organizations such as churches and community centers. Participants completed the questionnaires before and after the educational program. The results show that the program was effective in promoting awareness of breast and cervical cancer screening and resulted in increased participative intentions in both mammogram and Pap smear testing within the next 6 months. Results also indicate that knowledge and belief scores were significantly increased.Conclusion: Our study supports that educational programs which use culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate strategies are effective in improving both knowledge of breast and cervical cancer and awareness of their early detection practices among Chinese-Australian women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both developed and developing countries have committed to reduce their emissions through the increased use of renewable energy. This paper aims to compare renewable energy deployment in developed and developing countries represented by Australia and China. The paper firstly argues the validity of comparison of renewable energy deployment in Australia and China. Then, the governance structures in both countries are compared; the paper also compares management mechanisms in terms of funding and incentive support, renewable energy grid-connection and coordination between different levels of governments in both countries. Moreover, the current status of renewable energy development in two countries is summarized. From the study, it can be concluded both countries have set a Renewable Energy Target and promulgated legislation and regulations to enlarge the scale of renewable energy; China shows a stronger commitment to renewable energy than Australia. However, Renewable Energy Certificate mechanism is implemented more effectively in Australia than in China. The paper suggests: augmenting and rebuilding the electricity network and strengthening coordination between different levels of governments for both countries; enhancing manufacturing facilities and incentives for the solar and wind industry for Australia, while developing more-detailed implementation legislation and renewable power quota system for China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internet access is determined by a combination of a widely available telecommunication infrastructure and affordability of Internet services, which are closely related to government policies (IT Group. (1999). Like other countries, both Australia and China have considered the Internet a powerful tool for national development economically and socially. As Internet growth becomes more and more significant, it becomes important to address the extent to which the underlying communication policies influence current growth rates. This paper provides a comparative review of policy approaches to regulating the Internet in both China and Australia. This study aims to identify the regulatory factors affecting Internet access in terms of availability and affordability, especially those factors which encourage the creation of a policy and regulatory environment favourable to the development of Internet infrastructure and access. This paper examines the linkages between regulatory regimes, market environments and Internet access in both China and Australia. The preliminary result suggests that government policies governing the telecommunications service market and promoting information infrastructure have a significant impact on the affordability and availability of Internet access. The most significant factor is the level of competition permitted in the telecommunication sector. It has become clear that further regulatory initiatives such as deregulatory mechanisms and interconnection regimes are needed to establish a more competitive environment for Internet access in both countries, and more particularly in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has suggested that culture influences perception and attention. These studies have typically involved comparisons of Westerners with East Asians, motivated by assumed differences in the cultures' self-concept or position on the individualism-collectivism spectrum. However, other potentially important sources of cultural variance have been neglected, such as differences in traffic directionality shaped by the urban spatial environment (i.e., left-hand vs. right-hand traffic). Thus, existing research may potentially place too much emphasis on self-concepts or the individualism-collectivism dimension in explaining observed cultural differences in cognition. The present study investigated spatial cognition using a Simon task and tested participants from four nations (Australia, China, Germany, and Malaysia) that differ in both cultural orientation (collectivistic vs. individualistic) and traffic directionality (left-hand vs. right-hand traffic). The task used two possible reference frames underlying the Simon effect: a body-centered one based on global stimulus position relative to the screen's center versus an object-centered one based on local stimulus position relative to a context object. As expected, all groups showed a reliable Simon effect for both spatial reference frames. However, the global Simon effect was larger in participants from countries with left-hand traffic. In contrast, the local Simon effect was modulated by differences in cultural orientation, with larger effects in participants from collectivistic cultures. This pattern suggests that both sources of cultural variation, viz. cultural orientation and traffic directionality, contribute to differences in spatial cognition in distinct ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Social engagement is an important active aging strategy to promote older adults' mental health. The purposes of this study were to compare social engagement in older populations around the world and explore associations with mental health outcomes. Materials and methods: An international cross‐sectional survey was conducted from 2017 to 2019. Data were retrieved from The International Social Survey Programme for a secondary data analysis across 30 countries. This study applied the Taxonomy of Social Activities and its six levels as operational definitions for a consistent concept of social engagement for international comparisons. Results: In total, 9403 older adults with a mean age of 72.85 ± 6.40 years responded. The highest levels of older adults' social engagement were found in Switzerland, Thailand, and New Zealand. Older adults of a higher age, with a lower educational level, who were permanently sick or disabled, who had no partner, who were widowed or whose civil partner had died, who lived alone, and who had lower self‐placement in society had significantly lower social engagement than did their counterparts. In the regression model, older adults' social engagement positively predicted general health, self‐accomplishment, and life satisfaction, but negatively predicted loneliness and depression. Conclusions: In aging societies worldwide, encouraging older adults' social engagement would be beneficial to promote mental health. Implications for nursing practice and health policies: Community professional nurses can develop strategies of social engagement based on the needs and sociodemographic factors of older adults to improve their mental health. Developing efficient strategies and local policies by learning from successful experiences in other countries is important to promote social engagement in aging societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To compare levels of nurse burnout across eastern and western cultures, as well as examine the influence of burnout on patient safety cross‐culturally. Design: Comparative cross‐sectional study. Methods: Survey data were collected from nurses between August and October 2017 in Australia (n = 730) and between April and October 2019 in China (n = 1107). Variables included burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, personal accomplishment), nurse leadership and support, staffing and resource adequacy, and perceived patient safety. Data were analysed separately for each jurisdiction using bootstrapped hierarchical regressions, which tested the relationships between burnout indicators and patient safety, controlling for support resources. Results: Emotional exhaustion and depersonalization scores were significantly higher in the Australian sample compared with the Chinese sample. Australian participants reported significantly lower patient safety grades than Chinese participants and were less likely to agree that support resources were present in their current job. Separate regressions indicated that patient safety was significantly associated with staffing and resource adequacy, nurse leadership and support, and depersonalization among Australian participants (30% of variance explained in the final regression model), while staffing and resource adequacy, nurse leadership and support, personal accomplishment and emotional exhaustion predicted patient safety for Chinese participants (22% of variance explained in the final model). Conclusion: Australian nurses are at greater risk of burnout than Chinese nurses. Burnout dimensions are differentially associated with patient safety across cultures. Culturally relevant interventions may be more optimal than universal approaches for improving burnout and patient safety in nursing. Impact: This study increased understanding of cross‐cultural differences in nurse burnout and the relationship with patient safety. Australian nurses were at greater risk of burnout than Chinese nurses. Emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment influenced patient safety distinctively across the countries. These findings inform interventions designed to reduce nurse burnout and improve patient safety internationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The increasing global distribution of automobiles necessitates that the design of In-vehicle Information Systems (IVIS) is appropriate for the regions to which they are being exported. Differences between regions such as culture, environment and traffic context can influence the needs, usability and acceptance of IVIS. This paper describes two studies aimed at identifying regional differences in IVIS design needs and preferences across drivers from Australia and China to determine the impact of any differences on IVIS design. Using a questionnaire and interaction clinics, the influence of cultural values and driving patterns on drivers'' preferences for, and comprehension of, surface- and interaction-level aspects of IVIS interfaces was explored. Similarities and differences were found between the two regional groups in terms of preferences for IVIS input control types and labels and in the comprehension of IVIS functions. Specifically, Chinese drivers preferred symbols and Chinese characters over English words and were less successful (compared to Australians) at comprehending English abbreviations, particularly for complex IVIS functions. Implications in terms of the current trend to introduce Western-styled interfaces into other regions with little or no adaptation are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In an era of globalization, internationalization of higher education (IHE) has been constructed as an almost inevitable trend and has become a common pursuit of many nations in their higher education (HE) policies. This study focuses on two nations, China and Australia, in terms of this trend. The broadest aim of this research was to find out the interactive relationships between global and national pressures in policy development by comparing the international HE policies in China and Australia, for the period 2008–2015. Based on selected policies, Similarities and differences in the three categories, overarching meta-policies at the macro level (nation), institution focused polices at the meso level (universities), and people focused policies at the micro level (individuals) are identified in this study. It is suggested that different responses to the global trends reflect the specificities of each nation and the ways path dependent factors mediate global pressures. This comparison will facilitate better understanding of how globalization has affected and been responded to in IHE policies, and enable better understanding of their path dependent mediation through a focus on two specific sets of national policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives: To investigate burnout among nurses from Australia and China and explore the effects of resilience and turnover intention on nurse burnout between the two countries. Background: Nursing shortages and burnout have become serious problems worldwide in recent years. In both developed and developing countries, such as Australia and China, nurse burnout levels are high and therefore attract concern from nurse managers, hospital administrators, nurse educators and researchers. However, few studies have been conducted exploring the differences in burnout and its predictors between Australian and Chinese nurses, particularly investigating the differences in the effect sizes of the predictors. Design: A comparative cross‐sectional design was employed. Methods: A total of 100 Australian nurses and 197 Chinese nurses participated in the study. Australian participants completed an online questionnaire, while Chinese participants completed a hardcopy questionnaire. Burnout, resilience and turnover intention were measured. Results: Burnout was worse for Australian participants than Chinese participants. Only having turnover intention significantly predicted burnout in Australian participants, while low resilience, having turnover intention and low level of regular exercise strongly predicted burnout in Chinese participants. The effect size of turnover intention on burnout in the Australian group was almost twice that of the Chinese group. Conclusion: The findings of this study show that there are differences in burnout between Australian and Chinese nurses. The effects of resilience and turnover intention on burnout between the two groups are also identified. Relevance to clinical practice: The differences in nurse burnout and the effects of resilience and turnover intention on burnout should be better understood by nurse managers from Australia and China. Moreover, developing effective strategies relevant to their own country to reduce nurse burnout is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Chinese students comprise the largest group of foreign‐born tertiary students studying in Australia, and these students face unique challenges when striving toward their academic goals. The challenges including acculturation stress, culture shock, and studying in a foreign language. In this article, we explore implicit acculturation strategies of China‐born student sojourners in Australia, and how this relates to academic outcomes. Method: In Study 1, the capacity for the go/no‐go association task to assess implicit cultural identification was established in local samples of local students (39 in Australia, 36 in China). These data were then used as a comparison after measuring the implicit acculturation of students studying abroad. Thus, in Study 2, 68 China‐born student sojourners in Australia responded to this measure of implicit acculturation, as well as levels of academic adjustment, acculturation stress, and life satisfaction. Results: The sojourning sample demonstrated implicit separation acculturation attitudes, and moreover the excessive implicit associations with their home (Chinese) culture suggested an implicit cultural reaffirmation effect. Implicit acculturation was associated with increases in acculturation stress and decreases in life satisfaction, academic lifestyle, and motivation. Conclusions: These findings suggest that Chinese student sojourners may not be able to (or choose not to) self‐integrate within the Australian‐based education community; however, this implicit cultural reaffirmation may be beneficial for ameliorating education‐related outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The material transformation of the Chinese economy is forcing a concomitant process of political adjustment-and not just in China. Other states are being forced to accommodate the 'rise of China'. In this context, this article first presents a comparative analysis of China's impact on two countries, Australia and South Africa, which have little in common other than a wealth of natural resources and a possible status as middle powers; this is a particularly useful exercise because these states are geographically distant and have very different political structures and general developmental histories. Second, the authors consider how China's bilateral ties look from a Chinese perspective in these two very different relationships. Such an analysis serves as a reminder that resource dependency is a two-way street. The article argues that underlying material realities are constraining and to some extent determining the domestic and foreign policies of three very different states that otherwise have little in common. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines whether the later development of awareness of gender issues in Hong Kong compared to Australia is reflected in patterns of gender representation in the English language textbooks published in these two places. A comparison of 10 currently-used Australian books with 10 Hong Kong books revealed that such awareness has impacted most on the use of gender-inclusive terms and symmetrical phrases in both places. The Australian writers tended to use generic they while their Hong Kong counterparts preferred either the coordination he or she or 'generic' he. Both sets of writers maintained the convention of male-first presentation, depicted women in a more limited range of social roles, and presented stereotyped images of women as weaker and more passive than men, and as operating primarily within domestic domains. The visual representations also reinforced traditional gendered roles. Hong Kong textbook writers, nevertheless, paid more heed to the inclusion of females visually. Controversy persists over whether textbook writers should reflect reality or whether they should lead social change and strive for gender equality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared the self-reported physical activity, perceived social support for, and perceived barriers to, physical activity of primary and secondary school children from Hong Kong and Australia. Hong Kong boys and girls reported spending significantly less time, outside of school hours, on physical activity than their Australian contemporaries (p < .05). There was significantly higher perceived support for activity from Australian parents (p < .001), teachers (p < .001) and peers (p < .001) compared to their Hong Kong counterparts. Parental support significantly correlated with self-reported activity in Australia, but not in Hong Kong. These data add support to the notion that strategies to increase physical activity need to embed family and school. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study discusses the thinking style of university students in three different countries and answers the key research question posed by the study's design: is there a difference amongst the thinking styles of university students from Australia, China and Italy? Using the Thinking Style Inventory (TSI) designed by Sofo (2002) as the data collection tool, 450 students enrolled in universities in the three countries were assessed on their thinking style. The results reveal that the Chinese students had statistically significant lower scores than both the Australian and Italian samples on the Inquiring subscale of the TSI, yet significantly higher scores on the Independent subscale. Overall, Chinese students were found to have a significantly different thinking style profile compared to Italian and Australian students since there was no significant difference found between the Italian and Australian students. The findings of this study indicate a number of interesting points of convergence and similarly, two points of divergence in thinking style among the three samples of students. The opportunity exists for the study to be extended to include a comparative analysis of a wider selection of students (such as those from differing disciplines) or to explore the similarities and differences between post-graduates or those students in the second or third year of their university studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]