Business & management:
• The World Economic Forum has released a report on global investments: “Globalization of alternative investments: Working Papers Volume 1: The global economic impact of private equity”. An executive summary is also available.
• A public discussion document has been released by the NZ Institute of Economic Research: “Is poor household saving the cause of New Zealand’s high current account deficit?”.
• The IMF has predicted a slowing in world economic growth in its latest quarterly update on the global economy, with a warning that “Monetary policy faces the difficult challenge of balancing the risks of higher inflation and slower economic activity”.
• The latest Urban Land Institute blog posting discusses the inter-relationship between housing, infrastructure and climate change – echoing discussions going on in NZ now.
• Organisations don’t always make the fullest use of the technology that is available to them. The current issue of Library Technology Reports looks at the technology-enhanced work environment versus the traditional work environment (ie face-to-face meetings, the telephone, e-mail, and videoconferencing). (NOTE: you’ll be prompted for your Libraries membership number & PIN to view these articles in the Digital Library database.)
Environment & sustainability:
• The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority has launched a new information campaign to increase awareness about the support available from Energywise in the form of subsidies or financial support, awareness of energy-efficient appliances and the home energy rating system.
• The latest edition of the Greenpeace GE free food guide is now available. The guide covers 1200 food product brands available in NZ.
Health & wellbeing:
• A recent speech by ACC Minister Maryan Street describes changes to ACC legislation and the relationship between public health and the law.
• The FAO warns that in spite of progress on controlling the H5N1 virus globally, a global pandemic due to avian flu virus is still a possibility. Since last month, 15 countries have confirmed new outbreaks in poultry.
• An international survey by a team of economists has discovered that people are happiest at the early or late part of their lives, but the occurrence of depression peaks in middle age.
• The 2008 International Gambling Conference will be in Auckland from the 21st -23rd February. The conference theme is “Looking Forward: New Directions in Research and Minimising Public Harm”.
Law & Government:
• A UK academic suggests that innovation in public service will only occur in a meaningful way, when practical guidelines and processes are available which foster the process of innovation.
• The 2008 edition of the "New Zealand Official Yearbook" is due to be released this year, taking the theme of conserving the natural environment. The Yearbook theme information is provided in the form of sidebar articles, including topics and information not always available on the Statistics NZ website in the online equivalent “New Zealand in Profile”.
People, culture & diversity:
• AXA carries out an international survey on retirement investment, and the recent survey shows that while NZers are happy with their preparation for retirement, they prefer low risk investments, and have low levels of financial literacy skills.
• Online shopping is a global phenomenon, with 875 million consumers having purchased something online – and surprisingly, books are the most frequent purchase.
Science, technology & transport:
• Amendments to Land Transport Rules that came into effect on January 17th, have changed penalties for using mobility parking spaces without displaying a valid sticker. Whereas previously infringements were dealt with by local bylaw, they are now “consistent national penalties”.
• An international road assessment programme has been launched in NZ, that aims to raise awareness of the risk of being involved in a crash on New Zealand's state highways. Risk brochures with maps can be downloaded from KiwiRAP, that indicate to drivers the level of risk of being involved in a crash on each of the state highways.
LOGIS books – just arrived:
• The business guide to sustainability: practical strategies and tools for organizations
• Governing cities in a global era : urban innovation, competition and democratic reform
• Jane's urban transport systems 2007-2008
• Transforming neighbourhoods : a collection of stories about community empowerment
Friday, 1 February 2008
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