Tutor, Business Management

Email: pbruce@northtec.ac.nz

Blog: http://stakeholderengagementnz.wordpress.com/ 

Research Interests 

I have a diverse range of research interests in the business management realm. A theme common to them all is the enhancement of organisational effectiveness through better human interaction. 

Current Project

Stakeholder engagement
My current project, working with Dr. Rita Shelley, is Assessing Stakeholder Engagement. NorthTec’s 2008 research project for the New Zealand Refining Company, surfaced stakeholder engagement as a vital aspect of business sustainability. While looking for tools useful for assessing stakeholder engagement, London based Accountability’s Stakeholder Engagement Standard, AA1000 emerged as a good model. The AA1000 is used principally by large corporate and we are interested in assessing its relevance for SMEs in the Northern Region, so we identified three iconic small businesses to get their perspectives. Our first output will outline how the AA1000 can be used or possibly adapted to be practicable for SMEs.  
 

Business models for the implementation of photovoltaic solar energy systems
The widespread adoption of emergent technology for photovoltaic solar energy production has potential to reduce energy costs for home and businesses in Northland. And, perhaps even more importantly, will help us to produce more electricty from renewable sources. This project is only in the very earliest stages, but it offers an enticing range of issues to investigate, including the development of business models to deliver these benefits to Northlanders. According to Muhammad Yunus the founder the Grameen bank, every social problem is a business opportunity.

Publications

Books

Bruce, P. (2000) Better business for a better world: Connecting principle and profit to build socially responsible businesses, Hats of Books: Tucson, 2000 

Published articles
Bruce, P. & Shelley, R. (2010) Assessing stakeholder engagement. Communication Journal of New Zealand: He Kohinga Korero 11 (2) 26 – 44.

Bruce, P. (2006) Building board intelligence: Lead article for Boardroom: The Journal of the Institute of Directors, September 2006

Bruce, P. (1988) Performance strategies, a feature article published in NZ Business, April 1998.

Published book reviews
Bruce, P.  (2011).  Your Brain at Work: Strategies for Overcoming Distraction, Regaining Focus and Working Smarter all day Long.  [Review of the book by D. Rock]  Human Resources, October/November 2011.

Bruce, P. (2010). The spirit of leadership [Review of Book The spirit of leadership: Building the personal foundations of extraordinary leadership, by Peter Cammock]. Human Resources, October/November 2010. Wellington: HRINZ

Bruce, P. (2009). Creating value through people [Review of Book Creating value through people, by Mercer]. Human Resources, December 2009/January 2010. Wellington: HRINZ

Television Programme
Bruce, P., Zemke, K (Producer). (2010, July 18). Economics and spirituality [Television series episode]. In Baha'i on Air. Auckland, Stratos. View extract online.

Contracted Research reports
Bruce, P., Wilson, D., van Es, L., Rotherham, C. & Chile, L. (2008) The New Zealand Refining Company: Our Contribution, a contracted research project. 

Conference papers and presentations
Bruce, P.  (2011, December).  Building Engagement Capacity.  Workshop presented at New Zealand Communication Association Conference, Auckland.

Bruce, P. & Shelley, R. (2010) Creating a stakeholder engagement plan. Proceedings from the New Zealand Communication Conference, Wellington.

Bruce, P. (2010). Effective use of online forums for learning and assessment. Regional e-Learning Symposium, NorthTec, Whangarei 29 September 2010.

Bruce, P. & Shelley, R. (2009) Assessing stakeholder engagement. Proceedings from the New Zealand Communication Conference, Dunedin.

Bruce, P. (2008) Building online student communities with assessed forums: Proceedings of the  eFest Conference. 

Bruce, P. (2007) Building online student communities with assessed forums: Proceedings of the  New Zealand Communication Association Conference. 

Bruce, P. (2007) Communication audits: a discussion starter.  
Proceedings of the New Zealand Communication Association

Bruce, P. Iri, H. (2006) A place for identity: Māori: being at home at work.  Proceedings of the  New Zealand Communication Association Conference

Bruce, P. (2001) Old paradigms, new paradigms: an exploration of the thinking that shapes our businesses and our world. Proceedings of the Ninth International Conference on Thinking, Auckland, 2001

Bruce, P. (1999) The role of business in the development of a global society. Proceedings of the  Association of Bahá’i Studies Conference, Wellington, July 1999

Unpublished research reports
Bruce, P. (2008) Using the net promoter score

Martin, A. & Bruce, P. (2007) Hospitality success, an investigation into success factors for cafes and restaurants.

Bruce, P. (2005) Governance development in Northland

Keywords 

Stakeholder engagement, governance, sustainability, online student communities