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The concept of alignment or fit between information technology (IT) and business strategy has been discussed for many years, and strategic alignment is deemed crucial in increasing firm performance. Yet few attempts have been made to investigate the factors that influence alignment, especially in the context of small and medium sized firms (SMEs). This issue is important because results from previous studies suggest that many firms struggle to achieve alignment. Therefore, this study sought to identify different levels of alignment and then investigated the factors that influence alignment. In particular, it focused on the alignment between the requirements for accounting information (AIS requirements) and the capacity of accounting systems (AIS capacity) to generate the information, in the specific context of manufacturing SMEs in Malaysia. Using a mail questionnaire, data from 214 firms was collected on nineteen accounting information characteristics for both requirements and capacity. The fit between these two sets was explored using the moderation approach and evidence was gained that AIS alignment in some firms was high. Cluster analysis was used to find two sets of groups which could be considered more aligned and less aligned. The study then investigated some factors that might be associated with a small firm's level of AIS alignment. Findings from the study suggest that AIS alignment was related to the firm's: level of IT maturity; level of owner/manager's accounting and IT knowledge; use of expertise from government agencies and accounting firms; and existence of internal IT staff.

Purpose
There has been a lack of meaningful information systems architecture, which comprehensively conceptualise the essential components and functionality of an information system for fire emergency response addressing needs of different job roles. The purpose of this paper is to propose a comprehensive information systems architecture which would best support four of the key firefighter job roles.


Design/methodology/approach
The study has built on the outcomes of two previous preliminary studies on information and human-computer interaction needs of core firefighter job roles. Scenario-based action research was conducted with firefighters in a range of roles, to evaluate human-computer interaction needs while using various technology platforms.


Findings
Several key themes were identified and led us to propose several layers of an integrated architecture, their composition and interactions.


Research limitations/implications
The selected fire scenarios may not represent every type of fire expected in high-risk built environments.


Practical implications
The current paper represents a shared discussion between end users, system architects and designers, to understand and improve essential components. It therefore provides a reference point for the development of information system architecture for fire emergency response.


Originality/value
The proposed information system architecture is novel because it outlines specific architectural elements required to meet the specific situation awareness needs of different firefighters job roles.

Research to address the health burdens experienced by Indigenous populations is essential. In the Canadian context, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada determined that these health burdens are the result of policies that have undermined opportunities to address community-level health needs. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research Guidelines for Health Research Involving Aboriginal People (2007-2010), or"CIHR Guidelines," were prepared in a national consultation process involving Inuit, Métis, and First Nations communities, researchers, and institutions. This paper asserts that the principles espoused in the CIHR Guidelines hold ongoing potential to guide health research with Indigenous people in ways that promote equitable research partnerships. We encourage those in research environments to engage with the spirit and content of the CIHR Guidelines.

Extending phased array techniques to optical frequencies is challenging because of the considerably smaller wavelengths and the difficulty of stabilizing the optical path lengths of multiple emitters to this level of precision. This is especially true under real-world conditions where thermal and vibrational disturbances cause path length variations that are considerable in relation to the wavelength. Earlier attempts have relied on an external mechanism to sense and compensate for any unwanted variations in the outgoing beams. Here we propose and demonstrate a method that does not rely on any external components. The method combines a pseudo-random noise phase modulation scheme together with conventional heterodyne interferometry to simultaneously measure phase variations between emitters. This information is then used to control the relative phases between the emitters and compensate for any unwanted disturbance. Experimental results are presented that support the viability of this design. ; This work was supported by the Australian Government's Australian Space Research Program.

Extending phased array techniques to optical frequencies is challenging because of the considerably smaller wavelengths and the difficulty of stabilizing the optical path lengths of multiple emitters to this level of precision. This is especially true under real-world conditions where thermal and vibrational disturbances cause path length variations that are considerable in relation to the wavelength. Earlier attempts have relied on an external mechanism to sense and compensate for any unwanted variations in the outgoing beams. Here we propose and demonstrate a method that does not rely on any external components. The method combines a pseudo-random noise phase modulation scheme together with conventional heterodyne interferometry to simultaneously measure phase variations between emitters. This information is then used to control the relative phases between the emitters and compensate for any unwanted disturbance. Experimental results are presented that support the viability of this design. ; This work was supported by the Australian Government's Australian Space Research Program.

Frontmatter -- Contents -- List of Figures and Tables -- Acknowledgments -- 1 Introduction – From Isolation to Inclusion: Diminishing Inequities -- Section I: Children's Experiences -- Section I Introduction: Children's Experiences -- 2 Indigenous Children Coping with Environmental Health Risks -- 3 Health Inequities Facing Children Vulnerable to Mental Health Challenges -- 4 Mental Health Risks among Immigrant and Refugee Children in Canada -- Section II: Adolescents' Experiences -- Section II Introduction: Adolescents' Experiences -- 5 Low-Income Adolescents Living with Respiratory Challenges -- 6 Fostering Support for Indigenous Adolescents Facing Health Inequities -- 7 Supporting Refugee Adolescents -- Section III: Parents' Experiences -- Section III Introduction: Parents' Experiences -- 8 Low-Income Parents and Caregivers of Children Affected by Health Challenges -- 9 Indigenous Parents and Caregivers Caring for Children with Chronic Health Conditions -- 10 Innovative Programs for Parents Coping with Health Inequities: Informed by Research Insights -- 11 Conclusion – Insights and Implications for Future Directions -- References -- Contributors -- Index

Background International studies of the health of Indigenous and tribal peoples provide important public health insights. Reliable data are required for the development of policy and health services. Previous studies document poorer outcomes for Indigenous peoples compared with benchmark populations, but have been restricted in their coverage of countries or the range of health indicators. Our objective is to describe the health and social status of Indigenous and tribal peoples relative to benchmark populations from a sample of countries. Methods Collaborators with expertise in Indigenous health data systems were identified for each country. Data were obtained for population, life expectancy at birth, infant mortality, low and high birthweight, maternal mortality, nutritional status, educational attainment, and economic status. Data sources consisted of governmental data, data from non-governmental organisations such as UNICEF, and other research. Absolute and relative differences were calculated. Findings Our data (23 countries, 28 populations) provide evidence of poorer health and social outcomes for Indigenous peoples than for non-Indigenous populations. However, this is not uniformly the case, and the size of the rate difference varies. We document poorer outcomes for Indigenous populations for: life expectancy at birth for 16 of 18 populations with a difference greater than 1 year in 15 populations; infant mortality rate for 18 of 19 populations with a rate difference greater than one per 1000 livebirths in 16 populations; maternal mortality in ten populations; low birthweight with the rate difference greater than 2% in three populations; high birthweight with the rate difference greater than 2% in one population; child malnutrition for ten of 16 populations with a difference greater than 10% in five populations; child obesity for eight of 12 populations with a difference greater than 5% in four populations; adult obesity for seven of 13 populations with a difference greater than 10% in four populations; educational attainment for 26 of 27 populations with a difference greater than 1% in 24 populations; and economic status for 15 of 18 populations with a difference greater than 1% in 14 populations. Interpretation We systematically collated data across a broader sample of countries and indicators than done in previous studies. Taking into account the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we recommend that national governments develop targeted policy responses to Indigenous health, improving access to health services, and Indigenous data within national surveillance systems.