Contact details +6492136312
Associate Professor Margaret Brunton PhD, MMgt, BSocSc
Associate Professor
School of Communication, Journalism and MarketingMargaret Brunton is an Associate Professor in the School of Communication, Journalism & Marketing at the Auckland campus of Massey University. Before entering academia Margaret practised as an RN in both the public and private health sector. Her research interests focus on multiple aspects of the role of workplace communication in supporting a sustainable healthcare service in NZ. Current research explores the intersection between communication and practice between RNs in culturally diverse healthcare organisations. The goal is to identify ethically responsible, practical initiatives to help health professionals navigate the increasing demands and complexity of a rapidly-changing work environment.
Professional
Contact details
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Ph: 414-0800, ext 43312
Location: QB3.45, Quad B
Campus: Albany
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy - University of Waikato (2001)
- Master of Management Studies - University of Waikato (1995)
- Bachelor of Social Sciences - University of Waikato (1992)
Research Expertise
Research Interests
Communication within organisational settings
Communication management in healthcare organisations
Intercultural communication within diverse organisations
Persuasive public health messaging
Thematics
21st Century Citizenship
Area of Expertise
Field of research codes
Health Care Administration (111709):
Medical And Health Sciences (110000):
Public Health and Health Services (111700)
Keywords
Ethical communication within organisational settings
Health sector communication management
Intercultural communication within diverse workplaces
Persuasive public health messaging
Research Projects
Summary of Research Projects
| Position | Current | Completed |
|---|---|---|
| Project Leader | 1 | 5 |
Completed Projects
Project Title: Improving RN's cross cultural communication in culturally diverse team or work settings - McCutchan Trust Scholarship
The existing project is the first comprehensive study of the cross-cultural interface between RNs in the NZ health sector. The purpose is to help improve the workplace experience and retention of RNs, a large, diverse and important professional group. In turn, patient safety itself relies predominantly on effective communication in teamwork, which is rendered more complex with cross-cultural teams. However, the question arises of what influences are generic across geographical boundaries and which are unique to cultural contexts.
In the NZ context, we have applied a mixed method approach to identify ways to improve cross-cultural communication, team functioning and work satisfaction within a diverse population of RNs in the New Zealand workplace. If possible, we would like to replicate this research project with Phase 1 interviews to obtain data to inform the development of the phase 2 online survey. However, if this is not possible, even to run the current online survey to obtain responses from a sample of UK RNs would provide valuable insight. The proposed timeline would be mid-2017 or a timeframe that is suitable for the sector.
Although much research has focussed on the experience of migrant health professionals entering the public health sector, this study incorporates the collective experiences of interaction with the host culture.
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Date Range: 2016 - 2018
Funding Body: Nursing Education and Research Foundation
Project Team:
- A/Pro Margaret Brunton - Project Leader
Project Title: The role of cultural competency in identity formation and acculturation of overseas trained Registered Nurses into public health service organisations in New Zealand
This pilot study explores the communication interface between internationally qualified nurses (IQNs) and NZ qualified nurses (NZRNs) in the health sector. A sustainable public health service depends on an increasingly diverse workplace, including the retention of IQNs. Although considerable work has examined aspects of the experiences of migrant nurses, there has been no available information about the implications of the communication interface in the workplace. The data from the pilot study informs an online questionnaire to identify how levels of cultural competence and individual, social and professional identity influence the acculturation and skill development of IQNs in adapting to the demands of the public health sector in NZ. Parallel studies are in progress with collaborators in Australia, the UK, Dubai, Israel and the USA in order to facilitate a cohesive, effective and enduring international workforce of RNs in the public health service.
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Date Range: 2013 - 2013
Funding Body: Massey University
Project Team:
- A/Pro Margaret Brunton - Project Leader
Project Title: Start 3 studies and write up others
The first project explores the under-researched area of communication of CSR to internal stakeholders. This two-phase study first comprised interviews with CSR managers in large organisations who were members of the Sustainable Business Council of NZ. The interview data informed phase two, the development of an online survey distributed to staff in the same organisations. The results illustrate some disjuncture between what CSR managers believe they communicate, and perceptions of their staff. Managers often fail to identify how central it is that CSR values are communicated, understood and internalised by staff.
The second activity was to extend the national Communication Management competency framework developed using practitioners, employers and academics. Data was analysed to investigate professional identity issues and barriers to performance. An international project on comparative competencies also commenced with researchers in Europe.
The third project investigated a number of aspects of the structural management of the public health service. First, data involved with NZ's first-ever junior doctors strike was analysed and submitted for publication. Second, an investigation was carried out to analyse the Labtests debacle, and consider the implications. Media sources were also analysed to evaluate the political construction of the way that `quality' in the health service is communicated, compared to the lived experience of health professionals.
Five conference papers and publication of six peer-reviewed journal articles resulted from this research grant.
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Date Range: 2009 - 2010
Funding Body: Massey University
Project Team:
- A/Pro Margaret Brunton - Project Leader
Project Title: A communication needs analysis
Research was carried out in partnership with the Public Relations Institute of NZ to ascertain the competencies required to be a Communication Management (CM) practitioner in New Zealand. The resulting stakeholder-defined blueprint identified the competencies needed to prepare graduates for the best possible fit with workplace requirements. Second, the blueprint also affords a useful tool to inform effective and efficient workforce planning, recruitment, training and career development paths in CM practice. This project has resulted in three publications in top-ranked journals.
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Date Range: 2007 - 2008
Funding Body: Massey University
Project Team:
- A/Pro Margaret Brunton - Project Leader
Research Outputs
Journal
Brunton, M., Cook, C., Walker, L., Clendon, J., & Atefi, N. (2020). Home and away: A national mixed-methods questionnaire survey of host and migrant Registered Nurses in New Zealand. Collegian. 27(2), 164-173
[Journal article]Authored by: Brunton, M.
[Journal article]Authored by: Brunton, M.
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Choi, MS., Cook, CM., & Brunton, MA. (2019). Power distance and migrant nurses: The liminality of acculturation. Nursing Inquiry. 26(4)
[Journal article]Authored by: Brunton, M.
[Journal article]Authored by: Brunton, M.
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Brunton, M., Cook, C., Kuzemski, D., Brownie, S., & Thirlwall, A. (2019). Internationally qualified nurse communication—A qualitative cross country study. Journal of Clinical Nursing. 28(19-20), 3669-3679
[Journal article]Authored by: Brunton, M.
[Journal article]Authored by: Brunton, M.
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Sayers, J., & Brunton, M. (2019). Using the heterotopic mirror to reveal tensions in public reaction to a photographic essay of eldercare staff and older adults. Journal of Aging Studies. 48, 17-24
[Journal article]Authored by: Brunton, M., Sayers, J.
[Journal article]Authored by: Brunton, M., Sayers, J.
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Brunton, M., & Cook, C. (2018). Dis/Integrating cultural difference in practice and communication: A qualitative study of host and migrant Registered Nurse perspectives from New Zealand. International Journal of Nursing Studies. 83, 18-24
[Journal article]Authored by: Brunton, M.
[Journal article]Authored by: Brunton, M.
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Read Abstract:
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Book
Brunton, M. (2011). Communicating sustainability, but producing pollution: The case of the BP oil spill. In G. Eweje, & M. Perry (Eds.) Business and sustainability: Concepts, strategies and changes. (pp. 169 - 191). United Kingdom: Emerald Group Publishing
[Chapter]Authored by: Brunton, M.
[Chapter]Authored by: Brunton, M.
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Brunton, M. (2010). The role of communication in helping or hindering: Coping with decisions about participation in a national screening mammography program. In AM. Columbus (Ed.) Advances in psychology research. (pp. 1 - 42). United States: Nova Science Publishers Inc
[Chapter]Authored by: Brunton, M.
[Chapter]Authored by: Brunton, M.
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Brunton, M., Fouche, C., & Jordan, C. (2007). When privilege turns to duty: Balancing work-life commitments as an unpaid caregiver. In M. Waring, & C. Fouche (Eds.) Managing mayhem: Work-life balance in New Zealand. (pp. 175 - 199). New Zealand: Dunmore Publishing
[Chapter]Authored by: Brunton, M.
[Chapter]Authored by: Brunton, M.
Brunton, M. (2007). Communication and professional identities in a community healthcare organisation. In D. Page, & T. Zorn (Eds.) Management communication: New Zealand and Australian case studies. (pp. 151 - 157). New Zealand: Pearson Education New Zealand
[Chapter]Authored by: Brunton, M.
[Chapter]Authored by: Brunton, M.
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Brunton, M. (2005). Organisations and communication. In F. Sligo, & R. Bathurst (Eds.) Communication in the New Zealand workplace: Theory and practice. (pp. 105 - 116). New Zealand: Software Technology New Zealand
[Chapter]Authored by: Brunton, M.
[Chapter]Authored by: Brunton, M.
Thesis
Brunton, MA. (2001). A changing dialogue within health communication in New Zealand: a case study of the Waikato Screening Mammography Programme. (Doctoral Thesis, University of Waikato)
[Doctoral Thesis]Authored by: Brunton, M.
[Doctoral Thesis]Authored by: Brunton, M.
Report
Brunton, M., & Jeffrey, LM. (2013). How connected are we? The influence of acculturation on the study experience of international students at Massey University. School of Communication, Journalism and Marketing / School of Management, College of Business, Massey University.
[Commissioned Report]Authored by: Brunton, M.
[Commissioned Report]Authored by: Brunton, M.
Brunton, M., & Jeffrey, L. (2008). Practice, progress and professionalisatioin: Making knowledge meaningful: A needs assessment of PR/CM practice in New Zealand. Massey University.
[Commissioned Report]Authored by: Brunton, M.
[Commissioned Report]Authored by: Brunton, M.
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Brunton, MA. (2000). Communicating screening mammography: a survey of eligible women in the Waikato region. M.Brunton.
[Commissioned Report]Authored by: Brunton, M.
[Commissioned Report]Authored by: Brunton, M.
Conference
Brunton, M., & Galloway, C.(2019, July). Establishing trust to enhance reputation in culturally diverse healthcare organizations.. .
[Conference]Authored by: Brunton, M., Galloway, C.
[Conference]Authored by: Brunton, M., Galloway, C.
Brunton, M. (2018, July). Opening our eyes through social media: REsponses of junior doctors on a digital media blog site. Presented at Bledcom Conference. Bled, Slovenia.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Brunton, M.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Brunton, M.
Brunton, M. (2018, July). The ethical conundrums of tensions within globalised health care organisations. Presented at The 14th International Conference on Communication, Medicine and Ethics. Aalborg..
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Brunton, M.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Brunton, M.
Read Abstract:
Brunton, M., Cook, C., Walker, L., & Clendon, J. (2018, June). Diversity and dilemmas - managing risk and resilience in dynamic, globalised healthcare organisations.. Presented at European Health Management Association conference. Semmelweis University, Budapest.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Brunton, M.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Brunton, M.
Read Abstract:
Brunton, M., & Cook, C. (2018). Efficiency doesn't translate: Cultural influences on healthcare communication. , International Critical PR Conference
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Brunton, M.
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Brunton, M.
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Other
Roskruge, M., Brunton, M., & Cook, C. (2020, August). Covid-19 impact on nurse wellbeing: Identification, sustainability and mitigation. In Auckland Medical Research Foundation. Presented at Facebook Live.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Brunton, M., Roskruge, M.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Brunton, M., Roskruge, M.
Teaching and Supervision
Courses Coordinated
- 219.303 Organisational Communication
Summary of Doctoral Supervision
| Position | Current | Completed |
|---|---|---|
| Main Supervisor | 1 | 2 |
| Co-supervisor | 1 | 0 |
Current Doctoral Supervision
Main Supervisor of:
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Samiksha Pattanaik
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Doctor of Philosophy
Rural women's use of social media during COVID19 pandemic: A New Zealand-India comparative study
Co-supervisor of:
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Andrea Zorn
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Doctor of Philosophy
An exploration into the meaning of work for indigenous women entrepreneurs
Completed Doctoral Supervision
Main Supervisor of:
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2019
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Bridget Herlihy
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Doctor of Philosophy
Re-Tuning the mind's ear: An anonymous history of acoustic prosthetic technologies for the ear -
2011
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Suzanne Flannagan
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Doctor of Business and Administration
Enabling Promise Delivery: The influence of internal marketing communication
Media and Links
Media
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28 Feb 2018 - Magazine
Workforce carries load of cultural misunderstandin
Publication in Kai Tiaki Nursing, New Zealand Vol 24, Issue 1, pp. 24-25. An interview with one of the editors was published, which overviewed the findings from our recent research project investigat -
25 Aug 2018 - Newspaper
Migrant nurses facing racism from patients
Franks, J. (2018, 25 July). Migrant nurses in New Zealand face racism from patients and their families, and it's making them feel unsafe at work. A new study by Massey University reveals despite a qua -
20 Jul 2018 - Television
Interview with Margaret Brunton, MU about cul....
TVNZ1 Breakfast show (2018, July 20). Interview with Margaret Brunton, Massey University, about cultural differences among nurses. Tame mentions a new study showing cultural differences among nurses w -
20 Jul 2018 - Newspaper
Migrant nurses 'racially abused'
Russell, E. (2018, 20 July).Migrant nurses say they experience racism and cultural scrutiny every day they are on the job. A Massey University study revealed dozens of cases of patients refusing care -
20 Jul 2018 - Television
A new study by Massey University shows cultural...
TVNZ Midday news (2018, July 20). A new study by Massey University shows cultural differences among nurses are causing problems in hospitals. Associate Professor Margaret Brunton says it's important - view more...