Survival of the fittest: The performance of franchised versus independent small business during economic uncertainty and recovery. The contribution of small business to the Australian economy is substantial. There are almost two million small businesses, representing 96% of all businesses in Australia. As the small business sector is Australia's largest employer, providing jobs for 46 percent of the private sector, it is important that they succeed. This research will analyse survival factors d ....Survival of the fittest: The performance of franchised versus independent small business during economic uncertainty and recovery. The contribution of small business to the Australian economy is substantial. There are almost two million small businesses, representing 96% of all businesses in Australia. As the small business sector is Australia's largest employer, providing jobs for 46 percent of the private sector, it is important that they succeed. This research will analyse survival factors during economic uncertainty in order to identify sustainable and enduring success strategies. The study will compare the performance of independently owned and franchised small businesses in both regional and urban communities. Benefits will include improved knowledge about the key factors that drive superior independent and franchised small business performance.Read moreRead less
Environmental and Social Responsibility in the Small and Medium Sized Enterprise Sector: Challenges and Prospects. The proposed research addressed two of the National Research Priorities, viz., promoting an environmentally sustainable Australia (Goal 2: Transforming existing industries), and promoting and maintaining good health (Goal 4: strengthening Australia's social and economic fabric). The research findings will identify best practices in the areas of environmental and social responsibili ....Environmental and Social Responsibility in the Small and Medium Sized Enterprise Sector: Challenges and Prospects. The proposed research addressed two of the National Research Priorities, viz., promoting an environmentally sustainable Australia (Goal 2: Transforming existing industries), and promoting and maintaining good health (Goal 4: strengthening Australia's social and economic fabric). The research findings will identify best practices in the areas of environmental and social responsibility in the SME sector thus contributing to the creation of environmentally and socially sustainable workplaces. By integrating perspectives from multiple stakeholders the research also addresses community environmental and social concerns.Read moreRead less
STRATEGY AND STRUCTURE OF THE KOREAN CHAEBOL: CHANGES AFTER THE 1997 ECONOMIC CRISIS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR AUSTRALIA. Korea is the third largest export market for Australia, however, analysis of the structure and strategy of Korea's largest corporations has been surprisingly neglected by Australian researchers. This project examines recent changes in the operation of the largest family controlled conglomerates in Korea (chaebol), which possess unique features in various aspects, within a dynamic ....STRATEGY AND STRUCTURE OF THE KOREAN CHAEBOL: CHANGES AFTER THE 1997 ECONOMIC CRISIS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR AUSTRALIA. Korea is the third largest export market for Australia, however, analysis of the structure and strategy of Korea's largest corporations has been surprisingly neglected by Australian researchers. This project examines recent changes in the operation of the largest family controlled conglomerates in Korea (chaebol), which possess unique features in various aspects, within a dynamic historical perspective. Case studies will be conducted concentrating on changes of business structure and strategy within Samsung, LG, Hyundai and Daewoo, with particular attention to these companies, response to the 1997 economic crisis and its implications for major trading partners such as Australia.Read moreRead less
The Future of Financial Regulation: Enhancing integrity through design. The global financial crisis and the attendant collapse of major financial institutions have called into question the efficacy of financial regulation and the standards of conduct of the key actors in the financial services sectors and financial markets. Ethical conduct is fundamental to the integrity of Australia's financial services sector and financial markets. This project will make a valuable and innovative contribution ....The Future of Financial Regulation: Enhancing integrity through design. The global financial crisis and the attendant collapse of major financial institutions have called into question the efficacy of financial regulation and the standards of conduct of the key actors in the financial services sectors and financial markets. Ethical conduct is fundamental to the integrity of Australia's financial services sector and financial markets. This project will make a valuable and innovative contribution to the national priority goal of strengthening Australia's social and economic fabric by assisting market actors fulfil their professional roles in an ethical manner. By so doing it accords with the national priority goals of promoting an innovation culture and economy, and safeguarding Australia.Read moreRead less
Managing human resources in an advanced economy from the perspective of emerging Chinese multinationals: the case of NWII in Australia. This project will investigate human resource management practices in the resources sector in Australia and China. The outcomes of this study will provide important theoretical and operational insights into Chinese foreign direct investment for stakeholders such as the Australian government, community, employees and their representatives.
Strategic responses of Australian family-owned businesses in the manufacturing sector to the pressures of globalisation. It is critical that Australian family owned manufacturing businesses respond in the most advantageous way to the pressures of globalisation. Possible strategic responses include selling out to larger companies that have a stronger strategic position, competing off-shore, or take a niche position in the value chain. This research will use a series of case studies to determine t ....Strategic responses of Australian family-owned businesses in the manufacturing sector to the pressures of globalisation. It is critical that Australian family owned manufacturing businesses respond in the most advantageous way to the pressures of globalisation. Possible strategic responses include selling out to larger companies that have a stronger strategic position, competing off-shore, or take a niche position in the value chain. This research will use a series of case studies to determine the contingent factors that best explain strategic response within the ownership and management structure of the family business, and track the impact of specific strategic choices. From this may flow some general principles of appropriate strategic responses given a range of circumstances.Read moreRead less
Managing Transformational Change: A Discursive Approach. This research program will help to improve business competitiveness, which is predicated on the ability to manage transformational change, and add to the Australian repertoire of effective change practices. It will provide insights into social innovation which depends upon effective inter-organizational collaboration by organizations from different sectors to bring about social change. It will help managers in diverse organizations deal wi ....Managing Transformational Change: A Discursive Approach. This research program will help to improve business competitiveness, which is predicated on the ability to manage transformational change, and add to the Australian repertoire of effective change practices. It will provide insights into social innovation which depends upon effective inter-organizational collaboration by organizations from different sectors to bring about social change. It will help managers in diverse organizations deal with issues of sustainability and human health which depend upon managerial capacity in addition to scientific endeavours. It will help locate Australia as a centre of expertise in the use of discourse analysis in organization and management theory. Read moreRead less
Research on Organizational Discourse. This collaboration links Melbourne and Sydney Universities with McGill University and Kings College, the University of London in an international research network that will conduct research and doctoral training on organizational discourse. Organizational discourse represents an important new theoretical and methodological development in organization and management theory and, in carrying out this program, researchers will be working at the leading edge of t ....Research on Organizational Discourse. This collaboration links Melbourne and Sydney Universities with McGill University and Kings College, the University of London in an international research network that will conduct research and doctoral training on organizational discourse. Organizational discourse represents an important new theoretical and methodological development in organization and management theory and, in carrying out this program, researchers will be working at the leading edge of theory development, as well as developing research expertise in Australia. Projects include a Handbook, a special issue of a leading international journal, a new journal, a research methods book, an ARC Discovery application and a series of workshops.Read moreRead less
Harnessing Eco-Friendly Markets to Protect our Natural Resources - Towards A Demand-Driven Paradigm of Sustainable Tourism. The tourism industry makes an important contribution to Australia's national revenues. However, the price the nation pays for tourism is excessive use of natural resources: we are selling the exploitation of our country. This project aims at finding, describing and attracting tourists with a basic interest in environmental protection to visit Australia. By doing so, tourism ....Harnessing Eco-Friendly Markets to Protect our Natural Resources - Towards A Demand-Driven Paradigm of Sustainable Tourism. The tourism industry makes an important contribution to Australia's national revenues. However, the price the nation pays for tourism is excessive use of natural resources: we are selling the exploitation of our country. This project aims at finding, describing and attracting tourists with a basic interest in environmental protection to visit Australia. By doing so, tourism revenues can still be generated for the benefit of Australia while the environmental footprints left behind when the tourists fly back to their home countries can be reduced. Read moreRead less
How can Small Economies Create Globally Competitive Firms in New High-Tech Industries? In today's competitive world, governments have to develop better policies to stimulate economic growth. This research will provide Australian policy makers systematic empirical evidence to develop a dedicated policy aimed at stimulating the internationalization of new ventures in biotechnology, which constitutes a frontier high-tech area. Our study and the policy recommendations that will emerge from it can ha ....How can Small Economies Create Globally Competitive Firms in New High-Tech Industries? In today's competitive world, governments have to develop better policies to stimulate economic growth. This research will provide Australian policy makers systematic empirical evidence to develop a dedicated policy aimed at stimulating the internationalization of new ventures in biotechnology, which constitutes a frontier high-tech area. Our study and the policy recommendations that will emerge from it can have a big economic impact because the health sector in biotechnology is a growing hi-tech area and has much potential to create value for the society. Read moreRead less