Towards Resolution of Franchising Conflict. Franchising is a major sector in the Australian economy with annual turnover greater than $128 billion. Some 35% of franchisors report being involved in substantial disputes with franchisees. This project will investigate the causes of conflict in franchising relationships. Benefits will include a predictive model to identify where conflict is likely to occur in franchising conditions, thereby allowing participants the opportunity to address conflic ....Towards Resolution of Franchising Conflict. Franchising is a major sector in the Australian economy with annual turnover greater than $128 billion. Some 35% of franchisors report being involved in substantial disputes with franchisees. This project will investigate the causes of conflict in franchising relationships. Benefits will include a predictive model to identify where conflict is likely to occur in franchising conditions, thereby allowing participants the opportunity to address conflict before it escalates into dispute. Case studies and recommendations will inform participants and regulatory authorities so as to prevent conflict escalating. This will create a more 'level playing field' for participants and improve financial security for all stakeholders.Read moreRead less
Institutional logics in organisations: The interplay between managerial and professional logics in hospitals. In community surveys, health is consistently regarded as the most important issue by Australian voters. Healthcare is particularly relevant in Queensland, where unprecedented population growth has increased waiting lists. Difficulties in recruiting and retaining qualified staff in Queensland's public hospitals are well-publicised. This research examines how organisational practices withi ....Institutional logics in organisations: The interplay between managerial and professional logics in hospitals. In community surveys, health is consistently regarded as the most important issue by Australian voters. Healthcare is particularly relevant in Queensland, where unprecedented population growth has increased waiting lists. Difficulties in recruiting and retaining qualified staff in Queensland's public hospitals are well-publicised. This research examines how organisational practices within hospitals contribute to these challenges in delivering quality healthcare. Improved work practices, staff retention and hospital performance will result from a better understanding of the interaction of managerial and professional logics in decision making and problem solving in the day-to-day practice of public healthcare.Read moreRead less
Director identity, identification and information flows as predictors of board monitoring, resource provision and organisational performance. Improving the corporate governance of companies has the potential to significantly and profoundly improve our national wealth and social capital. A 0.5% performance gain in listed companies would create an extra $50B for the 55% of Australians that invest in equity markets. Systemic governance improvements can lower the cost of capital for the nation, th ....Director identity, identification and information flows as predictors of board monitoring, resource provision and organisational performance. Improving the corporate governance of companies has the potential to significantly and profoundly improve our national wealth and social capital. A 0.5% performance gain in listed companies would create an extra $50B for the 55% of Australians that invest in equity markets. Systemic governance improvements can lower the cost of capital for the nation, thus improving our international competitiveness. Our findings equally apply to the important not-for-profit sector. Finally, corporate collapses harm shareholders, employees, suppliers creditors and the general community. Quite simply, the ethical and social fibre of society reflects the ethics and values of corporations built into our governance system.Read moreRead less
The Management of Information Technology Based Organisational Change. This project examines the impact of the introduction of new information technology upon employees and their work teams. In particular, it examines how employee perceptions of the communication of change, and their membership of various work groups, influences their response to technology change. The research builds upon our understanding of how the management of technology change can impact upon employee job satisfaction, as w ....The Management of Information Technology Based Organisational Change. This project examines the impact of the introduction of new information technology upon employees and their work teams. In particular, it examines how employee perceptions of the communication of change, and their membership of various work groups, influences their response to technology change. The research builds upon our understanding of how the management of technology change can impact upon employee job satisfaction, as well as their organisational commitment. Research outcomes will include a better conceptual understanding of the key factors that organisations need to manage better during technology change to gain greater benefits for individuals, teams and the organisation.Read moreRead less
A Study of Dynamic Capabilities in Australian and US Born Global Firms. Government policy recommendations for internationalising resources-constrained small and medium firms will be made. Practitioners will be informed of feasible paths for early and rapid internationalisation. Yet-to-internationalise small and medium enterprises will be advised on how to acquire, reconfigure and use capabilities to achieve positional advantages in international markets. The Australian and international academi ....A Study of Dynamic Capabilities in Australian and US Born Global Firms. Government policy recommendations for internationalising resources-constrained small and medium firms will be made. Practitioners will be informed of feasible paths for early and rapid internationalisation. Yet-to-internationalise small and medium enterprises will be advised on how to acquire, reconfigure and use capabilities to achieve positional advantages in international markets. The Australian and international academic community will be better informed of born global internationalisation, enriching teaching and learning practices in entrepreneurship, international business, international marketing, strategic management and small business management.
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Multimedia effectiveness in boosting entrepreneurial Indigenous microenterprises. This research will address a major challenge facing Indigenous people in rural, regional and metropolitan Australia: How can new media boost Indigenous microenterprises? It will do this by examining how Indigenous peoples are using new mkedia to increase community cohesion, employment, investment and tourism. In conjunction with Industry Partner, Kooemba Jdarra, this project will research and evaluate the impact In ....Multimedia effectiveness in boosting entrepreneurial Indigenous microenterprises. This research will address a major challenge facing Indigenous people in rural, regional and metropolitan Australia: How can new media boost Indigenous microenterprises? It will do this by examining how Indigenous peoples are using new mkedia to increase community cohesion, employment, investment and tourism. In conjunction with Industry Partner, Kooemba Jdarra, this project will research and evaluate the impact Indigenous microenterprises have on community development, building theoretical and practical knowledge for cultural and economic sustainability. The outcomes will include a 'best practice' model of Indigenous microenterprises and a map of activity in the area.Read moreRead less
Emotional reactions to job insecurity, emotional intelligence, and their effects on employee behaviour. Insecurity at work is a major experience for many Australian workers and research reveals that perceptions of job insecurity are increasing. A new model of employees? emotional and behavioural reactions to perceptions of job insecurity has been developed that focuses on the emotional aspects of job insecurity and describes how employees cope with job insecurity. This project develops an origin ....Emotional reactions to job insecurity, emotional intelligence, and their effects on employee behaviour. Insecurity at work is a major experience for many Australian workers and research reveals that perceptions of job insecurity are increasing. A new model of employees? emotional and behavioural reactions to perceptions of job insecurity has been developed that focuses on the emotional aspects of job insecurity and describes how employees cope with job insecurity. This project develops an original program of research to empirically explore the impact of emotional reactions to job insecurity and extend the model to look at the effect on individual and team decision-making with the aim of improving businesses response to this increasingly common phenomenon.Read moreRead less
Economic short-termism among Australian firms: A longitudinal investigation of managers' temporal perspectives and their relation to firm strategy and performance. The Business Council of Australia (2004) indicated its concern about the effects of short termism on Australia's future economic prosperity. We assess whether the attention managers give to the present and future when describing firms' strategies in annual reports has changed during 1992-2006. One of the key effects of short-termism ....Economic short-termism among Australian firms: A longitudinal investigation of managers' temporal perspectives and their relation to firm strategy and performance. The Business Council of Australia (2004) indicated its concern about the effects of short termism on Australia's future economic prosperity. We assess whether the attention managers give to the present and future when describing firms' strategies in annual reports has changed during 1992-2006. One of the key effects of short-termism is to reduce firms' focus on innovation. The project offers a direct, unobtrusive indicator of the time frame firms use to shape their strategies. Such evidence helps policy makers decide whether policy action is required; investors determine the seriousness of the problem in different business sectors, and creates a strong foundation for pursuing further research into the possible causes.Read moreRead less
Site-Level Community Engagement Processes in the Australian Minerals Industry: A Comparative Analysis. A key principle of corporate social responsibility is that companies should endeavour to engage with, and be responsive to, the concerns of affected local communities. With the support of four industry partners, this study will compare how community engagement has been practised at seven Australian minerals operations. The study will assess the effectiveness and appropriateness of existing enga ....Site-Level Community Engagement Processes in the Australian Minerals Industry: A Comparative Analysis. A key principle of corporate social responsibility is that companies should endeavour to engage with, and be responsive to, the concerns of affected local communities. With the support of four industry partners, this study will compare how community engagement has been practised at seven Australian minerals operations. The study will assess the effectiveness and appropriateness of existing engagement processes, account for significant differences between sites, and identify opportunities for improving how companies engage with communities. Social Identity Theory will be utilised to structure the research and inform the development of advice to industry on effective engagement strategies.Read moreRead less
Self-Leadership towards Innovation & Well-Being. Innovation and well-being in the workplace are of paramount importance in maintaining Australia's social and economic environment. Self-leadership training provides employees with strategies to build confidence and resilience, identify opportunities in the environment, deriving greater meaning and enjoyment from work. Self-leadership training has already been shown to improve performance; this project extends self-leadership research by testing th ....Self-Leadership towards Innovation & Well-Being. Innovation and well-being in the workplace are of paramount importance in maintaining Australia's social and economic environment. Self-leadership training provides employees with strategies to build confidence and resilience, identify opportunities in the environment, deriving greater meaning and enjoyment from work. Self-leadership training has already been shown to improve performance; this project extends self-leadership research by testing the effects of self-leadership training on employee innovation and well-being. It also elucidates the psychological processes underlying improvements in innovation and well-being. The project addresses ARC Research Priorities 2 and 3 and contributes to Australia's social and economic advancement.Read moreRead less