Combining hydrological information with a multi-regional, computable general equilibrium model. The model to be created will combine a unique amount of economic detail at the statistical division level with hydrological detail. Users will obtain better estimates than previously available on the regional and industrial impacts of different water scenarios. This will produce economic and social returns to the community through improved water policies in the following areas: urban-rural water alloc ....Combining hydrological information with a multi-regional, computable general equilibrium model. The model to be created will combine a unique amount of economic detail at the statistical division level with hydrological detail. Users will obtain better estimates than previously available on the regional and industrial impacts of different water scenarios. This will produce economic and social returns to the community through improved water policies in the following areas: urban-rural water allocation; climate change impact assessment; water reform and water trading; and the economic impacts of meeting environmental objectives. The model will thus provide a path-breaking tool for examining issues arising from COAG reforms and broader policy goals. Read moreRead less
Water derivatives: conceptualisation, price modelling and economic impacts. Introducing water options is likely to provide farmers with more choices on trading their water allocation and enhance water price certainty. Recent seasons have accentuated the potential benefit of water options: regions with highly secure water in the past have suffered repeated shortfalls in allocations. Water options would alter the behaviour of water managers who would need to ensure sufficient carryover to future s ....Water derivatives: conceptualisation, price modelling and economic impacts. Introducing water options is likely to provide farmers with more choices on trading their water allocation and enhance water price certainty. Recent seasons have accentuated the potential benefit of water options: regions with highly secure water in the past have suffered repeated shortfalls in allocations. Water options would alter the behaviour of water managers who would need to ensure sufficient carryover to future seasons to allow for drought. Options markets may improve the allocation of water between competing users. Such markets, by reducing uncertainty, may reduce excessive adjustment costs arising from drought by improving water access security.Read moreRead less
Solving the water crisis in Australian cities and towns with options contracts between urban and rural water users. We will equip water resource managers with a powerful and effective tool for the allocation of water resources between rural and urban sectors. The importance of this bridge cannot be understated. To date urban centres have endured stringent water restrictions to manage dwindling urban suppliers, while ignoring the potential benefits of purchasing water from the irrigated agricul ....Solving the water crisis in Australian cities and towns with options contracts between urban and rural water users. We will equip water resource managers with a powerful and effective tool for the allocation of water resources between rural and urban sectors. The importance of this bridge cannot be understated. To date urban centres have endured stringent water restrictions to manage dwindling urban suppliers, while ignoring the potential benefits of purchasing water from the irrigated agriculture sector. Furthermore, rural communities have suffered hardship due to restricted agricultural production during times of drought. This research proposal represents an exciting solution to both problems and offers the tantalising prospect of water shortages in our capital cities and towns becoming distant memories.Read moreRead less
A History of Foreign Multinational Enterprises in Australia from Federation. We aim to deliver the first history of foreign multinational firms in twentieth-century Australia, connecting to, and enhancing, a rich overseas literature on global business. Foreign corporations have played a critical but poorly understood role here with public and policy opinions polarised between approval for new investment, job creation and innovation against concern for their impact on tax revenue, competition, an ....A History of Foreign Multinational Enterprises in Australia from Federation. We aim to deliver the first history of foreign multinational firms in twentieth-century Australia, connecting to, and enhancing, a rich overseas literature on global business. Foreign corporations have played a critical but poorly understood role here with public and policy opinions polarised between approval for new investment, job creation and innovation against concern for their impact on tax revenue, competition, and economic policy. Through a closer, long term understanding of multinationals – their magnitude, motives to settle here, corporate structures, and adaptation to local conditions – our findings will inform public debate and policy about the roles of foreign investment and foreign enterprises in the Australian economy today.Read moreRead less
Improving Corporate Governance in China's Largest 166 State-Owned Central Enterprise Groups. This is a pioneering study that takes advantage of a unique research opportunity for Australian researchers to be at the forefront of research in the corporate governance of China's largest 166 state-owned central enterprises with which the Australia business sector is increasingly engaged in both trade and investment.
The project will allow Australians to play a leading role in shaping a major reform ....Improving Corporate Governance in China's Largest 166 State-Owned Central Enterprise Groups. This is a pioneering study that takes advantage of a unique research opportunity for Australian researchers to be at the forefront of research in the corporate governance of China's largest 166 state-owned central enterprises with which the Australia business sector is increasingly engaged in both trade and investment.
The project will allow Australians to play a leading role in shaping a major reform in our second most important trading partner and will enhance Australian knowledge of impending trends in strategic areas of mutual interest. It will arm Australia with greater understanding of its many faceted engagements with China.Read moreRead less
The Market for Technology in Australia. Over the last 5 years, formalised markets for technology have accelerated in the US. However, there is no recognised formal market in Australia. Results from our primary data collection and analysis will highlight whether deficiencies in the market for technology are creating obstacles for the commercialisation of Australian technology. This is a particularly important issue for Australia given our relative isolation arising from geographical distance and ....The Market for Technology in Australia. Over the last 5 years, formalised markets for technology have accelerated in the US. However, there is no recognised formal market in Australia. Results from our primary data collection and analysis will highlight whether deficiencies in the market for technology are creating obstacles for the commercialisation of Australian technology. This is a particularly important issue for Australia given our relative isolation arising from geographical distance and lack of attachment to a major trading bloc such as the EU or NAFTA.Read moreRead less
Uncertain Intellectual Property Rights and Start-Up Commercialisation Strategy. This project will consider a perviously unexploited fact about the patent process: that there is a lag between patent application and patent granting during which important trade in ideas (e.g., licensing or other cooperative agreements) can take place. At both theoretical and empirical, we will attempt to understand the drivers of pre-patent licensing and its impact on Coasian bargaining. The aim is to better unders ....Uncertain Intellectual Property Rights and Start-Up Commercialisation Strategy. This project will consider a perviously unexploited fact about the patent process: that there is a lag between patent application and patent granting during which important trade in ideas (e.g., licensing or other cooperative agreements) can take place. At both theoretical and empirical, we will attempt to understand the drivers of pre-patent licensing and its impact on Coasian bargaining. The aim is to better understand the effects of uncertain property rights on the efficient operation of markets for ideas.Read moreRead less
Rethinking diversity and inclusion practices in leadership roles. This project aims to study the lack of racial and gender diversity in management and leadership roles. The noticeable imbalances question the functioning of the meritocracy principle and may lead to organisational and social vulnerabilities. This project will apply large-scale field experiments with major organisations to investigate how workplace diversity and inclusion can be improved using as foundation economic theories of sig ....Rethinking diversity and inclusion practices in leadership roles. This project aims to study the lack of racial and gender diversity in management and leadership roles. The noticeable imbalances question the functioning of the meritocracy principle and may lead to organisational and social vulnerabilities. This project will apply large-scale field experiments with major organisations to investigate how workplace diversity and inclusion can be improved using as foundation economic theories of signaling, discrimination, fairness, and identity. The expected outcome is the identification of best diversity and inclusion practice in attraction, hiring, development and retention. This will provide significant benefit through an increase in workplace diversity.
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Auctions of Standing Trees. This project is critical to the ecological well-being of Australia. Standing trees are extremely important in Australia because they prevent soil erosion and stabilize water tables; their location influences fire risks. Much timber is sold at auction. While it is possible and desirable to learn how other nations use auctions to sell standing trees, information from those locales needs to be used with care when adapting it to the Australian experience. The project ....Auctions of Standing Trees. This project is critical to the ecological well-being of Australia. Standing trees are extremely important in Australia because they prevent soil erosion and stabilize water tables; their location influences fire risks. Much timber is sold at auction. While it is possible and desirable to learn how other nations use auctions to sell standing trees, information from those locales needs to be used with care when adapting it to the Australian experience. The project will use state-of-the art theory and methods to implement novel public policy. It will also develop expertise necessary to implement modern economic methods in environmental policy settings.Read moreRead less
Evaluating the impact of Indigenous preferential procurement programs. This project aims to conduct a multi-disciplinary, multi-method evaluation of the implementation and impacts of Indigenous preferential procurement programs (IPPPs) on Indigenous businesses, Indigenous communities, procurers’ operations and outcomes. Bringing together researchers in partnership with corporate and government procurers, Indigenous data custodians and the Australian Bureau of Statistics we aim to produce a signi ....Evaluating the impact of Indigenous preferential procurement programs. This project aims to conduct a multi-disciplinary, multi-method evaluation of the implementation and impacts of Indigenous preferential procurement programs (IPPPs) on Indigenous businesses, Indigenous communities, procurers’ operations and outcomes. Bringing together researchers in partnership with corporate and government procurers, Indigenous data custodians and the Australian Bureau of Statistics we aim to produce a significant national program evaluation of IPPPs and the impact at the community level. The project aims to highlight ways in which IPPPs can be [re]designed to reduce implementation friction, facilitate access and participation among Indigenous businesses and help guarantee positive effects on Indigenous communities.Read moreRead less