Learning Mechanisms and the Development of Dynamic Capabilities within Firms. The project has the following national/community benefits: (1) a more comprehensive study of the specific and unique features of the structure and innovative process operating within a major Australian producer of commodities, (2) a greater understanding of how knowledge can be created and captured in the form of firm-level dynamic capabilities, contributing towards the creation of an effective knowledge and innovation ....Learning Mechanisms and the Development of Dynamic Capabilities within Firms. The project has the following national/community benefits: (1) a more comprehensive study of the specific and unique features of the structure and innovative process operating within a major Australian producer of commodities, (2) a greater understanding of how knowledge can be created and captured in the form of firm-level dynamic capabilities, contributing towards the creation of an effective knowledge and innovation economy, and (3) assisting regional communities by providing specific recommendations for generating learning mechanisms and more importantly, capturing value from learning in terms of process improvement and innovation.Read moreRead less
Collaborative Commerce for SMEs in Regional Knowledge Networks. This research project will investigate the most effective and efficient models for regional SMEs to engage in collaborative online commerce. The study will evaluate different models of (cross) regional collaboration and the knowledge management support mechanisms needed to facilitate these. An online assessment system will be developed which can be used by SMEs, SME clusters and local government to identify best fit models for c-com ....Collaborative Commerce for SMEs in Regional Knowledge Networks. This research project will investigate the most effective and efficient models for regional SMEs to engage in collaborative online commerce. The study will evaluate different models of (cross) regional collaboration and the knowledge management support mechanisms needed to facilitate these. An online assessment system will be developed which can be used by SMEs, SME clusters and local government to identify best fit models for c-commerce. A methodology for benefits appraisal of c-commerce will be made available for continual monitoring of real value accrual. Policy guides will be developed for local government identifying best practice models for ICT infastructure development.Read moreRead less
Identity and intimacy in a virtual world: designing meaningful, responsible and effective virtual work. This project will help to bring theories of work design into the twenty-first century by acknowledging the important role of electronic communication reliance and being in remote locations for determining work outcomes, and offering concrete alternatives, including building identity and intimacy, to manage virtual work to leverage benefits and mitigate costs.
The link between corporate governance and sustainability: A contingency approach. Australian businesses will experience decreased economic growth, more health issues and fewer international opportunities if sustainability is not addressed. Sustainability is business approach seeking long-term value by embracing opportunities and managing risk from economic, environmental and social developments. This study will provide insight into optimal board structures to oversee performance across economic, ....The link between corporate governance and sustainability: A contingency approach. Australian businesses will experience decreased economic growth, more health issues and fewer international opportunities if sustainability is not addressed. Sustainability is business approach seeking long-term value by embracing opportunities and managing risk from economic, environmental and social developments. This study will provide insight into optimal board structures to oversee performance across economic, environmental and social dimensions. It will also identify the conditions whereby firms can adapt to market transformation, and determine resource reconfigurations that respond to sustainability challenges.Read moreRead less
A multilevel approach to leadership and dynamic capabilities in organisations. The quality of leadership in Australian organisations has an impact on business productivity, international competitiveness, and employee health and well-being. This research will support the development of leadership skills at different organisational levels. For senior leaders, these skills include developing strategy, allocating resources, and supporting innovation. For team leaders, skills include team coordinatio ....A multilevel approach to leadership and dynamic capabilities in organisations. The quality of leadership in Australian organisations has an impact on business productivity, international competitiveness, and employee health and well-being. This research will support the development of leadership skills at different organisational levels. For senior leaders, these skills include developing strategy, allocating resources, and supporting innovation. For team leaders, skills include team coordination, employee support, and creating flexibility. By supporting interventions that build adaptivity and flexibility in organisations, the research will provide resources to support dynamic organisations to be better equipped to compete in demanding international markets.Read moreRead less
The impact of self-management training on staff satisfaction, absenteeism and an organisation's service culture. Self-management training has been widely suggested as a way to improve organisational performance. Using a classic training intervention approach, the present project will experimentally examine whether such training improves attendance and well-being at work and whether it creates a more positive approach to customers. Further, the study will examine whether changes are maintained ....The impact of self-management training on staff satisfaction, absenteeism and an organisation's service culture. Self-management training has been widely suggested as a way to improve organisational performance. Using a classic training intervention approach, the present project will experimentally examine whether such training improves attendance and well-being at work and whether it creates a more positive approach to customers. Further, the study will examine whether changes are maintained over time. The study will also test whether self-management training improves employees' perceptions of their organisation's service culture and increases their willingness to provide appropriate customer service. The practical implications of such training interventions for Human Resource Management practices in service organisations will also be evaluated.Read moreRead less
Extending Leadership and Learning: Improving the effectiveness of new learning technology for culture change and improved regional business performance. This research project explores the complex relationships between new technology and learning, and the subsequent impact on organisational change and business effectiveness. The study will examine the use of video-conferencing and on-line training packages in the regional locations of a major bank, in order to determine more effective configurati ....Extending Leadership and Learning: Improving the effectiveness of new learning technology for culture change and improved regional business performance. This research project explores the complex relationships between new technology and learning, and the subsequent impact on organisational change and business effectiveness. The study will examine the use of video-conferencing and on-line training packages in the regional locations of a major bank, in order to determine more effective configurations of learning architecture that support organisational culture change and impact on business performance. The organisation has a strategic commitment to cultural change towards leadership and learning. This research intends to examine how new learning technologies can more effectively impact on achieving such cultural change and improved regional equity.Read moreRead less
Optimising value for money in software development through standardised cost metrics in the procurement, development and project management phases. Mission critical and complex software projects habitually exceed budget expectations significantly. Regular outsourcing of software development means that procurement specialists, project managers and software engineers require a common understanding of individual system requirement costs to facilitate accord on price. Contemporary techniques for des ....Optimising value for money in software development through standardised cost metrics in the procurement, development and project management phases. Mission critical and complex software projects habitually exceed budget expectations significantly. Regular outsourcing of software development means that procurement specialists, project managers and software engineers require a common understanding of individual system requirement costs to facilitate accord on price. Contemporary techniques for describing and costing requirements fail to directly map into project management structures, leading to ongoing value comparisons that are subjective and unrepeatable. This research will develop the principles to be used by both clients and suppliers to compute earned value from requirements, leading to more accurate assessments and calculations of Value for Money in software projects.Read moreRead less
Sustainable cooperative enterprise: an investigation into the factors influencing the sustainability and competitiveness of cooperative enterprises. From a national perspective the top 100 Co-operative enterprises control a combined turnover of around $20 billion and provide employment and economic benefits to many thousands of people across both regional and rural Australia. In Western Australia (WA) there are around 70 Co-operatives working across a wide range of industries including fishing, ....Sustainable cooperative enterprise: an investigation into the factors influencing the sustainability and competitiveness of cooperative enterprises. From a national perspective the top 100 Co-operative enterprises control a combined turnover of around $20 billion and provide employment and economic benefits to many thousands of people across both regional and rural Australia. In Western Australia (WA) there are around 70 Co-operatives working across a wide range of industries including fishing, farming, retailing and services sectors. Despite their significance, there is relatively little research available on drivers of the Co-operative business model and what makes it both unique and competitive. This project will address these issues and assist Co-operatives WA to prepare for the introduction of new state legislation and provide research of benefit to Co-operatives at the national level.Read moreRead less