Better communication to solve the under-saving, under-spending puzzle. This project expects to develop evidence-based communication tools that promote life-time financial security, specifically investigating the puzzling and harmful tendency of people to under-save while working and under-spend while retired. To achieve this goal, it will design and experimentally validate innovative boosts to superannuation communication including income projections and goal-setting targeted at common misconcep ....Better communication to solve the under-saving, under-spending puzzle. This project expects to develop evidence-based communication tools that promote life-time financial security, specifically investigating the puzzling and harmful tendency of people to under-save while working and under-spend while retired. To achieve this goal, it will design and experimentally validate innovative boosts to superannuation communication including income projections and goal-setting targeted at common misconceptions and biases. It will use new structural modelling techniques to measure welfare changes. The expected outcomes are rigorous explanations for the saving-spending puzzle, and robust communication strategies for superannuation funds that will benefit workers and retirees by raising financial capability and confidence.Read moreRead less
The adequacy and sustainability of self-managed superannuation funds: Governance, performance, asset allocation, fee structure and compliance. This project will provide research to aid decision makers in policy formation and setting on governance, regulatory and performance issues relating to Self-Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs), which now make up the largest proportion of superannuation assets, accounting for over 30% of the total $1.1 trillion of superannuation assets in Australia. Empir ....The adequacy and sustainability of self-managed superannuation funds: Governance, performance, asset allocation, fee structure and compliance. This project will provide research to aid decision makers in policy formation and setting on governance, regulatory and performance issues relating to Self-Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs), which now make up the largest proportion of superannuation assets, accounting for over 30% of the total $1.1 trillion of superannuation assets in Australia. Empirically driven advice to the Government and the general community on these issues is of substantial importance given the need for retirees to be self-financing and the current adverse conditions experienced in today's financial environment. Research stemming from this project will highlight the value proposition SMSFs may or may not be providing to the superannuation industry.Read moreRead less
A graphical simulation package for optimal management and risk assessment in urban stormwater harvesting systems. We will develop a Scalar Vector Graphics (SVG) simulation tool for optimal management and risk assessment in urban stormwater harvesting and utilisation schemes. The generic model will be applied to existing and proposed schemes within the City of Salisbury (CoS) and will include a capture dam, one or more storage dams and an aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) facility. The discret ....A graphical simulation package for optimal management and risk assessment in urban stormwater harvesting systems. We will develop a Scalar Vector Graphics (SVG) simulation tool for optimal management and risk assessment in urban stormwater harvesting and utilisation schemes. The generic model will be applied to existing and proposed schemes within the City of Salisbury (CoS) and will include a capture dam, one or more storage dams and an aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) facility. The discrete state vector will be the content of each storage unit and the daily transition will be driven by a new stochastic rainfall model (SRM). The objective will be to find a practical management policy that minimises Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR).Read moreRead less
Exploring returns to tone at the top: developing guidelines for effective risk management in retail financial services operations. Effective risk management is fundamental to the future of the Australian economy. This project will develop theory and managerial guidance for facilitating control in balancing risk and return in geographically distributed financial services operations. In turn, this will facilitate a more stable financial services industry and robust economy.
Governance and the investment performance of not-for-profit endowments. Governance and the investment performance of not-for-profit endowments. This project aims to examine the relation between performance and governance for Australian not for profit (NFP) endowments. The not-for-profit sector now accounts for over 4 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) (almost $43 billion) and employs volunteers who contribute an additional $14.6 billion in unpaid work. Little research has been done on ....Governance and the investment performance of not-for-profit endowments. Governance and the investment performance of not-for-profit endowments. This project aims to examine the relation between performance and governance for Australian not for profit (NFP) endowments. The not-for-profit sector now accounts for over 4 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) (almost $43 billion) and employs volunteers who contribute an additional $14.6 billion in unpaid work. Little research has been done on the investment performance of the endowments held by NFPs, even though this is an important contributor to their revenues. Expected outcomes include a publicised set of principles and periodically updated index of endowment governance quality, and attendant improvement in NFP investment management.Read moreRead less
Modelling claim dependencies for the general insurance industry with economic capital in view: an innovative approach with stochastic processes. This project will develop and enhance multi-dimensional models used to describe and assess the risks borne by general insurers. These innovative methods, which will be directly applicable by the industry, will strengthen the efficiency and the safety of the Australian economy.
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
Mandatory pre-funded retirement income schemes: Best policy and practice. This innovative project aims to leverage in-depth knowledge of two mandatory pre-funded retirement income systems, Australia and the Netherlands to create new findings to significantly advance policy and practice in these two countries. Mandatory pre-funded retirement income structures adopt a range of approaches regarding choice and drawdown structures. This project aims to use survey and experimental techniques, and stoc ....Mandatory pre-funded retirement income schemes: Best policy and practice. This innovative project aims to leverage in-depth knowledge of two mandatory pre-funded retirement income systems, Australia and the Netherlands to create new findings to significantly advance policy and practice in these two countries. Mandatory pre-funded retirement income structures adopt a range of approaches regarding choice and drawdown structures. This project aims to use survey and experimental techniques, and stochastic life-cycle models, to investigate comparative choice frameworks and the menu of retirement income products in the two countries. It aims to deliver models for improved policy and retirement income designs, producing outcomes which aim to generate global benefit as more countries move towards this pension paradigm.Read moreRead less
Securing the future of financial services: Building a behavioural model of effective operational risk management. Securing the financial services industry is fundamental to the Australian economy. Effective operational risk management is vital to this goal. It requires appropriate attitudes to operational risk and widespread buy-in to risk management practices. This project will identify managerial controllable factors that ensure more consistent and widespread deployment of effective operationa ....Securing the future of financial services: Building a behavioural model of effective operational risk management. Securing the financial services industry is fundamental to the Australian economy. Effective operational risk management is vital to this goal. It requires appropriate attitudes to operational risk and widespread buy-in to risk management practices. This project will identify managerial controllable factors that ensure more consistent and widespread deployment of effective operational risk management practices and attitudes. It will inform the monitoring activities of regulators. In turn, it will enable the financial services industry to better avoid undesirable risks and to better manage the negative effects of unexpected events. This directly contributes to the future stability of the Australian economy.Read moreRead less
Reshaping superannuation practice in Australia using big data analytics. This project aims to reform superannuation investment practices in Australia. Using sophisticated data analytics and machine-learning techniques, combined with economic modelling and quantitative finance. The project will try to understand the broad characteristics of Australian superannuation investors and their practice from a ‘big data’ perspective. The expected outcomes of this project are the identification of key dete ....Reshaping superannuation practice in Australia using big data analytics. This project aims to reform superannuation investment practices in Australia. Using sophisticated data analytics and machine-learning techniques, combined with economic modelling and quantitative finance. The project will try to understand the broad characteristics of Australian superannuation investors and their practice from a ‘big data’ perspective. The expected outcomes of this project are the identification of key determinants for successful superannuation behaviour to inform decision-making for better superannuation practices and policies. It is expected that the insights arising from this project will contribute to safeguarding the future of Australia’s superannuation schemes, and to better financial security at retirement.Read moreRead less