Examinations of the relationship between accreditation and clinical and organisational performance. Accreditation of organisations is now commonplace. It involves assessing organisations against pre-defined standards. This is a highly significant issue because of the millions of dollars of investment in accreditation. We do not know if we achieve value for money or whether positive change is associated with accreditation. Few studies have examined this in detail. We aim to do so in this stud ....Examinations of the relationship between accreditation and clinical and organisational performance. Accreditation of organisations is now commonplace. It involves assessing organisations against pre-defined standards. This is a highly significant issue because of the millions of dollars of investment in accreditation. We do not know if we achieve value for money or whether positive change is associated with accreditation. Few studies have examined this in detail. We aim to do so in this study. We will examine organisational and individual performance associated with accreditation status in order to illuminate the process and uncover any associations between accreditation and organisational culture, consumer participation and clinical (individual) performance indicators.
Read moreRead less
The relationship between working arrangements and well-being in regional coal-mining communities. Our project aims to strengthen Australia's social fabric and help prevent psychological health problems by examining social capital in Australian coal mining communities in a holistic way. We integrate these aims with analysis of working and employment arrangements (including contracting and working hours), occupational health and safety and psychological well-being. Issues for groups that have not ....The relationship between working arrangements and well-being in regional coal-mining communities. Our project aims to strengthen Australia's social fabric and help prevent psychological health problems by examining social capital in Australian coal mining communities in a holistic way. We integrate these aims with analysis of working and employment arrangements (including contracting and working hours), occupational health and safety and psychological well-being. Issues for groups that have not been systematically considered before including women miners, long distance commute workers and miners' families, are to be addressed in this large scale Australian survey. This project helps strengthen Australian economic fabric by tackling some major labour problems facing the coal industry. Read moreRead less
Evaluating the Benefits of Regional e-Marketplaces for SMEs. Electronic marketplaces proliferate yet there are few research studies on the benefits of electronic-trading and its impact on businesses, particularly SMEs. Should a company join an e-marketplace and if so which one should it select and what criteria should be used to evaluate the appropriate model? This research project explores these issues and examines the benefits of a unique e-market concept "2Cities" sponsored by regional govern ....Evaluating the Benefits of Regional e-Marketplaces for SMEs. Electronic marketplaces proliferate yet there are few research studies on the benefits of electronic-trading and its impact on businesses, particularly SMEs. Should a company join an e-marketplace and if so which one should it select and what criteria should be used to evaluate the appropriate model? This research project explores these issues and examines the benefits of a unique e-market concept "2Cities" sponsored by regional government and focussed on SMEs. The findings and recommendations will be of immense value in regional economic planning and provide business and Government with a best practice model for e-marketplace participation for improved economic development.Read moreRead less
Facilitating Capacity Building in the Australian Not-For-Profit Sector through Improved Work Learning. This project aims to investigate how both formal and informal work learning can improve the governance, leadership, and management capacity of not-for-profit organisations (NFPs). The research aims to identify key competencies, and chart the needs, opportunities, preferences, and barriers to develop them on a national scale. Organisational mechanisms under managerial control are further examine ....Facilitating Capacity Building in the Australian Not-For-Profit Sector through Improved Work Learning. This project aims to investigate how both formal and informal work learning can improve the governance, leadership, and management capacity of not-for-profit organisations (NFPs). The research aims to identify key competencies, and chart the needs, opportunities, preferences, and barriers to develop them on a national scale. Organisational mechanisms under managerial control are further examined to understand what facilitates work learning within NFPs. Findings aims to inform theory, practice and policy about professional development and capacity building to enhance NFPs’ ability to make a strong social impact. Outcomes aim to significantly strengthen Australia’s social and economic fabric by building effectiveness within the critical NFP sector.Read moreRead less
Contemporary contestations over working time: should health weigh in? In the last 30 years, the demand for economic competitiveness has driven the growth in flexible employment conditions, with little consideration of the impacts on the nation’s health. Using mixed methods, the research tests a new theory that when governments deregulate labour markets they destabilise cultural practices, with potential health and well-being consequences. It also determines whether and how the health implication ....Contemporary contestations over working time: should health weigh in? In the last 30 years, the demand for economic competitiveness has driven the growth in flexible employment conditions, with little consideration of the impacts on the nation’s health. Using mixed methods, the research tests a new theory that when governments deregulate labour markets they destabilise cultural practices, with potential health and well-being consequences. It also determines whether and how the health implications of flexible work practices are considered in recent reviews of the Fair Work Act and the Modern Award Review Process. The research fills a policy vacuum in relation to the health impacts of the temporalities of working life, and will contribute to understanding time as both a cultural and economic resource. 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
Technology and innovation management in high risk situations. The value of Australian bulk commodity exports and container imports is expected to double from $400 billion to $800 billion by 2020, placing considerable pressure on port waters. This project will examine the challenge whereby port operators are both encouraged to take risks to innovate but are constrained by the consequences of risk.
The Changing Roles and Responsibilities of Company Boards and Directors. This research project will examine the changing roles and responsibilities of company boards and directors, in the wake of CLERP 9, the new ASX corporate governance principles, and other recent best-practice guidelines in Australia. These guidelines themselves stemmed from widespread government, investor and public concerns regarding standards of accountability, disclosure and performance. There will be three levels of anal ....The Changing Roles and Responsibilities of Company Boards and Directors. This research project will examine the changing roles and responsibilities of company boards and directors, in the wake of CLERP 9, the new ASX corporate governance principles, and other recent best-practice guidelines in Australia. These guidelines themselves stemmed from widespread government, investor and public concerns regarding standards of accountability, disclosure and performance. There will be three levels of analysis firstly changes in values and beliefs among company boards and directors regarding corporate governance; secondly changes in structures and procedures; and finally changes in practices and behaviour. This will enable comparison with the adoption of corporate governance reforms internationally.Read moreRead less
Managing the risks of cross-sector R&D collaboration. One of the most interesting and dynamic forms of cross-sector R&D collaboration in Australia occurs through the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) Program. This study investigates how collaboration and 'risk' is managed among CRCs and their partners. It is pioneering research bringing two aspects of cross-sector collaboration into a single, longitudinal study. The study will produce new knowledge concerning: management processes in cross-secto ....Managing the risks of cross-sector R&D collaboration. One of the most interesting and dynamic forms of cross-sector R&D collaboration in Australia occurs through the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) Program. This study investigates how collaboration and 'risk' is managed among CRCs and their partners. It is pioneering research bringing two aspects of cross-sector collaboration into a single, longitudinal study. The study will produce new knowledge concerning: management processes in cross-sector R&D, organisational change and the impact of sustained collaboration on partners, and the role of public policy on collaborative R&D in Australia.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