Celebrating - rmit.edu.au · BOARDROOM DIVERSITY ... , FinTech, Industry 4.0, CleanTech, FoodTech,...
Transcript of Celebrating - rmit.edu.au · BOARDROOM DIVERSITY ... , FinTech, Industry 4.0, CleanTech, FoodTech,...
College of Business
RMITbusinessresearch.com.au
Research Impact
Celebrating
Contents
Foreword 4
ProfessorGeoffreyStokes
News Shorts 5
Research Highlights 6
Research Features
Improvinggloballogisticsnetworks 7
Crackingdownonlabourhireexploitation 8
Caringforourcareworkers 10
Buildingbiomedicalinnovation,layerbylayer 11
RMIT’snewblockchaingangexploresopportunities 12
Improvingvisionboostsproductivityandwell-being: AVietnameseperspective 14
Gettingsmarterwithnewtechnologyconsumerrights 16
Economicsofaddiction 17
Restructuringthirdsectorthinking 18
Thebestofbothworlds:Balancingcreativityandcommercialism 19
Makingirrelevantconvictionshistory 20
Blazingatrailforinnovation 22
RestartingtheglobalITenvironment 24
Wearabletechnologyunlocksentrepreneurs’emotions 25
Goodqualityworkunderpinsgoodqualitycare 26
Research Overview 28
Acknowledgements: ProducedbytheBusinessResearchOffice,locatedon Level7,SwanstonAcademicBuilding, 445SwanstonStreet,Melbourne,Victoria
Questions and enquiries: [email protected]
Credits: RyanWendtandHannahTribe
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News ShortsForewordBOARDROOM DIVERSITY ResearchundertakenbyPhDcandidateShereneSmithindicatesalackofdiversityinAustraliancompanyboards,withnewmembersoftenselectedfromaclosecircleofacquaintances,andalackoffocusonrelevantqualificationsorexperience.AccordingtoSmiththisstrategyisproblematic,withboardmemberspreferringtoprotecttheirself-interestsbyconformingtothestatusquoofthegroupratherthanconsideringthebestinterestsofthecompanyanditsstakeholders.
HIGHLIGHTING ECONOMIC ABUSEResearchconductedbyPhDcandidateJozicaKutinisinvestigatingeconomicabuseinyoungAustralianadults.Accordingtotheirstudies,the18to29agegroupisoftenunlikelytoseekassistance,beingunabletoidentifyindicatorsofthisformofexploitation.Economicabuseoccurswhenonepartnerexertscontrolovertheother’saccesstofinances,assetsorfinancialdecision-makingability,andhasbeenfoundtoaffect15.7percentofwomenand7.1percentofmeninAustraliaduringtheirlifetimes.
RMIT LEGAL SPECIALIST WORKING WITH THE UNLawacademic,DrJonathanKolieb,hasbeenengagedasLegalSpecialistbytheUnitedNationsonaprojecttostrengtheninternationallegalprotectionsofchildrenaffectedbywar.Theshort-termaimoftheworkistoassisttheUNSpecialRepresentativeoftheSecretary-GeneralforChildrenandArmedConflicttoconstructivelyengagewiththe Inquiry on Protecting Children in Conflict. Going forward,thisworkwillinformthedesignofaUNstrategytoimprovetheimplementationoftheinternationallegalframeworksthatprotectchildreninarmedconflict,andshapetheapproachoftheUNsystemtowardsbetterimplementation.
THE CASE FOR PRISON LIBRARIESTheUSDepartmentofJusticehasbeenusingthefindingsofarecentRMITPhDgraduateasevidencetosupportamajorresearchprojectwhichseekstodemonstratehowprisonlibrariescontributetocorrectionaloutcomes.DrJaneGarner,whosePhDthesisisentitled The lived experience of Australian prison libraries: A phenomenological study,hasspokentotheDepartmentofJustice’sNationalInstituteofCorrectionsinWashingtonDCandpresentedanumberofwaysthatprisonlibrariescansupportprisoners,prisonstaff,andthebroadercommunity,whilealsoassistingprisonsinmeetingmanyoftheirdesiredoutcomes.
GLOBAL INNOVATION COLLABORATIONAteamledbytheDirectorofRMIT’s GlobalBusinessInnovationEnablingCapabilityPlatform(ECP),ProfessorAnne-LaureMention,andincludingcolleaguesfromRMITEurope,hassecured€2.5millioninEuropeanresearchsupportfunding.Named OpenInnoTrain,theprojectwilldevelopaninternationalandinter-sectoralnetworkofresearchersandindustrypractitionerscollaborativelyworkingonopeninnovation,university-industrycooperationandresearchtranslationpractices.Theprojectwillfacilitateknowledgedevelopmentandsharinginfourcontemporaryareas,FinTech,Industry4.0,CleanTech,FoodTech,andwillfund540monthsofscientificexchangesoverfouryears.
ItismypleasuretolaunchthebookletCelebrating Research Impact.
Thegrowthofknowledgeisoneofthecoregoalsofalluniversities.AtRMITUniversitytheacademicstaffarededicatedtoknowledgecreationthroughresearch,andknowledgedisseminationthroughindustryengagementandteaching.AmajorpriorityoftheCollegeofBusinessistoundertakeresearchincollaborationwithindustry.Forthisreason,thestaffproducehighqualitypublications,robustpolicyadvice,andcriticalanalysesonthemanychallengesconfrontingbusiness,government,andthecommunitysector.
Ourresearchinterestsextendacrosstheglobe.LeadingresearchersintheCollegeareinternationallyrecognisedandwidelypublishedintop-rankingjournals.Theybringtoindustrypartnershipstheirexpertisefromthedisciplinesofmanagement,law,accounting,digitalinformationandcommunications,informationmanagement,logisticsandsupplychainmanagement,marketing,economics,andfinance.
TheCollegehostsanumberofresearchcentres,groupsandclustersthataredistinguishedbytheircommitmenttoresearchexcellenceandlinkstoindustry.CollegeresearchersworkcloselywiththeUniversity'sunique,interdisciplinaryEnablingCapabilityPlatforms,particularlyGlobalBusinessInnovation,SocialChange,andUrbanFutures.Ourresearchfeedsdirectlyintohighqualitysupervisionofdoctoralcandidatesandtransformativelearningexperiencesforundergraduatestudents.Exposuretosupervisionandteachingthatisinformedbyresearchenablesourgraduatestobebetterpreparedfortheworldofwork.
TheCollegehasasuperblocationintheheartofMelbournethatenablesresearcherstoconnectdirectlywithawiderangeofbusiness,government,andsocialorganisations.Weinviteyoutolearnmoreaboutourresearchersandtheimpactstheyhavemade.Please getintouchifyouwouldliketoworkwithus.
Professor Geoffrey Stokes DeputyProVice-Chancellor, ResearchandInnovation
From the Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation
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Research Highlights
329
Sources: SciVal, Scopus Sources: SciVal, Scopus
5,013Scopus citations received by College researchers for the three year publication period, 2015-17
46%
186 Non-Scopus ERA eligible outputs
Scopus publications
Citations
Proportion of publications in top
quartile journals
Proportion of 2015-17 Scopus publications by College
researchers in the top 25 per cent of world journals
Sources: SciVal, Scopus
“43%
Percentage of College Scopus
publications featuring an international collaborator
Source: SciVal
343
50HDR completions
HDR enrolments
Source: ResearchMaster
Source: ResearchMaster
Outputs published in 2017
2017
2017
2018 YTD (October)18PhD Scopus publications
Source: SciVal
2018 YTD (October)
Chinaiscurrentlyundertakingoneofthelargesttradeandinfrastructureprojectsinthehistory
ofhumankind.KnownastheBeltandRoadInitiative(BRI),theventurehasalreadyledtoanoutlayofnearlyUS$1trillion–withUS$3-7trillionmoretocome–onbuildinganetworkofports,railways,bridges,gaspipelinesandroadsinabidtolinkthecountrywith71nationsinAsia,Africa,EuropeandOceania.
TheBRIaimstonotonlyimproveChina’sconnectivitybutalsoformnewtradepoliciesandeconomicstrategies,energisingresourcecooperationandengenderingbusinesspartnershipsintheprocess.
ProfessorPremChhetriisco-leadingtheReconfiguringEastAsianLogisticsNetworksundertheOne Belt, One Road EnvironmentprojecttounderstandthelikelychallengesassociatedwithemerginglogisticsnetworksinEastAsia.
“ThisprojectwillhelpleveragethecompetitivestrengthsofcompaniesinAsiabyengagingglobalthoughtleadersoncollectivelyharnessingBRIbusinesspotentialtocreatenewopportunitiesfortrade,investment,technologicalinnovationandmovementoflabour,”saysProfessorChhetri.
Theremovaloftradebarriers,transportationbottlenecksandincreasedsustainabledevelopmentareapotentialchallengeforEastAsia.Take,forexample,thetransportoflargewineconsignments.DistributionwithinAsiatypicallyinvolvesair,roadandwatertransport,however,onlycountrieswithexcellentmulti-modaltransportservicesarepositionedtobecomeelitewinegateways.
Asanintegralpartoftheproject,ProfessorChhetriandresearchersfromInhaUniversityinSouthKoreaandZhejiangUniversityinChinahaveevaluatedinternationalcitiesbasedonlogisticsinfrastructurecapacityandserviceresponsiveness.Theiraimistobetterunderstandhowthesecitiescopewithhighlevelsoftradingactivityacrossmultipletransportationmethods.
Thefindingsfromthisrecentresearchindicatetheprevalenceofamulti-tiersystemwhereinShanghaiandHongKongconstitutematuremarkets,setapartbytheirabilitytoundertakecomplexlogisticsprojectsonaglobalscale.Incontrast,Manila,JakartaandBangalorearemakingslowbutsteadyprogresstowardsimprovingtheirlogisticsinfrastructurecapacityandserviceresponsiveness,andDhaka,PhnomPenhandHoChiMinhCityrequirefurtherenhancement.
Asnextsteps,ProfessorChhetriandhisteamwillcollaboratewithinternationalagenciestoexaminetheglobalimpactandsignificanceoftheBRIoninfrastructuredevelopment,shiftintradepatternsandimprovementininternationallogistics.YoucancontinuetofollowProfessorChhetri’sdevelopmentsbyvisitingtheGlobalSupplyChainandLogisticswebsite:www.rmit.edu.au/about/our-education/academic-schools/business-it-and-logistics/research/global-supply-chain-and-logistics/research-projects
IMPROVING global logistics networks
Professor Prem ChhetriProfessor of Supply Chain and Logistics and Director of the Global Supply Chain and Logistics Research Priority Area in the School of Business IT and Logistics
Professor Prem Chhetri is leading a
project that focusses on the impacts
and consequences of China's
Belt and Road Initiative, which
is transforming Asia’s transport
and service infrastructure.
$3.9 MILLIONTotal research income
Source: ResearchMaster
Three year average, 2015-17
Source: SciVal
Field weighted citation impact Percentage above world average, 2015-17 three year average
31%
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Professor Anthony ForsythProfessor of Law in the Graduate School of Business and Law
CRACKING down on labour hire exploitation
In2015,reportsofunderpaidwagesandunfairtreatmentintheworkplacemadenewsheadlines
acrossAustralia.Storiesofdisreputeimplicatedseveralsectors,andthe7-Elevenunderpaymentscandalreceivedwidespreadmediacoverage. Withtheproblemexposed,theVictorianGovernmentcommittedtoacomprehensiveinquiryintothe labourhireindustry,promisingtouncoverthe extentoftheproblemandaddressexploitationofvulnerableworkers.
In2015ProfessorAnthonyForsythbecameindependentChairoftheVictorianGovernmentInquiryintotheLabour Hire Industry and Insecure Work,appointedtoexamineexploitationofvulnerableworkersintheVictorianlabourhiresectorandmakerecommendationsforimprovementsinthelaw.Duringhisinvestigations,hereceivedover700writtensubmissionsfromkeystakeholders,includingunions,workers,businessgroups,labourhirecompanies,communityorganisationsandacademics.HealsoheldsevenpublichearingsinbothregionalandurbanVictoriatolearnaboutindividualexperiences.
Thesehearingsunveiledmistreatmentincertainsectors,predominantlywithinhorticulture,meatandpoultryprocessingplants,andinthecleaningindustrywherecomplexcontractingchainsarecommon.“Theprovisionofworkersthroughthirdpartyproviders,suchaslabourhirecompaniesorcontractors,involvedmistreatmentusuallyintheunderpaymentofwages,”summarisesProfessorForsyth.Malpracticealsoincludedunsafeworkplaces,non-paymentofsuperannuation,cash-in-handwork,unlawfultax
arrangements,andsubstandardaccommodationlinkedtotheprovisionofruralworksuchasfruitpickingandwineproduction.
Inlightofthisevidence,andinconsiderationofstatisticaldata,academicliterature,andexistingAustralianandinternationalregulations,ProfessorForsythpresentedhisfindingstotheVictorianGovernmentandrecommendedtheestablishmentofalabourhirelicensingschemeinVictoria.“It’saboutkeepingalevelplayingfield,"hesays.“Aswellasbenefittingworkers,theproposedlicensingrequirementswillpreventbusinesseswithgoodintentionsfrombeingundercutbythosemoreinclinedtorippeopleoff.”
In2017,labourhirelicensinglegislationwaspassedinQueenslandandSouthAustraliafollowingParliamentaryinquiriesineachstate.HavingacceptedalmostallofProfessorForsyth’s35recommendations,theVictorianGovernmentintroducedtheLabourHireLicensingBillintoStateParliamentinlate2017.FollowingdebateinbothHouses,theBillwaspassedinJune2018.
ProfessorForsythconsidershisworkontheinquirytohavebeenveryrewarding.“Itisgoodforacademicstobeinvolvedinpolicydevelopment,toadaptourknowledgetorealsocialandeconomicproblems,andlendourexpertisetosolvethem.”ThenewlabourhirelicensinglawwillbeapositivestepinthefightagainstworkplaceexploitationinVictoria–andamodelforreformatthenationallevel.
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Doctor Fiona MacdonaldSenior Research Fellow at the Centre for People, Organisation and Work in the School of Management
Longerdays,lowerpay,increaseddiscriminationandgreaterrisks:thedailychallengesand
difficultworkingconditionsexperiencedbyAustralia’ssocialcareworkersarebeingcompoundedbyachangingnationalinfrastructure.
DrFionaMacdonaldisleadingaprogramofresearchinvestigatingtheimpactofAustralia’snewNationalDisabilityInsuranceScheme(NDIS)–widelyregardedasthecountry’slargestsocialreformsinceMedicare–onthenatureofjobsandworkingconditionsforcareworkersinthe$22billionnationaldisabilitysector.
“MyresearchaddressesquestionscriticaltosocialandeconomicoutcomesarisingfromtheNDIS,includinghowtoimprovehealth,welfareandsocialcohesionforpeoplewithdisabilitywhileenhancingtheeffectivenessoforganisationsandensuringdisabilitysupportworkershavedecentjobs,”sheexplains.
Todate,DrMacdonaldhasmadeseveraldiscoveriesregardingNDIS’impactonthejobqualityofcareworkersandthequalityoftheirsupportandcareforpeoplewithdisability.Forexample,her2016researchintoNDIS’cash-for-careapproachfoundthemoveawayfrompayingcareorganisationsusingblock-fundingmaybeleadingthemtobecomemorecompetitive,flexibleandresponsive…butattheexpenseoftheirstaff.Workers–whoaremainlyfemale–areexperiencingmorefragmentedworkingtime,dwindlingworkconditionsandincreasedskillexpectationswithoutreceivingpropertraining.
TheNDISisalsoworseningissuescareworkershavefacedforalongtime.Forexample,homecareworkershavelongfoughtforproperremunerationoftraveltimeanddowntimebetweenappointments.DrMacdonald’smostrecentstudy,undertakenwithRMITcolleaguesMsEleanorBenthamandMsJennyMalone,showedthatthisbattleisfarfromover.UndertheNDIS,employersarenotpayingworkersforhoursspenttravellingtoorwaitingfortheirnextappointment.Thismeansthatworkersarebeingpaidbelowtheirminimumentitlements–insomecasesmissingoutonpayformultiplehoursofworkinasingleday.
DrMacdonaldhascommunicatedtheseresearchfindingstokeystakeholdersasaninvitedkeynotespeakeratseveralindustryevents,includingtheAustralianServicesUnionNationalDelegatesConference.Byinvitation,shehaspresentedherevidencetotheCommonwealthParliament’sJointStandingCommitteeontheNationalDisabilityInsuranceScheme.Additionally,herresearchreportsandrecommendationshaveprovidedtheevidencebaseforidentifyingpolicydirectionsata2017NDISWorkforceForuminCanberraattendedbyFederalOppositionfrontbenchers.
Lookingforward,DrMacdonaldhasseveralplanstoexpandherresearchintotheNDISworkforce,andsheiscurrentlycollaboratingwithcolleaguesattheCentreforFutureWorkattheAustraliaInstitutetoextendthepotentialforresearchimpact.
CARING for our care workers
MY RESEARCH ADDRESSES QUESTIONS
THAT ARE CRITICAL TO SOCIAL
AND ECONOMIC OUTCOMES.”
“
Bynow,mostofuswillhaveheardof3Dprintinganditsalmostboundlesspotentialforapplication
invariousareasofourlives.Thisrevolutionarytechnologyisasubsetofadditivemanufacturing,andisnowthefocusofamajorprojectfundedbyRMITUniversity,lookingatitsroleasa‘disruptivetechnology’intheMedicalTechnology(MedTech)industry.
DrSamTavassoliispartofacollaborationbringingtogetherresearchersfromLundUniversityinSweden,andindustrypartnersStrykerandOMXSolutions,toinvestigatetheadoptionofadditivemanufacturinginthemedicaldevicesector.Inparticular,thestudyaimstoexplorehowitmightimpactupontheemergenceofentrepreneurialopportunities,predominantlyinrelationtoimplantsforthespine,hipsandotherjoints.
“Althoughthebiomedicalindustryhasgreatpotentialtobeinnovative,itishighlyregulatedandtechnologicallyuncertain.Tensionsalsoexistbetweenthevariousstakeholders,includingmanufacturers,regulatorybodies,insurersandsurgeons,whichfurtherimpedeinnovationsuchas3Dprintedtechnology.Thisresearchaimstounlockthepotentialofadditivemanufacturingapplicationsandhelpcompaniestoexploitthistechnology,”explainsDrTavassoli.
Additivemanufacturingofferstheadvantagesofaccuracyandaffordability,withproductsbuiltlayerbylayerthankstocomputer-aided-design(CAD)software.Anexpertineconomicsofinnovationandtechnologicalchange,DrTavassoliperceivesagreatopportunityforMedTechtoprofitfromthistechnologyintheproductionofmedicalimplants.
“Additivemanufacturingwillbenefitpotentialnewentrantstotheindustry,incumbentfirms,andtheoverallhealthcaresystem.Itwillalsoofferabenchmarkinuniversity-industrycollaborationthankstoRMIT’sleadership,”assertsDrTavassoli.
Theresearchteamplanstodevelopsolutionstoremovetechnological,marketandregulatorybarriersfor3Dprintedmedicaldevices.Biomedicalcompaniesarelikelytofindvalueinlearninghowtoincorporatethetechnologyintotheirbusinessplan,andwithmanysuchfirmsbasedinMelbourne,DrTavassolihopestoseethefruitsoftheresearchfirsthand.
Incollaborationwithabout80stakeholders,theresearchteamhasalreadycreatedtheindustry roadmapthatidentifiesthetrends,capabilitiesandbarrierstoadoptvariousapplicationsof3Dprintinginthemedicaldeviceindustry.Butthejourneydoesn’tendthere,withplanstocreatecomprehensiveguidelinesforovercomingbarriersinadopting additivemanufacturing.
Theteam’sguidelinesareexpectedtoleadtosignificantvaluecreation,includingmorejobsandanoverallexpansionoftheindustryasentrepreneurialstart-upsemergeandincumbentfirmsexploittheirbusinesses.Bestofall,patientswillprofitfromadramaticallyreducedcostinimplantsduetoimportreplacement.ThismeansmoreaffordableimplantsnotonlyinAustralia,butalsoglobally.
BUILDING biomedical innovation, layer by layer
Doctor Sam TavassoliLecturer in the School of Management
Dr Sam Tavassoli's project,
Adoption and Diffusion of Disruptive Technologies: The Case of Additive Manufacturing in MedTech Industry, is
funded by two of RMIT’s Enabling
Capability Platforms: Global
Business Innovation, and Advanced
Manufacturing and Fabrication.
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Whenhearingthephrase‘blockchain’,manypeopleimmediatelythinkofthe
cryptocurrencyknownasBitcoin.However,blockchainismorethanjustatechnologythathelpspeoplesendandreceivevirtualmoney;itisatechnologicaladvancementredefiningthewaysocietythinksaboutrecord-keepingandtrust.
Seeingthetechnology’spotentialinawiderangeoffields,ProfessorJasonPottsestablishedRMITUniversity’sBlockchainInnovationHubin2017.TheHubisexploringhowrapidlyadvancingblockchaintechnologywillemergeasthefoundationforanewworldwideeconomicinfrastructureforinnumerableindustries–rangingfromfinancetopowerdistribution–byincreasingtransparencyandsecurity.TheHub’steambringstogetherresearchersinthefieldsofeconomics,politicaleconomy,organisationaltheory,law,sociology,politicsandcommunications,illustratingthevastpotentialofthetechnologytoinfluencedifferentareasofsociety.
“OurresearchfacilitatestheadoptionofblockchaintechnologywithintheAustralianeconomy,”saysProfessorPotts.“Theeconomicimpactofthiswillsubsequentlyemergeviabetterbusinessstrategiesforblockchainadoptionandimprovedgovernmentregulation.”
Ascryptocurrenciesedgeintothemainstream,theHubalsoexaminestheimpactofblockchainonthewidereconomyandsociety,aswellasthepoliticalprocess,developingmetricstomeasuretheuptakeofwhatremainsarelativelymysterioustechnology.
TheHubisconcentratingitsresearchonahostofareassuchasTradeTech,theapplicationofinnovativetechnologytoglobalsupplychains.Italsoprovidesadviceinordertoshapethekindofhigh-levelinternationalpolicythatisvitalforutilisingblockchainintradesituations.
Furthermore,theHubseesgreatpotentialfortheuseofblockchaininhealthcare,lookingatefficientsystemsthatdealwiththetransmissionofhighlysensitiveinformationandhowblockchaintechnologycanprovidetheinfrastructuretosecurelytransmitdata.Thisincludesthecreationofessentialdatapoolsforcutting-edgemedicalresearch.
RMIT’S new blockchain gang explores opportunities
Professor Jason Potts Professor of Economics in the School of Economics, Finance and Marketing and Director of the Blockchain Innovation Hub
Thesubjectofidentityiscentraltoalleconomic,politicalandsocialexchange,anditisanothercomponentoftheHub’sagenda.Currently,identitydataisoftenheldintheformofpoorlymaintainedcompanyrecords,endlessgovernmentregistriesandsocialmediadatabases,whicharenotoriouslyunreliable.TheHubexploreshowblockchaintechnologycanallowforidentitydatatobeheldandcontrolledbyindividuals,andexaminestheimpactonprivacy,civillibertiesandwidersociety.
“Asasolutiontotheproblemofdistributedsecurerecord-keepingandupdating,theuseofblockchaintechnologywillextendfarbeyonddigitalmoney.Webelieveitrepresentsthedawnofanewgenerationofeconomicinfrastructure,”enthusesProfessorPotts.
InpartnershipwithexpertsattheUniversityofBrightonintheUK,ProfessorPottshasalsobeencarryingoutamuchmoreabstractandpioneeringuseofthetechnology.Theyarebuildingamusicalinstrumentontheblockchain.
ProfessorPottsexplains:“Nearly400yearsago,JohannesKeplergavetheworldhisthreelawsofplanetarymotion.Whatmostpeopledon’trealiseisthatKeplermadehisdiscoveriesusingmusictoinvestigatethemotionofplanets;heevencreatedmusicalnotationsandinstructionsforhowtohearandplaygeometricalforms.CombiningblockchaintechnologywithKepler’sworkandwithdatarepresentingmodelsofthesolarsystem,wearebuildingConcordia,animmersivevirtualreality-basedinstrumentthroughwhichuserscan‘play’theplatform’sdatastructuresand‘hear’whatoursolarsystem’scelestialbodiessoundlike.”
Withthewide-rangingpotentialblockchainoffers,RMITaimstobeattheforefrontofinnovationinthefield.Withthisinmind,ProfessorPottsandhiscollaboratorsintheHubarealreadydevelopingseveralnewcoursesandmicro-credentialsaimedatundergraduates,postgraduatesandanexecutiveaudience,allkeentokeeptheirfingersonthedigitalpulse.
FindoutmoreabouttheHub’sblockchainactivitiesandRMIT’snewblockchaincoursesbyvisiting:https://sites.rmit.edu.au/blockchain-innovation-hub
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Visionlossrobspeopleoftheirproductivity,healthandhappiness,andthelinkbetweenpoverty
andblindnessisbeyonddoubt.Whenyouaddtheconnectionbetweenfailingeyesightandcomorbidities,suchasmentalillness,thecataractcrisisacrossthedevelopingworldcomesintosharpfocus.
Asitstands,untreatedcataractsremainthelargestcauseofblindnessorvisionimpairmentaroundtheworld.InVietnamalone,therateofcataractsurgicalavailabilityisnotrisingsufficientlytomatchtheincreaseincataractsufferers.Thoughsurgicalratesdoubledbetween2007and2014,thenumberofpeopleover50yearsofagesufferingfrombilaterallowvisionroseby500,000.Thereareapproximately1.1millionpeopleinVietnamlivingwithuntreatedcataractcases.
Yettheeconomicbenefitsfromcataractsurgeryareclear.Historicalresearchconfirmsthatsuccessfulproceduresinpoorerareashaveledtoimportanteconomicimprovements,withstudiesconcentratingonadditionalincomeearnedinlabourmarketsasanauthoritativegauge.
However,theeconomicimpactalonehasnotbeenenoughtoattracttheleveloffundingneeded.ResearchconductedbyProfessorSimonFeeny,AssociateProfessorAlbertoPossoandtheirteamisfillingthegapsinthenarrativetoprovidetheevidencedonorsneed.Thetotalvalueofcorrectiveeyesurgeryshouldbejudgedbyoverallevaluationsofthepeopleinvolved,notsimplybytheirabilitytowork,accordingtothefindingsoftheirstudyBeyond Monetary Benefits of Restoring Sight in Vietnam: Evaluating Well-being Gains from Cataract Surgery.
AcollaborationbetweenRMIT,TheFredHollowsFoundationandHoChiMinhCityUniversityofSocialSciencesandHumanitiesinVietnam,thisstudydifferedfromhistoricalonesintwopivotalways.Firstly,itexaminedthewaysinwhichtheburdenofcataractdiseasefallsonapatient'swidercircleoffamilyandfriends.Secondly,itexploredthehistoricallyunaddressedareasofpsychosocialandphysicalhealth.
Theprojectusedadiverseapproachtoanalysethewiderbenefitsofcataractsurgery.In-depthinterviews,forinstance,wereconductedalongsidequantitativesurveyswithcataractpatientsbeforeandthreemonthsaftertheprocedure.
Thedatarevealedstatisticallysignificantimprovementsforseveralnon-monetarymeasuresofwell-being,includingbettermobility,self-care,abilitytoundertakedailyactivities,self-reportedhealth,lifesatisfactionandoutlookonlife.
Thestudy’sfindingsalsoprovidedanimportantinsightintotheimpactofcataractsurgeryonpatients’carers.Theresearchteamdiscoveredthatcaregivers,whoaremainlywomen,oftenexperiencethesamelowlevelofincomeandpsychologicalinstabilityasthevisuallyimpairedpeopletheylookafter.Excitingly,quantitativedataalsoindicatedimprovedworkattendancefor59percentofcaregiversthreemonthsaftertheirdependenthadreceivedsurgery.
“Ourresultsshowthatthetruerateofreturnoncataractsurgeryishigherthanpreviousstudiesthought.Aswellasthetransformationtothepatient,thereareconsiderablepsychosocialbenefitstocaregivers,”saysProfessorFeeny.ThesefindingswillcontributetofuturefundraisingcampaignsbyTheFredHollowsFoundation,providingdonorswithevidencethatfundinginterventionstorestoresightissignificantlymoreimpactfulthanpreviouslybelieved.
Inthefuture,ProfessorFeenyandAssociateProfessorPossointendtoreplicatethisstudyinothernationswithahighcataractdiseaseburdenandhealthresourceconstraints.Theirgoalistohighlighthoweconomicdevelopmentinteractswithboththebenefitsandcostsofeyedisease.“Wealsowanttodoresearchintotimings.Thisstudyexaminedtheimpactsthreemonthsaftercataractsurgery,butimpactsshouldalsobeascertainedoverlongerperiodstoexaminewhethertheypersist,increaseordecrease,”Feenyconcludes.
IMPROVING vision boosts productivity and well-being: A Vietnamese perspective
Professor Simon Feeny and Associate Professor Alberto Posso School of Economics, Finance and Marketing
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Professor Simon Feeny and Associate Professor Alberto Posso shine a light on
the non-monetary benefits of successful cataract surgery in Vietnam, proving
that psychological well-being, better physical health, support for carers and
hope for the future have as much currency as increased income.
Doctor Anne Kallies
Professor Lisa Farrell
Lecturer in the Graduate School of Business and Law
Atthe2017G20meeting,thenPrimeMinisterMalcolmTurnbullannouncedamajornew
researchcooperationbetweenAustraliaandGermany,theEnergy Transition Hub,aprojectaimedatidentifyingtheeconomicopportunitiesforbothcountriesinazerocarbonworld.
DrAnneKallies,withDrSangeethaChandrashekeranandProfessorLeeGoddenfromtheUniversityofMelbourneandpartneruniversitiesinhernativeGermany,isconductingaprojectunderthehubumbrellalookingatthelegalandgovernanceframeworksofadvancedmeteringinfrastructure,alsoknownassmartmeters.
Withitssmartmeterrolloutcompletedin2015,thestateofVictoriaisconsideredafrontrunnerinthisarea.TherestofAustralia,governedbyadifferentregulatorymodel,isalsointroducingthenewtechnology.“ThisisoneofthefewoccasionswhereAustraliaisaheadofGermanyinenergy-relatedmatters,andtheyareveryinterestedinourlearnings,”notesDrKallies.
Severalpoliticalassurancesarelinkedtotheintroductionofsmartmeters,includingtheabilityforindividualstomonitortheirownenergyuse,andeventradeelectricitywiththeirneighbours.Theresearchteamisinvestigatingwhethertheseassurancesarebeingtranslatedtotrueconsumerempowerment.Victorianspocketedthecostofthemandatorysmartmeterrollout,butaretheyreapingtherewards?
TworeportsbytheAuditorGeneralhaveindeedqueriedthetangiblebenefitstotheenduser.“Weallpaidforthesmartmetersbutwhatdoweactuallygetforit?”asksDrKallies.“Wewanttoknowwhetherconsumersarereallyacknowledgedintheactuallawandregulationsofsmartmeterrollouts.Ourroleasresearchersistoassesswhathashappened,andthenlookforwardtobuildanaccountabilitymodel forconsumers.”
The‘greenpromise’,includingthepotentialforcustomerstobenefitfromrenewableenergysuchassolarpower,isanotherassertionunderexamination.Theresearchteamhopestodeterminewhetherwecanimproveenergytransitionswiththesenewtypesoftechnologywhilekeepingeveryoneaccountable;thisincludestransparencyaboutthecostspassedfromtheenergysuppliertotheconsumer.
Drawingonexperiencesinbothcountries,theresearchersarewritinganissuespaperdescribingthesituationfromtheconsumer’sperspective.Forexample,howmightacustomeraccesstheirownenergyandcommunicationsdatatotakeadvantageofsmartmetertechnology?DrKalliesexpectsinterestfromindustryaboutthisresearch,buttheultimategoalistoimprovethelegalandregulatoryframework,andensurethatconsumersreapthebenefitsofanadvancedmeteringinfrastructure.
GETTING smarter with new technology consumer rights
Fromthepleasureofsippingamorningcoffeetothenecessityofourhouseholdelectricity,consumption
isanunavoidablepartoflife.Theconsumptionofso-called‘riskyproducts’(thinktobaccooralcohol)isformostpeopleacontrolledleisureactivity.Sowhathappenswhenaddictionbecomesdestructive?OneeconomistatRMITUniversitywantstocreatesafeenvironmentsfortheconsumptionofriskyproducts,andminimisetheharmonvulnerableindividuals.
ProfessorFarrellstudiestheexcessiveconsumptionofriskyproductswhichthreatenstocausefinancialchallengesorinterferewithpersonalrelationshipsandeverydaylife.“That’swhenweneedtobemindfulofthecoststoindividuals,thosearoundthemandsocietymorebroadly,”shesays.
InarecentprojectincollaborationwithVicHealth,ProfessorFarrellandateamofresearchersassessedtheroleofalcoholwithinsociety.“Byunderstandingindividualrolesinanepisodeofdrinkingwewereabletoidentifyandsegmentthemarketbyconsumers’habitsandbehaviours,”shesays.Thisresearchcontributedtoaparadigmshiftinhealthpromotionwhichincreasinglytargetsspecificconsumerbehaviouralprofilesratherthandemographicssuchasageorgender.
InaprojectfundedbytheAustralianResearchCouncil,ProfessorFarrellmadediscoveriesandrecommendationsrelatedtoillicittobacco.
Unsurprisingly,thestudyfoundhighlyaddictedsmokersturningtotheblackmarkettoavoidhightaxationonlegalcigarettes.Morefascinatingfortheresearchteam,thestudyalsounveiledayearningforthetasteofAustraliantobacco(whichceasedlegalproductionin2009),aswellasasectionofsmokersfalselybelievingthattheblackmarketofferedthemahealthierproduct–an‘organic’alternativetoitslegalcounterpart.“Smokersarebeingpushedtoamarketplacebecauseofpricefactors,leadingthemtoevengreaterhealthrisks,”saysProfessorFarrell,whoseresearchsubstantiatesbehavioural-basedapproachesinhealthpromotion,suchasplainpackaging,ratherthantraditionalpricehikes.
OtherformsofaddictionarealsoafocusofProfessorFarrell'sresearch,andsheconsidersonlinegamblingtoposeahugechallengeintermsofhealthpromotionandregulation.“Australiahasthehighestpercapitaexpenditureongamblingintheworldandit’ssomethingweneedtoaddress,”shesays.“We’vealsobeenlookingattherelationshipbetweengambling,happinessandgenerallevelsofwell-being.Theearlieryoucanidentifytherisksandsupporttheindividualsthebetter.”Withitstangiblebenefitsforcommunities,healthagenciesandsupportgroups,ProfessorFarrellaimstoengenderpositivechangethroughherresearchintoriskyandaddictiveproducts.
ECONOMICS of addiction
Professor of Economics in the School of Economics, Finance and Marketing and Director of the Markets, Culture and Behaviour Research Priority Area
Led by Professor Farrell, the Markets, Culture and Behaviour Research
Priority Area looks at individual and business decisions from a holistic
perspective. The group integrates behaviours and psychology in order to
understand the interaction of our hearts and our minds in decision making.
16 17
TheAustraliannot-for-profit(NFP)sectoriscurrentlyunderextremepressuretoreform
inthefaceoffundingshortages,changesingovernmentfundingpolicies,growingdemandandincreasedmarketisationandcompetition.
ThesedevelopmentshaveprovidedimpetusformanyAustraliancharitiesandNFPentitiestoreviewtheirstrategicstancesandalliances.“Largenumbersareconsideringorganisationalrestructurethroughmergers,amalgamationsandacquisitions(M&A),”explainsProfessorNavaSubramaniam.
Toexplorethistrend,shelaunchedtheMergers, Amalgamations and Acquisitions in the Australian Not-for-profit Human Service Sectorstudy.Hergoalwastobetterunderstandthekeymotivations,risks,barriersandopportunitiesfacingNFPinstitutions,whilealsodeterminingwhenM&Aactivityisanappropriateresponsetothepoliticalandeconomicchallengesfacingthesector.
ProfessorSubramaniamandherteamperformed21in-depthinterviewswithavarietyofthirdsectorboardmembers,CEOs,seniormanagementpersonnelandfinanceofficersin2017.Thelivedexperiencesofalmostallparticipantsrevealedthattheyhadeithercompleted,orseriouslyconsidered,anM&Arestructureinordertostimulatestrategicorganisationalgrowth.
Uponcompletingherresearch,ProfessorSubramaniamfoundthatM&Aactivitywas mostsuccessfulwhenthecombining organisationshadcloselyalignedvaluesand
cleareconomy-of-scaleopportunities.Shealsofound,however,thatmanyNFPsdonotpayadequateconsiderationtoalternatestructuralarrangementstoM&Awhichmaysuitthembetter,andpotentiallyconsumelesstimeandfewerresources.
“Alternativescouldbemoresimple,forexample,acost-sharingorresult-sharingagreement,”shesays,“onewhichdoesn’thavetoomanylegalidentitychangesandcouldeasilyberesolvedthroughalliedagreementsorservices.”
ResearchhasalsorevealedthatforNFPstheM&Aprocessisrarelysimpleorslick;robustboardandCEOleadership,goodgovernance,financialresourcesandacollaborativeapproachtostrategicplanningarecriticalsuccessfactors.FailuretoheedthemcouldhampertheabilityofNFPstoservetheirusers.Morepointedly,oneshouldbepreparedtodealwithorganisationalvaluesandculturaldifferencestomakeM&Aswork.
Lookingforward,ProfessorSubramaniamplanstoextendtheimpactofherresearchandprovideusefulinformationforbothNFPsandpolicymakers.“Iaimtodevelopanationalindexorregisterofthenumberofmergers,typesofmergers,restructuredgoverningboardsand,ifpossible,costsofmergers.SuchinformationwouldbemostusefulforinformingthechangingstructurallandscapeoftheAustralianNFPsector,”sheconcludes.
Bookmarkwww.galresearch.comtostayup-to-datewithProfessorSubramaniam’sresearch.
RESTRUCTURING third sector thinking
Professor Nava SubramaniamProfessor of Accounting in the School of Accounting and Director of the Governance, Accountability and Law Research Priority Area
Professor Mark Leenders
Stayingaheadofcompetitorsincreasinglyrequirescreativity,butwithfailureratesrangingfrom50
percentto90percent,manynewproductsandservicesnevermakeittomarket.Ifinnovationisthekeytosurvivalintoday’sbusinessworld,howcancompaniesandentrepreneursbalanceinventionwithshrewdmarketingstrategy?
ProfessorMarkLeenderswantstohelporganisationsdeliverontheirinnovationambitions,askingthequestionswhichstumpmanyabusinessmind:HowcancompaniesconnecttheirmarketingandR&Dcapabilities?Whatisthebestwaytobalanceproactiveandreactiveinnovationstrategies?Howcansustainabilityandcircularitybealignedwithaviablebusinessmodel?
ProfessorLeenders’researchisoftensetinthecreativeindustries,wherehumanimagination,skillandtalentcreateintellectualpropertyandcontributetoinnovativebusinessmodels.Hisexpertiseleadshimintotheworldofmovies,videogames,musicfestivals,healthcare,andevenwineries.Afterall,squanderingmoneyonadoomedproductmakesnosense,regardlessofthesector.
Whileexcitinginnovationcomeswithahugeinvestmentrisk.Donesuccessfullyitcancreatejobs,solveproblems,wincustomersandattractcapitalforfurtherinvention.Ontheotherhand,failuretoinnovatestiflescompaniesandeconomiesasawhole.“Whiledifferententitiesfacedifferentinnovationchallenges,productsinthebroadercreativeindustriesareinherently‘experience’goods,”explainsProfessorLeenders.“Consumershavedifficultyinassessingqualitybeforeconsumption.Myresearchaimstoidentifysmartpractices,structuresandstrategiesthatcanshiftthebalancebetweensuccessandfailure.”
Hisresearchshowsthattherearemanymechanismsandpracticesavailabletoanorganisationtoaddressinnovationbottlenecksbeyondmerelyformingcross-functionalteams.Inassistingcompanieswiththisbalancingact,healsoshowsthatinnovationstrategiesaremosteffectiveifaccompaniedbybrandbuildingstrategies.
Besidesdevelopingbusinessinnovationsimulationtools,ProfessorLeendershasadvisedMcKinsey&Companyinrelationto‘stagegatesystems’–ameansofmanagingstagesofnewproductcreation.Hisindustry-specificevidencedemonstratesthatthesesystemsoftenhaveanegativeinfluenceoninnovationperformancebecauseofbureaucratisation,andheofferstipsonusingthemmoreeffectively.
ProfessorLeendersiscurrentlylookingatvirtualworldplatforms,includingopportunitiesforentrepreneurstostartvirtualbusinessesandearnreal-worldmoney.“Ratherthanfocussingsolelyontheuser,Itrytounderstandthebusinessecosystemandthosedevelopingthenewapplicationsorservices,”hesays.Giventhepotentialofvirtualplatformstoimpactupondataprivacyandhealth,thisresearchmayalsoimpactuponpolicyinfuture.
Withcreativeindustriescontributingmorethan$30billionayeartotheAustralianeconomy,itisvitalforbusinesstoharnessinnovation.Throughhisresearch,ProfessorLeendersinfluencesbusinessestomanagethevarioustrade-offsandtiltthescalestotheiradvantage.
THE best of both worlds: Balancing creativity and commercialism
Professor in the Graduate School of Business and Law
18 19
Professor Bronwyn Naylor and Mr Stan Winford
VictoriaistheonlyAustralianstatewithoutspentconvictionslegislation.Thismeansthateven
trivialoffencesfromdecadesagocanstillappearonpolicecriminalrecordchecks.ItrepresentsasignificantsocialbarrierformanyAboriginalVictorians,atatimewhenthegovernmentlookstoclosethegapinemploymentratesbetweenIndigenousandnon-IndigenousAustralians.Aboriginalpeoplearecurrently20percentlesslikelytoparticipateinthelabourforce.
TheCriminal Record Discrimination Project is an Aboriginal-ledcollaborationbetweennumerouscommunityandlegalorganisations,includingWoor-DunginandRMITUniversity.ItisoverseenbyanAdvisoryCommitteewithover50members,includingProfessorBronwynNaylorandMrStanWinford.
TheprojecthasthedualaimofintroducingtoVictoriaalegislatedspentconvictionsschemeandanamendmenttoprohibitdiscriminationagainstpeoplewithanirrelevantcriminalrecord.RemovingprejudiceonthesegroundswillincreasefinancialandeconomicopportunitiesofAboriginalpeopleinVictoria,whilebroadeningtheiropportunitiesforcivicengagement.
InApril2017,Woor-DunginhostedaconsultationwithcommunitymembersandlegalstakeholdersonwhatspentconvictionslegislationandprotectionfromdiscriminationonthebasisofirrelevantcriminalhistoryshouldlooklikeinVictoria.Toinformthesediscussions,MrWinfordinterviewedAboriginallegalservicesfromotherstatesandterritories.
ContactwithlocalindividualsrevealedinnumerableexamplesofdiscriminationfacedbyAboriginalpeople.Manyhadbeenpreventedfromgettingajob,obtaininginsurance,receivingapprovalasakinshipcarerandservingoncommunityorgovernmentboardsbecauseofanirrelevantcriminalrecord.
ApapersumminguptherecommendationsbasedontheconsultationsshowsthatVictoriaiscompletelyoutofstepwitheveryotherAustralianjurisdiction.“AllotherAustralianjurisdictionshavespentconvictionsschemesandmosthavesomeformofanti-discriminationprotectiontoensurethatpeople
withirrelevantcriminalrecordsarenotpreventedfromparticipatingintheircommunities,”notesMrWinford.
“Itisclearthatamorerobust,statutoryinformationmanagementregimeforcriminalrecordsiswelloverdueinVictoria,”headds.
Thepaperalsoincluded11casestudiesdetailingcaseswhereAboriginalpeoplewithanirrelevantcriminalrecordhaveexperienceddiscrimination.ProfessorNaylorsupervisedthedevelopmentofthesecasestudies.
“It’svitalthatVictoriaintroduceslegislationtoprotectpeoplefromdiscriminationonthebasisofanunrelatedcriminalhistoryaswellasspentconvictionlegislation,”saysProfessorNaylor.“CurrentlawsentrenchthediscriminationfacedbyAboriginalpeopleandlimittheirvaluablecontributiontosociety.”
WiththeendorsementofmembersofVictoria’sAboriginalcommunities,thepaperwassubmittedtothestatewideAboriginalJusticeForum,whichunanimouslyendorseditinDecember2017.ThepaperiscurrentlywiththeVictorianAttorney-General,awaitingaresponse.
ProfessorNaylor,MrWinfordandtheteamarehopefulthepaperwillhaveaneffectinlinewiththeimpactoftheirpreviouswork.Mostrecently,thestateparliamentpassedlegislationtochangerecordsrelatingtochildrenwhoweretakenintostateprotection,uptothe1990s,inresponsetotheCriminal Record Discrimination Project.
ThistypeofworkistypicalofthesocialjusticeadvocacyworkcarriedoutinRMIT’sCentreforInnovativeJustice(CIJ).Forexample,MrWinfordhasrecentlybeenworkingonanotherprojectthattakesalookathowthecriminaljusticesystemunfairlytreatsindividualswithAcquiredBrainInjury.TofindoutmoreabouttheworkoftheCIJ,visit:www.cij.org.au
MAKING irrelevant convictions history
Centre for Innovative Justice and Graduate School of Business and Law
Professor Bronwyn Naylor and Mr Stan Winford are participating in a historic project to
change legislation connected with spent convictions and irrelevant criminal records
in Victoria.
20 21
Inourtechnology-enabled,data-drivenworld,thereisanincreasingemphasisoncustomer-centred
innovationsandblendingserviceswithtechnology.Firmsarescramblingtofindwaystoexploreandexploitknowledge,internationaliseoperations,andscale-upingeneral.Keepingupwithevolvingtechnologyisessential,butaretraditionalstructuresandbarrierstocollaborationhinderingprogress?
ProfessorAnne-LaureMentionaimstoanswerthisquestionbyfocussingherresearchontwostreamsofthought.Firstly,sheisexploringthehumansideofopeninnovation–theprocessbywhichknowledgeisusedtoaccelerateideas–bystudyingthenotionof‘openness’atindividual,teamandcompanylevel.Secondly,sheislookingatcollaborativedesignapproachesforinnovationandthecriticalearlydevelopmentphaseofbusinessecosystems.
Shehasmultipleresearchprojectsunderwaywithlocalandinternationalpartners,includingalargescaleEuropeanUnionproposalthatisexploringtherelevanceandimpactofregulationonemergingfinancialtechnologies,suchasFinTechandRegTech.“Youcouldsaythatcollectively,myprojectsaddressthecurrentsocietalchallengeofhowtodesign,organiseandexecutepathwaysforinnovation,”saysProfessorMention.
Herresearchseekstodiscoverhowknowledgetransfer,governanceanddesiredperformancecanbecombinedwithinpublicandprivatesectorfirmsinordertoincreaseinnovationcapabilities,whiledevelopingframeworksandtoolkitsthatwillhelpsolvethechallengeofnurturinginnovation.
Inaddition,herongoinganalysisofsandboxes(virtualspacesforrunninguntestedsoftware)willproviderecommendationsforgovernanceconditionsthatfosterexperimentationwithnewtechnologies.“Economically,wewillbeabletodesignefficientinnovationecosystemswhereindividualfirmscangrowandscale-up,”addsProfessorMention.“Politically,wewillshapethestructuresandartefactsattheintersectionofinnovation,regulation,lawandintellectualproperty.”
Ultimately,policymakerswillgainadvantagesfromaclearerunderstandingofemergingtechnologiesinthefinancialsectorandbeyond,andgoverningauthoritieswillbenefitfromgloballyconvergingguidelines.Thiswillbringsupervisoryoversighttoanotherwisecomplexmarket.
Theresearchwillalsobebeneficialtodecision-makersininnovativecompanies,innovationhubsandstart-upaccelerators,whowillparticularlybenefitfromdeeperunderstandingandcuratedstrategiesofinnovationmanagement.ThisrecentlyoccurredwiththemajorEuropeanopeninnovationproject,theEuropean Academic Network for Open Innovation(OI-Net),whereProfessorMentionworkedwithhigh-levelpolicymakersanduniversitiestoshapethedevelopmentofaEurope-widecurriculumforopeninnovation.
BLAZING a trail for innovation
Professor Anne-Laure Mention Director of Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform
ECONOMICALLY, WE WILL BE
ABLE TO DESIGN EFFICIENT
INNOVATION ECOSYSTEMS
WHERE INDIVIDUAL FIRMS
CAN GROW AND SCALE-UP.”
“ Professor Anne-Laure Mention looks beyond theories in order to understand the
practice of incorporating innovation and knowledge transfer as it unfolds in business
and wider society.
Forsociety,ProfessorMention’sresearchwillcarrythemostlong-lastingbenefits,instillingtrustandtransparencyintechnology-enabledservicesandreducingtheriskofsystemicfailures.
ProfessorMention'sfutureresearchdirectionincludeslookingatinnovativemethodstotestcurrentfolktheories(whichpredictbehaviour)ininnovationmanagement,andnewwaystooperationalisepolicies.Workisalreadyunderway,forinstance,todevelopnovelinsightsonthehumansideofopeninnovation.ProfessorMentionisalsosupervisingPhDresearchincorporatingcognitiveandsocialpsychologyexperimentstoexamineeffectsonopeninnovationbehaviourandperformance.
“IamplanningtodeliversimilarsocialimpactintheformofinnovativeeducationandtrainingprogramsatalllevelsfromthecurrentstreamofresearchonFinTech,regulatorysandboxesandthebroaderhumansideofopeninnovation,”concludesProfessorMention.
FindoutmoreabouthowProfessorMentionandhercolleaguesaresolvingcriticalglobalproblemsanddeliveringsignificanteconomic,socialandenvironmentalimpactbyvisitingRMIT’sEnablingCapabilityPlatforms: www.rmit.edu.au/research/research-expertise/our-focus/enabling-capability-platforms
22 23
RESTARTING the global IT environment
Asbusinessescomeunderincreasingpressurefromcustomers,competitorsandregulators,the
needtoimplementsustainablebusinesspracticeshasbecomeaveryrealchallenge.Balancingeconomicandenvironmentalperformanceisakeystrategicissueofourtime.
TheRMIT-ConnectionResearchInformationandCommunicationsTechnology(ICT)SustainabilityFrameworktacklesthisduality.TheICTSustainabilityFrameworkwastheresultofaresearchpartnershipbetweenConnectionResearch,FujitsuAustraliaandRMITUniversity.
LedbyProfessorAlemayehuMolla,theteamcreatedtheSustainabilityFrameworkasapioneeringguidetoassistorganisationsaimingtotransitiontotrulyglobalisedICTsustainability.TheteamfocusedonalargearrayofICTsustainabilityconcerns,coveringsupplychain,lifecyclemanagement,datacentres,end-usercomputingandenergyusemeasurementandmanagement,amongothertopics.
TheresultingSustainabilityFrameworkhassincebeenusedasaconsultingtoolbyConnectionResearchandICTSustain.Moreover,Fujitsuhasappliedittosustainabilitybenchmarkingsince2010,providingunmatchedanalysisofthetrendingmaturityofICTsustainabilityinorganisationsbasedinAustralia,Canada,China,India,Japan,NewZealand,theUKandtheUS,viatheGlobalICTSustainabilityBenchmarkReport.
Fujitsu’sreportalsocontainshelpfultips,expertadviceand‘quick-win’strategiesthatbusinessescanusetoachieveimprovedefficiencyandcompetitivegains.GlenMcLatchie,GeneralManagerICT,MeridianEnergyLimited,said:“TheGlobalICTSustainabilityBenchmarkReportissomuchmorethanareport.It’sagreattoolthatallowsorganisationstofundamentallyshifttheirapproachtosustainableICTforthebetterhealthoftheirorganisationandtheplanet.”
ProfessorMollabelieveshisresearchintothisevolvingareahasbeenpivotaltochangingattitudes.“ResearchersandorganisationsarenowstartingtoconsidertheroleofICTinbusinesses,notonlyincontributingtotheirenvironmentalfootprint,butalsointacklingclimatechangeproblems,”hesays.
Moreover,theSustainabilityFrameworkhasalsobeenusedtodevelopaprofessionaltrainingcourserecognisedbytheAustralianComputerSocietyandThailand’sNationalScienceandTechnologyDevelopmentAgencyAcademy.
Thoughthisspecificprojectisnolongeractive,ProfessorMollaisstillworkingtoimplementenvironmentallysustainablesolutionsthatmakeeconomicsensetobusinessproblems.Assuch,heiscurrentlyengagedinstudiesfocussingontheuseofdisruptivedigitaltechnologies–suchasbigdata,InternetofThingsandartificialintelligence–forsustainability.
Professor Alemayehu MollaProfessor of Information Systems in the School of Business IT and Logistics Professor Pia Arenius
Aboutadecadeago,ProfessorPiaAreniusaskedtenfoundersofaFinnishcompanytomakean
audiodiary.Handingeachasmalldigitalrecorder,shetaskedthemwithdocumentingtheiremotionsandactionsintheworkplace.Analysingtheirdiariesforemotivetriggerwords,sheconcludedhercountrymentobeanunemotionalbunch!
Thankfully,technologyhascomealongwaysincethenandProfessorArenius,whonevergaveupontheconceptoflinkingemotiontoentrepreneurialactivity,hasabandonedtherecordersinfavourofwearabledevices.Wornlikeawatch,thewristbandscollectphysiologicaldatasuchasheartrateandskinconductivity–reliableindicatorsofaperson’sstress,excitementandarousallevels–inanon-intrusiveway.“Peoplecanfabricatetheiremotions,”explainsProfessorArenius,“andasweknow,someeven havedifficultydescribingthem,butbiologicaldatadoesn’tlie.”
Forherstudy,ProfessorAreniusenlistsbuddingbusinesspeopletowearthewristbandsforanumberofdaysatatime,duringwhichtheyalsoreceivemobilephonesurveysaskinghowthey’refeelingandwhatthey’redoingatthatmoment.Bycomparingthephysiologicalresponsestotheindividuals’self-reporteddata,thestudylooksbeyondpurelybusiness-relatedoutcomes.“Iamalsointerestedinthewell-beingoftheentrepreneur,andtheimplicationofoneperson’sentrepreneurialactivitiesontheirfamilyandwidersocialnetwork.Dotheygetenoughsleep?Aretheyexercisingenough?”
Withthewearabletechnologygeneratingdataeverymillisecond,ProfessorAreniusiscollaboratingwithmathematiciansandstatisticianstomakesenseofthefigures.“Inthelongrunwe’retalkingaboutmachinelearningandartificialintelligence.Theamountofdatafromthesedevicesissohugethatweneedtocreatealgorithmsandprocessestoanalysethepatternsbeforebeingabletocomparethephysiologicalresponseswithentrepreneurialactivities.”
Thepotentialofwearabletechnologyforassessingsomeone’smentalstateisvast,inparticularforindustriesconcernedwithneurologicaldiversity inentrepreneurshipandentrepreneurialwell-being.Wearablescanalsobeusedtomeasurepeople’semotionalstateinarangeofsituations,fromcheckingtheirreactiontoaparticularwebsite,totheirresponsestospecificworkorlifescenarios.Aswearabletechnologycontinuestoadvancetheyhavethepotentialtoimpactmanyaspectsofhowpeoplelive,learnandwork.
ProfessorAreniushasalwaysbeenfascinatedtoknowifthereisacorrelationbetweensuccessandfailureamongstbuddingentrepreneurs,andinfuturehopestounlockthekeytopersistenceinentrepreneurialactivity.“Thereisnostrictformulaforpredictingwhoisgoingtobesuccessfulandwhowon’t.Itisaphenomenonwhichiscontingentonmanyfactors,includingtheperson,context,opportunity,timing andresources.”
Thankstotechnologicaladvances,ProfessorAreniusisnowequippedwithatoolcapableofrevealingtheeffectsoftheentrepreneurialprocessontheindividual,wherephysiologicalresponsesspeakforthemselves.
WEARABLE technology unlocks entrepreneurs’ emotions
Professor of Entrepreneurship in the School of Management and Director of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Research Priority Area
Professor Alemayehu Molla has been leading timely research that focuses
on ‘greening up’ the credentials of Australia’s vibrant Information and
Communications Technology sector.
24 25
Professor Sara Charlesworth
GOOD quality work underpins good quality care
Withitsageingpopulation,providinglong-termcareforAustralia’selderlyisacrucial
challengefacingprovidersandpolicymakers.
“SustainableagedcareservicesarecriticaltoAustralia’sfuture.Thedemandforagedcareworkersisgrowingandthesejobsarehardtoautomate.However,manyfrontlinecareworkersareemployedinpoorqualityjobswithlowpaywhilefacingextremetimepressure,highstressandalackofcareeropportunities.Ibegantowonderabouttheextenttowhichpoorjobqualitywasmakingitdifficulttorecruitandretaincareworkersandifitwashamperingproviders’abilitytodeliverqualitycare,”explainsProfessorSaraCharlesworth.
ThuswasborntheQuality Jobs and Quality Care project.Inthisstudy,ProfessorCharlesworthandherteamworkedwithagedcareorganisationstoidentifysmall-scalechangestoimprovethewaysfrontlinecareworkisorganisedtoproducebothbetterqualityjobsandbetterqualitycare.TheprojectwasundertakeninpartnershipwiththreeofAustralia'sleadingagedcareproviders–Brightwater,HammondCareandHelpingHand–andthemainAustralianaged-careunion,UnitedVoice.
Withintheagedcareproviders,theresearchteamworkedwithmanagersandworkerstoidentifyanddesignsixseparate‘interventions’,eachofwhichwasimplementedforasix-monthperiodandthenevaluated.
Inoneagedcareproviderthatprovideshomecareservices,manycareworkers–whoworkaloneonhomevisits–reportedfeelingisolatedandunsureofhowtoproceedwhenfacedwithanewsituation.Whilenewhomecareworkersreceivedinitialtrainingandmentoring,littleon-goingaccessiblesupportwasavailable.
Asaresultoftheresearchteam’sdiscussionwithlinemanagersandhomecareworkers,theorganisationintroduced‘specialistbuddymentors’.Theirrolewastoprovidein-personandover-the-phonesupporttobothnewandexperiencedstaffmembers.Followingthissmallchange,employeesreportedfeelingmoreconfidentandsupportedwhenvisitinganewclient.Theyalsofeltbetterabletomeettheneedsofincreasinglycomplexcarerequiredbyolderclientsandclientsrecentlydischargedfromhospital.
Atanotheragedcareprovider,ProfessorCharlesworth’steamaimedtosolvethechallengeofhowtoachieveconsistencyofcareforresidentswithdementia.Workingtogetherwithnursingandalliedhealthprofessionalsandfrontlinecareworkers,theteamlookedforwaystoimprovequalityofcareprovidedandcareworkers’jobsatisfaction.Theproviderlimitedthenumberoffrontlinecareworkersassignedtoeachresidenttoprovideforongoingrelationshipswithregularworkers,whobecameinvolvedinthedesignofpersonalisedcareforresidents.Onewaythiswasachievedwasthrougha‘well-beingmapping’exercisewithresidentsandtheirfamiliestodiscusswaysindividualresidentneeds,preferencesandwell-beingcouldbeimproved.
Distinguished Professor of Management
“Careworkerswerethrilledtobeinvolvedinthiscareplanning.Itenabledthemtotalktothenursingandalliedhealthstaffaboutwhattheyalreadyknewaboutaparticularresident.Theyalsogainedabetterunderstandingofthehistoryandpreferencesofthepersonstowhomtheywereprovidingcare,”saysProfessorCharlesworth.“Thisexperiencesupportedthehypothesisdrivingthewholeproject:thatgoodqualitycareisunderpinnedbygoodqualitywork.”
TheteamhassinceproducedtheQuality Jobs, Quality Caretoolkittoencouragetheuptakeofthepracticalstepsandlessonslearnedintheprojectacrossthebroaderagedcareindustry.Thetoolkithelpsagedcareorganisationsthroughwhatmightotherwisebeadauntingprocessofincorporatingsmall-scalechangestoimprovejobandcarequality.
ProfessorCharlesworth’simportantworkiscontinuingthroughanAustralianResearchCouncilDiscovery
Project,Decent Work Good Care: International Approaches to Aged Care,whichispushingherresearchintoaninternationalsetting.Throughthisproject,ProfessorCharlesworthandtheAustralian,ScottishandCanadianteamofChiefInvestigatorsaimtobetterunderstandhowgovernmentpolicies,fundingandregulationshapetheprovisionofdecentjobsandgood,qualitycare.Followtheproject’sfindingsonitswebsite:www.decentworkgoodcare.com
Distinguished Professor Sara
Charlesworth leads research into
what better practices might look
like in the aged care sector,
even in the face of limited
government funding.
26 27
College of Business Information
ResearchisacoreactivityoftheCollegeofBusiness.Ouracademicsarededicated
tobothknowledgecreation(throughresearch)andknowledgedissemination(throughindustryengagementandteaching).
Ourresearcherssolvereal-worldproblemsincollaborationwithdiverseanddynamicpartners. TheCollegehasastrongrecordofindustryengagementandcountslargemulti-nationalcompaniessuchasANZ,IBMandWorldVisionamongitspartners.Tosupportindustry-engagedresearch,theCollegehascreatedacohesiveanddynamicresearchenvironmentthatfostersentrepreneurshipandinnovation.
TheCollegehasmultipleareasofresearchconcentration(outlinedindetailbelow)thatseektointegrateourinterdisciplinaryresearchexpertisewiththeneedsofindustry.
TheCollegehasacentrallocationintheheartofMelbourne.Thisenablesresearcherstoestablishcloselinkswithindustry,whetheritiswithbusiness,government,orthewidercommunity.Collaborationwithexternalpartners,producingindustry-relevantresearch,andtranslatingourresearchtopositivechangeinthecommunity,areallvitalcomponentsofourresearchcultureandpractice.
Areas of Research Concentration
Research in the College of Business covers
a broad range of business discipline areas,
reflecting the activities of our Schools.
The College has a number of research
concentration areas aimed at integrating
our interdisciplinary research expertise with
the needs of industry. These include:
■ TheCentreforPeople,OrganisationandWork
■ TheBlockchainInnovationHub
■ EntrepreneurshipandInnovation
■ GlobalSupplyChainManagementandLogistics
■ Governance,AccountabilityandtheLaw
■ Markets,CultureandBehaviour
■ InternationalDevelopmentandTrade
The College of Business also hosts the
innovative Behavioural Business Lab, and is
aligned with the Global Business Innovation
Enabling Capability Platform, which is of
particular strategic importance to RMIT.
The nationally renowned Centre for Innovative
Justice and the Australian APEC Study Centre are
also both affiliated with the College of Business.
The above is not an exhaustive list, and our
areas of research concentration are constantly
evolving to respond to new societal and industry
problems. Refer to the Business Research
website for the most up to date information.
RESEARCH Overview
Higher Degrees by Research OpportunitiesRMIThasareputationforemployingleadingexperts,producinghighqualityresearchandharbouringdeepindustrylinks.ThisistheuniqueenvironmentweofferourPhDcandidates.
RMITPhDcandidatesareequippedwiththeskillstosolvereal-worldlocalandinternationalproblems.OurPhDcandidatesgraduatewithworkreadyskills,applicableforavarietyofcareers.
TofindoutmoreaboutRMIT’shigherdegreeprogramsandscholarshipofferingsvisit:www.rmit.edu.au/research/phds-and-other-research-degrees
Learn More About Our ResearchIn2018theCollegeofBusinesslaunchedaseriesofvideosthatprofileeightoftheCollege’sleadingresearchersandtheirresearchstories. Visitwww.RMITbusinessresearch.com.autowatchthevideosandlearnmoreaboutourresearch.
Connect With UsFollowusonTwitterandFacebooktohearmoreaboutthefascinatingresearchcomingoutoftheCollegeofBusiness.
@RMITBusRes
@RMITBusinessResearch
Partner With UsContactusatbusiness.research@rmit.edu.autoenquireaboutthewaysinwhichyoucanpartnerwithus.
General EnquiriesPleasecontacttheCollegeofBusinessResearchOfficeatbusiness.research@rmit.edu.auforallgeneralenquiries.
28 29
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