The Australian Business Foundation is an independent organisation undertaking evidence-based research to deliver fresh insights and practical intelligence to boost Australia's capabilities and global competitiveness.
The Foundation is an Australian leader in bridging global research with everyday business experience.
Research In Progress
- Australian Business Foundation: Decade of Discovery-The Future Revisited
Susan Oliver, Narelle Kennedy - Positioning Sydney in the Strategies of Multinational Corporations
Michael Enright - Effective Models of Business Engagement with China
Keith Suter, Catherine Armitage - The Human Dimension of Innovation
Australian Business Foundation - 'Pacific Corridor' Scoping Study
Roy Green, Kate Hughes
Recently Published Research
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Born To Be Global: A closer look at the international venturing of Australian born global firms
Sun Dec 16 2007 | Professor Peter Liesch, Professor of International Business and Leader of the Enterprise and International Business Cluster, University of Queensland Business School; Dr Matthew Steen, Economist, Australian Business Foundation; Dr Stuart Middleton, University of Queensland Business School; Dr Jay Weerawardena, University of Queensland Business SchoolTopics:This report focused on charting the experiences of 18 'born global' firms which ventured overseas shortly after their birth. In examining their successes and setbacks, the researchers were able to identify some key factors relevant to identifying and satisfying new global opportunities more adeptly, including agility, persistency and the ability to manage a range of business functions and risks simultaneously.
In analysing the business case studies, certain patterns were discerned about the character and further development of born global firms. While these insights do not constitute a template for business success, they do provide an important set of lessons for enterprises that are export ready or seeking other ways to extend their international reach.
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The Contribution of Services and Other Sectors to Australian Productivity Growth 1980-2004
Nov 2007 | Professor Alan Hughes, Director, Centre for Business Research, University of Cambridge, UK; Mr Vadim Grinevich, Junior Research Fellow, Centre for Business Research, University of Cambridge, UKTopics:This extensive study of 49 sectors in the Australian economy identified two growth periods - a low growth period from 1980 to 1992, then a high growth period from 1992 to 2004. The acceleration in labour productivity growth in the high growth period can be attributed to the performance of just three service sectors - financial intermediation, wholesale trade and a miscellaneous group encompassing transport, machinery and equipment hire, hotels and catering, R&D, legal, technical and advertising.
The productivity dividends came from business transformation such as enhancing the use of enabling technologies, building management capabilities and capitalising on regulatory reforms, rather than as a result of greater capital investment replacing labour. These findings, and the constraints to future growth identified by the authors, open the way for consideration of actions to initiate the next generation of productivity surges from Australia.


