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Research & Knowledge

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Research in Progress

  • Australian Business Foundation: Decade of Discovery-The Future Revisited
    Ms Susan Oliver, Executive Director, wwITe Pty Ltd; Narelle Kennedy, Chief Executive, Australian Business Foundation
    The Future Revisited is an update of the Australian Business Foundation's pioneering scenario planning study published in 1999, Alternative Futures: Scenarios for Business in Australia to the year 2015 and is being led by futurist and business analyst Susan Oliver.
  • Positioning Sydney in the Strategies of Multinational Corporations
    Professor Michael Enright, Sun Hung Kai Professor of Business Administration, University of Hong Kong

    Understanding how Sydney features in the strategies, organisation and location decisions of multinational corporations is critical for governments, MNCs and resident firms alike.  

    Conducted by Enright Scott & Associates principal Michael Enright, this research will be informed by surveying a large number of MNCs operating in the Asia-Pacific region with a focus on identifying which activities are currently conducted in Australia, and what the opportunities and impediments are to attracting more high value, knowledge related activities.        

    The survey will be conducted from late April 2008, so if you wish to register your interest to participate, please contact Clint McGilvray on Clint.McGilvray@Abfoundation.com.au

     

     

     

     

  • Effective Models of Business Engagement with China
    Dr Keith Suter, Broadcaster & social commentator; Ms Catherine Armitage

    Understanding how to do business in China is of undeniable importance for many Australian firms but experience suggests that there are many different business models that are proving successful. 

    Through a contextual analysis of the economic, regulatory and political environment prevailing in China this year, and a series of case studies, this project will analyse actual experiences of Australian companies successfully competing in China, that other Australian companies should find instructive in mapping their own competitive position.

  • Inside the Innovation Matrix - Finding the hidden human dimensions
    Australian Business Foundation

    In this book, we delve into the often murky kaleidoscope of practices and ideas called innovation. 

    Looking behind the lone entrepreneur or inventor, we explore the hidden human dimensions of innovation in a compendium of 16 expert papers from authors around the world.

    To place your order for an advance copy of the book, or to make any other enquiries about this project, please contact Carolyn Evans via email at carolyn.evans@abfoundation.com.au

  • 'Pacific Corridor' Scoping Study
    Professor Roy Green, Dean and Professor in Management, Macquarie Graduate School of Management; Kate Hughes, PhD Student, Macquarie Graduate School of Management

    What drives successful industry clustering in Australia, and specifically the northern Sydney region?  This project conducted by Macquarie Graduate School of Management, and jointly sponsored by the Australian Business Foundation and the NSW Department of State and Regional Development will aim to identify and map clustering activity in the northern Sydney region, known for this report as the 'Pacific Corridor'. 

Latest Thinking

Recently Published Research

  • 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, Policy Adviser - Tax & competitiveness, NSW Business Chamber; Dr Stuart Middleton, University of Queensland Business School; Dr Jay Weerawardena, University of Queensland Business School

    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, UK

    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.

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