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Dr John Langdale, Macquarie University

Photo of John Langdale

Currently Senior Lecturer in Human Geography at Macquarie University, Dr John Langdale has research and teaching interests in the geography of economic restructuring.  He has published extensively in international academic and policy journals.

Dr Langdale has undertaken consultancies for Australian government departments, local councils, telecommunications carriers and private firms. IIn July 1991, he was invited by Telstra Australia to join a Committee to review research grant applications for the Telstra Fund for Social and Policy Research in Telecommunications which he chaired from 1994 to 1996.  For a full biography see http://www.humgeog.mq.edu.au/staff/langdale.htm

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  • Knowledge Economy Opportunities for Australian Firms in the Asia Pacific Region (Research)
    Feb 2004

    This briefing paper was produced for the Australian Business Foundation to stimulate debate and to explore options for engagement in the Asia-Pacific region.  Through a series of industry case studies, this paper demonstrates that there are untapped opportunities for Australian business in high growth knowledge intensive industries in the Asia Pacific region.  Although traditional commodity industries have contributed significantly to exports, the future lies in competing on superior knowledge and skills.  Within these industries there are hidden strengths that could be capitalised on, ie, adding valuable services to traditional products to provide customised solutions and adopting more sophisticated sales and marketing techniques.

    With a few exceptions, SMEs are lagging behind their competitors in adopting knowledge management approaches to capture their share of the export dollar in this rapidly growing regional economy.  These businesses would be better served by government policy which supports the potential for Australian businesses to tap into global production chains through better knowledge management processes and capabilities, rather than focusing on information and communications technology hardware and infrastructure. 

  • Friend or Foe? Leveraging Foreign Multinationals in the Australian Economy (Research)
    Jan 2002

    To what degree do multinationals influence, either positively or negatively, the growth, capacity and skills of Australian firms?  This study found that multinationals are more friend than foe but that the relationship is fragile and firms and policy makers need to be smarter about engaging with them to maximise the benefits of access to global knowledge, skills and markets. 

    By being demanding customers, multinationals contribute to better quality products and services which are more sought after in global markets.  If firms and policy makers can encourage multinationals to set down deeper roots in research, innovation and product development here, Australian firms can continue to capitalise on skills and knowledge transfer for their own gain, and this investment will act as a magnet for further investment to encourage more sustainable relationships with multinational firms.