Associate Professor Maria Estela Varua

Associate Professor Maria Estela Varua

Associate Dean, Research,
Dean's Unit, School of Business

Associate Professor,
Economics, Finance & Property

Biography

Maria Estela is an agricultural economist, an econometrician and socio-economist with over 20 years’ experience in international development in Australia as well as in various countries in Asia. Her primary area of expertise centres on agricultural and resource economics, with a special focus on rural development, water management, gender equity, sustainable consumption, sustainable tourism, cost benefit analysis and capacity building.  She also conducts research on corporate social responsibility, finance, and business education. Maria Estela has participated in several consultancy and research projects, including a $1.2 million project with ACIAR on water management, a CRC project on water use, and a Westpac Foundation project on NGO-corporate relationships. She has published in various academic journals such as Journal of Hydrology,Economic Record, Emerging Markets Review, Asia Journal of Tourism Research, Third Sector Review, China-USA Business Review, International Journal of Economics and Finance, International Journal of Development and Conflict, International Business Research, Asia Pacific Development Journal. Maria Estela was also the recipient of several scholarships and fellowships including: the AIDAB Scholarship, ICLARM-Ford Foundation Fellowship, SEARCA Fellowship and the WINROCK Scholarship.

This information has been contributed by Associate Professor Varua.

Qualifications

  • PhD University of New England
  • MEc University of New England
  • BSc University of the Philippines

Organisational Unit (School / Division)

  • Dean's Unit, School of Business
  • Economics, Finance & Property

Contact

Email: M.Varua@westernsydney.edu.au
Phone: (02) 9685 9656
Mobile:
Location: 1.10.5

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Publications

Books

  • Roffey, C., Darcy, M., Keenahan, D. and Varua, M. (2012), 'Developing a Common Language between Corporations and Small Community Organisations : A Resource Handbook', : University of Western Sydney 9781741082395.

Chapters in Books

  • Varua, M., Maheshwari, B., Ward, J. and Dave, S. (2018), 'Groundwater conservation attitudes, behaviour and water management : the case of farmers in rural India', Water Resources Management IX, WIT Press 9781784662059.
  • Saverimuttu, V. and Varua, M. (2017), 'Consumers and rural tourism in developing economies ', Rural Tourism and Enterprise: Management, Marketing and Sustainablility, CABI 9781780647494.
  • Maheshwari, B., Ward, J., Varua, M., Purohit, R., Hakimuddin, O., Oza, S., Jadeja, Y. and Packham, R. (2016), 'Harnessing community capacity to coordinate and integrate natural and behavioural science perspectives : a groundwater management case study from rural India', Human Development and Capacity Building: Asia Pacific Trends, Challenges and Prospects for the Future, Routledge 9781138843707.
  • Varua, M., Ward, J. and Maheshwari, B. (2016), 'Understanding farmers' groundwater attitudes for better groundwater management', Sustainable Development. Vol. 1, WIT Press 9781784661656.
  • Varua, M. (2010), 'Engaging Students in Learning: An Application with Financial Modelling', Enhancing the Effectiveness of Learning and Teaching Economics, Lambert Academic Publishing 9783838357270.

Journal Articles

  • Elsayih, J., Datt, R., Tang, Q., Hamid, A. and Varua, M. (2023), 'Exploring the determinants of carbon management system quality : the role of corporate governance and climate risks and opportunities', Accounting and Finance, vol 63, no 4 , pp 4065 - 4091.
  • Khan, A., Evangelista, A. and Varua, M. (2023), 'Evaluating the impact of marketing interventions on sugar-free and sugar-sweetened soft drink sales and sugar purchases in a fast-food restaurant setting', BMC Public Health, vol 23 .
  • Asogwa, I., Varua, M., Datt, R. and Humphreys, P. (2023), '[In Press] Accounting for stakeholder engagement in developing countries : proposing an engagement system to respond to sustainability demands', Meditari Accountancy Research, .
  • Asogwa, I., Varua, M., Datt, R. and Humphreys, P. (2022), '[In Press] The impact of COVID-19 on the operations and management of NGOs : resilience and recommendations', International Journal of Organizational Analysis, .
  • Evangelista, F., Varua, M., Saverimuttu, V., Datt, R., Pattinson, H., Wardle, K. and Evangelista, A. (2022), 'Antecedents and outcomes of service co-creation in the sharing economy', SAGE Open, vol 12, no 2 .
  • Prasad, M., Bakry, W. and Varua, M. (2021), 'Abnormal volatility in seasoned equity offerings during economic disruptions', Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, vol 30 .
  • Asogwa, I., Varua, M., Humphreys, P. and Datt, R. (2021), 'Understanding sustainability reporting in non-governmental organisations : a systematic review of reporting practices, drivers, barriers and paths for future research', Sustainability, vol 13, no 18 .
  • Prasad, M., Bakry, W. and Varua, M. (2020), 'Examination of information release on return volatility : a market and sectoral analysis', Heliyon, vol 6, no 5 .
  • Varua, M., Ward, J., Maheshwari, B., Dave, S. and Kookana, R. (2018), 'Groundwater management and gender inequalities : the case of two watersheds in rural India', Groundwater for Sustainable Development, vol 6 , pp 93 - 100.
  • Jadeja, Y., Maheshwari, B., Packham, R., Bohra, H., Purohit, R., Thaker, B., Dillon, P., Oza, S., Dave, S., Soni, P., Dashora, Y., Dashora, R., Shah, T., Gorsiya, J., Katara, P., Ward, J., Kookana, R., Singh, P., Chinnasamy, P., Goradiya, V., Prathapar, S., Varua, M. and Chew, M. (2018), 'Managing aquifer recharge and sustaining groundwater use : developing a capacity building program for creating local groundwater champions', Sustainable Water Resources Management, vol 4, no 2 , pp 317 - 329.
  • Zreika, M., Varua, M., Hol, A. and Hua, J. (2017), 'Applying data visualization methods on Australian stock investment analytics', International Journal of Engineering Science and Innovative Technology, vol 6, no 1 , pp 18 - 27.
  • Deo, N., Spong, H. and Varua, M. (2017), 'The impact of the GFC on sectoral market efficiency : non-linear testing for the case of Australia', Economic Record, vol 93, no S1 , pp 38 - 56.
  • Moussa, M., Bright, M. and Varua, M. (2017), 'Investigating knowledge workers' productivity using work design theory', International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, vol 66, no 6 , pp 822 - 834.
  • Saverimuttu, V. and Varua, M. (2017), 'Managing the socioeconomic impacts of extreme weather events in the Southwest Pacific basin', International Journal of Safety and Security Engineering, vol 7, no 2 , pp 201 - 212.
  • Li, L., Varua, M., Komarek, A., Shankar, S. and Bellotti, W. (2017), 'The interplay of production commercialisation and specialisation : an empirical study on Chinese smallholders', China Agricultural Economic Review, vol 9, no 4 , pp 504 - 521.
  • Zreika, M. and Varua, M. (2016), 'Applying hybrid graph drawing and clustering methods on stock investment analysis', International Journal of Social, Behavioral, Educational, Economic, Business and Industrial Engineering, vol 10, no 3 , pp 689 - 698.
  • Varua, M., Ward, J., Maheshwari, B., Oza, S., Purohit, R., Hakimuddin, O. and Chinnasamy, P. (2016), 'Assisting community management of groundwater : irrigator attitudes in two watersheds in Rajasthan and Gujarat, India', Journal of Hydrology, vol 537 , pp 171 - 186.
  • Ward, J., Varua, M., Maheshwari, B., Oza, S., Purohit, R., Hakimuddin, O. and Dave, S. (2016), 'Exploring the relationship between subjective wellbeing and groundwater attitudes and practices of farmers in Rural India', Journal of Hydrology, vol 540 , pp 1 - 16.
  • Kookana, R., Maheshwari, B., Dillon, P., Dave, S., Soni, P., Bohra, H., Dashora, Y., Purohit, R., Ward, J., Oza, S., Katara, P., Yadav, K., Varua, M., Grewal, H., Packham, R., Jodha, A. and Patel, A. (2016), 'Groundwater scarcity impact on inclusiveness and women empowerment : insights from school absenteeism of female students in two watersheds in India', International Journal of Inclusive Education, vol 20, no 11 , pp 1155 - 1171.
  • Kookana, R., Maheshwari, B., Dillon, P., Dave, S., Soni, P., Bohra, H., Dashora, Y., Purohit, R., Ward, J., Oza, S., Katara, P., Yadav, K., Varua, M., Grewal, H., Packham, R., Jodha, A. and Patel, A. (2016), 'Groundwater scarcity impact on inclusiveness and women empowerment : insights from school absenteeism of female students in two watersheds in India', International Journal of Inclusive Education, vol 20, no 11 , pp 1155 - 1171.
  • Saverimuttu, V. and Varua, M. (2016), 'Seasonal tropical cyclone activity and its significance for developmental activities in Vanuatu', International Journal of Sustainable Development and Planning, vol 11, no 6 , pp 834 - 844.
  • Saverimuttu, V. and Varua, M. (2014), 'Climate variability in the origin countries as a "push" factor on tourist arrivals in the Philippines', Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, .
  • Liu, Y., Daly, K. and Varua, M. (2014), 'Analysing China's foreign direct investment in manufacturing from a high-low technology perspective', Emerging Markets Review, vol 21 , pp 82 - 95.
  • Maheshwari, B., Varua, M., Ward, J., Packham, R., Chinnasamy, P., Dashora, Y., Dave, S., Soni, P., Dillon, P., Purohit, R., Hakimuddin, .., Shah, T., Oza, S., Singh, P., Prathapar, S., Patel, A., Jadeja, Y., Thakar, B., Kookana, R., Grewal, H. and Chew, M. (2014), 'The role of transdisciplinary approach and community participation in village scale groundwater management : insights from Gujarat and Rajasthan, India', Water, vol 6, no 11 , pp 3386 - 3408.
  • Liu, Y., Daly, K. and Varua, M. (2013), 'Determinants of China's regional FDI inflows', China-USA Business Review, vol 12, no 6 , pp 552 - 561.
  • Stenberg, L. and Varua, M. (2013), 'Social return on investment : a community NGO in south-western Sydney', Third Sector Review, vol 19, no 1 , pp 147 - 170.
  • Liu, Y., Daly, K. and Varua, M. (2012), 'Determinants of regional distribution of FDI inflows across China's four regions', International Business Research, vol 5, no 12 , pp 119 - 126.
  • Liu, Y., Daly, K. and Varua, M. (2012), 'Regional determinants of foreign direct investment in manufacturing industry', International Journal of Economics and Finance, vol 4, no 12 , pp 178 - 192.
  • Varua, M. and Saverimuttu, V. (2012), 'The impact of political unrest or internal conflict on inbound tourism in the Republic of the Philippines', International Journal of Development and Conflict, vol 2, no 1 .
  • Franco Laverde, J., Littlewood, A., Ellis, C., Schraner, I. and Varua, M. (2012), 'FMCG portfolio budget allocation to price promotions using Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT)', International Review of Business Research Papers, vol 8, no 5 , pp 16 - 30.
  • Stenberg, L., Varua, M. and Yong, J. (2012), 'Attitude, secondary schools and student success in a tertiary mathematics unit', Journal of Modern Accounting and Auditing, vol 8, no 4 , pp 480 - 487.
  • Ellis, C., Sundmacher, M. and Varua, M. (2011), 'Responding to student perceptions of education quality in economics and accounting courses', Australasian Journal of Economics Education, vol 8, no 2 , pp 43 - 62.
  • Varua, M., Garces-Ozane, A. and Benic, R. (2010), 'Evaluating economic integration in ASEAN : perspective from a cluster analysis', Asia Pacific Development Journal, vol 17, no 2 , pp 43 - 64.
  • Esquerra, C., Varua, M. and Garces-Ozanne, A. (2009), 'Inflation convergence : evidence from South Asia', Middle East Business and Economic Review, vol 21, no 2 , pp 30 - 49.
  • Franco Laverde, J., Varua, M. and Garces-Ozanne, A. (2009), 'Understanding Crime, Political Uncertainty and Stock Market Returns', World Economics, vol 10, no 2 , pp 109 - 116.
  • Mallik, G. and Varua, M. (2008), 'HSC Mathematics Results and Tertiary Success in Quantitative Units: An Australian Experience', Australasian Journal of Economics Education, vol 5, no 1 & 2 , pp 1 - 9.

Conference Papers

  • Camille, C., Mirza, O., Liyanapathirana, S., Power, A., Mashiri, F., Varua, M., Senaratne, S., Hellany, A. and Almeida, L. (2022), 'The unconventional strength towards STEM cohort', Australasian Association for Engineering Education. Conference, Sydney, N.S.W..
  • Prasad, M., Bakry, W. and Varua, M. (2019), 'Examination of information release on return volatility : a market and sectoral analysis', Auckland Centre for Financial Research. Annual Meeting, Auckland, N.Z..
  • Varua, M., Bright, M. and Moussa, M. (2017), 'Australian knowledge workers' productivity : what matters?', Global Business and Technology Association. Annual International Conference, Vienna, Austria.
  • Deo, N., Spong, H. and Varua, M. (2016), 'Testing market efficiency across the GFC : a sectorial approach to the case of Australia', Australian Conference of Economists, Adelaide, S.A..
  • Deo, N., Prasad, M. and Varua, M. (2016), 'Do index futures cause spot market volatility? : an investigation of the Australian Resources Index', Australasian Finance and Banking Conference, Sydney, N.S.W..
  • Varua, M. and Evangelista, F. (2015), 'Student performance in a quantitative unit : do prerequisites and access to social media matter?', International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies, Barcelona, Spain.
  • Saverimuttu, V. and Varua, M. (2014), 'Promoting sustainable tourism in the Pacific Forum Island countries', International Conference on Sustainable Tourism, Opatija, Croatia.
  • Varua, M. and Garces-Ozanne, A. (2011), 'Remittances to the Philippines: What factors matter?', WEIA 9TH Biennial Pacific Rim Conference, Brisbane.
  • Varua, M. (2011), '(Un) sustainable Consumption in Australian Households: An exploratory study on energy and water use', WEIA 9th Biennial Pacific Rim Conference, Brisbane.
  • Varua, M. (2011), 'Corporate Social Responsibility and Financial Performance: An Australian example', 2011 International Conference on Environmental Innovations and Sustainability, Beppu, Japan.
  • Varua, M., Ellis, C. and Sundmacher, M. (2011), 'Student Perceptions on the Quality of Economics and Accounting Education at UWS', The 16th Australasian Teaching Economics Conference, Sydney.
  • Varua, M. and Mallik, G. (2010), 'Student Performance in Economics: Do Prerequisites Matter?', Quantitative Analysis of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education in Business, Economics and Commerce, University of Melbourne.
  • Sundmacher, M. and Varua, M. (2010), 'Analytical and Critical Thinking Skills of Overseas Postgraduate Students in Banking-Related Subjects: Insights from the Classroom', ICERI 2010 - International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation, Madrid.
  • Varua, M. and Sundmacher, M. (2010), 'Using Workshop Based Tutorials in Developing Postgraduate Overseas Students' Thinking Skills in Financial Econometrics', ICERI 2010 - International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation, Madrif.
  • Varua, M. (2010), 'Multiple Methods: How to help students succeed in Econometrics', 15th Australasian Teaching Economics Conference, Hamilton New Zealand.
  • Varua, M. and Iyer, U. (2010), 'Using Tutorials in Developing Postgraduate Overseas Student's Thinking Skills in Economics', 15th Australasian Teaching Economics Conference, Hamilton, New Zealand.
  • Varua, M. and Evangelista, A. (2010), 'Unsustainable Consumption in Australia: An Exploratory Study', 4th International Conference of Sustainability Engineering and Science, Aucland New Zealand.
  • Stenberg, M., Varua, M. and Yong, J. (2010), 'Mathematics Aptitude, Attitude, Secondary Schools and Student Success in Quantitative Methods for Business Subject in an Australian Catholic University Experience', 39th Australian Conference of Economists, Sydney.
  • Christie, J. and Varua, M. (2010), 'Application of the Distributive Commodity Balance Method Approach to Regional Disaggregation: the Case of Penrith LGA', 39th Australian Conference of Economists, Sydney, Australia.
  • Stenberg, L., Varua, M. and Yong, J. (2010), 'Multiple Methods: How to help students succeed in Quantitative Methods for Business Unit', ALTC Leadership Symposium 2010: Sharing Maths and Stats Resources, University of Wollongong.
  • Varua, M. (2009), 'Engaging students in learning : an application with financial modelling', 13th Australasian Teaching Economics Conference, UWS.
  • Mallik, G. and Varua, M. (2008), 'HSC mathematics results and tertiary success in quantative units : an Australian experience', The Quantitative Analysis of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education in Business, Economics and Commerce, Forum, Melbourne, Australia.
  • Varua, M. and Ozanne, A. (2008), 'Short-run Macroeconomic Determinants and Impact on the Philippine Economy of Remittances', 4th ADEW Workshop, Canberra.
  • Scarff, A. and Varua, M. (2006), 'Use and Abuse: Electronic Teaching Support, Web Access and Student Performance', Fourth International Conference of Multi Media and Information and Communication technologies in Education, Seville , Spain.
  • Evangelista, F., Mak, L. and Varua, M. (2003), 'Market Learning and the Born Global Firm', ANZIBA 2003 Conference, Dunedin NZ.

Other Publications

  • 2023, 'The Unconventional Strength Towards STEM Cohort', Report
  • 2023, 'Food for Thought Feasibility Study: Enhancing Food Donations in Cumberland Council Area', Report
  • 2022, 'MyVoice Pulse Survey of WSU Staff: Working Through the COVID-19 Pandemic', Report
  • 2021, 'Educational Pathways Pilot Program Final Evaluation Report', Report
  • 2018, 'The Social Benefits of Better-practice Waste Management for Multi-unit Dwellings in Penrith LGA: Final Report', Report
  • 2017, 'Therapeutic Health Corporation: Business Report', Report

Previous Projects

Title: Outscaling MARVI in ABHY
Funder:
  • The Australian Water Partnership
Western Researchers: Basant Maheshwari, Dharma Hagare, Maria Estela Varua, Brenda Dobia and Roger Packham
Years: 2020-06-15 - 2022-08-30
ID: P00026590
Title: Finding a Common Language for the Corporate and Community Sectors
Funder:
  • Westpac Foundation
Western Researchers: Michael Darcy, Debra Keenahan and Maria Estela Varua
Years: 2007-02-01 - 2009-12-31
ID: P0015499
Title: Connecting Women Social Entrepreneurs in India and Australia
Funder:
  • Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Western Researchers: Maria Estela Varua, Felicitas Evangelista, Heath Spong and Rina Datt
Years: 2019-09-01 - 2021-09-30
ID: P00025693
Title: Impact of the Productivity of Industrial Crops on the Economic Development in the Central Highlands of Vietnam
Funder:
  • Ministry of Education and Training, Vietnam
Western Researchers: Maria Estela Varua and Neil Perry
Years: 2018-04-27 - 2022-12-31
ID: P00025206
Title: Building a system of indicators to assess the effectiveness of financial autonomy mechanism at public university in Viet Nam
Funder:
  • Ministry of Education and Training, Vietnam
Western Researchers: Maria Estela Varua
Years: 2017-05-08 - 2021-12-31
ID: P00024109
Title: Connecting Vietnamese and Australian Women Entrepreneurs in Agri-food Business
Funder:
  • Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Western Researchers: Dilupa Nakandala, Maria Estela Varua, Felicitas Evangelista, Yi-Chen Lan and Vijay Jayasena
Years: 2017-08-29 - 2018-07-31
ID: P00024010
Title: Finding a Common Language for the Corporate and Community Sectors
Funder:
  • Western Sydney Community Forum
Western Researchers: Michael Darcy, Debra Keenahan and Maria Estela Varua
Years: 2008-07-01 - 2010-07-31
ID: P00016261
Title: Urbanisation and its Impact on Peri-urban Water and Food Security in Africa: Developing Research Collaboration and Capacity Building
Funder:
  • Australia Africa Universities Network
  • University of Western Sydney
Western Researchers: Basant Maheshwari, Dharma Hagare and Maria Estela Varua
Years: 2017-02-21 - 2018-08-31
ID: P00023790
Title: The social benefits of better-practice waste management for multi-unit dwellings in Penrith LGA
Funder:
  • Penrith City Council
Western Researchers: Maria Estela Varua and Neil Perry
Years: 2017-05-01 - 2017-08-31
ID: P00024324
Title: Water Matters for India - Delivering an Innovative Young Water Professional Training
Funder:
  • eWater Ltd
Western Researchers: Basant Maheshwari, Dharma Hagare, Jen Dollin, Yi-Chen Lan, Ricky Spencer, Maria Estela Varua and Sathaa Arumugam Sathasivan
Years: 2021-08-16 - 2022-12-15
ID: P00027532
Title: Improved village scale groundwater recharge and management for agriculture and livelihood development in India
Funder:
  • Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (non ACRG)
  • Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACRG)
Western Researchers: Basant Maheshwari, Maria Estela Varua and Roger Packham
Years: 2011-09-01 - 2019-12-15
ID: P00020046
Title: Market Analysis - Aged Care Services - Stage One
Funder:
  • CATHOLICCARE SOCIAL SERVICES
Western Researchers: Nicky Morrison, Ann Dadich, Maria Estela Varua, Felicitas Evangelista, Jed Montayre and Diana Karamacoska
Years: 2020-11-23 - 2021-01-20
ID: P00026930
Title: Securing Water Supplies - Participatory Groundwater Monitoring and Management in Botswana and Uganda [via University of Sydney]
Funder:
  • University of Western Sydney
  • Australia Africa Universities Network
  • Queensland University of Technology
  • University of Botswana
  • Makerere University
Western Researchers: Basant Maheshwari, Dharma Hagare and Maria Estela Varua
Years: 2020-03-30 - 2023-11-15
ID: P00027019

Supervision

Associate Professor Varua is available to be a principal supervisor for doctoral projects

Current Supervision

Thesis Title: The Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Corporate Financial Performance: Empirical Evidence from Australia
Field of Research:
Thesis Title: Improving Marketing Portfolio Analysis Through the Addition of Risk Profiles for Products or Brands in the Analysis
Field of Research:
Thesis Title: Subsistence market: A study of marketing interactions in subsistence marketplaces
Field of Research:
Thesis Title: "Building a system of indicators to assess the effectiveness of financial autonomy mechanism for public universities in Vietnam"
Field of Research:

Previous Supervision

Thesis Title: Between "Philanthropy" and "Corporate Strategy": A Critical Analysis of Power, Resistance, Motivation and Process within Community-Corporate Engagement
Field of Research: Human Welfare Studies And Services
Thesis Title: Estimating the Price Elasticity of Water Demand for Sydney Residents and its Interaction with Social, Economic, Geographic and Weather Factors.
Field of Research: Systems Analysis And Design; Environmental Studies, N.e.c.; Business And Management, N.e.c.
Thesis Title: Ownership Structure, Corporate Diversification, and Firm Performance: A Study of Listed Firms in Vietnam
Field of Research: Banking And Finance; Other Management And Commerce
Thesis Title: Foreign Direct Investment in China: Interrelationship between Regional Economic Development and Location Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment
Field of Research: Economics
Thesis Title: Agricultural Diversification and Specialisation: The Impact of Smallholders' Farm Efficiency in China
Field of Research: Agriculture, N.e.c.; Other Agriculture, Environmental And Related Studies; Economics
Thesis Title: An Econometric Study of Consumer Choice Under an Environmental Tax Regime
Field of Research: Economics And Econometrics
Thesis Title: Creation and application of a comparative financial index for the Australian fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry
Field of Research: Business And Management
Thesis Title: Production Fragmentation and the Environment: Modelling and Testing the Relationship Between International Trade in Intermediate Goods and Pollution in East Asia
Field of Research: Banking, Finance And Related Fields; Other Management And Commerce
Thesis Title: Impact of Credit Risk Management on Profitability of Nepalese Commercial Banks
Field of Research: Banking, Finance And Related Fields

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