Research

Education & Work

Our research within this theme draws on the population diversity of Western Sydney to underpin investigations that explore access to education and employment. Researchers emphasise how equity can be achieved for our most disadvantaged people and communities, by understanding and challenging current processes and policies. Our research is concerned with the potential for education to transform the way people live and learn, and in improving students’ employability. Access to employment opportunities for the most vulnerable is championed by our researchers. There is a wide range of projects undertaken under this focus area at the School of Business, while demonstrating a commitment to high-quality research that creates positive opportunities and impacts for individuals, communities and society.

Environment & Sustainability

We take the meaning of the term sustainability to indicate meeting our own current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Our sustainability-focused research therefore involves not only natural resources but social and economic resources as well. This is because, embedded in most definitions of sustainability, we find concerns for social equity and economic development as well as environmental conservation.

Our collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to this research area focuses on understanding the relationships between people, place and change. We aim to provide evidence-based solutions to planning, policy and decision making for a diverse and inclusive world. In 2021, the following research projects were conducted in this area.

Health and Well-Being

Research within our Health and Wellbeing focus area explores how initiatives can prevent disease and illness, reduce costs, promote good health and wellbeing, and encourage healthy lifestyles in individuals and communities. The environment in which we live, the social, economic and cultural background from which we come, and the work we do, all affect our physical and mental wellbeing.

Our research is multidisciplinary and collaborative. We recognise that achieving health equity calls for a whole-of-society response. To this end, we work with governments, industry and communities, implementing evidence-based interventions to create transformational improvements in health and wellbeing. The research projects conducted at the School within this focus area are as follows.

Innovation, Technology and Supply Chain Management

Businesses are challenged by the need to constantly innovate, respond to rapid technological advancments and mange thier supply chains amid disruptions. Our applied research in this area aims to investigate managerial challenges and problems in innovation, technology adoption and supply chain management, with a special focus on small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Our strong research capabilities have been developed over the past decade, as demonstrated through top-tier research publications and recognised by external competitive research funding bodies and indistry.

Property, banking and finance

Our researchers in this focus area are conducting progressive research addressing the rapid changes in the Australian and global economic environments. The COVID-19 pandemic and the social and economic crisis it triggered have caused immeasurable suffering in the past two years, and greatly affected the financial and property sectors in Australia and the rest of the world. Our academics from the disciplines of economics, finance, accounting and property are engaged in researching market volatility, investor behaviour, banking and regulation, and energy. Researchers in this focus area continue to publish in high-quality domestic and international accounting, economics and finance journals. In the niche area of property investment, we have continued our leadership in research, focusing on property risk, the role of property in portfolios, property investment vehicles, and international property.

Urban Living Features and Society

The integration of heritage planning and urban design in Australian urban policies is related to improved environmental, health and social outcomes, as well as to cultural objectives. Cultural  and creative  industries are key drivers of the creative economy and represent important sources of employment, economic growth, and innovation, thus contributing to city competitiveness and sustainability. Through their contribution  to  urban regeneration  and  sustainable urban   development,   cultural and creative  industries make  cities  more attractive  places for people to live in and for economic activity to develop.