Externally Funded

The research study aims to assess the impact of the Active Rugby Hubs initiative nationwide in Australia. Conducted jointly by researchers from the School of Health Sciences and the School of Business at Western Sydney University, the study collects data from program officers and parents to evaluate the initiative's effectiveness. The Rugby Hub initiative has been gradually implemented across the country since 2019. The anticipated findings will offer valuable insights into the success of a national community-based Rugby program. These insights could inform future nationwide physical activity initiatives as well as local Rugby programs.

Researchers:
Dr Jess Richards

This research program seeks to reduce energy use and increase resource use efficiency by employing new light-blocking (Smart Glass; SG) and existing light-shifting (LLEAF) films in glasshouses operated by the protected cropping industry.

The project is based at the National Vegetable Protected Cropping Centre (NVPCC) on the Hawkesbury Campus of Western Sydney University. The project will further enable the NVPCC to provide a dedicated research centre of excellence for university, government, and industry engagement to trial new technologies to achieve commercial success for the protected cropping industry.

Researchers:
Professor Yi-Chen Lan

An integrated approach of lean and six-sigma implementation is proposed for investigating processes that are inherited in the organization processes that generate problems and bottlenecks impacting the overall operations in the selected supply chain. This research aims at investigating problems associated with the current processes of an industry-specific supply chain and proposes a holistic approach for addressing those problems at the process level, using a combination of lean and Six-Sigma methods adapted through a comprehensive approach of active engagement of several stakeholders under a different and unique operating context of the selected case scenario. Based on the findings of the case study analysis, particularly problems/issues at the process level and the root causes of those problems, guidelines will be developed using the proposed integrated approach for addressing those with priorities identified.

Researchers:
Associate Professor Premaratne Samaranayake

This research program seeks to reduce energy use and increase resource use efficiency by employing new light-blocking (Smart Glass; SG) and existing light-shifting (LLEAF) films in glasshouses operated by the protected cropping industry.

The project is based at the National Vegetable Protected Cropping Centre (NVPCC) on the Hawkesbury Campus of Western Sydney University. The project will further enable the NVPCC to provide a dedicated research centre of excellence for university, government, and industry engagement to trial new technologies to achieve commercial success for the protected cropping industry.

Researchers:
Professor Yi-Chen Lan

In conjunction with Fairtrade Australia & New Zealand, the research team from Western Sydney University aims to investigate the environmental impacts of imported cut roses from Kenya and Ecuador compared to Australian grown roses.

The project aims to evaluate the environmental impacts of Australian grown roses and analyse based on the questionnaire and interview results from local industry, while secondary data collected from previous studies on cut roses from Kenya and Ethiopia is to be carried out.

Researchers:
Professor Yi-Chen Lan
Dr Rina Datt

This project aims at developing a roadmap and guidelines that can be adopted by the manufacturing plants of the selected company to transition to an Industry 4.0 setting in a staged approach. The project will be carried out in stages.

1. Self-assessment/evaluation of the Industry 4.0 readiness of GPV Asia (Thailand) Co. Ltd.,
2. Development of roadmap and Implementation Guidelines using the self-assessment and qualitative assessment of priorities and inter-dependencies of key determinants
3. Case study, based on the self-assessment, implementation roadmap, and lessons learned from Industry 4.0 adoption at selected locations of GPV Asia (Thailand) Co. Ltd.

The significance of this research is that it provides a review of international best practices that have been adopted by Industry 4.0 leaders, as they moved from traditional manufacturing to Industry 4.0. This study will also develop a conceptual framework that will help to delineate a roadmap for a manufacturing firm to undertake Industry 4.0 transformation, and achieve increasing levels of Industry 4.0 sophistication.

Researchers:
Associate Professor Premaratne Samaranayake

External Research Partners:
Professor Tritos Laosirihongthong | Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University

The National Tax Clinic Program was established by the Australian Government to support unrepresented individual taxpayers and small businesses, whilst providing practical real-life work experience for students considering the tax profession as a career path. In 2021 The Western Sydney University Tax Clinic was one of 10 universities participating in the program where students provided help to clients under the supervision of experienced academic staff who are also registered tax agents.

The Tax Clinic utilises a partnership pedagogy which empowers students as they navigate the professional tax accounting landscape and secure a sustainable career. It assists in bridging the gap between academic preparation, the professional workplace and volunteerism. Through intensive training using fictional case studies and tax software, students build their generic and technical skills before applying them to real world problems and clients.

The Tax Clinic assists the ATO to highlight systemic issues with current processes and ATO legislation. It also conducts applied research with taxpayers and students completing online surveys reflecting on their experience. Findings show the Tax Clinic experience has improved students’ self-efficacy across all 16 dimensions measured.  Our research also tells us that taxpayers leave the clinic feeling more confident and informed.

Researchers:
Dr Connie Vitale
Dr Michelle Cull

External Research Partners:
Dr Robert Whait | University of South Australia
Donovan Castelyn | University of Tasmania
Professor Brett Freudenberg | Griffith University
Annette Morgan – Curtin University
Associate Professor Anne Kaylis-Kumar | University of New South Wales

For more information regarding the National tax Clinic, please click here (opens in a new window)

The proposed project aspires to develop an integrated environmental, social and governance strategic framework for cut flower business the industry partner Lynch Group Holdings Limited.

The project entails three phases:

1. “stocktaking and understanding the current situation” phase in relation to ESG and the reporting requirements
2. “capturing relevant ESG data” phase to identify the partner’s overall environmental footprint particularly in the shipping operation through life cycle assessment
3. “grasping strategic directions and tacit knowledge” phase to develop a regenerative and strategic aligned supply chain framework.

The research outcomes will provide scientific guidance to Lynch Group for a smooth transition towards net-zero business model and operation.

Researchers:
Dr Rina Datt
Associate Professor Premaratne Samaranayake
Professor Yi-Chen Lan