Corporate Governance, Regulation and Accountability: The Role of Multinational Corporations in Delevoping Commerical Advantage from Institutional Integrity. The emerging market economies of India and China have become central to world economic growth. Despite a plethora of complex rules, regulatory reform agendas and industry-designed codes of conduct, doing business in these markets remains exceptionally problematic. Working in partnership with some of the world's leading multinational corporat ....Corporate Governance, Regulation and Accountability: The Role of Multinational Corporations in Delevoping Commerical Advantage from Institutional Integrity. The emerging market economies of India and China have become central to world economic growth. Despite a plethora of complex rules, regulatory reform agendas and industry-designed codes of conduct, doing business in these markets remains exceptionally problematic. Working in partnership with some of the world's leading multinational corporations, the project will lead to important practical and conceptual advances in the design and implementation of institutional integrity systems. This work has significant advantages for the emerging market economies and those seeking to enter into or expand their operations there. Moreover, it will add significantly to the visibility and leverage of Australian research. Read moreRead less
Conceiving and Implementing National Integrity Systems Assessments (NISA). Integrity and corruption are conceptually linked opposites. Integrity systems (or 'ethics regimes') are the most powerful tools for dealing with corruption. They involve a range of institutions, law, procedures, practices and attitudes which encourage integrity and discourage/sanction its absence among public servants and those who might wish to corrupt them. This project will examine the way Australian government and bus ....Conceiving and Implementing National Integrity Systems Assessments (NISA). Integrity and corruption are conceptually linked opposites. Integrity systems (or 'ethics regimes') are the most powerful tools for dealing with corruption. They involve a range of institutions, law, procedures, practices and attitudes which encourage integrity and discourage/sanction its absence among public servants and those who might wish to corrupt them. This project will examine the way Australian government and business integrity systems (some of which have received international praise for their design and conception) function in order to improve their operation in Australia and to provide examples for other countries.Read moreRead less
An investigation of the nature and effects of point-of-sale promotions for alcohol beverages. There is increasing evidence that alcohol consumption is influenced by alcohol advertising, pricing, and marketing activities. However, the current lack of clear evidence on the effect of different promotions (such as reduced-price drinks, competitions etc) means that the current guidelines are unclear and unenforceable. This project will provide clear guidance for policy makers on the effects of the di ....An investigation of the nature and effects of point-of-sale promotions for alcohol beverages. There is increasing evidence that alcohol consumption is influenced by alcohol advertising, pricing, and marketing activities. However, the current lack of clear evidence on the effect of different promotions (such as reduced-price drinks, competitions etc) means that the current guidelines are unclear and unenforceable. This project will provide clear guidance for policy makers on the effects of the different forms of alcohol promotions, allowing for better monitoring and regulation of alcohol marketing. The key benefit of this project lies in the potential to develop a clear strategy to reduce alcohol-related harm by addressing inappropriate marketing and promotion of alcohol. Read moreRead less
Integrity, Leadership and Behaviour in Organisations. Recent high profile corporate scandals such as those involving Enron and HIH have demonstrated how important it is for leaders and managers to demonstrate integrity in their actions. However, organisational researchers have struggled to reach agreement on the qualities of character and behaviour that define integrity. This work draws on work in the philosophical tradition to propose a new multidimensional conceptualisation of leader integri ....Integrity, Leadership and Behaviour in Organisations. Recent high profile corporate scandals such as those involving Enron and HIH have demonstrated how important it is for leaders and managers to demonstrate integrity in their actions. However, organisational researchers have struggled to reach agreement on the qualities of character and behaviour that define integrity. This work draws on work in the philosophical tradition to propose a new multidimensional conceptualisation of leader integrity and to develop a measurement instrument for its assessment. The influence of leader integrity on the behaviour of leaders and subordinates is explored, and a program aimed at enhancing integrity in organisational leadership developed and trialled.Read moreRead less
Religion, Finance and Ethics: Islamic and conventional perspectives on shared principles, practices, and financial institutions and instruments. By linking together specialists in finance, banking and religious history, with the Muslim Community Cooperative (Australia), this project explores communication and mutual benefit between international Islamic finance and conventional Western finance. It will propose new financial structures and instruments to expand the scope of Islamic finance, to m ....Religion, Finance and Ethics: Islamic and conventional perspectives on shared principles, practices, and financial institutions and instruments. By linking together specialists in finance, banking and religious history, with the Muslim Community Cooperative (Australia), this project explores communication and mutual benefit between international Islamic finance and conventional Western finance. It will propose new financial structures and instruments to expand the scope of Islamic finance, to maximise lending and investment opportunities in Australia, and to promote interaction between the Islamic and conventional financial sectors. The project will enable Australian researchers to work with international authorities in Islamic finance, promoting dialogue between Islamic and other groups, and increase investment and development within the Australian financial market.Read moreRead less
The Ethics of Socially Responsible Investment (SRI). This project investigates the ethical credentials of ethical investment - also known as Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) - in Australia. It will examine problems with SRI operations (such as screening, application of decision-making criteria and compliance monitoring) from the perspective of ethical theory; issues of shareholder advocacy; and the clash of ethical and fiduciary responsibility. It aims to make SRI more effective in connec ....The Ethics of Socially Responsible Investment (SRI). This project investigates the ethical credentials of ethical investment - also known as Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) - in Australia. It will examine problems with SRI operations (such as screening, application of decision-making criteria and compliance monitoring) from the perspective of ethical theory; issues of shareholder advocacy; and the clash of ethical and fiduciary responsibility. It aims to make SRI more effective in connecting investors? values to their investments by developing tools for SRI fund managers to exercise more sophisticated forms of ethical reasoning and decision making. This project opens up possibilities of significant transformation of capital markets within Australia.Read moreRead less
Ethical Excellence in the Public Sector in New South Wales. The benefits are to the public sector, and to the public at large in dealing with public sector organisations. Ethical performance is commonly identified as a deliverable from the public service; and the public trust in this aspect of public service performance is critical. The project will help to establish and identify ethical best practice, allowing those organisations and the public to be aware of and to refer to indicators and tr ....Ethical Excellence in the Public Sector in New South Wales. The benefits are to the public sector, and to the public at large in dealing with public sector organisations. Ethical performance is commonly identified as a deliverable from the public service; and the public trust in this aspect of public service performance is critical. The project will help to establish and identify ethical best practice, allowing those organisations and the public to be aware of and to refer to indicators and transparent performance. It will produce rigorous analysis, and offer recommendations which will have practical implementations.Read moreRead less
The Human Rights Responsibilities of Multinational Corporations. Human rights abuses are perpetrated by multinational corporations, yet they are subject to few laws protecting human rights. Given the global power of these bodies, it is imperative and inevitable that greater legal accountability mechanisms will be developed. Working with a consortium of major industry partners, this project will identify current legal obligations on corporations to protect human rights, their means of enforcemen ....The Human Rights Responsibilities of Multinational Corporations. Human rights abuses are perpetrated by multinational corporations, yet they are subject to few laws protecting human rights. Given the global power of these bodies, it is imperative and inevitable that greater legal accountability mechanisms will be developed. Working with a consortium of major industry partners, this project will identify current legal obligations on corporations to protect human rights, their means of enforcement and investigate their likely future extension in Australia and internationally. Best practice models for corporate compliance with these laws will be constructed and all results will be widely disseminated and accessible in a variety of formats.Read moreRead less
The Future of Financial Regulation: Enhancing integrity through design. The global financial crisis and the attendant collapse of major financial institutions have called into question the efficacy of financial regulation and the standards of conduct of the key actors in the financial services sectors and financial markets. Ethical conduct is fundamental to the integrity of Australia's financial services sector and financial markets. This project will make a valuable and innovative contribution ....The Future of Financial Regulation: Enhancing integrity through design. The global financial crisis and the attendant collapse of major financial institutions have called into question the efficacy of financial regulation and the standards of conduct of the key actors in the financial services sectors and financial markets. Ethical conduct is fundamental to the integrity of Australia's financial services sector and financial markets. This project will make a valuable and innovative contribution to the national priority goal of strengthening Australia's social and economic fabric by assisting market actors fulfil their professional roles in an ethical manner. By so doing it accords with the national priority goals of promoting an innovation culture and economy, and safeguarding Australia.Read moreRead less
New Trends in Foundation Formation. The encouragement of philanthropic giving is a current priority of governments globally. The creation of foundations is one strategy for expanding philanthropic activity, with profound implications for public policy and existing foundations. Working with Philanthropy Australia, this study will explore the concept of charitable foundations and recent trends in foundation formation such as the development of 'community owned? enterprises and pressures on busin ....New Trends in Foundation Formation. The encouragement of philanthropic giving is a current priority of governments globally. The creation of foundations is one strategy for expanding philanthropic activity, with profound implications for public policy and existing foundations. Working with Philanthropy Australia, this study will explore the concept of charitable foundations and recent trends in foundation formation such as the development of 'community owned? enterprises and pressures on business to become more 'socially responsible'. The study will produce data of vital importance to informed policy making and to the effectiveness of philanthropic foundations.Read moreRead less