Geographies of Global Resistance. This project explores recent responses to globalisation, often termed resistance, at global, national and local scales. Institutional and non-institutional responses are explored through contrasting case studies chosen from: first, the organised labour movement in Australia; second, from new social movements involving highly publicised anti-globalisation protests in particular places; and third, other spontaneous internet-based forms of resistance known as 'cult ....Geographies of Global Resistance. This project explores recent responses to globalisation, often termed resistance, at global, national and local scales. Institutional and non-institutional responses are explored through contrasting case studies chosen from: first, the organised labour movement in Australia; second, from new social movements involving highly publicised anti-globalisation protests in particular places; and third, other spontaneous internet-based forms of resistance known as 'culture jamming'. The research will contribute to better understanding the nature of globalisation, relationships between global and local change and strategies of resistance. The research is significant in bringing together insights from new approaches in both economic and cultural geography.Read moreRead less
Pay alignment: Fact or fallacy? The project will make an important contribution to our understanding of the impact of employee pay system configuration on firm performance and, in turn, on national productivity and Australia's social and economic fabric. The findings will enrich pay system theory and guide evidence-based improvement in firms' pay practices. It will help employers to identify the most contextually appropriate and effective ways to manage pay level, structure and plan choice and t ....Pay alignment: Fact or fallacy? The project will make an important contribution to our understanding of the impact of employee pay system configuration on firm performance and, in turn, on national productivity and Australia's social and economic fabric. The findings will enrich pay system theory and guide evidence-based improvement in firms' pay practices. It will help employers to identify the most contextually appropriate and effective ways to manage pay level, structure and plan choice and thus to design pay systems that employees in different workplace contexts perceive as fair and that enhance organisational performance and ability to attract, motivate and retain high calibre staff.Read moreRead less
Small business job creation: employer and employee perspectives of job quality. Small business is high on the policy agenda as employment growth is trending downwards. Recent recommendations to increase small business employment highlight the importance of both quantity and job quality. This project will investigate what is a quality small business job from employer and employee perspectives. The research will focus on new small business jobs in the Latrobe Valley - a 'less favored' region. The ....Small business job creation: employer and employee perspectives of job quality. Small business is high on the policy agenda as employment growth is trending downwards. Recent recommendations to increase small business employment highlight the importance of both quantity and job quality. This project will investigate what is a quality small business job from employer and employee perspectives. The research will focus on new small business jobs in the Latrobe Valley - a 'less favored' region. The findings will fill a significant gap in knowledge about the process of job generation and lead to a better understanding of the determinants of job quality from different perspectives, which can assist economic policy development.Read moreRead less
The Impact Of Globalisation On Employment Relations: A Comparison Of The Auto And Banking Industries In Australia And Korea. The project compares the impact of globalisation on employment relations in Australia and South Korea by analysing changes in the auto and banking industries since the mid 1990s. It is expected that the interactions between economic factors, institutional arrangements and strategic decision making will have led to both continuity and change in employment relations during t ....The Impact Of Globalisation On Employment Relations: A Comparison Of The Auto And Banking Industries In Australia And Korea. The project compares the impact of globalisation on employment relations in Australia and South Korea by analysing changes in the auto and banking industries since the mid 1990s. It is expected that the interactions between economic factors, institutional arrangements and strategic decision making will have led to both continuity and change in employment relations during this period. The study will introduce a new theoretical dimension to comparative industrial relations by testing an ?interaction? approach. It will also provide a deeper understanding of the reasons for similarities and differences between employment relations in Australia and South Korea and indicate likely future developments.Read moreRead less
Beyond our Control? The Impact of Multinational Corporations on Industrial Relations in Australia. There are two key national benefits associated with this project, related to building and transforming Australian industries and promoting an innovative culture and economy. It will build a better understanding of an issue which has significant consequences for the competitiveness of Australian enterprises and the well-being of employees. By focusing on the role of MNCs in shaping future employment ....Beyond our Control? The Impact of Multinational Corporations on Industrial Relations in Australia. There are two key national benefits associated with this project, related to building and transforming Australian industries and promoting an innovative culture and economy. It will build a better understanding of an issue which has significant consequences for the competitiveness of Australian enterprises and the well-being of employees. By focusing on the role of MNCs in shaping future employment relations in Australia, the project will provide insights into the economic and social consequences of globalisation. By examining MNCs from the US, Germany and Japan, the project highlights the role of Australia's key trading partners and their influence on Australian industry and employment relations. Read moreRead less
Equal Employment Opportunity in Australia and Britain: Policy Approaches and Progress. Equal employment opportunity policies were introduced in Australia and Britain from the 1980s in response to women's disadvantaged workforce position. These policies aimed to eliminate barriers to women's equal participation. Similar approaches were taken in both countries, but Australia's was underpinned by legislation, while Britain's was employer led and voluntary. No independent examination of these progr ....Equal Employment Opportunity in Australia and Britain: Policy Approaches and Progress. Equal employment opportunity policies were introduced in Australia and Britain from the 1980s in response to women's disadvantaged workforce position. These policies aimed to eliminate barriers to women's equal participation. Similar approaches were taken in both countries, but Australia's was underpinned by legislation, while Britain's was employer led and voluntary. No independent examination of these programs has yet been undertaken. This project examines the rationale and model for EEO in both countries, compares outcomes achieved and the role of legislation in explaining differences in EEO outcomes. It will contribute to national policy analysis and produce refereed publications.Read moreRead less
How Can High-Performance Human Resource Management Improve Workforce Retention in Hospitals? Workforce shortages in hospitals are a major problem in Australia and internationally. Shortages may lead to a reduced provision of health services, lengthy waiting lists for treatment, excessive workloads for staff and increased likelihood of adverse outcomes. Despite a growth in labour supply, workforce shortages reflect, in part, an inability of hospitals to retain trained staff. Benefits to the com ....How Can High-Performance Human Resource Management Improve Workforce Retention in Hospitals? Workforce shortages in hospitals are a major problem in Australia and internationally. Shortages may lead to a reduced provision of health services, lengthy waiting lists for treatment, excessive workloads for staff and increased likelihood of adverse outcomes. Despite a growth in labour supply, workforce shortages reflect, in part, an inability of hospitals to retain trained staff. Benefits to the community of increasing workforce retention include: improved continuity and quality of care; increased throughput of patients; lower workforce recruitment costs; less staff burnout; and lower costs for training and educating new staff. Read moreRead less
Workers of the world: International labour movement responses to globalization. Industrial relations was the most significant issue in the 2007 federal election. The return of the Labor Government suggests the majority of Australians wished to preserve workers' rights to bargain collectively for better wages and working conditions. This project speaks directly to such concerns by analysing the global forces that have prompted anti-worker policies internationally and the worldwide responses on th ....Workers of the world: International labour movement responses to globalization. Industrial relations was the most significant issue in the 2007 federal election. The return of the Labor Government suggests the majority of Australians wished to preserve workers' rights to bargain collectively for better wages and working conditions. This project speaks directly to such concerns by analysing the global forces that have prompted anti-worker policies internationally and the worldwide responses on the part of labour movements. It will also incorporate Australian scholarship and subject-matter into a major comparative study for an international audience, at a time when the global political pendulum has swung in the direction of confronting corporate excesses and improving employees' living and working standards.Read moreRead less
The Role of Employment Relations in the Competitive Strategies of Low Cost Airlines in Australia. Employment-relations issues are key determinants of an airline's performance. Air transport is important for Australia. Australia has experienced failing airlines (e.g. Ansett, Compass); its most successful airline, Qantas, charges high fares and one of its priorities is improving its employment relations. This project will investigate airlines' critical success factors with special attention to the ....The Role of Employment Relations in the Competitive Strategies of Low Cost Airlines in Australia. Employment-relations issues are key determinants of an airline's performance. Air transport is important for Australia. Australia has experienced failing airlines (e.g. Ansett, Compass); its most successful airline, Qantas, charges high fares and one of its priorities is improving its employment relations. This project will investigate airlines' critical success factors with special attention to the links between corporate strategies and employment relations. Besides investigating Qantas, it will link with MIT's Global Airline Industry Program to consider the transformation of Australia's aviation industry and, in particular, the innovations pioneered by low-cost airlines: JetStar and Virgin Blue.Read moreRead less
Emerging Workplaces and Employment Relations Innovation. Studying emerging workplaces enables us to anticipate important trends and problems in the future of employment relations (ER). We will be able to better understand ER innovation and innovation culture. Emerging workplaces are focal for translating innovation into productive outcomes, but many emerging workplaces (particularly in new businesses) fail due to poor management. This project will provide practical guidance for raising their suc ....Emerging Workplaces and Employment Relations Innovation. Studying emerging workplaces enables us to anticipate important trends and problems in the future of employment relations (ER). We will be able to better understand ER innovation and innovation culture. Emerging workplaces are focal for translating innovation into productive outcomes, but many emerging workplaces (particularly in new businesses) fail due to poor management. This project will provide practical guidance for raising their success rate. It will create important advances in a neglected area, enhancing the knowledge base of the field. It has implications for the social and economic fabric through better understanding of the impact of industrial legislation, of key interest to policy makers aiming to improve equity.Read moreRead less