Frontiers of Risk Modelling: Dependence and Extremes of Levy Processes. This project plans to continue an ongoing theoretical study into continuous-time stochastic processes, concentrating on developing tools for the further analysis and understanding of extremal and multivariate phenomena with applications to portfolio analysis, value-at risk calculations and complex financial instruments, with particular emphasis on practical applications of the methodologies in the insurance and finance indus ....Frontiers of Risk Modelling: Dependence and Extremes of Levy Processes. This project plans to continue an ongoing theoretical study into continuous-time stochastic processes, concentrating on developing tools for the further analysis and understanding of extremal and multivariate phenomena with applications to portfolio analysis, value-at risk calculations and complex financial instruments, with particular emphasis on practical applications of the methodologies in the insurance and finance industries. Expected outcomes would be of direct interest to these industries as well as having significant mathematical interest.Read moreRead less
Improving fraud detection, financial reporting quality, investor confidence and market returns by using specialist auditors. As investors, managers and auditors grapple with the global financial crisis effects, this project's findings will help them by showing how and when auditor specialisation contributes to greater financial statement quality and returns. Investors will benefit from lower audit costs, increased audit quality and more credible financial statements.
Protecting Australia’s brand assets and stakeholder interests. International accounting standards have recently been harmonised to allow firms to recognise the value of purchased brands on their balance sheets, subject to an annual test to verify that value has not been impaired. There are no widely accepted methodologies with which to undertake such tests, despite the requirement for the balance sheet to provide a true and fair view of financial position. This research will develop three approa ....Protecting Australia’s brand assets and stakeholder interests. International accounting standards have recently been harmonised to allow firms to recognise the value of purchased brands on their balance sheets, subject to an annual test to verify that value has not been impaired. There are no widely accepted methodologies with which to undertake such tests, despite the requirement for the balance sheet to provide a true and fair view of financial position. This research will develop three approaches to calibrate brand impairment and draw lessons from applying them over a three year period. The outputs are twofold: first, a suite of detailed methods for accountants, auditors and financial analysts to measure and diagnose brand value; second, several key indicators that can be used to monitor signs of brand impairment.Read moreRead less
The Role of Corporate Governance Mechanisms in Maximising the Performance of Listed Australian Corporations. The recent spake of corporate collapses and scandals highlights the need for an ongoing commitment to the development, implementation and maintenance of strong systems of governance within Australian corporations. This commitment necessitates an understanding of which suite of governance mechanisms are most effective in positively impacting upon corporate performance rather than just the ....The Role of Corporate Governance Mechanisms in Maximising the Performance of Listed Australian Corporations. The recent spake of corporate collapses and scandals highlights the need for an ongoing commitment to the development, implementation and maintenance of strong systems of governance within Australian corporations. This commitment necessitates an understanding of which suite of governance mechanisms are most effective in positively impacting upon corporate performance rather than just the performance impact of a particular mechanism in isolation. To date, research facilitating such an understanding is all but non-existent. However, our study will yield this much-needed evidence and, therefore, provide the foundations for ongoing corporate governance reform on the part of regulators and practitioners alike.Read moreRead less
Equity Market Integrity and Liquidity. This project seeks to increase our understanding of market integrity. Market integrity directly impacts investor confidence which influences liquidity and the cost of capital. It is imperative that exchanges implement policies to enhance integrity to survive in a competitive market. The Australian Stock Exchange Limited (ASX) has provided access to unique data of alleged market manipulation to undertake this research. Previous researchers have been cons ....Equity Market Integrity and Liquidity. This project seeks to increase our understanding of market integrity. Market integrity directly impacts investor confidence which influences liquidity and the cost of capital. It is imperative that exchanges implement policies to enhance integrity to survive in a competitive market. The Australian Stock Exchange Limited (ASX) has provided access to unique data of alleged market manipulation to undertake this research. Previous researchers have been constrained by their inability to access such data. We now have an opportunity to complete unique research to develop a measure of market integrity and assess its impact on liquidity and the cost of capital.Read moreRead less
Fundamental mathematical structures in statistical and quantum systems. Mathematics is playing a key role in modern science and technology. This project will bring together world leading experts from Australia and the USA to unravel the most fundamental mathematical structures in of statistical and quantum systems arising in settings ranging from physics of tiny quantum dots to string theory in high energy physics. This research will ensure Australia's involvement in cutting-edge international d ....Fundamental mathematical structures in statistical and quantum systems. Mathematics is playing a key role in modern science and technology. This project will bring together world leading experts from Australia and the USA to unravel the most fundamental mathematical structures in of statistical and quantum systems arising in settings ranging from physics of tiny quantum dots to string theory in high energy physics. This research will ensure Australia's involvement in cutting-edge international developments in mathematical sciences poised to deliver new significant results in the fundamental quantum theory of matter. The project will also contribute to training young researchers to maintain Australia's international standing in fundamental science.Read moreRead less
Entropic Analysis of Financial Risk and Uncertainty. The recent financial crisis has shown that the financial markets are not as stable as expected, and are at risk from a lack of knowledge about new financial products and their risks. This research provides a framework to better measure and forecast financial risks by applying a set of techniques known collectively as entropic analysis as a novel way to measure the amount of information that can be extracted from historical data. The research w ....Entropic Analysis of Financial Risk and Uncertainty. The recent financial crisis has shown that the financial markets are not as stable as expected, and are at risk from a lack of knowledge about new financial products and their risks. This research provides a framework to better measure and forecast financial risks by applying a set of techniques known collectively as entropic analysis as a novel way to measure the amount of information that can be extracted from historical data. The research will facilitate the design of policies and regulations by regulatory authorities that need to evaluate new financial products, their associated risks and their impacts on the financial markets.Read moreRead less
Understanding and overcoming confusion in consumer financial decisions. This project aims to develop consumer-centred approaches to reducing the harmful effects of confusion in financial decisions by studying superannuation investment and home loan decisions where confused choices are individually and collectively costly. The project intends to develop comprehensive models to capture the full complexity of financial products and the diverse preferences and capability of consumers, then to use ad ....Understanding and overcoming confusion in consumer financial decisions. This project aims to develop consumer-centred approaches to reducing the harmful effects of confusion in financial decisions by studying superannuation investment and home loan decisions where confused choices are individually and collectively costly. The project intends to develop comprehensive models to capture the full complexity of financial products and the diverse preferences and capability of consumers, then to use advanced statistical methods to estimate the benefits of clearer decision-making. The outcomes of this project includes new models of complex financial decisions, and a better understanding of where confusion arises and the effects it may have. Decreased confusion will raise financial well-being and help communities become more resilient to financial shocks.Read moreRead less
Quantization of polyhedral surfaces. Recent developments in the theory of discrete surfaces have revealed their fascinating links to many other areas of mathematics including integrable systems and quantum geometry. Rapid progress in this field is motivated by applications in pure mathematics, mathematical physics, computer graphics and engineering. Australian researchers are world recognized experts in integrable systems and this project will link them together with German experts in discrete d ....Quantization of polyhedral surfaces. Recent developments in the theory of discrete surfaces have revealed their fascinating links to many other areas of mathematics including integrable systems and quantum geometry. Rapid progress in this field is motivated by applications in pure mathematics, mathematical physics, computer graphics and engineering. Australian researchers are world recognized experts in integrable systems and this project will link them together with German experts in discrete differential geometry. The project will advance our knowledge base in fundamental and applied sciences and offer a unique research training opportunity for students in contemporary areas of pure and applied mathematics.Read moreRead less