Openness in China under the WTO Regime: the Case of Dingzhou. The project will contribute to a better understanding in Australia of openness in local China, in particular, and sociopolical change in China and the globalization process in general. In doing so, it will to add to Australia's international reputation as a major centre of research on China and as a leader in research socio-political change at the local level. It is also likely to benefit bilateral trade by providing useful informatio ....Openness in China under the WTO Regime: the Case of Dingzhou. The project will contribute to a better understanding in Australia of openness in local China, in particular, and sociopolical change in China and the globalization process in general. In doing so, it will to add to Australia's international reputation as a major centre of research on China and as a leader in research socio-political change at the local level. It is also likely to benefit bilateral trade by providing useful information to those in Australia who wish to do business in China, especially in small cities like Dingzhou and rural areas. Read moreRead less
Innovation Agents and Innovation Tracks. Research Scientists in the Australian National System of Innovation. The project examines the backgrounds, careers and technology transfer activities of research scientists working in Australia. The project is significant because these scientists are the key innovation agents of the Australian National System of Innovation. Increasingly anxious about successful transition to a knowledge economy, governments are focusing on R&D but paying too little atten ....Innovation Agents and Innovation Tracks. Research Scientists in the Australian National System of Innovation. The project examines the backgrounds, careers and technology transfer activities of research scientists working in Australia. The project is significant because these scientists are the key innovation agents of the Australian National System of Innovation. Increasingly anxious about successful transition to a knowledge economy, governments are focusing on R&D but paying too little attention to Australia's core innovation personnel. The project focuses attention onto scientists and the innovation tracks they and their work make across the economy, in both public and private sectors, with the aim of improving polices for their retention and full participation in Australian knowledge-based development.Read moreRead less
Following the Money: The Birth, Diffusion and Effectiveness of the Global Regime to Counter Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing. Countering international crime and terrorism are two of the government's top priorities, and attacking the financial underpinnings of these threats is crucial to combatting both. The more knowledge generated about the design, diffusion and effectiveness of existing standards in these areas, the more successful this effort can become. Australia is more closely invo ....Following the Money: The Birth, Diffusion and Effectiveness of the Global Regime to Counter Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing. Countering international crime and terrorism are two of the government's top priorities, and attacking the financial underpinnings of these threats is crucial to combatting both. The more knowledge generated about the design, diffusion and effectiveness of existing standards in these areas, the more successful this effort can become. Australia is more closely involved with the campaign to stop such illicit financial activity than any other country in the Asia-Pacific region. That our domestic laws and regulations are often designed by international organisations, rather than federal or state governments, is a matter of broad political significance and of community interest.Read moreRead less
The Politics of Accountability Reform in Southeast Asia. Australian foreign policymakers and businesses operating in Southeast Asia derive security and commercial advantages from understanding the direction and drivers of politics in the region. New accountability reforms are integral to this politics and, consequently, Australian aid money is being directed towards support for such institutions. However, depending on their nature and support bases, accountability reforms can enhance or suppress ....The Politics of Accountability Reform in Southeast Asia. Australian foreign policymakers and businesses operating in Southeast Asia derive security and commercial advantages from understanding the direction and drivers of politics in the region. New accountability reforms are integral to this politics and, consequently, Australian aid money is being directed towards support for such institutions. However, depending on their nature and support bases, accountability reforms can enhance or suppress citizens' and investors' powers in relation to public and private authorities. Analysing accountability institutions in this way can thus help refine aid strategies and foreign policy meant to increase scrutiny of how authorities in political and economic governance exercise power. Read moreRead less
The organised interest system in Australian public policy: Size, focus, impact and transformation. Organised interest systems that seek to influence public policy-making are undergoing rapid transformation. Some researchers focus on the post-war professionalisation of advocacy; others suggest that the internet is positively (re)shaping the structure of such systems and their democratic capacities. This project adjudicates on such accounts through exploring the size and composition, through time, ....The organised interest system in Australian public policy: Size, focus, impact and transformation. Organised interest systems that seek to influence public policy-making are undergoing rapid transformation. Some researchers focus on the post-war professionalisation of advocacy; others suggest that the internet is positively (re)shaping the structure of such systems and their democratic capacities. This project adjudicates on such accounts through exploring the size and composition, through time, of the Australian system of organised interests. Using innovative methodologies, it assesses the presence and prominence of particular interests in legislative, administrative, print-media and ‘on-line’ arenas. Through a theoretically original, national case study, it will contribute to international scholarship in this important area. Read moreRead less
From words to deeds: the politics of compliance in post-crisis international tax reform. The OECD embarked on an ambitious program to limit international tax evasion as part of the G20's response to the Global Financial Crisis. This project will evaluate whether national governments have honoured their commitments to this historic agreement. These findings will make a significant contribution to our understanding of compliance in global governance.
The politics of expertise during COVID-19. Experts play a crucial role during crises. This project aims to examine how four governments (Australia, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States) have incorporated public health expertise into their decision making during COVID-19. These countries have similar economic resources, liberal democratic institutions, health system capacities and pandemic preparedness. Yet, their governments responded differently to COVID-19. We will conduct a comparative st ....The politics of expertise during COVID-19. Experts play a crucial role during crises. This project aims to examine how four governments (Australia, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States) have incorporated public health expertise into their decision making during COVID-19. These countries have similar economic resources, liberal democratic institutions, health system capacities and pandemic preparedness. Yet, their governments responded differently to COVID-19. We will conduct a comparative study of how governments managed disagreements between experts and how they integrated diverse expert views into pandemic decision making processes. The research will advance our understanding of the role of experts during crises and help inform governments response to future pandemics. Read moreRead less
Australia and the OECD: A Neglected Arena in Multi-level Governance. Issues such as trade liberalisation and the development of international agreements are of considerable importance for domestic policy within Australia. Development of such ideas and policies often serve as the basis for subsequent agreements in the multilateral system through policy transfer or the strategy of ?forum shopping?. Australia's interests as a middle power lie in a rules-based system, and thus its ability to maximiz ....Australia and the OECD: A Neglected Arena in Multi-level Governance. Issues such as trade liberalisation and the development of international agreements are of considerable importance for domestic policy within Australia. Development of such ideas and policies often serve as the basis for subsequent agreements in the multilateral system through policy transfer or the strategy of ?forum shopping?. Australia's interests as a middle power lie in a rules-based system, and thus its ability to maximize its effectiveness in shaping those rules is of paramount importance. This project will contribute knowledge which will serve directly this goal, by enhancing our understanding of the OECD as an arena of multilevel governance and Australia's participation within it.Read moreRead less
Neo-liberalism and the Decline of Democratic Governance: A Problem of Institutional Design? How well Australia's democracy is working is critical both for national policy making and for citizenship. Many scholars argue that populism is in the ascendant, political parties have weakened and that public confidence in political leaders has diminished. This project will provide an authoritative test of these propositions. If they are established, it will identify the ways democratic governance can be ....Neo-liberalism and the Decline of Democratic Governance: A Problem of Institutional Design? How well Australia's democracy is working is critical both for national policy making and for citizenship. Many scholars argue that populism is in the ascendant, political parties have weakened and that public confidence in political leaders has diminished. This project will provide an authoritative test of these propositions. If they are established, it will identify the ways democratic governance can be renewed.Read moreRead less
The impact of small business policy systems on small firm innovation and competitiveness in critical industry sectors. This research will examine the proposition that small business policy systems affect the structure and strategy of SMEs and in turn the sectors within which SMEs innovate and specialise. It will involve an analysis of SME policy systems; sectors of SME specialisation based on patent data, annual reports and firm web sites; and a longitudinal study of the strategy and structure o ....The impact of small business policy systems on small firm innovation and competitiveness in critical industry sectors. This research will examine the proposition that small business policy systems affect the structure and strategy of SMEs and in turn the sectors within which SMEs innovate and specialise. It will involve an analysis of SME policy systems; sectors of SME specialisation based on patent data, annual reports and firm web sites; and a longitudinal study of the strategy and structure of 29 case study firms in 3 sectors in 3 countries based on in-depth interviews and focus groups. Findings will provide a basis for improved policy advice concerning the mechanisms for encouraging small firm innovation and competitiveness in critical sectors.Read moreRead less