Human Resource Management (HRM) outsourcing and shared services: analysing changing approaches to HRM. Many public sector organisations have established centralised shared services centres or outsourced their Human Resource Management (HRM) to try to cut costs and improve performance. This project will investigate the many implications of such developments for Australian public-sector organisations, their managers and their employees.
An evidence based approach to developing human and social capital in organisations. A social and economic issue facing Australian organisations is the skills shortage and the retention of qualified professionals and managers. Our research informs this issue by examining the mechanisms for developing and engaging managerial employees in Australian organizations. These types of strategies can help reduce the 'brain drain' out of Australia. Moreover, it should increase the capability of businesses ....An evidence based approach to developing human and social capital in organisations. A social and economic issue facing Australian organisations is the skills shortage and the retention of qualified professionals and managers. Our research informs this issue by examining the mechanisms for developing and engaging managerial employees in Australian organizations. These types of strategies can help reduce the 'brain drain' out of Australia. Moreover, it should increase the capability of businesses to attract Australians back --'brain gain.' Organizational strategies based on human and social capital development will also strengthen the social fabric of Australian society by building knowledge capabilities and enhancing well-being.Read moreRead less
Enhancing the National Benefit of Volunteers through Career Development in Community Organisations: A Case Study of Senior Volunteers. This project aims to determine the benefits of career development in enhancing volunteer performance and volunteer retention, with particular attention to the needs of senior volunteers. Research concerning career development is fundamentally important in the paid workforce; little investigation has occurred in the economically important and parallel area of volu ....Enhancing the National Benefit of Volunteers through Career Development in Community Organisations: A Case Study of Senior Volunteers. This project aims to determine the benefits of career development in enhancing volunteer performance and volunteer retention, with particular attention to the needs of senior volunteers. Research concerning career development is fundamentally important in the paid workforce; little investigation has occurred in the economically important and parallel area of volunteer development. The project will build on preliminary research by the Chief Investigators by developing and testing a research instrument underpinned by career development theory. The anticipated outcomes will be (a) an improved understanding of volunteer needs within an organisation through career matching and development, (b) a generic "tool kit" for organisations wishing to develop and maintain volunteers, particularly their more experienced and senior ones and (c) a benefit to the emotional and physical well-being of the community in general and volunteers in particular.Read moreRead less
Managing the Volunteer Workforce: Flexible Structures and Strategies to Integrate Volunteers and Paid Workers. Volunteers now play a vital role in many service-oriented organisations. This project proposes an innovative framework to assist organisations to develop flexible and appropriate structures and strategies for the management of volunteer and paid workforces. The approach draws upon Atkinson's (1984) "Flexible Firm" concept. A flexibility model is applied to the relationship between volun ....Managing the Volunteer Workforce: Flexible Structures and Strategies to Integrate Volunteers and Paid Workers. Volunteers now play a vital role in many service-oriented organisations. This project proposes an innovative framework to assist organisations to develop flexible and appropriate structures and strategies for the management of volunteer and paid workforces. The approach draws upon Atkinson's (1984) "Flexible Firm" concept. A flexibility model is applied to the relationship between volunteers and the broader workforce. The project aims (a) to understand, conceptualise and evaluate the roles, functions and structure of volunteer groups within paid workforces; (b) to investigate how positive relationships, training, effective communication and flexibility can enhance the contribution of volunteers in the workforce and (c) to propose mechanisms which can improve the deployment of human capital within larger service-oriented organisations such as the National Museum of Australia and Museum of Victoria.Read moreRead less
The Value of CSR to Close Stakeholders: A Discrete Choice Modelling Approach. Increasingly corporations are being called to account for their social impact, not just reactively in the sense of compliance but also proactively to the degree that they are seen to be socially innovative. This project is important in assessing the degree to which such pressure is both warranted and effective. It is one thing for a society to wish that its corporations act in socially responsible ways, but quite anot ....The Value of CSR to Close Stakeholders: A Discrete Choice Modelling Approach. Increasingly corporations are being called to account for their social impact, not just reactively in the sense of compliance but also proactively to the degree that they are seen to be socially innovative. This project is important in assessing the degree to which such pressure is both warranted and effective. It is one thing for a society to wish that its corporations act in socially responsible ways, but quite another if employees, investors, analysts and customers do not respond positively to such initiatives.Read moreRead less
Policing and Quality Part-time Work: Constraints and Options. Research suggests that a major barrier to retaining women both in sworn and unsworn positions in police work is the limited provision and uptake of part-time work. A related impediment is the conditions associated with the part-time work available in policing services. This project uses an action research approach to analyse the constraints on and options for ensuring that part-time work within Victoria Police is good 'quality' work. ....Policing and Quality Part-time Work: Constraints and Options. Research suggests that a major barrier to retaining women both in sworn and unsworn positions in police work is the limited provision and uptake of part-time work. A related impediment is the conditions associated with the part-time work available in policing services. This project uses an action research approach to analyse the constraints on and options for ensuring that part-time work within Victoria Police is good 'quality' work. The project outcomes will contribute to better theoretical and organisational understandings of the dimensions of quality in the implementation of part-time work in public policing and in other organisational contexts.
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Promoting Long-Term Employment of Autistic Individuals . Autistic adults tend to have poor employment outcomes and poor well-being, but these outcomes have mostly been treated separately. This project aims to investigate the links between sustainable employment and well-being of autistic adults. Survey and interview data will be collected in partner organisations after implementing two training programs for autistic staff and colleagues. Expected outcomes include enhanced capacity of both emplo ....Promoting Long-Term Employment of Autistic Individuals . Autistic adults tend to have poor employment outcomes and poor well-being, but these outcomes have mostly been treated separately. This project aims to investigate the links between sustainable employment and well-being of autistic adults. Survey and interview data will be collected in partner organisations after implementing two training programs for autistic staff and colleagues. Expected outcomes include enhanced capacity of both employers and employees to pro-actively manage job demands and build resources of autistic employees. This should provide significant benefits by improving sustainability of autism employment programs, thus providing social and financial benefits to autistic individuals, employers, government, and society. Read moreRead less
Proximal and organizational leadership and climate as predictors of key performance in non-profit organizations. This project will provide a transferable model of the leadership and organisational characteristics required for success among nonprofit church organisations. The model will provide opportunities for strengthening the support structures of nonprofits who play a critical role in helping needy families and individuals live healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives. The study addresses t ....Proximal and organizational leadership and climate as predictors of key performance in non-profit organizations. This project will provide a transferable model of the leadership and organisational characteristics required for success among nonprofit church organisations. The model will provide opportunities for strengthening the support structures of nonprofits who play a critical role in helping needy families and individuals live healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives. The study addresses the National Research Priority of Promoting and Maintaining Good Health and Priority Goal 'Strengthening Australia's social and economic fabric.' In addition, the model will provide benchmarking opportunities with other nonprofits both in Australia and internationally and will contribute to the Government's welfare reform and participation agendas. Read moreRead less