Managing human resources in an advanced economy from the perspective of emerging Chinese multinationals: the case of NWII in Australia. This project will investigate human resource management practices in the resources sector in Australia and China. The outcomes of this study will provide important theoretical and operational insights into Chinese foreign direct investment for stakeholders such as the Australian government, community, employees and their representatives.
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
Understanding employee-employer relationships during bridge employment: A psychological contract perspective. Bridge employment (paid employment after retirement from a career job) has several advantages for the individual (financial benefits, feeling of social connectedness, sense of accomplishment), employing organisations (access to experienced and skilled workers), and the government (lower burden on pension and benefits schemes). The proposed research will study the employee-employer relati ....Understanding employee-employer relationships during bridge employment: A psychological contract perspective. Bridge employment (paid employment after retirement from a career job) has several advantages for the individual (financial benefits, feeling of social connectedness, sense of accomplishment), employing organisations (access to experienced and skilled workers), and the government (lower burden on pension and benefits schemes). The proposed research will study the employee-employer relationship in bridge employment, with a focus on their perceptions of mutual obligationsin form of the psychological contract. An understanding of the psychological contract will make it more likely that the employment relationship fulfils the needs of the employees and employers and leads to a more successful bridge employment relationship.Read moreRead less
Multi-level analysis of human resource management systems on hospital outcomes. This project explores the relationships among human resource management systems, perceived organisational support, trust-in-management and commitment of healthcare workers. The fundamental aim is to assist hospital managers to determine where to direct their efforts to have maximum impact upon staff and hospital performance.
Working late and the spectre of uselessness: Sustaining labour supply in a globalising economy. A buoyant economy and strong employment growth resulting in unfilled vacancies is frustrating business. Population ageing may exacerbate this, reducing labour supply and consequently industrial output. To assist, the Government is recommending increased employment among older workers. As yet, the evidence base for informing actions is inadequate but points to complex scenarios where older workers may ....Working late and the spectre of uselessness: Sustaining labour supply in a globalising economy. A buoyant economy and strong employment growth resulting in unfilled vacancies is frustrating business. Population ageing may exacerbate this, reducing labour supply and consequently industrial output. To assist, the Government is recommending increased employment among older workers. As yet, the evidence base for informing actions is inadequate but points to complex scenarios where older workers may not necessarily fair well. Better understanding the determinants of their employment and of employer actions would help clarify the role of public policy. Also, understanding how other nations are responding is of strategic importance as this will directly influence the Australian labour market.Read moreRead less
Gender and Employment Equity: Strategies for Advancement in Australian Universities. Gender inequity in pay and employment remain a feature of Australian society and can impair labour productivity. Lower female labour force participation rates continue to be a major issue, resulting in less than optimum use of women's skills. This project undertakes detailed analysis of these issues in Australian Universities, the major training site for the national skilled workforce. It will develop practical ....Gender and Employment Equity: Strategies for Advancement in Australian Universities. Gender inequity in pay and employment remain a feature of Australian society and can impair labour productivity. Lower female labour force participation rates continue to be a major issue, resulting in less than optimum use of women's skills. This project undertakes detailed analysis of these issues in Australian Universities, the major training site for the national skilled workforce. It will develop practical strategies to promote gender equity in universities. As women's participation is a major driver of labour force growth, this research will provide vital information for many industries.Read moreRead less
Women in non-traditional careers: a longitudinal study of female professionals in the mining and resources industries. This project is in line with National Research Priority, strengthening Australia's social and economic fabric, which identifies the importance of research on workforce participation. The main aim of this research is to increase the attraction, participation, development and most importantly, retention of qualified female technical staff in the Australian resource industry. Analy ....Women in non-traditional careers: a longitudinal study of female professionals in the mining and resources industries. This project is in line with National Research Priority, strengthening Australia's social and economic fabric, which identifies the importance of research on workforce participation. The main aim of this research is to increase the attraction, participation, development and most importantly, retention of qualified female technical staff in the Australian resource industry. Analysis of project outputs will directly inform policies and practices to redress the significant skill shortages in the industry. Furthermore enhancing workplace diversity is necessary to create effective and innovative workplaces that reflect the diversity of the broader Australian society.Read moreRead less
Skilled migration and the sustainability of Pacific Island education systems. Teachers' migration and the resulting shortage of teachers at national and local levels have become major concerns in many Pacific countries. This project will investigate the relationship between skilled migration, education systems and economic and social sustainability in Fiji Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu. The aims are to improve the understanding of skilled migration in the Pacific region and analyse the inter-relati ....Skilled migration and the sustainability of Pacific Island education systems. Teachers' migration and the resulting shortage of teachers at national and local levels have become major concerns in many Pacific countries. This project will investigate the relationship between skilled migration, education systems and economic and social sustainability in Fiji Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu. The aims are to improve the understanding of skilled migration in the Pacific region and analyse the inter-relationships between education-related migration, sustainability of education systems and human resource development in the Pacific Islands. The research will inform policy debates in the Pacific countries and in Australia, which is a major donor of foreign aid to these islands.Read moreRead less
Working longer, staying healthy and keeping productive. Working longer, staying healthy and keeping productive. This project aims to develop a policy suite to respond to an older workforce. By 2060, nearly half of Australians aged 64 or older will be employed. Failure to address their health problems could threaten Australia’s economy, tax base and provision of health and care services. This collaboration between national policy portfolios (employment, social services, workplace health and socia ....Working longer, staying healthy and keeping productive. Working longer, staying healthy and keeping productive. This project aims to develop a policy suite to respond to an older workforce. By 2060, nearly half of Australians aged 64 or older will be employed. Failure to address their health problems could threaten Australia’s economy, tax base and provision of health and care services. This collaboration between national policy portfolios (employment, social services, workplace health and social equity) and expert scientists in work, health, social equality and policy process intends to reveal the diversity of older workers’ work-health dilemmas and effective ways for national policies to solve them. The policy suite will promote financial independence and meet social goals of equity and healthy ageing.Read moreRead less
Work, care, retirement and health: ageing agendas. This project will undertake a gendered analysis of how Australians can retire well, taking account of their key resources (such as work, superannuation, the aged pension, and other assets) and key demands (such as to work longer and to care for others in the context of an ageing population and a more feminised workforce).