Research Review 07/08

Introduction

The record of research activity in the Faculty of Economics and Business, set out in this Research Review for 2007/08, demonstrates why the Faculty is now internationally recognised as a significant centre of research within economics and business related disciplines. The number of refereed publications and level of competitive research grant income secured by the Faculty on an annual basis continues to increase, while greater levels of interdisciplinary research collaboration are leading to significant and valuable projects.

Our research profile and achievements to date have created an environment in which research scholarship underpins our doctoral studies program and informs our teaching. At the same time, the Faculty's research seeks to meet the challenges faced by government,industry and society, to influence and enhance business and professional practice, and to inform policy and regulatory settings.

No longer defined by a national context

Our domain and aspirations are not defined by any national context. The Faculty is committed to enhancing its international reputation for the relevance and rigour of its research. Over the past six years this commitment has seen a substantial strengthening of our intellectual capacity. Just recently the Faculty has appointed 10 new professors from Australia and around the world (with a number of other professorial appointments underway), bringing to 35 the number of full professors across the Faculty - each of whom necessarily has an outstanding record of research and engagement within their disciplines.

As of consequence of this sort of critical mass and the reach of our research and publications, the Faculty has a real presence in the academic and practitioner community throughout the world. While highly relevant to national needs and context, our research is genuinely international in focus as evidenced by the extent of journal articles and conference papers in the international arena; the number of international journals edited and hosted by Faculty members; the international focus of Faculty research groups and entres; the large number of international research collaborations; the number of international awards and fellowships held by staff; an active international visiting scholar program; and the recruitment of PhD students from - and placement of PhD graduates in - highly regarded international institutions. A reputation for quality research has led to staff being regarded as public intellectuals not only in Australia but in the global arena. Many staff carry out research that influences practice in their own fields both nationally and internationally. They are called upon by the media to contribute to debates on international issues within their field of expertise. Others are engaged in consulting projects and deliver applied research for major international bodies, governments, industry groups and individual companies.