Research Directions

Research directions of AIBWB will be a combination of existing strengths (e.g. coaching) and external opportunities. The following seven directions provide a framework for research development- and current and future HDR student research is being mapped into this framework.

Coaching

Research into applications of coaching will form a key part of the AIBWB research program, complementing the existing Masters of Business Coaching. Existing capacity includes three academic staff with publications in this area, and two with ARC Linkage grant experience that was heavily focused on the use of coaching to support positive organisational outcomes. Given that coaching theory and practice is informed by several difference literatures (e.g. adult learning, psychology, management) ongoing research in this area will lead to a further strengthening of AIBWB as a multidisciplinary unit.

Personal Productivity and Work-life balance

Personal productivity complements the focus on wellbeing and will continue to be a topical and important research focus in international business. The use of personal strengths, mindfulness, energy management, and self regulation are all very contemporary and conceptually relevant to personal productivity and related phenomena (e.g. the increasing impact of information technology on individuals personal and work lives). Work-life balance is a strategically important research area to further develop as it provides a conceptual bridge between personal wellbeing and productivity. These areas also benefit from multi-disciplinary input.

Workplace wellbeing and diversity

Workplace wellbeing remains the prototypical example of business wellbeing. AIBWB aims to examine workplace wellbeing and its business impact - with a particular focus on workplace wellbeing programs that aim to promote wellbeing (in addition to reducing stress, illness and absenteeism) through the use of programs that move beyond the ubiquitous physical health and wellbeing initiatives to include significant psychological, social and environmental components. Diversity in the workplace is a related area including focus on women in leadership, ethnic and sexual orientation diversity in the workplace and its relationship to wellbeing and productivity.

These areas benefit from multidisciplinary input.

Corporate governance, social responsibility and business ethics

There is existing capacity with AIBWB in the area of corporate governance and a direct link to wellbeing given the increasing focus on values in the workplace. AIBWB will further develop its research program on governance, and issues of social responsibility, organisational virtuosity and the relationship between ethics and wellbeing.

Economics and accounting of wellbeing (i.e. wellbeing metrics)

A key strategic development for AIBWB is to develop capacity in behavioural economics, and the economics of wellbeing which is becoming internationally recognised, as evidenced by recent announcements by the UK government. Similarly the accounting of wellbeing, and the ongoing development of wellbeing metrics is an important strategic direction, ensuring a truly multidisciplinary investigation of business wellbeing. This particular research direction creates a great opportunity for multidisciplinary collaboration.

Positive Leadership, innovation and entrepreneurialism

Certain traits of individuals and conditions within organisations and economies enable innovation and entrepreneurialism. With the location of SBS in Innovation Campus, and the recent development of a Graduate Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship there is increasing capacity to develop applied research programs in this area, and investigate relationships with organisational wellbeing.

Business Wellbeing

Business wellbeing may be seen as a concept/construct in its own right (i.e. more than a label for a collection of business and wellbeing related research). The conceptualisation and measurement of models of business wellbeing also represents a research stream in its own right, one that will enable AIBWB to link its brand with applied science.