Research in Focus 

Auditor-General labels a UOW book as a very useful resource

The second edition of Public Sector Accounting and Accountability in Australia by Professor Warwick Funnell and Associate Professor Kathie Cooper from the School of Accounting and Finance and Dr Janet Lee from the Australian National University was launched at the Australian National Audit Office in Canberra in January 2012. In his address the Auditor-General Ian McPhee commented that the book covers the institutional foundations for our system of government and provides an informative narrative on the relationship between government, the Parliament and citizens; drawing out the various dimensions of accountability, and tracing the journey of public sector reform in Australia. It provides a very useful resource for those working in, or with, the public sector, or are interested in learning about the influences that shape public administration today.

For more information see: http://www.bookshop.unsw.edu.au/bookweb/details?ITEMNO=9781742233048 

New book on social media and tourism

Congratulations to IIBSoR's Associate Professor Ulrike Gretzel whose new book Social Media in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality has just been published. Written by an international group of researchers widely known for their expertise in the field of the Internet and tourism, this book addresses how social media is changing the way travellers and tourists search, find, read and trust, as well as collaboratively produce information about tourism suppliers and tourism destinations.

It presents cutting-edge theory, research and case studies - challenging both academics and industry professionals to consider how the quickly emerging online communities are shaping our future.

For more information see: http://www.ashgate.com/isbn/9781409420910 

SAF HOSTS THE 23RD DOCTORAL CONSORTIUM

The School of Accounting and Finance held the 23rd Doctoral Consortium on Friday 29th August 2011 with two guest speakers, Associate Professor Helen Irvine from Queensland University of Technology and Professor Ken McPhail from Latrobe University. Associate Professor Helen Irvine delivered a lecture on the journey of accounting research within organisations from her own experience in an international  not-for-profit. Professor Ken McPhail’s lecture engaged both staff and students with the  importance of  introducing human rights  in a  sustainability  context into business schools teaching curriculum.

IIBSoR'S RETREAT GUEST STAR

Hugh Mackay, Australia’s most prominent social researcher and commentator on social trends was IIBSoR’s guest at their retreat.

As a psychologist, author and social research practitioner, Hugh Mackay has been a pioneer of social research in Australia.  His influence extends to the government, education and corporate sectors and he has become a household name through his thirteen popular works of both fiction and non-fiction, including his latest book What makes us tick? The ten desires that drive us, published in 2010.

Hugh has been a newspaper columnist for over 25 years, and is a frequent guest on ABC radio.

As always, the IIBSoR Research Retreat was a forum for academics and HDR students to workshop research proposals and projects with colleagues.  The main focus of the forum was on social research were all IIBSoR members were encouraged to present and discuss their ideas.

THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Associate Professor Ulrike Gretzel from IIBSoR was invited to be the main speaker at a Tourism Wollongong ‘Partner meet Partner’ function in March.  With a presentation titled “Customer Complaints 2.0: How negative are online travel reviews?” Ulrike presented to a room full of businesses and tourism operators.

Speaking of the power of social media and the role this medium is playing in human-technology interaction, Ulrike provided a snapshot of her research on social media issues, focusing on the trends and behaviours of social media and the importance of engaging with customers.  She also addressed the fear some operators have of opening up a forum for negative reviews and complaints. Stressing that even though negative reviews do happen, more often than not the reviews that come through are positive ones.  

Ulrike spoke of the importance in educating people on what social media offers tourism operators, and how tourists are now, more than ever, turning to social media sites such as TripAdvisor, Twitter and Facebook as a reliable source of information.  Technology has changed the way people travel and choose their destinations, with many moving away from more traditional methods of finding information.  

For the full presentation, please click here.

BOOSTING THE ECONOMY

Businesses now have the ability to project how successful they will be by using a new economic tool that can predict their impact on employment and spending in the region.

The Input-Output Model (I-O Model), developed by the UOW Centre for Small Business and Regional Research (CSBRR), is now one of Australia's leading commercialisation tools.

When Tourism Wollongong commissioned CSBRR to prepare an economic impact assessment on the likely benefits of a new convention and exhibition centre, renowned modelling expert Dr Guy West joined CSBRR to help develop the model. The project – "The Illawarra Input-Output Model: Advancing Regional Economic Research & Planning" – was funded by Wollongong City Council and Regional Development Australia.

"The unique three-tier model can quantify the total impact on spending and employment by a business venture," says CSBRR Director Charles Harvie.

Historically, the Illawarra region has faced economic development challenges, such as high unemployment, a narrow industrial base and low economic growth.

"The ability of economic researchers, policy-makers and business leaders to understand the dynamics of the economy, and in turn, take appropriate action to stimulate economic growth and development has been restricted by a lack of sophisticated tools for economic modelling and policy analysis," says Harvie.

The model will be used to trace the interactions between various sectors of the economy, as well as sectors outside the region, to enable analysis of income flows, employment generation, tax revenue implications, and exports and imports.

"It allows us to answer important questions concerning the state of the economy and its reaction to changing circumstances," says Harvie. "It has the potential to make a significant contribution to analysing the regional impact of spending initiatives in the region and as a regional development policy tool."

The model is also being used by the Innovation Campus to estimate the contribution the campus will have on the regional and state economies. It is available to businesses and organisations on a consultancy basis.

The highly specialised expertise developed by the Centre for Small Business and Regional Research can also be engaged for broader, strategic economic consultancy, such as the creation of regional economic development strategies and tourism plans.

For more information, please contact CSBRR Director Charles Harvie by email or by phone on +61 2 4221 370.