Low pay is no longer just a problem for the poor – it can have a damaging effect on business and the economy too, according to a leading economist.

By Associate Professor Sunil Venaik and Dr Paul Brewer for The Conversation (January 2015)

Two heads are better than one, as the saying goes. But what if you could tap into the combined expertise of hundreds or thousands of people? Crowdsourcing allows companies to do just that – whether you are looking to solve a problem, find fresh ideas and inspiration or a new source of labour.

New research suggests that Australia’s controversial law to curb excessive executive pay has met with some success – but at a price.

With the rise of influencer marketing, companies are paying celebrities up to $10,000 a tweet to mention their products, while bloggers are benefiting from VIP treatment. But to what extent can a small number of people really influence opinions and drive sales?

Now there’s a new place to hang out at work. Enterprise social networks provide an online environment where employees can get to know their colleagues, work together and exchange ideas.

We have heard a lot about it but is it just a buzzword? Here are six ways in which big data is being used in business and society at large.

Will rising fuel costs mean the end of long-haul holidays? Will shopping become the new sightseeing? And will tourists turn into ‘cyborgs’? Discover the six key trends shaping tourism in the 21st century.

A small Queensland coffee shop has set itself apart with its innovative business model. Dr David Parker, an expert in service operations management with UQ Business School, explains what others can learn in a series of conversations with the owner. This article was adapted from the original in Management Services magazine.