The Business School Magazine
Keeping you up-to-date on the latest business thinking, research insights and expert opinion. Subscribe to get Momentum updates delivered straight to your inbox.
Subscribe
- 5 August 2020Cancel culture — withdrawing support for public figures when they do or say something offensive — has become so widespread it was Macquarie Dictionary’s 2019 word of the year. Marketing expert, Dr Alison Joubert from The University of Queensland Business School explains how this trend is affecting society and marketers.
- 5 August 2020Tourism has emerged as one of the hardest-hit industries during the coronavirus pandemic, yet, its income is paramount to the survival of most countries. Now is the perfect time to build in strategies that ensure environmental and economic sustainability.
- 4 June 2020In just a few months, COVID-19 travelled from China to more than 200 other countries, and has now killed more than 200,000 people. Some claim the pandemic sounds the death knell for globalisation - but in fact, it reveals the disasters that can arise when nations try to go it alone. Examining where the world went right or wrong in its COVID-19 response may help mitigate another global crisis, climate change.
- 4 June 2020There is growing evidence and concern that the algorithms and data underpinning AI can produce bias and ethical injustice. Associate Professor Sarah Kelly discusses the governance and data management considerations necessary to ensuring the ethical implementation of AI.
- 4 June 2020UQ PhD graduate, Rahmat Shazi, is part of a group of Malaysian professionals volunteering their time and expertise to develop innovative medical and delivery devices to help the country fight the COVID-19 crisis.
- 4 June 2020Amid understandable concern over health and hygiene during the pandemic, the problem of disposable plastics has taken a back seat. Researchers explore how the coronavirus has changed the use of plastic bags, containers and other disposable products.
- 8 April 2020As Australia readjusts to drastic measures announced by the Federal Government to close many businesses for the next few months, food delivery workers have become an essential service to an isolated population. But little thought has been given to this front line workforce, who are putting themselves at risk, without basic employee rights.
- 8 April 2020Bushfires will continue to challenge our country, putting homes and lives at risk. With the next potential bushfire season only six months away, there are many ways to help minimise some of the danger, and that starts in your home.
- 8 April 2020Game-changing technologies offer huge benefits for society, such as a vaccine for COVID-19, but bringing them to market can be a long and arduous journey. New research suggests ways to overcome the barriers.
Pages
- 1 February 2016Concerns over missed social opportunities can be a major driver for Millennials, as the travel industry has discovered.
- 1 January 2016We take a look at a few useful business podcasts that could pep up your journey, and make you more effective when you get there.
- 1 January 2016Momentum takes a look at doing good. And why it might just be the best business decision you ever make.
- 1 January 2016Australian retailers are losing out in the competition for online sales, as consumers now spend more money with overseas websites than those from home-grown companies. Here are some lessons retailers could learn from their foreign competitors.
- 1 January 2016Tired of working long hours as an owner manager? By taking a step back, you can improve your quality of life and will be in a better position to take the business forward.
- 1 January 2016Boards are not just for big companies – the knowledge and contacts that experienced board members bring can help small companies to fast track their growth.
- 1 January 2016Team building can be challenging if the members are thousands of miles apart. However research has indicated ways to help virtual teams manage conflicts and become high performers.
- 1 January 2016Credit rating agencies wield considerable power in the global financial system. With one of the big three agencies, Standard & Poor’s, being sued for $5 billion by the US department of justice, we look at what credit ratings do and why they are all over the news.
- 1 January 2016Robots are moving off the assembly line, into other areas of work. Businesses will need to adapt to take advantage of the benefits that robots can offer, while managing the impact on their human workforce. The mantras of organisational change management, leadership and culture will take on new and very real meaning.
Pages
- 1 November 2017Cloud computing can offer real benefits for business but it also brings new challenges. Dr Micheal Axelsen, an IT expert from UQ Business School, says businesses need to understand the risks and address them.
- 2 October 2017Fintech offers easy access to banking for millions of people in developing countries, but regulators need to find better ways to address the risks, says Dr Mamiza Haq
- 1 March 2017Globalisation has lifted millions out of poverty but many people feel ignored by the system, says Paul Brewer. In the wake of Trump and Brexit, governments must beware of complacency.
- 1 January 2016Corporate sponsorship of charities is on the rise and offers benefits for both sides – though choosing the wrong partner can damage reputations. Now research has cast new light on what makes a successful sponsorship deal.
- 1 January 2016Traditional businesses in Indonesia are facing a fresh challenge, as the new generation of graduates exposed to western ideas are starting to rebel against authoritarian management styles and the subservient role expected of them.
- 1 January 2016Your cultural background may determine how you react to bad customer service, suggests a study led by UQ Business School and conducted across the US, Australia, Thailand and China. Companies seeking to expand internationally, beware, one culture's polite complaint can be another culture's outraged outburst.
- 1 January 2016Companies involved in corporate scandals often put the blame on rogue employees. However new research has found that in most cases, the company’s organisational design is to blame. So what can be done to help prevent such incidents in the future?
- 1 January 2016Low 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.
- 1 January 2016New research suggests that Australia’s controversial law to curb excessive executive pay has met with some success – but at a price.
Pages
- 1 August 2016The Islamic finance sector has seen rapid growth since the financial crisis. But is it really less risky than conventional banking – and how will new regulations affect the industry?
- 1 June 2016It might not be on their list of strategic markets, however the Big Four could be making a mistake by neglecting Iran’s potential.
- 4 April 2016A better understanding of culture can help Australia’s entry into the Asian market. But how can we find better ways to train managers to build insights and cultural knowledge?
- 1 February 2016The Paris climate change summit will trigger a new wave of cleantech investment. The breakthroughs it brings will drive economic growth and create new jobs and prosperity.
- 1 February 2016The movie The Big Short focuses on the events leading up to the financial crisis. However, according to Professor Anne Wyatt and Professor Peter Wells, the root of the problem lay in US policies introduced decades before.
- 1 January 2016Impact investing is still a new concept within financial circles, but one which could see billions of dollars channelled into addressing social problems. How can Australia make the most of it?
- 1 January 2016International forces are reshaping the world of business, but also creating new opportunities and a more level playing field for small firms.
- 1 January 2016It's close to a quarter of a century since the People's Republic of China embraced the symbol of the capitalist economy: the share market. UQ Business School's Caroline Chen says reforms over recent years are improving corporate governance and will have a knock on effect for investor confidence. But the playing field isn't quite level yet.
- 1 January 2016Property expert Associate Professor Clive Warren explains the underlying factors affecting the property market and answers the question everyone is asking.
Pages
- 1 May 2018An economist is returning to his roots to explore ways to help smallholder family farms to innovate, improve productivity and increase family income.
- 1 May 2018Innovation has never been more important or moved so fast. Here Professor Mark Dodgson, an internationally renowned innovation expert from The University of Queensland (UQ) Business School, outlines the latest thinking on innovation, based on current research and insights from the technology revolutions in the past.
- 1 March 2018It’s blamed for pushing up property prices and squeezing out locals, yet Airbnb and similar platforms could offer potential community and economic benefits too. Should Australia follow American cities and regulate short-term rentals?
- 1 January 2018Facebook offers new ways to communicate in a crisis. Research reveals how to use it effectively.
- 1 November 2017Cloud computing can offer real benefits for business but it also brings new challenges. Dr Micheal Axelsen, an IT expert from UQ Business School, says businesses need to understand the risks and address them.
- 1 May 2017As the system behind Bitcoin, blockchain was once seen as the domain of arms dealers and money launderers. However it is now recognised as an important technology in its own right.
- 1 May 2017A technique developed by a lecturer to engage students in class could provide added interest to business seminars and training
- 1 March 2017Healthcare IT projects have a poor track record – so why did the digital transformation of Princess Alexandra Hospital succeed when so many others have gone disastrously wrong?
- 2 January 2017Innovation is the key to a better future for Australians – but we need to take pride in our past achievements to convince people of the benefits, says Professor Mark Dodgson.
Pages
- 28 February 2019Business model innovation can allow companies to transcend the competition and dominate their industry. However, not all innovations are created equal. Here is some advice on how to press the reset button.
- 28 November 2018People are the most important factor in a business. However, recent research has found that some traditional Human Resource (HR) practices are ineffective. Is it time for a new approach?
- 2 July 2018"The finance industry’s narrow focus on creating shareholder value often has unintended consequences," says UQ Business School’s Professor Karen Benson. "It’s time for a new approach."
- 1 May 2018A study which set out to investigate what holds back women’s careers offers some useful insights into how to build confidence in children of both sexes.
- 1 March 2018Millions of Australians are involved in community sport, yet clubs’ existence often depends on alcohol sales and sponsorship.
- 1 March 2018Research behind the scenes at one of Australia’s most innovative businesses has shown that strong leadership is key to driving growth.
- 1 January 2018In politics and in business, military leaders are coming to the fore, and can offer some valuable lessons about how to thrive in an era of change and uncertainty.
- 1 January 2018Open-plan working is increasingly popular with companies, but critics claim it can damage productivity and morale.
- 1 November 2017Efficiency is no longer enough. Businesses need to be agile and adaptable to thrive in the new age of uncertainty, and play can help them achieve that.
Pages
- 1 September 2018Market segmentation is behind the success of some of the world’s leading brands. Now a new book outlines how other businesses can benefit from the same approach.
- 1 January 2018Facebook offers new ways to communicate in a crisis. Research reveals how to use it effectively.
- 2 October 2017Businesses invest heavily in engaging with customers online but until now there has been little evidence of the value of their social media efforts. Now a research project has found a way to measure the impact and offers some lessons on how best to use it.
- 2 October 2017A little known branch of economics can help governments to set budgets and make policy decisions that are more in line with the will of the people
- 3 July 2017New research has revealed some surprising findings about which tourists are least likely to be deterred by the threat of terrorism - and how best to appeal to them.
- 3 July 2017As technology changes the way we choose and buy products, companies need to rethink their approach to customer experience. Insightful use of data is now key to understanding and engaging customers.
- 2 January 2017Employment in bars, restaurants and hotels could help young people with multiple challenges to break the cycle of despair. We just need to find the right recipe, says Dr Richard Robinson.
- 1 June 2016From socialising with staff to devising strategies to save face, the latest article in our ‘Asian century’ series explores the challenges facing Western managers in China’s hotels.
- 1 February 2016Customer satisfaction depends on the staff, experts believe. But how can you motivate your employees to create the best possible customer experience? Research at a Queensland restaurant chain holds some valuable clues.
Pages
- 1 January 2016Working with local communities is different to dealing with other types of customers or stakeholders. However the ability to engage with them and win their support is a valuable skill that offers opportunities to generate both profit and social value, says social entrepreneurship expert Dr Lance Newey.
- 1 January 2016While companies in general have been slow to embrace sustainability, some corporates and smaller companies have placed it at the heart of their business and are now using it to develop new markets and secure their long-term future. Others can follow their example by starting with a few simple steps.
- 1 January 2016The increase in extreme weather indicates that climate change is already here, yet so far there has been little discussion of how it will affect business. The Climate Resilient Organization, a new book by Dr Martina Linnenluecke and Professor Andrew Griffiths of UQ Business School, considers what actions companies can take. In this interview, Dr Linnenluecke explains why they need to adapt and build their resilience.
- 1 January 2016The carbon tax, the cost of raw materials, lobbying from environmentalists: the pressure on business to be environmentally responsible is intense. But can sustainable development – the combination of economic growth and ecological balance – be a business reality? UQ Business School’s Professor Peter Clarkson asks under what circumstances business can turn green practice into profit?
- 1 January 2016Recent research emerging from the UQ Business School shows that companies large and small are finding innovative and unique responses to the challenges and broader issues of sustainability and climate change.
- 1 January 2016This month the Green Buildings Council of Australia launches the pilot Green Stars – Communities initiative, an independent, national scheme that aims to certify the sustainability of community level projects. Associate Professor Clive Warren at UQ Business School, an expert in green building rating in the commercial office space, asks: who needs a green star rating and how do we know what it’s worth?
- 1 January 2016Can insurers or reinsurers change our behaviour and help us adapt to climate change? Australia’s obsession with sea changes, waterfront properties and coastal living has a dark side that will make its presence inevitably and abundantly felt in coming years.
- 1 January 2016For the next in our series big data we look at how data capture and analysis is starting to transform the management of our most precious resource: water.