Research Capabilities

Cultural and Creative Enterprise

At C-EDGE we focus on understanding the dynamics and practices that impact the cultural and creative sectors. Our researchers explore the economic, social and culture aspects to gain insights and provide solutions to current industry challenges.

We’ve explored how barriers have melted away with the universal languages of dance and music and increased access and inclusion for those with disabilities. Our research investigates how emerging technology can foster cross-cultural engagement and collaboration.

Industry Ecosystems

We are experts in the development of technology precincts, innovation hubs, and science parks. Our team can provide insights on how these types of infrastructure can effectively contribute to the growth of technology-based firms and foster sustainable development within a region.

At C-EDGE we have investigated the Australian manufacturing decline and how the Fourth Industrial Revolution – Industry 4.0 – has created new possibilities for the manufacturing sector. Accurate and available information from ecosystem mapping provides a greater understanding of the advanced manufacturing sector in Australia and will highlight opportunities for collaboration, process improvement, and customer-and-supplier identification on a global scale.

Sustainable Society

At C-EDGE we aim to understand the social, economic, and environmental challenges in creating a sustainable society.

Our research investigates the drivers and barriers to achieving sustainability by examining cultural economic factors. Our team can provide recommendation to inform government policy, and changes across industry.

Our team has explored the number of Australian enterprises that are engaged with offshore investment or supply arrangements that support modern slavery. We’ve created the which provides Australian enterprises with a rationale and framework to address their connection to modern slavery.

Tourism and Leisure

We provide expert knowledge and analysis to assist with responses to rising challenges in the tourism and leisure industry.

Home to twenty UNESCO World Heritage sites, Australia is one of the top tourist destinations in the world.  Its vibrant cities offer world-class sporting events, diverse cuisines, and award-winning experiences, and a thriving business events sector, while its regional areas offer stunning natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and unique wildlife, as well as provide the opportunity to experience the world’s oldest living culture – that of Australia’s First Nations peoples.

Tourism serves as a vital economic driver for Australia, stimulating business activity, generating employment, and promoting economic growth, particularly in rural and remote regions.  Pre-pandemic, Australia welcomed almost 10 million international visitors, with the Australian government’s THRIVE 2030 strategy on track to drive visitor spending to A$230 billion by 2030.  The sector directly employed 666,000 people in 2019-2020, accounting for over 5% of total employment, with interconnections with other sectors amplifying its impact and supporting an additional 570,000 jobs.  (Source: Tourism Research Australia).

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in Australian tourism, contributing to its vibrancy and resilience. Showcasing the distinctive character and cultural heritage of Australia, SMEs add depth, diversity, and resilience to Australia's tourism offerings. Their flexibility and adaptability enable them to respond quickly to ever-changing market demands, offering diverse and innovative products/services, while supporting local communities and fostering entrepreneurship. And by attracting tourists to rural destinations, SMEs promote regional development, thus reducing economic disparities between urban and rural areas.

UniSA’s academic programs have been ranked Top 3 in Australia and Top 50 in the world for Hospitality and Tourism by in the Shanghai’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022, as well as ranked No.1 in South Australia, ranked top 10 in Australia and top 100 in the world for Hospitality and Leisure Management by QS in 2022. 

Tourism researchers at UniSA focus on a wide range of issues, ranging from online distribution, e-marketing, entrepreneurship, sustainability, resilience, event management, food tourism, to managing the visit experience, over tourism, placemaking, and wine marketing. 

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we witnessed how a crisis can forge opportunities for growth. Our researchers delve into the intrinsic resilience mechanisms within businesses and communities, which play a pivotal role in fostering organisational recovery and expansion.

Our research underscores the advantages of cultivating robust connections throughout supply chains and across business, community, and government sectors. These connections are essential for resilience, ensuring their enduring effectiveness before, during, and after a crisis.

We work closely with CERM-PI, conducting customer service quality and operational management research for the tourism and leisure industry.

Please see individual researchers’ profiles under Our People.