Research Capabilities

Cultural and Creative Enterprise

As a society, we produce art that solves problems, embodies life and keeps history alive. Collectively, we create social, economic, environmental, and cultural value in arts, entertainment, cultural and creative enterprises. At C-EDGE, our award-winning researchers provide expertise nationally and internationally at the individual, organisational and sectoral levels to understand how these endeavours are changing across our world.   

We are experts at working with industry partners of different nationalities, abilities and ethnicities to bring their creative concepts to fruition. We provide skilled interventions for the success of individual projects across nations, especially in Asia and the Pacific.  

Our researchers can undertake studies and engage with governments, non-profits and businesses that solve cross-disciplinary and cross-national challenges in:  

• Governance and leadership   
• People of all abilities working independently or in organisations 
• Technology, arts and entertainment   
• Value creation for individuals, organisations and society  
• Cross-national and multi-disciplinary studies   

Impact

In creating impact, our research answers important cultural and creative questions like: 

• How are cultural and creative enterprises providing opportunities for deeper engagement and exchange in Australia and Asia? Where are the silver linings that can take relationships forward for future success? 
• How do disability arts boost intercultural engagement opportunities to develop social connections? 
• How might arts festivals support domestic cultural tourism innovations in a global health pandemic?   

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.

Through our part in the Connect2Abilities project, a roadmap has been developed for performers and arts enterprises alike to find a place on the national and international stage. This is a best practice ‘how to guide’ on disability arts.  

Our recent work has given the Government of South Australia a rationale for investing more in theatre spaces for South Australia.  

Research team

• Professor Ruth Rentschler  
• Professor Ying Zhu  
• Associate Professor Rob Hallak  
• Dr Boram Lee  
• Dr Christopher Krolikowski  
• Dr Sunny Son 

Publications

Best paper award

• Rentschler, R., Subramaniam, N. & Martin, B., (2017) A longitudinal study of Aboriginal images in annual reports: Evidence from the Australia Council for the Arts Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand 2-4 July Hilton Hotel, Adelaide. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/acfi.12468

Cutting Edge Event Management journal article award

• Rentschler, R., Lee, B. & Subramaniam, N. (2023) Festival innovation in times of crisis, Event Management, special issue on Event Innovation and Resilience During Uncertainty 27, 559-575, DOI: https://doi.org/10.3727/152599522X16419948695062.

Selected A* and A publications

• Azmat, F. Rentschler, R. Lee, B., & Fujimoto, Y. (2023) Understanding social responsibility and relational pressures in nonprofit organisations Human Relations DOI 10.1177/00187267231183852
• Rentschler, R., Fillis, I. & Lee, B. (2023) National identity and the future of branding the arts Futures 1(45, doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2022.103078.
• Rentschler, R., Fillis, I. & Lee, B. (2022) Artists versus arts council: A longitudinal analysis of brand legitimacy Poetics 92 June, 101623.
• Donelli1, C · Rentschler, R. · Fanelli1, S. · Lee, B. (2023) Philanthropy patterns in major Australian performing arts organizations J Management & Governance doi.org/10.1007/s10997-022-09657-2.
• Winston, E. Ferdous, A. Rentschler, R. Azmat, & Robertson, N. (2022) Value creation process and outcomes in social inclusion focused services European Journal of Marketing 56(3), 840-868 DOI:10.1108/EJM-10-2020-0791.
• Son, I. S., Krolikowski, C., Rentschler, R., & Huang, S. (2022). Utilizing Events for Placemaking of Precincts and Main Streets: Current State and Critical Success Factors. Event Management, 26(2), 223-235. doi:10.3727/152599521X16106577965044.
• Franklin, A., Lee, B., Rentschler, R., (2021), The Adelaide Festival and the Development of Arts in Adelaide, Journal of Urban Affairs. 44(4-5) DOI: 10.1080/07352166.2021.1909422.
• Rentschler, R., Lee, R. & Subramaniam, N. (2021) Calculative practices and socio-political tensions: A historical analysis of entertainment, arts and accounting in a government agency Accounting History, special issue on entertainment and accounting 26(1), 80-101. doi.org/10.1177/1032373220934894.
• Rentschler, R., Subramaniam, N. & Martin, B., (2019) A longitudinal study of Aboriginal images in annual reports: Evidence from the Australia Council for the Arts Accounting and Finance. Doi 10.111/acfi.12468.
• Azmat, F.. & Rentschler, R. (2017) Gender and ethnic diversity and corporate responsibility: The case of the arts sector Journal of Business Ethics 141, 317-336.

Industry Ecosystems

To reach the scale and pace of change required to address the global challenges, we need to work together in collaborative innovation ecosystems. This means we need to better understand the dynamic and evolutionary relationships between organisations, governance, and innovation that link and (re)define industry and geographies.  

Much of the work of C-EDGE researchers is multi- and trans-disciplinary in nature. Hence our research is not specifically defined by sectors but explores topics and issues that are commonly important in most sectors and to geographies at various scales. Our researchers jointly and individually have expertise and experience in research that addresses the following industry ecosystem domains:  

1. Community and regional development and sustainability 
2. Workforce development and diversity  
3. Strategy and leadership  
4. Innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology-driven transformation  
5. Ethics and governance  
6. Value networks, transport systems, supply chain and operations management  
7. Cross-disciplinary social, environmental, cultural and economic studies  

Impact

Our research into innovation ecosystems significantly influences our understanding and promotion of innovation. It informs decisions on economic policies, business strategies, entrepreneurship, and social impact. Our researchers work on projects that connect individuals, organizations, industry sectors, and economic regions. The effects of our research are evident in our case study projects. Explore more to see how our work makes an impact:

• Advance Manufacturing and Industry 4.0

Research team

• Professor Andrew Beer 

• Professor Allan O'Connor 

• Professor Peter O'Connor 

• Professor Nicola Pless

• Professor Ying Zhu

• Associate Professor Nina Evans

• Associate Professor Rob Hallak

• Associate Professor Sajad Fayezi

• Associate Professor Danny Soetanto

• Associate Professor Claudine Soosay

• Dr Sev Nagalingam

• Dr Jessica Mei Pung

• Dr Skye Akbar

• Dr Kate Christ

• Dr Boram Lee 

Sustainable Society

As climate-risk and ESG reports increasingly gain the attention of C-suite, investors and financiers, our need for answers grows. 

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 socio-technical factors. Our group provides recommendations to inform government policy and drive transformative changes across industries. 

Impact

Our impact can be seen through the projects we deliver and the partners we work with. We consider the implications of global change on sustainability through: 

• Enhancing regional growth through innovative housing solutions. 
• Transformative tourism practices improving community well-being. 
• Sustainable supply chain models reducing environmental impact. 
• Implications of the EU deforestation regulation on palm oil supply chains. 

Importantly, our team studied a number of Australian enterprises engaged with offshore investment or supply arrangements that support modern slavery. With our guidance and input, these Australian enterprises have a rationale and framework to address their connection to modern slavery. 

Research team

• Professor Andrew Beer
• Professor Allan O’Connor
• Professor Nicola Pless
• Associate Professor Sajad Fayezi
• Associate Professor Danny Soetanto
• Associate Professor Rob Hallak
• Associate Professor Claudine Soosay
• Dr Sev Nagalingam
• Dr Katherine Christ
• Dr Lynette Washington

Publications

• Zomorrodi, M., Fayezi, S., & Bals, L. (2024). Base of the Chain (BoC) Sourcing Challenges: The Role of Institutional Voids and Social Agency Problems. Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management, 100953. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pursup.2024.100953
• Statsenko, L, Jayasinghe, RS & Soosay, C 2024, 'Supply network resilience capabilities: a social-ecological perspective', Supply Chain Management, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 1-26. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/SCM-11-2022-0438
• Beer, A, Weller, S, Dinmore, H, Ratcliffe, J, Onur, I, Bailey, D, Barnes, T, Irving, J, Horne, S, Atienza, J & Sotarauta, M 2024, 'Just transitions in the Australian automotive sector?', Contemporary Social Science: Journal of the Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 19, no. 1-3, pp. 178-198. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/21582041.2024.2322132
• Drozdibob, A, Sohal, A, Nyland, C & Fayezi, S 2023, 'Supply chain resilience in relation to natural disasters: framework development', Production Planning and Control, vol. 34, no. 16, pp. 1603-1617. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09537287.2022.2035446
• Tierney, J, Weller, S, Barnes, T & Beer, A 2024, 'Left-behind neighbourhoods in old industrial regions', Regional Studies, vol. 58, no. 6, pp. 1192-1206. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00343404.2023.2234942
• Fayezi, S. (2022). Paradox Theory. In Handbook of Theories for Purchasing, Supply Chain and Management Research (pp. 221-247). Edward Elgar Publishing. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4337/9781839104503.00019
• Fayezi, S., Benstead, A., Gold, S., Klassen, R., & Van Wassenhove, L. (2021). Special Issue of Production and Operations Management “Modern Slavery in Supply Chains: A Socio‐Technical Perspective”. Production and Operations Management, 30(11), 4328-4329. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/poms.13645
• Christ et al (2023), Modern slavery and the accounting profession – ScienceDirect. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bar.2023.101174
• Christ et al (2023), Exploring effectiveness of entity actions to eliminate modern slavery risk – Early Australian evidence – ScienceDirect. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bar.2021.101065
• Bhattacharya, A & Fayezi, S 2021, 'Ameliorating food loss and waste in the supply chain through multi-stakeholder collaboration', Industrial Marketing Management, vol. 93, pp. 328-343. DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2021.01.009

Tourism and Leisure

Tourism is a vital economic driver for Australia, stimulating business activity, generating employment, and promoting economic growth, particularly in rural and remote regions. In a post-COVID world, this sector continues to be impacted by challenges, and many questions have been raised about how to support the enterprises that make up this sector. 

Tourism research at C-EDGE focuses on a broad range of issues pertinent to the sustainability of tourism destinations, communities and enterprises. These include: 

1. The visitor economy and visitor experience 
2. The effects of digitalisation on business operations 
3. Entrepreneurship, innovation, and enterprise performance
4. Sustainable tourism 
5. Aboriginal tourism 
6. Food waste management in hospitality 
7. Events and event management 

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

Impact

C-EDGE researchers are actively engaged in conducting research in collaboration with industry and government stakeholders.  Examples of these projects include:  

• Quality public spaces: Developing placemaking indicators and benchmarks – with the Local Government Association of SA (LGASA) & 19 local councils nationwide
• Sports events and public diplomacy: Promoting Australia in Korea using the AFC Asian Cup – with The Australia-Korea Foundation, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Government  
• Community market event management education program – with the City of Salisbury 
• Examining the supply and demand of healthy beverage options in the hospitality industry: Growth strategies for Australian and New Zealand markets – with Organic and Raw Trading Company Pty Ltd
• Public holidays: Business as usual? A study of restaurant and catering businesses in South Australia’ – with Restaurant & Catering South Australia
• Impacts of events on place image and visitation - with the City of Adelaide 
• Destination image and marketing strategies for Botanic gardens in South Australia – with Department for Environment & Water 
• Measuring impact and benchmarking efficiencies and service delivery in local government-owned caravan parks – with the Local Government Association of SA (LGASA)

Research team

• Professor Peter O’Connor 
• Professor Rumi Ramkissoon 
• Associate Professor Craig Lee 
• Associate Professor Rob Hallak 
• Dr Jessica Mei Pung 
• Dr Skye Akbar 
• Dr Aise Kim 
• Dr Sunny Son 

Publications

• Son, I.S. & Krolikowski, C. 2024, Developing a sense of place through attendance and involvement in local events: The social sustainability perspective, Tourism Recreation Research, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2024.2335749 [A]
• O'Connor, P (2024), 'The democratization of tourism distribution: a Horizon 2050 paper', Tourism Review. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/TR-12-2023-0852
• Hallak, R & Lee, C (2024) Handbook on Tourism and Entrepreneurship. Edward Elgar Publishing, UK.
• O'Connor, P 2024, 'Non-fungible tokens and hotel distribution: a misguided development', Annals of Tourism Research Empirical Insights, vol. 5, no. 2, article no. 100144, pp. 1-2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annale.2024.100144  (Open Access)
• Abdullah, T., Lee, C. & Carr, N. (2023). Defining success and failure in the hospitality industry's microenterprises: A study of Indonesian street food vendors. International Journal of Hospitality Management. DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2022.103403 (ABDC 2019 = A*).
• Hallak, R & Lee, C (2023), Managing Tourism Enterprises: Start-up, Growth and Resilience. CABI, UK.
• Dias, A, Florencio, BP & Hallak, R. (2023) ‘Drivers of Social Innovation for Tourism Enterprises: A study on Lifestyle Entrepreneurship’. Journal of Sustainable Tourism (ABCD=A*). https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2023.2272221
• Abdullah, S., Van Cauwenberge, P., Vander Bauwhede, H., & O’Connor, P. (2023). Review Ratings, Sentiment in Review Comments, and Restaurant Profitability: Firm-Level Evidence. Cornell Hospitality Quarterly. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/19389655231214758  (Open Access)
• Buhalis, D., O’Connor, P. and Leung, R. (2023), “Smart hospitality: from smart cities and smart tourism towards agile business ecosystems in networked destinations”, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 35(1), pp. 369-393. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-04-2022-0497   
• Bulchand-Gidumal, J, Secin, EW, O'Connor, P, & Buhalis, D (2023) 'Artificial intelligence's impact on hospitality and tourism marketing: exploring key themes and addressing challenges', Current Issues in Tourism, online, pp. 118. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2023.2229480  (Open Access)
• Kitchen, E., Son, I.S. & Jones, J. (2023) Can events impact social connectedness and loneliness? An analysis of face-to-face and virtual events attended in South Australia, Event Management, vol. 27, no. 7, pp. 1011-1024. [A] DOI: https://doi.org/10.3727/152599523X16896548396734
• Son, I. S., Huang, S. (2023) Understanding the critical driving event leveraging: Perspective from small and medium-sized enterprises, Event Management, vol. 27, no. 3, pp. 423-435. [A] DOI:” https://doi.org/10.3727/152599522X16419948695242
• Lee, C., Pung, J. M. & Del Chiappa, G. (2022). Exploring the nexus of tradition, modernity, and innovation in restaurant SMEs. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 100, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2021.103091 (ABDC 2019 = A*).
• Pung, J. M., Gnoth, J., & Del Chiappa, G. (2020). Tourist transformation: Towards a conceptual model. Annals of Tourism Research, 81, 102885 (Journal Ranking: ABDC 2019 = A*). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2020.102885
• Atzeni, M., Del Chiappa, C., & Pung, J. M. (2022). Enhancing visit intention in heritage tourism: The role of object-based and existential authenticity in non-immersive VR heritage experiences. International Journal of Tourism Research, 24(2), 240– 255 (Journal Ranking: ABDC 2019 = A). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.2497