Research Impact

Democracy and Entrepreneurship – Professor David Audretsch’s Public Lecture

Distinguished Professor David Audretsch – a world-renowned expert on entrepreneurship – delivered an eye-opening analysis of how democratic institutions and entrepreneurial activity fuel each other. In this public lecture, Audretsch draws on decades of research to explain how democracy supports (and sometimes hinders) entrepreneurship, and why the decline of one often mirrors the decline of the other.

Levelling up through women’s place-based leadership

New C-EDGE research explores the interaction between place-based leadership and gender, not just as a matter of gender equity but in the context of levelling up regional economies. The research finds that ensuring women are equally represented in regional leadership could be one of the most powerful moves we make toward a fairer, more prosperous future.

The economic and policy landscape of Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Given the limited feasibility of electrification for long-haul flights, the aviation industry faces significant challenges in achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is widely considered the most viable alternative to conventional jet fuel, offering potential emissions reductions of up to 68%. However, despite its promise, SAF adoption remains below 0.1% of total aviation fuel use in 2024, largely due to high costs, supply chain constraints, and policy uncertainty.

What drives property buyers in Sydney? New research reveals surprising trends

A new study has examined what people in Sydney look for when buying property, whether it’s a home to live in or a place to invest. The findings reveal that the reasons buyers choose certain types of homes in specific areas can vary significantly depending on whether purchasing for personal use or investment purposes.

How lifestyle tourism entrepreneurs can drive social innovation in their communities

In many small towns and rural areas, tourism businesses like guesthouses, tour companies, and local food experiences help keep communities alive. But these businesses aren’t always run with big profits in mind. Instead, many are started by people known as tourism lifestyle entrepreneurs (TLEs) who want a better quality of life. These individuals choose to live in a place they love, build a business around it, and contribute to the life of the local community.

Is recycled water an innovation hindered by a branding problem?

It is no secret that there is a growing global water crisis. This means we need innovative solutions to create sustainable water management. One option is recycled … but this has been known to spark outrageous front-page headlines of citizens drinking their own urine!

Build less and save the planet. The case for doing more with less

As we face the impacts of climate change and increasing urbanisation, the way we design, construct and use our buildings increasingly requires scrutiny. This is because buildings and construction account for such a large share of global GHG emissions. The question emerges if we are relying too much on energy efficiency and adopting green technologies to curb these environmental impacts or is there something more foundational that we need to give our attention to?

Navigating the Challenges of Marketing in Remote Aboriginal Tourism

Remote Aboriginal tourism offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty of Australia. However, operators in this sector face challenges in marketing their offerings, largely influenced by resource limitations, remoteness, and systemic barriers. This research by CEDGE’s Dr Skye Akbar and Professor Anne Souvertjis (formerly Sharp) from the Ehrenberg Bass Institute explores the experiences of remote Aboriginal tourism operators, highlighting their marketing approaches, challenges, and strategies for growth.

The Influence of CEO Motivation on Entrepreneurial Orientation in SMEs

Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) plays a pivotal role in driving risk-taking, innovation, and proactivity within organisations. But what drives EO at the leadership level? CEDGE researcher Associate Professor Danny Soetanto with a global research team from the University of Sheffield and Sun Yat-Sen University sheds light on the motivational attributes of CEOs, specifically their regulatory focus—a theory of motivation that distinguishes between promotion focus (growth-oriented) and prevention focus (safety-oriented).

Going Digital – Regional Australian SMEs using social networks to build social capital

In our digital world, regionally based Australian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) face unique challenges. These businesses can struggle with physical distance from customers, suppliers, and business partners. This isolation may limit access to information, skilled staff, and new opportunities for growth. However, with the rise of online social networks (OSNs) like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, regional SMEs now have tools to overcome some of these barriers by extending their reach and developing new relationships.

Tackling Trust, Transparency and, Tradition in Low-Income Market Sourcing

Procurement and supply professionals can face implementation challenges for sustainable practices, especially when sourcing from the Base of the Chain (BOC). A recent study involving CEDGE Professor Sajad Fayezi, in collaboration with Dr Maryam Zomorrodi (University of Adelaide) and Professor Lydia Bals (University of Applied Sciences Mainz), explored this issue by examining five BOC sourcing programs in the Australian agribusiness sector.

Events Shaping Positive Perceptions of Place

Events are vital in uniting people across business, government, and the community to discuss key issues, and they also offer a significant boost to the places that host them. Local events have not only tangible effects, such as economic impacts but also intangible effects, such as reputation and social cohesion, which are equally important to measure, especially for gaining buy-in for further hosting and developing more activities to promote and improve places.

Enhancing the role of part-time Reservists in addressing workforce shortages

Australia is one of many countries currently experiencing a skills shortage due to many factors, including technological advancements and aging populations in industries such as IT, healthcare, and defence. In response to these challenges, the 2023 Defence Strategic Review recommended the ADF explore innovative approaches to solving its current recruitment and retention crisis, including examining the structure and role of Reserves.

Building a Greener Future: How We Can Create Sustainable Supply Chains—and Why It Matters

In an era where consumers demand more transparency and accountability, businesses are rethinking how their supply chains impact the environment and society. Recent global events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and growing climate crises, have exposed vulnerabilities in traditional supply chains, pushing sustainability to the forefront. But how do businesses create sustainable supply chains, and why is this important for their long-term success?

Transforming spaces into meaningful places

Placemaking is about community development, promoting health and wellbeing, fostering a sense of community, enhancing community connectedness. Yes, it is about economic development but its also the ‘itys’ … accessibility, connectivity, inclusivity and walkability. And increasingly, it is sustainability and environmental biodiversity too.

The ingredients on their own are never enough

C-EDGE’s own Kathryn Anderson, of national 3MT fame, has spent the last four years deeply exploring what it emerges from the construction of Innovation Districts.

National coordination a must for regional business ecosystem resilience

The primary objective for this research was to deliver a policy framework to guide building RBE resilience.

ASPiRE to Industry 5.0: The Way Forward

So what is ASPiRE all about? This project will continue to bring together business and management scholars interested in where, how, and with what effect technology, innovation, sustainability and human well-being collide.

Boosting Local Economies: The Pros and Cons of Localisation Measures

Often there is pressure applied from local businesses to maintain their market share (and jobs) over interstate or overseas options. It is commonly thought that this is good for the local economy, however, that is not always the case.

Building stronger events in the City of Salisbury through volunteer training

Events are more central than ever to human culture as it is through culture that individuals, communities and nations define themselves. It wasn’t just C-EDGE’s Associate Professor Craig Lee who understood this, Sarah Bevan from the City of Salisbury’s Twelve25 also got it.

Empowering businesses to break free from modern slavery

The United Nations estimates that approximately 50 million people are currently working in conditions of modern slavery worldwide. It can occur in all sectors of the economy, including supply chains, manufacturing, operations, and investment channels in Australia.

Advance Manufacturing and Industry 4.0

All industries in the future will inevitably be more technologically advanced, integrated, and interdependent. It is essential to understand the trajectories and effects of geo-industrial and technological evolutions on the Australian economy, so to not leave Australia behind.

Removing barriers for artists with a disability

The COVID-19 pandemic decimated the arts, and disabled artists were particularly disrupted. While people with disabilities are at increased risk of facing barriers to inclusion, the pandemic also raised awareness about the need for increased access and inclusion for those with disabilities.