What we do
Please click in the areas below to see past and current research projects, consultancies and the other activities the Centre is involved with.
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Research Projects
Researchers in the Centre undertake research and consultancies broadly pertaining to four wide-ranging but interrelated streams: sustainability, capacity development, non-profit management and leadership, management education.
Capacity Development
Resourcing Rural Livelihoods Kenya
Murdoch Chief Investigators: Drs Rochelle Spencer, Martin Brueckner
Partner Investigators: Dr Julius Muia (DG Kenya Vision 2030)
Period: 2017-
This is a new collaboration between Business 4 Development, Base Resources, Cotton On and Strathmore University. We are co-authoring a case study on the LINC model and in what ways it catalyses and co-creates inclusive business ventures and pro-poor value chains in Kwale Kenya. Through empirical research, we explore how partnerships between the private sector, other sector partners and local communities addressing rural poverty, and in what ways such development efforts might create shared value partnerships to advance economic and social conditions of the rural poor.Agroenterprise Africa
Murdoch Chief Investigators: Dr Davina Boyd, Dr Rochelle Spencer, Dr John Davis
Partner Investigators: Dr Catherine Mthinda (LUANR), Dr Charles Masangano (LUANR), Dr Geoff Heinrich (Catholic Relief Services)
Funding: Australian Development Research Award (Category One)
Period: 2013-2018
This is a six-year research project explores the processes and experiences underpinning two innovative models to develop capacity of smallholder farmers to connect with markets in order to improve rural livelihoods. The participatory action inquiry is longitudinal involving qualitative research with smallholder farmer groups, NGOs and other in-country stakeholders with the intention to refine the models based on participatory approaches and the integration of local knowledge into the refinement process (endogenous development). The project focuses on case studies of five projects across Malawi and Zambia that use the SMART Skills and PSP delivery model. Outputs: policy briefs, field reports, knowledge sharing workshops with stakeholders in-country, conference papers, journal article submitted to World Development Perspectives.Indigenous Social Enterprise, northeast Arnhem Land
Murdoch Chief Investigators: Drs Martin Brueckner, Rochelle Spencer
Partner Investigators: Gareth Wise (Nuwul Environmental Services), Banduk Marika (Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation)
Funding: Murdoch University Small Research Grant, School Business and Governance Small Research Grant
Period: 2011-2017
‘Closing the Gap’ between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians is a long-running federal government policy priority. Against this background, this research explores the role of social entrepreneurship in remote Aboriginal communities in NE Arnhem Land (NT), focusing on initiatives currently underway at Nuwul Environmental Services in the town of Yirrkala. This small community-run social enterprise provides employment and training opportunities for local Yolngu whilst also working to maintain cultural knowledge and providing critical environmental services. The aim of the research is to identify whether social entrepreneurship contributes to the success of these local initiatives and to determine the transferability to Indigenous communities elsewhere. This research expanded to include a small study for Miwatj Aboriginal Health. Outputs: local stakeholder analysis; service and adaptive capacity mapping in the Aboriginal community of Yirrkala; a social audit of Nuwul Environmental Services presented to the Rirratjingu Board for use in their strategic planning. Four journal articles with one receiving the Emerald Literati Award 2017.Nonprofit Management and Leadership
Key teaching, research and consulting within the Centre include volunteering, nonprofit management and leadership. Core research capabilities include nonprofit governance, corporate volunteering, bullying in volunteer settings, evaluations, training for nonprofits. Nonprofit Management and Leadership research projects include:
Current ProjectsThe Jacaranda Project: Volunteering in aged care settings
Murdoch Chief Investigators: Dr Megan Paull and A/Professor Antonia Girardi
Partner Investigators: Volunteering WA, Aged Care Volunteer Co-Ordinators Network
Funding: Through Volunteering WA – Murdoch University, VWA, Amana Living, Southcare, Juniper
Partner Organisations: Council on the Ageing
Period: 2017-
This pilot project is a collaboration between Volunteering WA, Amana Living, Juniper and Southcare who have provided seed funding for us to work with the Aged Care Volunteer Co-Ordinators Network and Council on the Ageing (WA). The pilot is examining the changing nature of volunteering in aged care settings associated with both new funding models such as consumer directed care, and the influence of an ageing population. It is anticipated that this pilot will inform a larger grant application.Valuing Volunteer Managers
Murdoch Chief Investigators: Dr Megan Paull and A/Professor Antonia Girardi
Partner Organisations: Volunteering WA, Volunteering Queensland
Period: 2016- 2018
This project examines the contribution and role of this largely forgotten group of nonprofit staff. Workshops in WA and Queensland have included volunteer managers from metropolitan and regional locations with a view to looking at their engagement, motivation, performance and careers in the nonprofit sector.Workplace Bullying in Volunteer Settings
Murdoch Chief Investigators: Dr Megan Paull
Partner Investigators: A/Prof Maryam Omari (ECU), Dr Kate Blackwood (Massey, NZ), Volunteering Australia, Volunteering Western Australia, Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering SA/NT and Volunteering New Zealand
Period: 2016-
A follow up to a West Australian pilot, this project examines the nature, type and incidence of bullying in volunteer settings, with the evidence from the pilot being that this is similar to workplace bullying but with some elements which are unique to volunteer settings. Outputs: Publications from pilot: Paull, M. & Omari, M. (2015). Dignity and respect: Important in volunteer settings too! Equality, Diversity and Inclusion 34 (3) 244-255; Paull, M. & Omari, M. (2014). Organisational (mis)behaviour of volunteers: Profiles and perspectives. In M. Oppenheimer, & J. Warburton (Eds.), Volunteering in Australia. Sydney: Federation Press.
https://www.federationpress.com.au/bookstore/book.asp?isbn=9781862879836
Past ProjectsVolunteering to Learn
Murdoch Chief Investigators: Dr Megan Paull and A/Prof Judy MacCallum
Partner Investigators: A/Prof. Kirsten Holmes (Curtin), Dr Susan Young (UWA), A/Prof Debbie Haski-Leventhal (Macquarie), A/Prof Maryam Omari (ECU), Scott (RMIT), A/Prof Judy MacCallum (Murdoch)
Funding: Australian Government Office for Learning and Teaching
Period: 2013-2015
The key focus of the project was volunteering by university students, with particular reference to Work Integrated Learning. It was the first project of its type to look at the tripartite relationship between universities, students and host organisations.
Project Website: http://www.murdoch.edu.au/projects/volunteeringtolearn/
Project Resources: Good Practice and Concept Guides for University Student Volunteering: Terminology, Learning, Students, Host Organisations, University Program Managers, Senior University Staff, Potential Employers
Selection of Outputs: Paull, M., Omari, M., MacCallum, J., Young, S., Walker, G., Holmes, K., Haski-Leventhal, D., & Scott, R. (2017). Matching expectations for successful university student volunteering. Education + Training 59 (2) 122-134; Paull, M., Scott, R., MacCallum, J., Walker, G., Omari, M., Young, S., Haski-Leventhal, D., & Holmes, K. (2015). University Student Volunteering: What’s in a name? Third Sector Review 21 (2) 49-74; Paull, M., Omari, M., Scott, R., Young, S., Haski-Leventhal, D., Holmes, K., MacCallum, J., & Walker, G. (2016). Hosting University Student Volunteers: Avoiding Disappointment. Paper presented at International Society for Third Sector Research (ISTR) 12th Annual Conference, Stockholm, Sweden, June 28- July 1; Paull, M., Omari, M., MacCallum, J., Young, S., Walker, G., Holmes, K., Haski-Leventhal, D., Scott, R. (2015). Hosting university student volunteers: Great expectations. Paper presented at Managing for Peak Performance, 29th Annual ANZAM conference, Queenstown, New Zealand, 2-4 December.Developing a predictive model for collective engagement: a study in the healthcare sector
Murdoch Investigators: A/Prof. Antonia Girardi, Dr Megan Paull, Danny Toohey, Dr Craig Whitsed
Partner Investigators: St John of God Hospital Murdoch; Professor Leanne Monterrosso Notre Dame University
Period: 2015 - 2016
Working with a local nonprofit hospital, this project looked at engagement of caregivers, based on employee satisfaction survey feedback. Barrick et al (2015) propose a model of collective engagement. In this model, engagement is influenced by three main drivers – motivating work designs which are high on job autonomy and feedback; work practices that are seen by employees as promoting investments in people; and transformational leadership behaviours which align organisational goals and strategic direction. Application of this model is the subject on ongoing publication development.Nonprofit Governance
Murdoch Investigators: Dr Megan Paull, Anne Clear, A/Prof David Holloway, John Griffiths and Professor Manzurul Alam
Funding: Murdoch Business School Small Project Grant
Period: 2011 - 2014
Work undertaken with two nonprofit disability services organisations led to the development of the “hourglass” model of governance, the findings of which have been presented to the sector including at an “Unconvention” hosted by the Young Leaders in Aged and Community Boards program. Outputs: Paull, M., Clear, A., Holloway, D., Griffiths, A., & Alam, M. (2015). Nonprofit governance: The shape of board organisation communication. Paper presented at Managing for Peak Performance, 29th Annual ANZAM conference, Queenstown, New Zealand, 2-4 December.Cross Cultural Perspectives on Workplace Bullying
Murdoch Chief Investigators: Dr Megan Paull
Partner Investigator: Associate Professor Maryam Omari (ECU), Professor Premilla D'Cruz (Ahmedabad Institute of Management, India; Associate Professor Burcu Guneri Cangarli (Izmir University of Economics, Turkey)
Period: 2010-2015
This international collaboration has investigated different experiences of workplace bullying including the different perspectives of targets, bystanders and those accused of bullying behaviours. Outputs: D’Cruz, P., Paull, M., Omari, M., Guneri Cangarli, B. (2016), Target experiences of workplace bullying: insights from Australia, India and Turkey, Employee Relations: The International Journal, 38 (5) 805 – 823; Omari, M. Paull, M. , D’ Cruz, P. & Guneri-Cangarli, B. (2014). Fair game: the influence of cultural norms in creating sanctioned targets in the workplace. Paper for the 9th International Conference on Workplace Bullying & Harassment, Milan, Italy, June 17-21.Sustainability
Experiences of Managing Wealth, Growth and Expectations: Sustainable Development of extractive resources industries.
Murdoch Chief Investigators: Drs Rochelle Spencer and Martin Brueckner
Partner Investigators: Dr Eduardo Pereira (Strathmore University)
Period: 2018 –
This is an international book project collaboration. The book is an intended space for the explorations of how concepts of sustainable development in the extractives industries may be achieved via state wealth funds, local content policies and CSR practices and what experiences and challenges are being experienced in different parts of the world that might inform equitable and sustainable development for the communities directly adjacent to extractives operations and the wider society and environment. This volume seeks to contribute to the much-needed debate on the role and governance of state wealth funds particularly in the context of rising social and environmental stakes and global calls for sustainable development. This edited compendium offers a variety of disciplinary outlooks on the topics of state wealth distribution, sovereign wealth funds, local content policies, CSR practices, sustainable development and extractive resources industries with individual contributions focusing on the implications for specific countries exploring associated challenges and opportunities.
We divide this book into three parts. The first part addresses key topical issues related to public wealth management and distribution, local content policies and corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices within the extractive resources industries. The second part addresses regional and local aspects in key selected extractive resources jurisdictions. The final part engages with some of the challenges and contradictions previous chapters unearth relating to the use of state wealth management and distribution, local content policies and CSR practices for sustainable development of extractive resources industry. It offers concluding remarks and outlines the imperative for heeding lessons from the global experiences to improve outcomes for poverty alleviation, reduced inequality, and sustainable development.
The countries focused on include: Alaska, Angola, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Norway, Qatar, Russia and South Africa. Shortly the editors will be sending a Call for Contributors. In the meantime if you are interested in being an author please contact Rochelle Spencer: rochelle.spencer@murdoch.edu.auNCCARF SEI Network
Murdoch Chief Investigators: Dr Rochelle Spencer, Dr Martin Brueckner
Partner Investigators: Prof Tim Smith (Lead CI, USC), Prof Barbara Norman (Uni of Canberra), Dr Melissa Nursey-Bray (Uni of Adelaide) and Philip Rist (Girringun Aboriginal Corporation), Dr Samuel Wilson (Swinburne), Dr Dana Thomsen (USC)
Funding: National Climate Change Adaptation Research Framework (Category 1)
Period: 2015-2017
The key focus of this project is to develop a social, economic, and institutional dimensions network around climate adaptation nationwide. The network collaboratively works to undertake knowledge transfer, develop uptake and application of information and tools, and increase the capacity of adaptation end-users to use research outputs. Outputs: Peer Learning Events with practitioners across Australia, one Early Career Researcher and Practitioner all-day workshop at the Coast-to-Coast Conference in Melbourne, launch of the National Adaptation Research Plan and the CoastAdapt Tool with policy makers, practitioners and researchers working in climate change. CoastAdapt is an online resource for coastal climate risk management framework to support climate adaptation on our coasts.
Pathways to Renewable Energy Transitions: A German-Australian Comparison
Murdoch Chief Investigators: Dr Martin Brueckner
Partner Investigators: Dr Marion Hitzeroth (KIT Germany), Dr Mathias Jehling (KIT Germany)
Funding: European CAESIE, KIT Collaboration Grant
Period: 2015-2017
This international research collaboration with colleagues from the Regional Research Institute at Karlsruhe University in Germany is funded through European CAESIE-funding (see http://caesie.org). The project, which involves German and Australian researchers, SMEs and local councils, focuses on a bilateral comparison of alternative energy transitions in Germany and Australia. An FP7 grant application to the European Research Commission is being prepared. Output: Hitzeroth, M. Jehling, M. & Brueckner, M. (in print). Apples and oranges? Comparing social acceptance of renewable energies in Germany and Australia: A local approach. International Journal of Global Energy Issues (IJGEI).Industry Community Relations in Yarloop
Murdoch Chief Investigator: Dr Martin Brueckner
Funding: School of Business and Governance Small Research Grant
Period: 2012-2017
The project was applied social research undertaken to document and analyse the long-standing conflict between the community of Yarloop (represented by the Community Alliance for Positive Solutions) and Alcoa World Alumina in Western Australia. Focus was directed to the period from 1996 to 2006 during which Alcoa extended its production capacity and sought to further increase its output potential, which gave rise to community disquiet in relation to, inter alia, health and environmental impacts. Data derived from interviews conducted with Yarloop community members, members of the State government and industry as well as data taken from media content and the academic literature provided the basis for this study. Outputs: Papers have been published in Business Ethics: A European Review; chapter in Resource curse or cure: On the sustainability of resource development in Western Australia and book: Under corporate skies: A struggle between people, place, and profit. Western Australia.University of Sunshine Coast - Research Collaboration Grant
Murdoch Chief Investigators: Dr Martin Brueckner
Partner Investigators: Dr Dyann Ross (USC) Olivia Efthimiou (Murdoch)
Funding: University of the Sunshine Coast Collaboration Grant
Period: 2017-
A research collaboration funded by University of Sunshine Coast on industry-community relations in the South-West of Western Australia. Specifically, the study explores Wagerup conflict involving Alcoa World Alumina and members of the Yarloop community. The project is linked to research currently undertaken by Bruecker and Ellis & Brueckner.In the Line of Fire
Murdoch Chief Investigators: Dr Martin Brueckner
Partner Investigators: Dr Neville Ellis (UWA)
Funding: School of Business and Governance Small Research Grant
Period: 2017-
Project funded by School of Business and Governance exploring changes to residents’ sense of place in the town of Yarloop (WA) following devastating bushfire in early 2016. Data for this project, funded by School of Business and Governance, has been collected and is currently being analysed. Likely outputs will include the publication of a book and a journal article.Responsible Management Education
As a signatory to the United Nations Principles in Responsible Management Education (UN PRME) the School of Business and Governance through The Centre for Responsible Citizenship and Sustainability have committed to the continuous development of learning methodologies and delivery of curriculum that embeds business education in understanding social, ecological and economic priorities. Researchers undertake qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research across a full spectrum of projects in the field of management education.
Current ProjectsAccess to Work Integrated Learning: Influence of Communities of Practice
Murdoch Chief Investigators: Dr Megan Paull
Partner Investigators: Chief Investigator Natalie Lloyd (Curtin) and Sally Male (UWA)
Funding: National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education (granted September 2017)
Period: 2017-2018
This collaboration with Curtin and UWA looks at the WIL component of engineering student placements including in volunteer settings.Volunteering experience and employability of graduates in Accounting and Engineering
Murdoch Chief Investigators: Jo Kestel, Dr Megan Paull
Partner investigators: Dr Natalie Lloyd (Curtin), Kym Schier (Curtin)
Period: 2015-2018
This collaboration looks at employer and student perspectives on the contribution of volunteering experience to employability.Understanding satisfaction with the Internship programs
Murdoch Chief Investigators: Jean Wootton, Dr Ingrid O’Brien, Dr Megan Paull
Period: 2017 -
This project is investigating the levels of business and student satisfaction with internship/work integrated learning programs across the key areas of ‘Preparedness’, ‘Selection’,’ Support’, ‘Implementation’, and ‘Review’ with a view to informing further development of these programs.
Past ProjectsEmployer Perspectives on Graduate Skills
Murdoch chief investigators: A/Prof Antonia Girardi, Dr Megan Paull, Dr Craig Whitsed
Partner investigators: A/Prof Maryam Omari (ECU); Dr Madeleine Ogilvie (ECU)
This project is examining what employers demand of graduates; and their perceptions about the role of higher education in preparing graduates for work. To date the project has examined those attributes sought by employers when recruiting graduates, as well as seeking feedback from HR professionals involved in the graduate recruitment process.Leadership Development: The Genesis of Wisdom for Leadership WA
Murdoch Investigators: A/Prof Antonia Girardi, Dr Megan Paull, Dr Craig Whitsed, Dr Simon Minaee and Dr Ian Boudville
Partner Organisation: Leadership WA
Funding: School of Business and Governance Small Research Grant
An investigation of the role of reflection in leader development in the year-long signature leadership program run by Leadership WA.Finding Common Ground
Murdoch Chief Investigators: Lead CI Dr Craig Whitsed, Dr Megan Paull; Dr Julia Hobson, Dr Jan Gothard, Dr Ingrid Richardson, Dr Helen Middleton, Dr Sarah Etherington
Funding: Australian Government Office for Learning and Teaching extension grant
Building on the ALTC project Finding Common Ground: Enhancing Interaction Between Domestic and International Students (Arkoudis et al. 2010) this extension Project aimed at increasing cross-cultural interactions through curriculum based activities. The Interaction for Learning Framework developed out of the original project was employed. The six-dimensional conceptual framework comprises: Planning interactions; Creating environments interaction: Supporting interactions: Engaging subject knowledge; Developing reflective processes; and, Fostering communities of learners. Several benefits linked to increased interactions for learning across linguistic and cultural groups, such as, increased awareness of different perspectives and better preparation for employment from working in diverse learning teams as well as several impediments from both teaching and learning perspectives were also indentified in this project. Furhter information can be found at:
http://our.murdoch.edu.au/Educational-Development/Preparing-to-teach/Internationalising-your-unit/
Outputs: Paull, M., Whitsed, C., Girardi, A., (2016). Applying the Kirkpatrick model: Evaluating an Interaction for Learning Framework curriculum intervention, Issues in Educational Research, 26 (3) 490 – 507; Paull, M. (2015). ‘Yes! That means get out of your seat’: Interactive learning strategies for Internationalisation of the Curriculum in postgraduate business. In W. Green, C. Whitsed & J. Beelen (Eds.), Internationalising the curriculum in disciplines: Stories from business, education and health. Rotterdam: Sense Publishers B.V.
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Activities
Annual Writing Retreat
The Centre hosts an annual writing retreat for its members to foster a supportive culture of writing. The sequestered time allows us to engage more deeply with our emergent writing in ways that will sustain our writing and help to bring discrete writing projects to fruition. The retreat is usually four days during the summer. Each evening over a shared meal two people present work-in-progress to obtain constructive feedback on their research ideas and writing. Details of the next writing retreat will be available in the months leading up to the retreat.
RADICAL
The Centre hosts a monthly reading and discussion group RADICAL (readings and discussions informing critical academic literacy).
This is a space for academics and early career researchers, including PhD candidates, to convene and discuss academic literature spanning diverse disciplines in a friendly and informal setting.
A new text is selected by a group member each session with the member who selected the text introducing it to kick off discussion in an open and critical environment.
Articles, book chapters, work-in-progress by group members, conference papers, and themes will be the focus of this group to kindle our research interests and cultivate a sense of community.
The group convenes on the last Friday of each month from 10am -11am in 440.3.023. Bring your lunch.
International Conference on CSR, Sustainability, Ethics and Governance
The Centre for Responsible Citizenship and Sustainability recently hosted the 4th International Conference on CSR, Sustainability, Ethics and Governance in collaboration with the Global Corporate Governance Institute. The conference attracted over 150 delegates from 35 countries, presenting their latest research in 30 parallel sessions as well as themed plenaries and industry roundtable discussions. A total of 104 research papers was presented from across the fields of ethics, education, finance and management as well as development studies, tourism, arts, marketing and others. Full paper submissions can be found here and the book of abstract here. The event enabled much needed dialogue between academics and representatives from industry, government and non-government organisations on mounting ecological, economic and social challenges and possible solutions. Conference highlights can be viewed via the conference Facebook or Twitter pages.
Each year, the Global Corporate Governance Institute brings together experts from across the globe to form a global alliance dedicated to rethinking and integrating value issues into management practice, education and development. Following this year’s event in Perth, the 5th International Conference on CSR, Sustainability, Ethics & Governance will take place at the University of Cantabria in Santander, Spain from the 27th to the 29th June 2018.Book Project Collaboration
Members of the Centre collaborated on a Springer edited book project Disciplining the Undisciplined? Perspectives on Responsible Citizenship, Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability. The book project culminated following a half day symposium and stems from ongoing discussions among members of the Centre about how the interrelated concepts of responsible citizenship, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability can be interpreted, researched and taught.
The above concepts have long entered the academic mainstream and have become buzzwords in corporate, political and public discourse. To this day, however, these concepts remain difficult to attribute to specific academic disciplines; indeed, they are often regarded transdisciplinary in nature. Current social and environmental trends give impetus to the operationalisation of these concepts, and the complicity of business and politics in global unsustainability and corporate irresponsibility make these key concerns for university educators and researchers active in this space. Universities are widely seen as the cradles of future community leaders and decision-makers, highlighting the need for universities to take a leadership role in equipping younger generations with the tools necessary to tackle societal problems. Academia, however, is discipline-based and laden with structural constraints militating against an engagement in transdisciplinary work and giving rise to obvious conflict between growing outside expectations on the academy and its ability to deliver.
In this book, we do not concentrate on defining these three interrelated concepts in simple restrictive terms, instead the book unearths some of the tensions that arise when dealing with contested and transdisciplinary concepts. This volume seeks to contribute to the much-needed debate on the role of universities, and business schools in particular, in the context of rising social and environmental stakes and growing calls for 'doing business the right way'. This edited compendium offers a variety of disciplinary outlooks on the concepts of responsible citizenship, CSR and sustainability, with individual contributions focusing on the conceptual implications for specific disciplines and exploring associated challenges and opportunities.
Working Paper Series
The Centre also publishes an in-house Working Paper Series intended as a platform for research dissemination and a stepping stone for higher degree by research students and early career researchers.
Seminar Series
See list of seminars here.
Publications can be found in the Staff profiles in our team page.
