Business Commons^™

Event Tourism In Remote Areas: An Examination Of The Birdsville Races, Jeremy Buultjens, Grant Cairncross

Grant Cairncross

Purpose – The purpose of this paper was to examine the direct economic and social benefits accruing from the Birdsville Races. The paper also explores how strategic place marketing has been used to shape the image of the destination, and how this has provided a boost to tourism visitation to periods outside of the event. Design/methodology/approach – This study was based around a textual analysis of online discourse, interviews with local residents and business owners and a survey of visitors. Findings – The data indicate that the Races make a solid contribution to the local, regional and state economy; however …

Are Your Ducks In A Row? External And Internal Stakeholder Perceptions Of The Benefits Of Parks In New South Wales, Australia, Monica Torland, Betty Weiler, Brent D. Moyle, Isabelle D. Wolf

Betty Weiler

This research examines the strategic alignment between external and internal stakeholders’ perceptions of the benefits of parks. To achieve this objective, surveys were distributed to park agency staff, as well as a sample of residents in New South Wales, Australia. Findings revealed alignment between external and internal stakeholders, with executive managers’ perceptions being generally more favourable than staff and community. The paper pays particular attention to the alignment of internal stakeholders’ (staff) perceptions, which is important for establishing and defending the market position of parks. A high degree of strategic alignment was found between executive and staff for personal benefits. …

Agroecology And Sustainable Rural Livelihoods: A Conceptual Framework To Guide Development Projects In The Pacific Islands, Cherise Addinsall, Kevin S. Glencross, Pascal Scherrer, Betty Weiler, Donald Nichols

Betty Weiler

This article reviews rural development literature in the areas of sustainable livelihoods and agroecology. Combining agroecological and sustainable livelihoods approaches enables interdisciplinary research that incorporates principles from sociology, economics, agronomy and ecology. The outcome of this literature analysis alongside participatory research in Vanuatu and Fiji in 2013–2014 was the development of the integrated Agroecology and Sustainable Rural Livelihoods Framework (ASRLF). The Pacific Island nations have a well-developed traditional economy, but appropriate rural economic development has been problematic. The ASRLF seeks to function in the local Pacific Island context while also having relevance to sustainable rural development projects elsewhere.

Trends And Patterns In Sustainable Tourism Research: A 25-Year Bibliometric Analysis, Lisa Ruhanen, Betty Weiler, Brent D. Moyle, Char-Lee J. Mclennan

Betty Weiler

In the quarter of a century since the release of the 1987 Brundtland Report, sustainable tourism has emerged as the dominant paradigm in tourism development. However, the debate, discourse, and criticism of this subfield of tourism research continues. To address such concerns the purpose of this paper is to explore trends and patterns in sustainable tourism research over the past 25 years. A 25-year bibliometric analysis was conducted for the four highest ranked journals in the tourism field. Results indicate that the growth in sustainable tourism research has been remarkable, with 492 papers published in these four journals and almost …

Workplace Relationships And The Innovative Behaviour Of Nursing Employees: A Social Exchange Perspective, Matthew Xerri

Matthew J Xerri

This research examines the impact of two organisational factors on the innovative behaviour of nurses. More specifically, this research applies the dimensions of Social Exchange Theory as a lens to develop an understanding into the mediating effect of perceived organisational support on the relationship between leader-member exchange and the innovative behaviour of nursing employees. This study uses a mixed-methods approach, including a survey in which 104 nurses responded with useable results and semi-structured interviews with twelve nursing unit managers (nursing supervisors). The findings confirm that perceived organisational support mediates the relationship between leader-member exchange and the innovative behaviour of nursing …

Moving Towards Education For Sustainability: To What Extent Does The Scu Bachelor Of Business Curriculum Reflect The Sustainability Paradigm Shift?, Tania Von Der Heidt, Geoff Lamberton, Erica Wilson

Erica Wilson

No abstract provided.

Moving Towards Education For Sustainability: To What Extent Does The Scu Bachelor Of Business Curriculum Reflect The Sustainability Paradigm Shift?, Tania Von Der Heidt, Geoff Lamberton, Erica Wilson

Tania von der Heidt

No abstract provided.

Bring On The Broadband: A Case For Regional Centres In Australasia, William J. Smart, George M. Coles

George M Coles

The need and processes of implementing a broadband network into isolated communities and its economic, social and environmental impact for Australia and its neighbours are discussed in this paper. Results of Case Studies conducted to identify needs and challenges of the project are given to build a case for government support for the project. The benefits to communities in the region, Australia and worldwide are highlighted. Lessons for political agenda building and implementation of Government can be drawn from this article.

The Impact Of The Perceived Usefulness Of Workplace Social Networks Upon The Innovative Behaviour Of Sme Employees: A Social Capital Perspective, Matthew Xerri, Yvonne Brunetto

Matthew J Xerri

This research includes an examination of the impact of three organisational factors upon the perceived usefulness of workplace social networks for problem solving in engineering SMEs. As well this research examines the impact of the perceived usefulness of workplace social networks upon the innovative behaviour of engineering SME employees. More specifically, the dimensions of Social Capital Theory are applied as a lens to develop an understanding into the effect of the strength of workplace social network ties, sociability and organisational culture upon the perceived usefulness of workplace social networks for problem solving. This study examines the proposed model by applying …

Building Trust In Online Customers, George M. Coles, William J. Smart

George M Coles

Although significant progress has been made towards securing the Internet environment, many consumers remain reluctant to participate in making on-line purchases. Cyber- crime continues to have a negative influence upon the uptake and acceptance of E-Commerce by consumers. As a result commercial website operators are faced with the problem of overcoming user distrust in their systems. The main argument put forward in this study is that a consumer’s trust depends more upon traditional marketing strategies than it does upon their beliefs in the security of on-line systems. In many cases these issues have been overlooked by web developers and vendors …

Supply-Side Evolution Of Caravanning In Australia: An Historical Analysis Of Caravan Manufacturing And Caravan Parks, Rod Caldicott

Rod Caldicott

This exploratory study reviewed internal and external supply-side elements of caravanning in Australia, an area largely overlooked to date in the demand-side focused literature. More specifically, it investigated how caravan parks have developed over the passage of time and what role the caravan manufacturing sector (external element) and the park-based site-mix options (internal element) have had in shaping that development.

In 2011, the caravanning industry is only a mere shadow of its former glory days of the mid seventies, as recognised within its own national peak body, the Caravan, Recreational Vehicle and Accommodation Industry of Australia (CRVA), despite the current …

Boards Characteristics, Audit Committee, External Auditor And Earnings Management: Chinese Evidence, Yongqing Li, Ian Eddie, Jinghui Liu

Jinghui Liu

No abstract provided.

Are Chinese Stock Markets Weak-Form Efficient?, Scott J. Niblock, Keith Sloan

Scott J Niblock

This paper evaluates whether or not Chinese stock markets are weak-form efficient, based on analysis of daily data of the Shanghai “A”, Shanghai “B”, Shenzhen “A”, Shenzhen “B”, Hang Seng, and Dow Jones Industrial Average indices from 2002 to 2005. Tests of the random walk hypothesis reveal return predictabilities for the Chinese share indices together with some evidence of increased predictability in the most recent period. The results of this study support the assertion that despite continual financial liberalisation and unparalleled growth, China’s stock markets are still not weak-form efficient.