Our News

1. Contribution to a book entitled:  Toward an Integrated Science of Wellbeing

Dr Diane Jarvis is the lead author on Chapter 18, ‘Natural Capital, Ecosystem Services, and Subjective Wellbeing: A Systematic Review’, by Diane Jarvis, Phil Lignier, Ida Kubiszewski, Robert Costanza.  Phil is a HDR student with CBLG, working for his PhD entitled ‘Spatial and Longitudinal Variations in the Economic, Social and Environmental Factors of Life Satisfaction’.  This work was a result of a collaboration began during Covid lockdown, and has finally led to the publication of the book this month.

Abstract for Chapter

Humans depend on the rest of nature for their health, wellbeing, and survival. Recent research has analysed the extent to which self-reported life satisfaction (as one form of subjective wellbeing) is related to various proxies for natural capital and ecosystem services. The authors of this chapter analysed 87 studies published between 2000 and 2019 that modelled different versions of this relationship around four basic themes: (1) degree of human intervention, (2) specific environmental goods and services, (3) adverse impacts, and (4) overarching indicators. Results showed that positive effects are most significant when there is a balance of natural, built, human, and social capital and that nonlinear relationships that incorporate this interaction may be most appropriate.

More information about the book and chapter can be found at https://academic.oup.com/book/46095/chapter-abstract/404620502?redirectedFrom=fulltext&login=false

2. Unemployment benefit eligibility requirements and perceived time pressure

https://doi.org/10.1111/ssqu.13266

Authors: Ruud Gerards, Riccardo Welters

Abstract:

Objectives

An emerging body of literature links stressors or obstacles (e.g., compliance to an unemployment benefit eligibility requirement) to poor job search quality, questioning the effectiveness of such requirements in helping the unemployed to find employment. We investigate whether compliance to an unemployment benefit eligibility requirement affects an unemployed person's perception of time pressure, which theory relates to job search quality and which itself is hard to gauge.

Methods

We conduct a propensity-score matching analysis, using data on the Australian “mutual obligations” program, matching otherwise similar unemployed persons with and without an unemployment benefit eligibility requirement.

Results

Controlling for a wide range of confounders, we find a statistically significant positive effect of an unemployment benefit eligibility requirement on the affected person's perception of time pressure as theory predicts.

Conclusions

Others have hypothesized that poor labor market outcomes for those subjected to a “mutual obligations” requirement are a result of the requirement's adverse effect on job search quality. Our finding that compliance to unemployment benefit eligibility requirements increases an unemployed person's perceptions of time pressure aligns with that hypothesis.

3. Sustainable lifestyles, eating out habits and the green gap: a study of food waste segment

https://doi.org/10.1108/APJML-07-2021-0538

Congratulations to Dr Breda McCarthy and Dr Hongbo Liu for their articles  being picked up by more than 70 news outlet and the attention score of 552

4. How well do we search for missing people in Queensland, Australia? (in press)

Authors: James Whitehead, Richard Franklin, Dr Tracey Mahony

Abstract

Most countries, states or counties have an organised Search and Rescue (SAR) response to reported missing people, whether it is by statutory authorities such as the police or by volunteer groups. The success or otherwise of the ensuing searches is often dependent on the training of the coordination team and the adherence to known and proven search strategies. It would be realistic to assert that the chances of a successful search are reduced if the coordinator cannot put those searchers in the right location. This paper examines the functionality of the SAR system in Queensland, looking at the coordination structure, the strategies utilised in determining search areas and whether they are still fit for purpose. The response to SAR is a police responsibility with the assistance of volunteers groups such as the State Emergency Service, and to this end a significant effort is undertaken to train both police coordinators and volunteer searchers.

5. Increasing uptake of improved land management practice to benefit environment and landholders: insights through a transaction cost lens

https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2022.2146310

Authors: Anthea Coggan, Rachel Hay, Diane Jarvis, Rachel Eberhardd , and Barbara Colls

Abstract:

Transaction costs, related to either investigating improved land managementpractices (ILMP), engaging in adoption support programs for these practices and/orimplementing changes on-ground, create barriers to ILMP adoption. Perceived andactual transaction costs have long been hypothesised as a potential barrier tograzier adoption of ILMPs in catchments to the Great Barrier Reef. Applying aframework derived from transaction cost theory, we assess this hypothesis. Throughsemi-structured interviews of a sample of participants in two ILMP programs, wefind that ILMP adoption support program characteristics have a large influence onperceived and actual transaction costs of landholders seeking to engage in ILMPprograms or adopt ILMPs. The importance of establishing and nurturing relationshipsbetween landholders and extension officers was also highlighted as critical toreducing landholder transaction costs. The degree to which relationships reducetransaction costs demonstrates the importance of fostering landholder leadership inILMP program design as well as targeted extension in supporting adoption.

our member Dr. Rabiul Beg from the Economics and Marketing Academic Group is rekindling the "STAT HELP" initiative. STAT HELP offers support and expert guidance in the field of Statistics and Econometrics through collaborative learning and customised assistance. The initiative is designed to be accessible, free, and inclusive, catering to CBLG academics and HDR students from diverse backgrounds, disciplines, and skill levels. It provides multiple channels of communication, accommodates different learning styles, and creates a supportive and inclusive environment.

Zoom Drop-in Sessions: Every Friday from 2pm to 3pm commencing 2 June 2023

To set up a zoom appointment, please contact Dr beg at [email protected]

We encourage you to take advantage of this valuable opportunity to enhance your understanding and application of statistics and econometrics. Do not hesitate to reach out to me or Dr Beg for assistance.

Big change needs big collaboration. In pursuit of impactful transformations, the Centre for International Trade and Business in Asia (CITBA) has wholeheartedly invested in fostering fruitful partnerships with institutions that share our vision. We are proud to collaborate with esteemed organizations such as Green Spaces, dedicated to promoting sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. Together, we strive to create a greener future and drive positive change in the business landscape.

CITBA actively engages in collaborations with the Cairns Regional Council, a key regional authority that plays a pivotal role in shaping the economic and social fabric of our community. By working hand in hand, we leverage our collective expertise and resources to develop strategies that promote sustainable growth, economic prosperity, and inclusive business opportunities within the region.

These partnerships and collaborations exemplify CITBA's commitment to fostering meaningful connections and driving positive change. By joining forces with like-minded organizations, we harness collective knowledge, experience, and resources to address the challenges of our time and create a brighter future for businesses, communities, and the environment. Together, we embrace the power of collaboration to bring about transformative outcomes and pave the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future.

Following the successful International Conference on Business, Economics, Management, and Sustainability (BEMAS) 2021 and 2022 editions, the Centre for International Trade and Business in Asia (CITBA) at James Cook University, Singapore (JCUS), held its Sustainability, Economics, Innovation, Globalisation and Organisational Psychology (SEIGOP) Conference on 1 – 3 March 2023 in Singapore.

The conference  included:

• 2 pre-conference workshops;
• Key Note Speech by Associate Prof Jonathan Reynolds (University of Oxford);
• Schneider Electric Learning Journey;
• 55 national and international participants (e.g., Japan, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, South Korea);
• 39 paper presentations in 6 different tracks; 26 presented papers to be included in edited volume published by Springer Nature (end 2023). Provisional title: “Innovation-driven Business and Sustainability in the Tropics”.

The Centre for International Trade and Business in Asia (CITBA) at James Cook University, Australia is proud to invite you to participate in the 3^rd International Conference on Business, Economics, Management and Sustainability (BEMAS). This conference is a platform for researchers, academics, professionals, and students to come together and share their insights and experiences on the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in the fields of business, economics, management, sustainability, AI, and resilience.

The conference will focus on the theme of " Exploring Innovations for a Sustainable, Resilient, and AI-driven Future ". As we face global challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, and social inequality, it is more important than ever to find innovative solutions that promote sustainability and resilience. The conference will explore how the fields of business, economics, management, sustainability, AI, and resilience can work together to create a more sustainable and resilient future for all.

More information will be released in the coming weeks

JCU, Open Access Journal of Resilient Economies (JRE) and Informit have signed a partnership agreement and JRE is now included in the Informit database. Informit is an online gateway to the largest collection of Australasian scholarly journals, books, and videos. Founded in the RMIT University Library in 1989, they have established partnerships with Australian and New Zealand universities, state libraries, and government.

Congratulations to A/Prof Taha Chaiechi , Editor-in-Chief for JRE and Australia Director of CITBA for establishing such a valuable partnership.

JRE is now indexed in Google Scholar, and included in Informit database. JRE is a listed journal with Sherpa Romeo. JRE exports articles metadata in CrossRef XML and DataCite formats and it applies Dublin Core meta tags in article views for indexing purposes. JRE is published through an Open Journal Systems as part of the Public Knowledge Project (PKP).

Centre for international Trade and Business in Asia (CITBA) at CBLG is proud to be included in Queensland Science Capability Directory with the Queensland Government- Department of Environment and Science.

Congratulations to our lead researchers to be included in the directory as well:

• Centre Director, A/Prof Taha Chaiechi - Editor-in-Chief - Journal of Resilient Economies and expert in systematic modelling of economic, environmental, and social variables
• A/Prof Josephine Pryce - Expertise in organisational behaviour with a focus on the sustainability of working lives.
• Prof Hurriyet Babacan - Extensive record of leading multidisciplinary research in Australia and the Asia Pacific relating to economic and social development

Jonathan Reynolds is Deputy Dean at the University of Oxford's Saïd Business School and an Associate Professor in Retail Marketing. Jonathan’s research focuses primarily on the retail sector and he is one of the leading academic experts in this field internationally. He is recognised for his work in the areas of electronic commerce and omni-channel retailing, innovation & entrepreneurship in retailing, retail productivity and skills, and the role of place in marketing and retail management - in particular, the consequences for retail development and planning. He is presently Deputy Director of the ESRC-funded Consumer Data Research Centre, a multi-million pound initiative run jointly by the Universities of Oxford, Liverpool, Leeds and UCL which has created a service that has opened up the data resources routinely collected by the retail business sector to academic research, training and capacity building. He has also been Associate Director of the ESRC-funded Retail Industry Business Engagement Cluster (RIBEN), a £1.4m collaboration between Oxford, Southampton, Leeds and Surrey Universities.

This workshop focuses on publishing qualitative work in leading journals. The idea is to have a conversation about the challenges, to do some myth-busting, and to share learning points. The workshop will pay special attention to contribution. In this workshop, Prof Vaara will share his own experiences about the challenges faced in publishing in top journals from the author, reviewer and editor perspectives. He will offer insights from case base studies, process studies, historical studies and discourse studies. While doing so he will share his views on how to be authentic, detailed and clear in argumentation and style of writing. Finally, he will provide his insights on what ‘contribution’ means in the context of the top journals. Here he will share his experiences to highlight the distinction between the papers which make it through the review process and those which do not succeed after initial review stages. In this 90 minute interactive session, Prof Vaara will look forward to welcoming questions from fellow academics. Accordingly, a substantial amount of time will be reserved for questions aimed at having an open dialogue, sharing each other’s experiences.

By: Eero Vaara Professor in Organisations and Impact, University of Oxford's Saïd Business School

The lecture focuses on mega-regionalism as a new format of governing and organising international trade relations that sits between unilateralism and multilateralism. The emergence of mega-regionalism since the late 2000s can be explained by competition between the United States, China and the European Union for economic benefits, geopolitical influence and normative authority. Momentum towards mega-regionalism in particular and trade liberalisation in general has, however, been held back by Trumpism and protectionism. The implications of the Biden administration’s Indo-Pacific Economic Strategy will also be discussed.

Welcome to the Centre for International Trade and Business in Asia (CITBA) community! As we begin a new year, we are excited to embark on a journey of active collaboration, research, and engagement. CITBA's mission is to create a platform for academics, researchers, practitioners, and students to disseminate their findings and engage with global experts in the field of international trade and business.

Throughout the year, we will be organising a variety of workshops, international conferences, and other events to provide opportunities for our members to share their research, gain new insights, and network with others in the field. These events will provide a platform for members to present their work, receive feedback, and engage in meaningful discussions.

In addition to these events, we will also be working to support our members in developing their research careers by promoting areas of institutional research excellence, strengthening research capability, and fostering collaboration across disciplinary and Faculty boundaries.

We are looking forward to a year of exciting new research, engaging discussions, and meaningful collaborations. We encourage all of our members to participate in our events and to take advantage of the opportunities we provide to grow as researchers and professionals. Let's work together to make this a productive and successful year for CITBA and all of its members.

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Our Twitter handle is : @CITBA4