Faculty of Business and Law 3

Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Award

KHAN, Maria Hameed

Thesis Title

Working in the Gig Economy: A Relational Perspective of Decent Work

Supervisors

• Professor Robyn Petra Mayes  (Associate Supervisor)
• Dr Jannine Catherine Williams  (Principal Supervisor)
• Associate Professor Penelope Joy Williams  (Associate Supervisor)

Citation

This thesis focused on advancing an understanding of the decent work of the gig economy from a relational perspective by interrogating three critical perspectives representing the triangular relationship underpinning platform-mediated care work. The insights from this thesis illustrate how relationality manifests in the complex social dynamics and interactions in work arrangements, ultimately contributing key relational dimensions to consider in examinations and interpretations of decent work in the gig economy and other work contexts.

Doctor of Philosophy

ADAMS, Jack Alexander

Thesis Title

The Role of Agency in Experiences with Retro-Technology and the Implications for Psychological Wellbeing

Supervisors

• Dr Ozgur Dedehayir  (Principal Supervisor)
• Professor Peter Joseph O'Connor  (Mentoring Supervisor)

Citation

This research provides an understanding of how the relationship between technology, agency, and human involvement in experiences with technology influences the satisfaction of basic psychological needs and, thus, contributes to wellbeing outcomes. It demonstrates that the increasing level of material agency built into modern technology can limit opportunities to exercise human agency, thus negatively influencing wellbeing. Conversely, more active, agentic experiences with technology, such as those afforded by obsolete retro-technologies, derive more positive psychological outcomes. The findings highlight the importance of a thoughtful and balanced approach to technology interactions that satisfy both utilitarian and deeper psychological needs.

ALJBOUR, Amro Khalil Odeh

Thesis Title

Determinants and Outcomes of Talent Management Practices in Jordanian Private Sector Organisations

Supervisors

• Associate Professor Muhammad Ali  (Associate Supervisor)
• Associate Professor Erica Lynn French  (Principal Supervisor)

Citation

In an increasingly competitive global landscape, managing your best talent in the modern workplace is crucial, and this research identifies best practices critical for retaining top-tier talent. Using an exploratory sequential mixed-method approach, the study examines determinants, practices, and outcomes of talent management based on the experiences of 350 employees across 30 Jordanian organisations. This research not only enriches the global discourse on talent management but helps CEOs and Top Management Teams worldwide to make the best decisions about their staff.

EHTISHAM, Sadia

Thesis Title

An Investigation of Leadership Diversity, Corporate Social Responsibility, and Workplace Outcomes

Supervisors

• Associate Professor Muhammad Ali  (Principal Supervisor)
• Associate Professor Erica Lynn French  (Associate Supervisor)

Citation

This research investigated the impact of leadership diversity on work outcomes via corporate social responsibility practices and corporate social responsibility reporting in the organisations listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange. Leadership diversity referred to gender diversity and functional background diversity in the board of directors and the top management team. Study 1 collected data through a human resource manager survey and archival databases. Study 2 collected data through an employee survey. The findings indicate some support for the predicted effects, contributing to upper echelon theory, social role theory and social exchange theory. The findings have important practical implications.

HOR, Shoon Chan

Thesis Title

How to Acquire Financial Resources Beyond Seed Funding in Digital Entrepreneurship: A Study Informed by Design Science

Supervisors

• Associate Professor Artemis Chang  (Principal Supervisor)
• Professor Per Davidsson  (Associate Supervisor)
• Associate Professor Rui Torres de Oliveira  (Associate Supervisor)

Citation

Eighty to 85% of seed-funded startups fail to secure their Series A funding. This 'Series A Crunch' significantly contributes to why many digital startups die. Rooted in Design Science scholarship, this thesis addresses this systemic challenge by offering actionable knowledge for entrepreneurs raising Series A or post-seed funding. Integrating existing literature and practice knowledge, it proposes three design principles and a process model, validated through case studies with entrepreneurs and investors. From these principles, a capital-raising canvas and training workshop were created and tested, bridging the gap between academic theory and practice, and reinforcing the impact of solution-oriented entrepreneurship research.

KALUARACHCHI, Dona Ganeesha Priyangika

Thesis Title

Quarterly Reporting as a Disclosure Method of Financial Information for Listed Firms in Sri Lanka

Supervisors

• Professor Pamela Fae Kent  (Principal Supervisor)
• Professor Julie‑Anne Robyn Tarr  (Associate Supervisor)

Citation

This study examines the value relevance of quarterly reports for listed companies on Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange. Financial analysts’ and academics’ perceptions and opinions were sought on the use of quarterly performance reporting as a useful source of information for predicting company performance. The results show that quarterly reporting is value relevant and quarter two is more value relevant than the other three quarters. Context variables moderate the value relevance of quarterly reporting and there is an agency cost in reporting quarterly. Financial analysts and academics perceive higher importance of earnings reported in quarterly reporting to predict earnings.

LORENSEN, Tamara Dawn

Thesis Title

Investigation of Stress Symptoms and Interventions in Firefighters

Supervisors

• Professor Cameron Newton  (Principal Supervisor)
• Associate Professor Anna Monika Wiewiora  (Associate Supervisor)

Citation

This research explores stress in Queensland Firefighters. A survey aimed to investigate symptoms of stress to identify early signs that would assist in developing resilience and early intervention programmes. The findings showed that stress symptoms could be grouped according to level of concern and supports the argument for early intervention. A second study used Neurofeedback as an intervention to investigate whether symptoms of stress could be improved. The findings also showed that symptoms of stress were reduced and suggests that this intervention is helpful and should be considered for further research.

RAHMAN, Sohanur

Thesis Title

Mitigating Firm-Level Risks in Environmentally Sustainable Ways: Three Essays on Environment-Specific Political Risk, Credit Risk, and Stock Price Crash Risk

Supervisors

• Professor Larelle June Chapple  (Associate Supervisor)
• Dr Sarah Elise Osborne  (Associate Supervisor)
• Dr Elisabeth Sinnewe  (Principal Supervisor)

Citation

In the face of current global climate change, corporate firms are increasingly exposed to greater environmental risk, leading to adverse financial consequences. This research explores how firms can mitigate their political risk, credit risk, and stock price crash risk in environmentally sustainable ways so that firms can secure favourable externalities along with their pro-environmental strategies to protect the environment. The findings suggest that green innovation is a useful tool to mitigate environment-specific political risk and credit risk, while a greater level of environment-specific political risk discourse in earnings conference calls with investors effectively mitigates future crash risk.

RAVICHANDRAN, Diluxshy

Thesis Title

Microfinance Risk Management Through the Lens of Institutional Logics

Supervisors

• Associate Professor Jodie Louise Moll  (Associate Supervisor)
• Dr Annette Quayle  (Principal Supervisor)

Citation

This study explores the risk management practices of microfinance organisations (MFOs) in Sri Lanka, focusing on the delicate balance between social welfare and financial sustainability. By examining case studies of Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) and Microfinance Companies (MFCs), the research reveals how these MFOs navigate and reconcile social and financial risks. Extending risk management beyond organisational boundaries to borrower communities, MFOs mitigate transaction costs and uncertainties. The study highlights the distinct approaches of NGOs and MFCs, where NGOs prioritise social welfare and MFCs strive to integrate social and financial logics through strategic transformation and customised risk management strategies.

ROJANAKIT, Patcharapar

Thesis Title

Sharing Economy in Emerging Economies

Supervisors

• Adjunct Professor Uwe Dulleck  (Mentoring Supervisor)
• Associate Professor Rui Torres de Oliveira  (Principal Supervisor)

Citation

This thesis presents a study on the development of sharing economy organisations in emerging economies. The study identified and investigated major and minor impacts sharing economy firms receive from external business environment, including an examination on their internal strategies in containing the external forces. The study primarily uncovers five major external forces encompassing sociocultural, legal and political, economic, technological, and a novel semi-formal institutions determinant, while internal forces discussed were related to firms’ strategic resources and capabilities. Significant implications were provided in this research in relation to the advancement of the sharing economy pertain to theoretical, managerial, and policy practices.

SCOTT, Margaret Anne

Thesis Title

What Influences the Dyadic Relationship Between the Nonprofit CEO and Board Chair that Drives Fundraising and Mission

Supervisors

• Professor Cameron Newton  (Associate Supervisor)
• Adjunct Associate Professor Wendy Adair Scaife  (Principal Supervisor)

Citation

The thesis reported on the dyadic relationship between the CEO and board chair in Australian charities to determine how that relationship drives fundraising.  It suggests an adaptation of Leader-Member Exchange Theory to Leader-Leader Exchange acknowledging the shared leadership roles of the CEO and board. Key findings were: Fundraising oriented leadership by the CEO is needed to drive fundraising effectively; Fundraising oriented leadership by the board is needed to drive fundraising effectively; and the CEO-board chair relationship can drive fundraising and mission and is more important than the individual CEO and board role.

SENEVIRATHNE, Kalupahana Manula Sandaruwan

Thesis Title

Accounting for the Stateless: A History of the Indian Tamils in Sri Lanka 1820-2003

Supervisors

• Dr Annette Quayle  (Principal Supervisor)
• Associate Professor Andrew Geoffrey West  (Associate Supervisor)

Citation

This research explored the role of accounting in reporting Indian Tamil migrants who worked in Sri Lankan tea plantations from 1820 to 2003. It presents the argument that their history of statelessness emerged through the interrelations of variables, including accounting practices, rationalities of the state, and citizenship identity. The study contributes to accounting literature by building a novel theoretical structure, following Michel Foucault that applies governmentality and accounting constellation. It enhances understanding of the role played by in the British and Ceylon governments’ creation and perpetuation of a category of stateless Indian Tamil labourers in Ceylon colonies.

TANVEER, Muhammad Asif

Thesis Title

Grit at the Firm Level: Defining, Measuring, and Understanding Its Impact on New Venture Performance

Supervisors

• Associate Professor Artemis Chang  (Associate Supervisor)
• Associate Professor Rui Torres de Oliveira  (Principal Supervisor)

Citation

This thesis investigates the grit at the firm level within the context of entrepreneurship. Currently, there is no valid definition, measurement scale, or empirical evidence for firm-level grit. This study addresses this gap by developing a new grit scale and exploring its relationships with various antecedents and outcomes. An 11-item grit scale was developed, and its mediating role was empirically tested across three studies. The results indicate that strategic orientation positively impacts grit, which in turn leads to improved innovation and financial performance, though it does not significantly influence non-financial performance. These findings are beneficial for both entrepreneurs and educators.

TOTH‑PETER, Agnes

Thesis Title

How Can Digitalisation Enable the Transition to a Circular Economy?

Supervisors

• Professor Yvonne Leonie Barner  (Associate Supervisor)
• Dr Sandra Filipa De Caires Figueira De Oliveira  (External Supervisor)
• Associate Professor Shane William Mathews  (Associate Supervisor)
• Associate Professor Rui Torres de Oliveira  (Principal Supervisor)

Citation

Our world faces a planetary crisis, resulting in pollution, resource scarcity, and biodiversity loss. This thesis explores the transition to a circular economy and the enabling role of Industry 4.0 technologies, through a systematic literature review and case studies from Europe and Australia. A high-level transition framework is proposed, including three stages: transition, implementation, and optimisation. The findings highlight the iterative nature of the transition, roles of institutions and economics, and warrant looking beyond carbon and material-focused solutions. This research provides strategic tools for businesses and policymakers to promote circular economy adoption and it highlights systemic complexities and potential paradoxes.

WEERASINGHE, Liyana Arachchige Ashesha Paveena

Thesis Title

Do CEO, Board, and Corporate Virtue Influence Misconduct?

Supervisors

• Professor Larelle June Chapple  (Principal Supervisor)
• Associate Professor John Edward Nowland  (External Supervisor)
• Professor Kerrie Lee Sadiq  (Associate Supervisor)

Citation

This study examines whether CEOs, boards, and corporate virtue (CV) influence Misconduct, revealing positive associations. CEO and board virtue (termed as “Benevolence”) are proxied through their involvement in not-for-profit leadership positions, CV is a novel composite measure developed, and misconduct captures any unethical behaviour of organisations. The significant positive associations between CEOs, boards, CV, and Misconduct are explained through moral licensing theory, the conflicting priorities proposition, and CEO/director power. The study contributes to the literature and practice by proposing a shift in focus from top-echelon technical/demographic characteristics to moral characteristics in examining the influence on corporate outcomes.