China Research and The Business School

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China Research and The Business School A New
Trajectory

• A/Prof Jerry Courvisanos
• Dr Qingguo Zhai

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A Black Swan Event?

• Nassim Nicholas Taleb (2008), The Black Swan The
  Impact of the Highly Improbable, London Penguin
• Standard activity that fits within the
  uneventful province of Mediocristan is
  measured, reasonable and driven by the mediocre,
  the average, the middle-of-the-road. This path is
  well trodden and UB will always be at the end of
  the line with this activity.
• Non-standard activity in Black Swan-generating
  province of Extremistan it is the outlier, the
  highly improbable that changes the
  rules/operations and be ahead of the curvethis
  session is about generating non-standard research
  activitythe door has been opened for us

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The visit to Chinese universities

• Jerry and Qingguo visited four universities in
  north-eastern China, 10-13 September 2012
• All four universities had prior connections and
  visits with UB and The Business School (TBS)
• Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) research
  only
• Dalian University of Technology (DUT) research
  only
• Dalian Nationalities University (DNU)
  articulation in undergraduate courses and
  research
• Dalian University of Foreign Languages (DUFL)
  teaching undergraduate partner and research

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The Chinese partner universities

• Researchers that we met
• HIT (C9) Group of top nine in China, with
  strength in management, applied economics,
  accounting
• DUT (985) Group of top 38 in China, with
  strength in innovation policy
• DNU Strength in regional development
• DUFL Strength in marketing and tourism
• DNU and DUFL are both quality universities and
  their research discipline areas are different
  from that of HIT and DUT
• All the researchers were very keen to
  collaborate

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Chinese researchers

• HIT Most young experienced researchers
• DUT Senior researchers
• DNU Senior researchers and centre for
  region-based sustainable development
• DUFL Many young experienced researchers and PhD
  students
• Most can speak good English, some with NNSF grant
  (equivalent to ARC) and publications in refereed
  English journals

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Why research?

• Not a university without research
• As partner providers, it is in your interest to
  have the title University in your promotional
  material
• The Business School is part of a small
  university, but has a very extensive global
  teaching partnership
• This is its strength using the financial and
  human resources from this teaching model to
  develop its research agenda, which supports the
  universitys strategic research plan

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How is research done?

• Enrol and graduate Higher Degree Students (HDR)
  Masters and PhD research degrees in timely
  manner
• Publish peer-reviewed studies in books, journals
  and conference papers
• Apply and be successful with competitive grants
  on research issues of international, national and
  regional importance
• Engage the wider community in informing,
  educating and applying research findings

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How can providers collaborate on research?

• Identify students that are distinguished in their
  studies, have a passion for learning and a deep
  motivation for inquiry and curiosity such
  students are the backbone of any institutions
  that aspires to retain the name University in
  their programs
• Then, enrol these students into our HDR programme
• Identify teaching staff who are also motivated by
  inquiry and/or an academic career path enrol
  them into our HDR programme
• Have staff with PhDs and expertise to register as
  co-supervisors, so that can supervise HDRs,
  especially your own students in your partner
  institution

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How can providers collaborate on research?

• Staff be involved in research through assisting
  TBS research staff to conduct and analyse, via
  providing respondents or helping with technical
  work like statistics or coding of data
• Staff engage with results through teaching the
  new findings, applying results, and showing
  practical ways in which such research can be best
  implemented
• Staff with research experience to work with TBS
  research staff on issues of mutual interest or
  concern

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Why Chinese researchers are interested in joint
research

• Keen to have discourse on their knowledge areas
  with Western discipline experts
• Programmatic research support around teams that
  encourage collaborations
• Joint research is more efficient than doing
  everything by oneself
• Based on 11 gt 2 (joint research)
  whereas, 0.8 and 0.8 0 (do it
  separately)

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Why Chinese universities are interested in UB

• Trust in individuals and trust in UB (we have
  told them UB and TBS is serious about research
  collaborationsdoors have been opened for us)
• UB and TBS senior staff (Rowena, Mike, Bob, Sam,
  Jerry, and Qingguo) have visited these
  universities many times. We know each other well,
  and have agreements with all of them
• We have provided detailed information about our
  research and suggested possible joint research
  models which they could see add value

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The benefit to Chinese universities

• Research publications More publications with UB
  staff (Chinese universities require young staff
  to publish SSCI journal articles, citation impact
  in English journals)
• Overseas experience Not many have strong ties
  with overseas universities (At least three months
  overseas experience is required for young staff
  to progress)
• NNSF grant Research record improved by overseas
  collaborations (ARC-equivalent grants at national
  level required for the young staff)

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The benefits to UB

• Joint publication Working with experienced
  Chinese researchers with good English, on
  important issues arising from new economic
  powerhouse economy
• Citation rates Increase significantly if
  publishing with experienced international authors
• Grant application Research record with Chinese
  collaboration increases potential success
• Internationalisation Working closely with
  Chinese counterparts to transfer research for
  wider application
• Other components of China program joint program,
  articulation, staff exchange, student exchange,
  etc.

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Research collaboration models

• Each of the universities are seeking different
  forms of collaboration
• DUT Direct exchange of CVs to see if there is
  good fit on topics and approaches
• DUT Specific seminar on innovation from various
  perspectives, held at UB with DUT staff
• DNU Staff exchange and two Centres link based
  on regional development and modelling
• DUFL Tourism and marketing groups to engage in
  discussions on overlap topic areas

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Common interests in research?

• Corporate governance
• Accounting and financial links to real estate,
  construction
• CSR and value
• Innovation economics, management, regional
  links, knowledge transfer
• Tourism marketing/promotion, management,
  economics
• Marketing in China
• International trade
• Regional development and modelling
• Price volatility in energy market
• Indigenous minorities history, region, access

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A New Trajectory

• This collaboration is to take a different path
• Very different to our research collaboration
  with Shenzhen Polytechnic (SZPT), where
• Set up by top management, with leaders asked to
  work with unknown untried researchers
• No bottom-up matching of interest and issues
• SZPT researchers lacked time (high teaching
  loads), skills, English and clear methodological
  clarity
• This time, seek bottom-up initial interest with
  follow-up.
• Universities with deep research skills, time
  funds to do it

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The DUT model of research collaboration

• There are many modes that partners can adopt to
  collaborate on research with TBS
• But, how can such diverse research modes be
  actioned? What is the process and basic steps
  needed to get to such collaboration?
• Each partner institution has its only unique set
  of staff, students and culture, so there is no
  one same process on how to collaborate
• The DUT model is one that is working well, and
  serves as a case study

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History of DUT-UB research collaboration

• MOU (Memorandum of Agreement) signed by Dalian
  University of Technology (DUT) and UB on joint
  teaching and research activities (Visit by DVC
  Prof. Rowena Coutts late 2011)
• On the invitation of DUT, Jerry Courvisanos and
  Qingguo Zhai visit 12 September 2012 to DUT
  Faculty of Management and Economics discuss
  research opportunities identify possible areas
  related to innovation and business studies
• Prof. XP leads six-person research team to UB
  18-19 February 2013 develop research themes in
  presentations/workshops
• Visit to UB in March 2013 by DUT senior
  delegation, with Dean of the Faculty of
  Management and Economics, Prof. Chen Discussion
  with ADR on research collaboration progress

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History of DUT-UB research collaboration

• Jerry Courvisanos leads six-person research team
  (staff and one PhD student) to DUT 3-7 June 2013
• work in small workshops with Faculty of
  Management and Economics staff and HDR students
  on prior identified research projects
• presentations by Jerry and Qingguo on effective
  conduct of research
• presentations by DUT faculty staff on research
  work
• Currently all six UB team working with DUT staff
  and students on research projects in various
  stages of completion, from submission to ideation

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DUT-UB business research projects

• Chinese internet security and culture
• Chinese mining company case study
• Innovation policy comparison China and Australia
• China as new entrant in aviation industry
• Haier reverse innovation process
• Citation mapping and innovation
• Operation of eco-industry parks
• Business model of energy saving cars
• Ecologically responsible behaviour intention of
  bicycle riders in Melbourne
• Educational experience of international students
  studying at DUT

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Basis for DUT-UB collaboration

• DUT Faculty of Management and Economics
• solid empirical research culture (e.g. case
  studies, SEM)
• large research staff with many PhD students
• strong research grant success related to
  innovation/managt
• pressure to publish in top English language
  journals
• NNSF grants applications improve with overseas
  collaborations
• UB The Business School
• emphasis on theory-driven research (focused
  literature review)
• small research-intensive staff
• innovation management one core research theme
• need to broaden research effort internationally
  and China as emerging nation is a central concern
  to the West

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Research plan at the school level

• Step 1
• Match researchers on both sides ADR and Q
• DUT (with HIT involvement) and TBS at UB Research
  seminar in February 2013 ADR and Q
• Step 2
• Staff dialogue to find mutual interest areas
• ADR to monitor developments, Q to facilitate if
  needed

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Research plan at the school level

• Step 3
• Research proposals submitted to ADR and Q
• Timetable for proposal and staff loads arranged
  with ADR and via Q to Chinese university
• Step 4
• Seek funding and other support (e.g. RA
  sessionals), if required
• Appoint project manager to ensure tasks completed

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Research plan at the school level

• Step 5
• Staff exchanges, with guest talks and
  facilitation of research
• Research conducted and drafts produced (may seek
  support from Q, if needed)
• Step 6
• Seminar presentations in both China and UB
• Submission of papers and working on follow grant
  applications (research outcomes)

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Support from the school on China side

• Chinese university will support their staff to
  visit UB for joint research
• Some staff can use their research grants to visit
  UB
• Chinese university support their visit to UB
• Research grant applications in China with TBS
  staff included (based on prior track record
  established)

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Support from the school UB side

• Organise seminars and other activities for
  Chinese researchers to be involved at UB
• Provide visiting scholar status and facilities
  for Chinese researchers to stay at TBS
• Support TBS staff to visit Chinese university
  (e.g. teaching relief, airfares)
• Assist early collaborative research project with
  seed funding
• Provide funds for editing papers when ready

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TBS staff feedback

• Is such Chinese collaboration a viable and
  attractive research option to staff, or just a
  waste of precious research time better used by
  TBS researchers in their own way?
• If such collaboration is viable, is the prior
  outline a good approach or are there other/better
  approaches to collaboration?
• Should ADR approach TBS research active staff
  with CVs of relevant Chinese researchers now?
• How to start dialogue and meaningful discussion
  with Chinese counterparts?

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TBS staff feedback

• Is such Chinese collaboration a viable and
  attractive research option to staff, or just a
  waste of precious research time better used by
  TBS researchers in their own way?
• If such collaboration is viable, is the prior
  outline a good approach or are there other/better
  approaches to collaboration?
• Should ADR approach TBS research active staff
  with CVs of relevant Chinese researchers now?
• How to start dialogue and meaningful discussion
  with Chinese counterparts?

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Future paths for DUT-UB collaboration

• TBS seed funding for new projects
• Research grant applications in China and
  Australia with staff from DUT-UB
• Staff exchanges as visiting scholars
• Keynote speakers for conferences in each others
  networks
• Seminars, workshops and conferences organised
  across institutions
• Student visits, exchanges and joint supervisions
• Production of joint publications (edited books)

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TBS staff feedback

• Where to from here?

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