The School of Management is dedicated to excellence in applied research, focusing on real-world global challenges in areas like entrepreneurship, social change, leadership, people, and organisational development.
Our research aims to drive innovation and social impact, addressing complex issues and contributing valuable insights to both industry and academia.
Academic staff within the School of Management collaborate with internal and external research partners to address global challenges of inclusion, innovation, and impact. With a focus on people, organisations, and technology, we work closely with industry partners, government departments and community stakeholders on key organisational challenges.
Research activity across the School is organised within four Departments (Business Administration; Human Resource Management; International Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship; and Management and Organisations) where staff are supported to develop and pursue innovative programs of research excellence.
Research across the School encompasses four broad areas of impact:
Including AI, automation and machine learning, digital currencies and distributed ledgers and their impact on work and employment.
Including workforce development, talent identification and retention, optimising technology innovation and adoption, anticipating demand for services and staff upskilling, and managing new ways of thriving at work.
With key interests in leading for social impact, organisational mission, and managing organisational change in a global context.
With a focus of investment and innovation, economic integration in the Asia-Pacific, and sustainable development.
The people, organisations, and work theme focuses on leadership, HRM, diversity, employment relations, and workplace wellbeing. Academics explore organisational innovation, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility, with a focus on emerging economies like China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh. The department hosts the Centre for Organisations and Social Change (COSC) and supports global business innovation.
The Entrepreneurship and Innovation theme addresses disruptive change, social business, and the role of women and migrants in entrepreneurship. Research from this theme provides applied knowledge for entrepreneurs, policymakers, and community organisations and is linked to RMIT’s Accelerator, Incubator, and Ideas Lab, supporting innovation at local, regional, national, and international levels. This department coordinates the RMIT Entrepreneurial Academics Network (REAN), connecting academics to an industry-led network to solve real-world problems.
Social Change focuses on innovative approaches to investigating social, cultural, and political issues, focusing on progressive change and care. Researchers use data analysis to address topics like social care, regional development, and Smart cities. The School supports the Social Change Enabling Impact Platform, promoting methodological innovation and real-world applications
Our researchers explore foreign direct investment (FDI) and multinational enterprises (MNEs) in emerging countries, focusing on firm strategies, competition, and sustainable corporate practices. Key areas include FDI decisions and strategies, competition and cooperation between foreign and local firms, and the impact of MNEs on host-country firms, society, and the environment.
Bringing new products and services to the marketplace involves risks and it is important to note that many innovations fail in some way or form. Our research tries to understand management approaches and strategies that help facilitate success such as through Design Thinking, cross functional management practices, data analytics & market intelligence, and leadership. Innovations may impose risks to society and our work tries to offer governance frameworks and mechanisms that facilitate responsible innovation and positive social impact (e.g., triple bottom line strategies).
This research explores how organisations (i.e., corporations, social enterprises, NGOs) co-create, deliver, and capture value with customers and wider societal stakeholders. In contemporary markets, experienced and perceived value goes increasingly beyond economic benefits and includes environmental and social benefits as well. This provides new commercial opportunities and emerging challenges for managers and organisations. The development and adoption of more circular business models plays a key role in our research on food waste reduction, the construction industry, and energy fairness in regions.
The Centre for Organisations and Social Change (COSC) addresses how organisations can play a key role in driving business agendas that promotes transformative social change for the inclusion and wellbeing of all.
The Diversity-Accelerated Entrepreneurship and Innovation Research Group focuses on promoting diversity and inclusion in entrepreneurship and innovation. It aims to understand and enable diverse participation in entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial activities, fostering inclusive innovation and entrepreneurship.
The Entrepreneurial Academics Network at RMIT is an academic and industry-led network connecting academics across disciplines, integrating entrepreneurial thinking and practices with a shared commitment to entrepreneurial practice and outcomes that impact society for the better.
We offer a range of Higher Degree by Research opportunities in the School of Management. We welcome enquiries to join our multidisciplinary research community and work alongside thought leaders and industry partners to pursue your research ambitions.
When applying for any of our Higher Degree by Research courses you may choose to either do so with an advertised proposed project or an independent topic of your own.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.
