RESEARCH FOCUS
Given the location of Hawke´s Bay and its underlying activities, together with that of the East Coast, businesses are largely small in their orientation and perspective. Thus, the overall thrust of research activity focuses on small to medium - sized enterprises (SMEs) and engages, wherever possible, the local Chamber of Commerce to increase the awareness of its members of the instructional and research resources at EIT.
With the depth and breadth of academic programmes, a full range of teaching and business training possibilities exist, along with a broad range of research interests. These cover such areas as:
- financial analysis and financial performance appraisal
- management, financial and business systems accounting practice judgements
- training needs analysis and quality systems development together with employment and industrial relations advice and resource management systems
- business and human resource strategy development
- product, brand and services marketing and market research
- business computing systems management, development and analysis along with database and project management
- Industry-based learning projects and
- social responsibility of business, environmental impact and the sustainability of business and the environment.
SMEs in the food and wine sector are obvious focal points for research activities. However, given the expanse of SMEs in the region, other generic sectors such as services, manufacturing and health also present themselves as areas for research and training activities.
Training activities can be activated through pre-packaged courses, tailored training, short-term consulting, mentoring or site visits. Either singularly or combined, the areas of expertise, general business coverage and modes of delivery could be aimed at developing action plans for participants. Participation can be on an individual or group basis. Ideally group activities should have a minimum of 8 people, however, this can vary according to a business´s needs. These requirements need to be examined closely and the process itself should highlight not only a variety of training options, but also information gaps that could be pursued as research opportunities.
The accumulation of expertise in training activities should be accompanied by increased attention to current literature in the field as these pertain to different sectors of SME operations. The identification of knowledge gaps and the accumulation of relevant literature should ultimately result in the development of research activity and subsequent publication and conference attendance. Such an undertaking would facilitate the exchange of information and know-how between SMEs and the Faculty, augment the development of best practices and extend knowledge boundaries.
Awards Received:
Corich, S., & Williams, R. (2005). What makes polytech students employable? Best Concise Paper, NACCQ Conference, Tauranga, 11-14 July
Thomas, A., & Garland, R. (2005). Literati Club of Emereald Group Publishers (UK) 2005 Highly Commended Award for 2004 paper, ‘Grocery shopping: list and non-list usage’, Marketing Intelligence & Planning, 22 (6), 623-635.
Verhaart, M., Hagen, K., & Giles, O. (2005). Best practice assessment methods for evaluating an individual's performance in group work. Best Full Paper, NACCQ Conference, Tauranga, 11-14 July.