Index
Commercial research
Industry Projects
The School of Economics, Finance and Marketing is a strong commercial research performer. Our commercial research interests include financial markets, asset pricing, corporate finance and governance, financial econometrics, comparative law and finance, public choice, fiscal federation and the economics of sport.
Some examples of current activities by staff include:
Professor Francis Farrelly is presently working on a major project with the Lane 4 Group (based in London) and three major sponsors (Coca Cola UK, Lloyds Banking Group and British Telecom (BT)) of the London 2012 Olympic Games (LOCOG). These sponsors are adopting a different approach than major sponsors of the Olympics have done in the past, in that they are focusing much of their sponsorship investment within the firm.
The work has four main components. Firstly, the reconfiguring of sponsorship strategy and performance measures based on this strong internal focus (there will also be external activation targeted at consumers); secondly, using sponsorship to create a unifying and innovative strategy to drive employee performance; thirdly, using Olympic messaging and related sports metaphors to communicate the employee performance strategy. It also includes the establishment of performance indicators and the measurement of the return on investment of the sponsorship.
The output of this work challenges preconceptions around sources of value from sponsorship as a highly effective strategic business lever. This work is also being carried out with Professor Stephen Greyser of the Harvard Business School.
Professor Tim Fry undertakes research under an ongoing contract with Starcom Worldwide Pty Ltd. The research concerns building statistical models to understand the impacts and effectiveness of advertising on sales and awareness measures.
Such research enhances the understanding that Starcom and its clients have concerning how their advertising works. The research also feeds into the media planning and buying process. Recent projects have looked at advertising in the breakfast cereal, pet food and financial services markets.
The results concerning particular markets are "commercial-in-confidence". However, the methodological approaches developed in the research are likely to be of interest to the academic community and will be disseminated to that audience through research papers.
Commercial education, training and executive development
The School of Economics, Finance and Marketing is a leader in the provision of commercial education, training and executive development programs both in Australia and overseas. These programs are strongly focussed on the application of knowledge and skills to real world business issues. Our commercial education, training and executive development interests include treasury training, Australian and Asian financial markets, applied corporate and international finance, asset pricing, investment analysis, financial econometrics and risk management.
Some of our recent activities include:
Australian Centre for Financial Studies (MCFS)
The Australian Centre for Financial Studies (ACFS) is a partnership between public and private sectors, and industry and academics. RMIT is a member of this group, which also includes the University of Melbourne and Monash University. Finsia has since joined the group.
The centre's mission is to build linkages between academics, practitioners and government to enhance finance research, practice and education and the reputation of Australia's financial institutions and universities and of Australia as a financial centre. It identifies and undertakes both pure and applied finance research of particular interest to the Melbourne financial and business sectors and RMIT staff have been involved in a number of these research projects.
Financial Integrity Research Network (FIRN)
Staff from the School of Economics, Finance and Marketing were among the founding members of The Financial Integrity Research Network (FIRN) and they have played an active role since its inception.
The network's mission is to enhance the integrity and efficiency of Australia's financial system and to establish Australia as the Asia-Pacific hub of financial markets research excellence. To achieve these goals FIRN brings people from disciplines together in educational events which lead to collaboration and research in the broad field of financial integrity.
Financial Markets Trading Simulator
RMIT’s Financial Markets Training Simulator is the only tertiary based simulated training facility in Australia that receives live data from world wide financial data vendors – the same information providers used by traders in financial services and non financial corporations. AAP, Dow Jones Telerate and Knight Ridder Equinet are all major supporters of the simulator, providing live information on bonds, bills, foreign exchange, share prices and current local and international news.
The courses and programs run in the Financial Markets Trading Simulator use this real “real time” financial data in all simulations.
Further information
For further information about our industry projects and to discuss your organisation’s needs, contact:
Associate Professor Terry Hallahan
Associate Head Industry Engagement
terry.hallahan@rmit.edu.au