A comparison of theory and practice in market intelligence gathering for Australian micro-businesses and SMEs

Recent government sponsored research has demonstrated that there is a gap between the theory and practice of market intelligence gathering within the Australian micro, small and medium businesses (SMEs). Typically, there is a significant amount of information in literature about 'what needs to be done', however, there is little insight in terms of how market intelligence gathering should occur. This paper provides a novel insight and a comparison between the theory and practices of market intelligence gathering of micro-business and SMEs in Australia and demonstrates an anomoly in so far as typically the literature does not match what actually occurs in practice. A model for market intelligence gathering for micro-businesses and SMEs is also discussed

A comparison of theory and practice in market intelligence gathering for Australian micro-businesses and SMEs

Recent government sponsored research has demonstrated that there is a gap between the theory and practice of market intelligence gathering within the Australian micro, small and medium businesses (SMEs). Typically, there is a significant amount of information in literature about 'what needs to be done', however, there is little insight in terms of how market intelligence gathering should occur. This paper provides a novel insight and a comparison between the theory and practices of market intelligence gathering of micro-business and SMEs in Australia and demonstrates an anomoly in so far as typically the literature does not match what actually occurs in practice. A model for market intelligence gathering for micro-businesses and SMEs is also discussed

A comparison of supply integration and end-to-end communication theory and practice - an Australian perspective

The concept of supply chain integration and end-to-end communication are well established in supply chain theory. Typically, because of the depth of publications, an axiom has developed that all supply networks are fully integrated and have end-toend communication protocols. Recent research into Australian supply networks has highlighted a somewhat different scenario, where many networks are fragmented and lack the connectivity that would be expected. This paper offers a comparison of theoretical supply chain management and the actual practices found in Australian businesses. As a result of this grass root research, a scenario is offered that suggest there is a significant gap between the theory and practice of supply integration and communication that in turn, generate risk in these supply networks

The role of the design coach - A novel approach to achieving 360 collaboration between industry and higher education

There is significant latent design talent within the broader business community, however, much of the design potential is isolated, and, lacks the necessary focus to manifest positive commercial outcomes. Research has indicated that this situation is due to a myopic design development process that is typically caused by the lack of larger team dynamics, reporting structures, and more formal review and feedback processes. The role of the coach is well established in business environments, where, a specialist practitioner enables an environment that supports personal and operational development. Unfortunately the concept of the design coach is not as well established because, typically, the environmental mix does not always offer foundation for reliable coaching practice. Moreover, it is often challenging to establish a credible design coach within the conflicting parameters of the creative focus and the commercial focus of the smaller design business. This paper discusses the core findings from a recent study of the assignment of a design coach from a higher educational establishment to a small Australian bespoke guitar manufacturing business, during the transition of the operation from a functional craft orientated business into a design driven business. The paper illustrates how a credible design coach can strengthen emerging design talent and assist in directing the business in returning the optimum benefit for effort. The paper also illustrates the framework for both creative and commercial engagement that was developed from the work that catalysed true design collaboration between industry and academic partners and the return contribution into the educational environment

An analysis of the sustainability and the future of innovation readiness within the Australian supply base: A cross-sectorial, cross-regional snapshot

Recently, there has been unprecedented disturbance in the core supply base of many Australian organisations. Supply networks that were once considered robust are in many cases vulnerable. Traditional supply chain development methodologies appear to offer little improvement opportunity due to critical gaps developing at core supply nodes and/or within the critical mass of supply. This paper discusses the data derived from a series of novel cross-sectional and cross-regional supply chain focus groups and OEM feedback interviews. This paper highlights the potential embedded risks within the supply base of Australia. Importantly this paper demonstrates a disconnect between supplier and customer, a lack of strategic thinking and implementation and chronic systems and technological scarcity within the data set, that will likely be the first threshold barrier for many organisations attempting to engage with their future customers