Australian Metropolitan Areas Research Articles

Evaluating the critical determinants for adopting e‐market in Australian small‐and‐medium sized enterprises

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present an empirical investigation of the critical determinants for the adoption of e‐market in Australian small‐and‐medium sized enterprises (SMEs) within the technology‐organization‐environment (TOE) framework.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual model is proposed for better understanding the adoption of e‐market in Australian SMEs. Structural equation modelling is used for testing and validating the proposed conceptual model based on the survey data collected from Australian SMEs. A logistic regression analysis is conducted for identifying the relationship between the critical determinants and the adoption of e‐market in Australian SMEs.FindingsA positive relationship is identified between the perceived direct benefit, top management support, external pressure, trust and the adoption of e‐market in Australian SMEs. The top management support emerges as the most critical determinant. The perceived indirect benefit, size and organization readiness, however, do not show a significant influence on the adoption of e‐market in Australian SMEs.Research limitations/implicationsThis study focuses on the investigation of the critical determinants in the adoption of e‐market in Australian SMEs. In order to gain an holistic understanding of the e‐market adoption in Australian SMEs, the impact of adopting e‐market on the performance of SMEs should be examined. Furthermore, this study does not distinguish the adoption of e‐market in SMEs between Australian metropolitan and rural areas. SMEs located in rural areas by the nature and location own specific characteristics such as a limited access to resources and less influenced by external pressure. The issues of their concern in the adoption of e‐market might be different from those located in metropolitan areas.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the e‐market adoption research in proposing and validating a research model for the e‐market adoption within the TOE framework, and by highlighting the criticality of the determinants of adopting e‐market in Australian SMEs.

Does firm location make a difference to the export performance of SMEs?

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to explore how location – regional vs metropolitan – impacts a small to medium‐sized enterprise (SME)'s access to firm resources and capabilities, and in turn its export performance.Design/methodology/approachThis study involved collecting qualitative data from an expert panel of government trade advisors, as well as managers of SME exporters in Australian regional and metropolitan areas. The data were used to explore three propositions relating to the impact of location.FindingsThe data provides support for the propositions that location impacts SME exporters’ access to networks and export related infrastructure/services, and in turn export performance. Firms in metropolitan areas have an advantage over those in regional areas. However, contrary to expectations, the relatively lower level of competition in regional areas did not appear to have a negative impact on the export performance of firms located in these areas.Research limitations/implicationsThe study confirms the importance of exploring the impact of location on export performance. However, the exploratory nature of the study means that results cannot necessarily be generalised beyond the setting in which the data were collected. Future research should examine the impact of location for exporters in a broader sample of countries.Practical implicationsThe disadvantages for SME exporters located in regional areas that come from a lack of networks and export related infrastructure/services need to be recognized and addressed by the managers of SME exporters and their advisors. The study also highlights the importance of the location decision for these firms.Originality/valueThis study is one of the first to explicitly focus on the impact of location on the export performance of SMEs. While exploratory in nature, it highlights the need for further research to better understand this potentially critical moderating variable and both its practical and theoretical implications.

Consumer participation: Ensuring suicide postvention research counts for end users

Primary health-care research is about working with those who have a vested interest in the outcomes of that research, including consumers, service providers and service organizations. This article describes how consumers were included in the research processes of a South Australian study into suicide postvention services, and illustrates important principles to consider when including consumers in research. A concurrent mixed-method approach facilitated the collection of mixed data through the application of questionnaires. The study was conducted in an Australian metropolitan area. Because of media releases, a large number of people rang to enquire and volunteer their participation. From over 200 expressions of interest, 161 individuals participated. The participation of consumers in the research process ensured the findings were relevant for end users. A number of recommendations for the care and support of those bereaved through suicide were developed as a result.

Employing New Tools for Realising Urban Housing Potential: A South East Queensland Perspective

Like many of the other Australian metropolitan areas South East Queensland is rapidly growing. A population increase of approximately 1 million over the next 20 years will demand new planning and development responses and new policy tools. This article provides an empirical account of the piloting of one such new policy tool which assesses the potential and suitability of densification in urban localities.

Equalizing population denominators for australian metropolitan areas

Most population data are collected and tabulated in an aggregate form by censuses around the world in which political and economic considerations determine the geographic unit of the aggregation. Large spatial variation in population size among units can limit comparative analysis among different subregions. Census population counts are often used as the denominator in rate calculations. This paper proposes the design of new districts for Australian metropolitan areas that will decrease the absolute range in population among districts. The transport algorithm is used for aggregation of Collection Districts in order to achieve this goal. The transport algorithm proved efficient in assigning CDs to a more equitable alignment of population in the selected Statistical Divisions. This method affords the spatial comparison of city settlement and socio-economic variables as well as deriving a stable denominator for these comparisons. The results demonstrate the advantages of equalized population denominators over those associated with the current statistical districts.

Effect of Australia's Walk to Work Day Campaign on Adults' Active Commuting and Physical Activity Behavior

To determine whether Australia's Walk to Work Day media campaign resulted in behavioral change among targeted groups. Pre- and postcampaign telephone surveys of a cohort of adults aged 18 to 65 years (n = 1100, 55% response rate) were randomly sampled from Australian major metropolitan areas. Tests for dependent samples were applied (McNemar chi2 or paired t-test). Among participants who did not usually actively commute to work was a significant decrease in "car only" use and an increase in walking combined with public transport. Among those who were employed was a significant increase in total time walking (+ 16 min/wk; t [780] = 2.04, p < .05) and in other moderate physical activity (+120 min/wk; t [1087] = 4.76, p < .005), resulting in a significant decrease in the proportion who were "inactive" (chi2 (1) = 6.1, p <.05). Although nonexperimental, the Walk to Work Day initiative elicited shortterm changes in targeted behaviors among target groups. Reinforcement by integrating worksite health promotion strategies may be required for sustained effects.

How unpopular are we? Reassessing psychologists' public image with different measures of favourability

Psychologists in Australia have tended to survey their public image with specific questions, such as how useful psychologists are, or how willing people are to consult them. While responses to these questions have generally implied an unfavourable public impression of psychologists, research in the United States has shown that psychologists are perceived less favourably on direct measures of favourability (e.g., specific questions), than on indirect indicators (e.g., overall favourability ratings). To reassess the public perception of psychologists in Australia, a representative sample of 178 adults from South Australian metropolitan and rural areas was surveyed, with respondents required to appraise psychologists on both indirect and direct measures of favourability. As hypothesised, the public impression of psychologists was more favourable on the indirect measure. Regression analyses were also performed to identify the personal and attitudinal variables associated with responses on the measures of favourability. Findings are presented and discussed, together with implications for the future promotion of Australian psychology.

The Anatomy of Housing Stress in Sydney

The issue of housing affordability is now the focus of a number of policy interventions in Australian metropolitan areas. In this article data from the ABS 1996 Census and 1999 National Housing Survey are used to unpack the geography of Sydney's unaffordability problem at the local level and looks at the numbers, distribution and characteristics of low income households in housing stress.

Youth suicide trends in Australian metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas, 1988-1997.

The objective of this study was to examine trends in suicide among 15-34-year-olds living in Australian metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas between 1988 and 1997. Suicide and population data were obtained from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. We calculated overall and method-specific suicide rates for 15-24 and 25-34-year-old males and females separately, according to area of residence defined as non-metropolitan (< or = 20,000 people) or metropolitan. Between 1988 and 1997 suicide rates in 15-24-year-old non-metropolitan males were consistently 50% higher than metropolitan 15-24-year-olds. In 1995-1997, for example, the rates were: 38.2 versus 25.1 per 100,000 respectively (p < 0.0001). The reverse pattern was seen in 25-34-year-old females with higher rates in metropolitan areas (7.5 per 100,000) compared with non-metropolitan areas (6.1 per 100,000, p = 0.21) in 1995-1997. There were no significant differences according to area of residence in 25-34-year-old males or 15-24-year-old females. Over the years studied we found no clear evidence that suicide rates increased to a greater extent in rural than urban areas. Rates of hanging suicide have approximately doubled in both sexes and age groups in both settings over this time. Despite an approximate halving in firearm suicide, rates remain 3-fold higher among nonmetropolitan residents. Non-metropolitan males aged 15-24 years have disproportionately higher rates of suicide than their metropolitan counterparts. Reasons for this require further investigation. Hanging is now the most favoured method of non-metropolitan suicide replacing firearms from 10 years ago. Although legislation may reduce method-specific suicide the potential for method-substitution means that overall rates may not fall. More comprehensive interventions are therefore required.

Youth suicide trends in Australian metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas, 1988-1997

Youth suicide trends in Australian metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas, 1988-1997

Australian urban landfills: management and economics

The current management and economic status of Australian urban landfilling is summarized. Landfills in four Australian metropolitan areas (Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth) were surveyed, focusing on management and economic issues. The management issues include aspects of site management and environmental monitoring. The economic components comprise the landfill charges, the capital and operating costs and the costs of site rehabilitation. It was found that: (1) in terms of the current landfill guidelines the average level of compliance with respect to environmental management in these urban landfills is relatively low; (2) landfill tipping fees do not reflect the true costs of waste disposal; and (3) there are substantial cross-subsidies in regional landfill management systems.

Australian urban landfills: management and economics

The current management and economic status of Australian urban landfilling is summarized. Landfills in four Australian metropolitan areas (Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth) were surveyed, focusing on management and economic issues. The management issues include aspects of site management and environmental monitoring. The economic components comprise the landfill charges, the capital and operating costs and the costs of site rehabilitation. It was found that: (1) in terms of the current landfill guidelines the average level of compliance with respect to environmental management in these urban landfills is relatively low; (2) landfill tipping fees do not reflect the true costs of waste disposal; and (3) there are substantial cross-subsidies in regional landfill management systems.

Australian ports, metropolitan areas and trade‐related services

SUMMARY One important service carried out in Australian port cities and metropolitan areas involves the organisation of the transport of goods from producers for export, and for delivery to importers. This paper examines the activities that are involved in those links, grouped under the heading of trade‐related services. Data assembled on the location of these services in Australia, together with a study of a sample of firms, indicates their location is influenced by networks and linkages between firms; services are not necessarily located in the busiest port, but rather in the city with the most diverse service sector. This result illustrates the selectivity in location that is typical of producer services, and has important consequences for the role and influence of cities. It is illustrated in the paper with reference to Melbourne and Sydney.

Changing patterns of government in Australian metropolitan areas

Changing patterns of government in Australian metropolitan areas

Office location in Australian metropolitan areas: centralisation or dispersal?

As office activities have become even more centralised in A ustralia's largest cities they have also become more suburbanised. Taking account of the recent expansion of intermediate (mostly office‐based) services and their locational requirements, this article examines the existing and potential strategic planning policies for achieving a better organised, more equitable, and efficient distribution of office activities in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth. Preference for policies based on suburban office centres represents a convergence of ideas. Some of the factors which make it difficult to implement these policies are examined. The role of the CBD and adjacent office areas, however, should not be underrated given the established patterns of office location behaviour and the changing structure and origin of demand for non‐local market metropolitan offices.

Building activity and socio-economic change in inner Melbourne 1961–1981

Abstract The changing nature of the inner city of Australian metropolitan areas has been a topic of considerable interest in the past few years. In particular, there has been a marked change in the socio-economic characteristics of those resident in the inner city — a change which has reversed a feared trend toward the concentration of problem groups in the inner area. The nature of the social change being experienced has frequently been described as ‘gentrification’, a concept which attempts to encompass a range of outcomes in terms of socio-spatial change. However little attempt has been made to go beyond a simple description of the results of change. The present paper argues that in fact gentrification has been viewed much too simplistically, and that even if defined more comprehensively, only accounts for a portion of the observed outcomes. By examining physical as well as social change, and by using a more appropriate spatial scale, one which allows a great deal more detail, inner city change can be ...

Developer Decisionmaking in the Residential Land Acquisition Process: A Generalised Model Based on the Sydney Experience

The residential developer has been the predominant agent in the structural growth of Australian metropolitan areas in the past fifteen years. This paper attempts to place developer decisionmaking into a perspective through which it is possible to make deductions about the pattern of residential growth from a knowledge of individual behaviour. From a series of interviews with a sample of developers engaged in residential subdivision on the fringe of metropolitan Sydney, a model is developed that structures the way in which investment and location considerations interact in relation to institutional and economic constraints at various stages of decisionmaking in the land acquisition process. The implications of the model are that developer behaviour is a reaction to the constraints imposed by the various government and institutional regulations and that his particular location preferences are conditioned by these. These constraints have spatial implications because the behavioural processes underlying the developer's reaction to them provide important insights into the changing spatial form of the city.

Wife's Statuses and Husband-Wife Companionship in an Australian Metropolitan Area

Industrialization and urbanization have increased the companionship function of families. This study assumes that companionship among married couples varies according to the social status of the wife. It is predicted that a couple's mutual participation increases as socioeconomic status and urban background increase, but that it decreases with age and length of marriage. Using a suburban Australian sample the hypotheses are supported in that high social-class status, highly urban, young and recently married couples have the most companionship. More attention needs to be devoted to women's statuses as predictive variables, and to how groups behave as units.

Drinking practices and attitudes in an Australian metropolitan area

As part of a community survey of drinking practices in the Sydney metropolitan area, normative attitudes towards drinking were investigated, in order to determine the extent to which certain forms of drinking behaviour will be inhibited or encouraged. Evidence indicates that clear cut normative attitudes do exist in the community, but that degree of consensus varies considerably with the specific drinking situation.