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Areas of Study

Accounting

The Discipline of Accounting is home to a vibrant community of internationally recognised scholars. The Discipline undertakes research on fundamental issues of accounting affecting the business community and regulatory authorities.

In particular the research focus embraces: the role of accounting information in decision making generally and capital markets in particular; the modelling of corporate failure and credit risk; corporate takeovers and reconstructions; corporate governance; accounting standard setting; market price accounting; environmental and social reporting; accounting history and critical accounting research; public sector accountability and financial reporting.

Business Analytics

The Discipline of Business Analytics refers to the use of sophisticated tools both to understand the massive amounts of data most business have available, and to put it to use in forecasting and in making better business decisions. Our group includes experts in advanced analytics, operations management, management science and business statistics.

We are engaged in all aspects of analysing data, making forecasts and building models to assist in management decisions. These are vital tasks in every business area (including finance, marketing, risk management and operations). There is a growing need for quantitative and analytical skills in the work force and students who take our courses will have a valuable edge when they come to look for a job at the end of their degrees.

The discipline has research strengths in the areas of financial time series and quantitative risk management; business and economic forecasting; econometrics and Bayesian statistics; computationally intensive estimation; supply chain management and scheduling theory.

The Business Analytics Discipline collaborates with other areas within the University of Sydney Business School in topics such as measuring risk in financial markets, and also works with specialists in other disciplines to provide advanced levels of data analysis.

Business Information Systems

The overall imperative of the Discipline of Business Information Systems (BIS) is business innovation through the application of information technology to business processes.

The Discipline has a strong research agenda with a commitment to practice-based, industry-relevant inquiry, with particular strengths in information systems strategy; decision support and business intelligence systems; information policy and knowledge management; IS assurance and control; management of enterprise systems and business processes.

Business Law

The significance of Business Law flows from the influence of business law in setting key aspects of business practice and opportunity, domestically and internationally.

Researchers within the Discipline of Business Law have a wide variety of expertise. Our research is cited by the court in tax judgements and judgements on a variety of commercial matters. Our books and articles on commercial law, corporations law, employment law and taxation law are used extensively by practitioners and tertiary institutions. Our submissions to enquiries and law reform bodies make a difference. The Discipline has links with large accounting firms and top tier law firms.

Finance

The Discipline of Finance is at the forefront of research internationally in corporate finance and security market microstructures. In a recent study of finance schools in the Asia Pacific region, (Chan, K.C. et.al), "The Productivity of the Finance Profession in the Asia Pacific Region", Pacific Basin Finance Journal, the Finance discipline within the University of Sydney was ranked fourth in the Asia Pacific region in terms of research productivity and ranked first in Australia.

This research platform is supported by a significant set of industry and Australian Research Council funded research grants and access to major datasets of financial activity, including access to trade and quotation data from 250 exchanges throughout the world. Access to this data, and our partnerships with some of the most significant financial institutions and investment banks in Australia and internationally, has given our work an impressive level of professional relevance and influence. We play a part in shaping regulatory and professional practices within the industry through, for instance, participation in the development of product initiatives of the Australian Stock Exchange, Sydney Futures Exchange and Dow-Jones, and in developing the surveillance practices of the Australian Stock Exchange.

International Business

Within the Discipline of International Business our programs and research encompass a broad domain, including: multinational and transnational business activities; strategic and managerial processes that cross national boundaries; managing cultural differences and international negotiations; joint ventures and strategic alliances; and mergers and acquisitions.

Our interdisciplinary perspective supports, for instance, work on international risk management and crisis management for business organisations, governments and NGOs; business-government relations, including government incentives and FDI policy for attracting and managing MNEs; and country-specific studies, such as the impact of Japanese MNEs on the Asia-Pacific region, foreign investment in China, and the contribution of foreign firms to the development of Australia.

Marketing

The Discipline of Marketing is positioned as one of the leading Marketing research groups in the region. Areas of expertise include consumer decision-making and behaviour, international marketing and consumer culture. Many members of the Discipline are considered world leaders in their areas in terms of top tier journal publications, editorial review board memberships, and awards won.

The Discipline also has a vibrant PhD program which has grown substantially over the past four years. Our research benefits from strong links with business, professional associations, government and not-for-profit organisations.

Transport and Logistics Studies

The Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies (ITLS) is a world class research centre, with strong industry links and a key role in developing innovative ideas in transport policy and professional practice in Australia. It is recognised as a centre of excellence within Australia and is ranked amongst the top five such institutes in the world in transportation and logistics research and education.

ITLS has an extensive portfolio of research projects in areas of transport economics, modelling, passenger and freight, planning and management, and in logistics and supply chain management, across all modes. Many of the research and consulting projects involve several aspects and modes of transport management.

Work and Organisational Studies

The Discipline of Work and Organisational Studies (WOS) has developed an innovative and comprehensive approach to all aspects of work, employment relations, organisation studies, business history and management.

WOS researchers have demonstrated expertise across the whole spectrum of work and organisational studies: from business and labour history and industrial relations to human resource management; from organisational development and strategic management to public policy.

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