South Africa’s Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan is fighting against economic predators.
Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
South Africa’s Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan spoke of protecting the economy from predators. This is commendable but not enough to build an inclusive economy.
Aldi has mastered the phantom product, even though customers know it’s not a brand in disguise.
Dave Hunt/AAP
More supermarkets are starting to stock “phantom brands”- private label products without any reference to the business’ brand or logo.
China is transitioning towards a more sophisticated economy built on science, knowledge and innovation.
Newzulu/Haibin Wang/AAP
There is a tidal wave of competition approaching the developed world from China – and foreign businesses have much to learn how Chinese companies evolved from imitators to innovators.
Joking around with customers can improve satisfaction, as long as its the right jokes!
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Business Briefing: being funny with customers
The Conversation 16.2 MB (download)
New research shows that humour can relieve tension for employees and increase customer satisfaction, just don't make jokes when it comes to offering apologies!
A protester jumps over a wall erected at Washington State University.
AP
Spending more on border control hasn’t stopped migrants from crossing the border. Neither will a wall. Here’s why.
We shouldn’t dismiss the possibility of a Trump victory and its effects on the global economic landscape.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
A Trump victory in the US presidential election is unlikely, but then again, so was Brexit. If he does get elected, there may be severe economic and financial consequences.
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Too much research focuses on “fixing women”, so let’s hear the male line on what needs to be done.
Crown Resorts operates three casinos in Macau and planned to lure more Chinese high rollers to its Australian operations before the arrest of eighteen employees threw their behaviour in China into question.
Tyrone Siu/Reuters
It’s easy for foreign businesses in China to misstep when they don’t understand the lack of a rule of law and the influence of the government.
The research found it may be the executives, not the shareholders, who are holding back innovation in business.
Peter Kneffel/EPA
Research shows the short-term view focus of senior executives may be inhibiting a long-term investment in innovation.
Business splits can be resolved fairly without resulting to the “Texas shoot out” method.
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Researchers have come up with a new way to make sure each partner in a business gets their fair share when they decide to split.
Employees who have a mutually loyal relationship with their employers and a balance of positive and negative emotions at work are less likely to quit.
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New research used a method that predicts divorce to pick up the signs that an employee will stay or leave their job.
Many Australians will not benefit from the Financial Services Council’s new life insurance code, Gail Pearson says.
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The Financial Services Council code of conduct for life insurance is the industry’s last chance to reform before the government steps in.
Contract theory goes beyond analyzing deals on paper to other sorts of agreements.
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Contracts have governed the workings of the economy since ancient times. Contract theory is about ensuring they have the right incentives.
Younger farmers are more willing to take up the opportunities presented by outside investment, a new study shows.
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Young farmers are more open to outside investment and ownership of the family farm, than older farmers, new research shows.
Businesses need to consult customers to work out what is reasonable when it comes to using and securing their data.
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Business Briefing: Trusting business to take care of your data
The Conversation 14.7 MB (download)
Businesses need to take the lead to show customers and governments that industry can handle data management, says former ACCC chief Graeme Samuel.
Despite the increased focus on corporate social responsibility, businesses don’t seem to be cleaning up their act.
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Publicly listed Australian companies are still falling short of proper corporate social responsibility, judging by most recent reports.
The research found the more confident a participant was, the worse they understood the phone contracts they were given.
Dave Hunt/AAP
Consumers don’t understand the contracts they are signing when they buy smartphones, new research shows.
Commonwealth Bank CEO Ian Narev received a healthy remuneration package in 2016 despite scandals involving the bank.
Paul Miller/AAP
Studies show performance-based incentives for CEOs do not lead to better organisational performance.
Health Insurers should be offering insurance that covers primary care, Paolucci argues.
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Business Briefing: treat the cause not the symptoms of problems with private health insurance
The Conversation 10.5 MB (download)
If customers are questioning the value of private health insurance its because of the way the system is distorted by government incentives.
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A Woking-Cupertino tie-up seems implausible at first glance, but there is plenty up for grabs which could suit both companies.