Why this Cluster exists 

The Sustainable Development Goals for Business research cluster aims to conduct impactful research related to sustainable business practice to enhance understanding of the inter-relationship between environment, society and business.

This research cluster brings together multi-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary expertise from different areas to explore these issues relating to sustainable business practices. There is a mix of established researchers and early career researchers in the Research Cluster. The members have research records with high national and international impact, substantial experience in obtaining competitive research funding, and significant experience in academic leadership and mentorship of early career researchers and higher degree research students.

The Sustainable Development Goals for  Business cluster is powered by the expertise of its members, with the group's strength rooted in the extensive and diverse knowledge they collectively possess.

Associate Professor Tak Yan Leung is the lead of the cluster. Her research focuses are on sustainability, ESG, corporate governance, and innovation, which are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. Yan has publications, grants, and awards on topics relating to several SDGs, such as SDG 5 Gender Equality, SDG 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production; and SDG 13 Climate Action.

Dr Raffaella Belloni is a dedicated economist specialising in quantitative methods, focusing on labour and international economics. Recently awarded a PhD in labour economics, Raffaella looks forward to contributing her skills and knowledge to advance the field of applied economics. Her research is particularly aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, including quality education, decent work, sustainability, gender equality, and economic growth.

Dr Craig Cameron teaches and researches in labour law, regulation of business structures, corporate law, work-integrated learning (WIL), and professional skills development. Craig’s current research interests lie in contemporary issues impacting labour law, as well as student equity and risk management in the context of WIL. He has recently been the recipient of research grants which have explored risk management for WIL in Canada and Australia. Craig currently sits on the editorial board of the International Journal of Work-Integrated Learning and is a director of not-for-profit organisations.

Dr Leanda Garvie is an accountant with diverse research interests in sustainability including sustainability reporting, carbon accounting and corporate governance; as well as sustainable forestry, waste management and the circular economy. Leanda is building a research profile in forestry economics, focused on the role that forestry can play in climate change mitigation, progress towards national targets including the Sustainable Development Goals, and contribution towards the emerging Australian bio economy. Recent research projects include identifying the potential benefits and trade-offs of utilising waste material from forestry to offset emissions associated with fossil fuel energy or other unsustainable products like plastics. Leanda is passionate about research that has real-world impact leading to a more sustainable future.

Dr Ratna Paudyal is a researcher and educator specialising in sustainable business practices related to accounting, with a focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. His work spans education, social equity, and corporate sustainability. With teaching experience in Nepal and Australia since 1998, Dr. Paudyal brings a cross-cultural perspective to his research. He investigates CEO characteristics, firm performance, audit quality, and financial reporting issues related to sustainability. His PhD research on integrated microfinance revealed the importance of health education and capacity building in poverty reduction. Currently, he explores challenges faced by low socioeconomic background students in Australian higher education. As a Rotarian, Dr. Paudyal has initiated international youth exchange programs and community development projects. His teaching strategies emphasise partnerships for reducing inequality and quality education in accounting. Dr. Paudyal's multi-lingual approach to sustainable business research contributes to a comprehensive understanding of global sustainability challenges and solutions.

Dr Kirsty Redgen is an auditor with research interests in sustainability assurance, diversity within the audit profession, and digital transformation (SDG 5, 9, 12 & 16). She is a chartered accountant and CPA, and has authored audit textbooks, including Audit and Assurance, 2nd Edition | Wiley; as well as peer-reviewed journal articles. Kirsty’s work focuses on responsible practice and digital innovation within the audit profession. One of her current research projects focuses on gender diversity within the audit profession.

Dr Wen Hua Sharpe is the co-lead of the cluster with research interest in sustainability, ESG, corporate governance, and audit pricing. Her research work is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. Wen received a research grant from Accounting & Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand (AFAANZ) in 2023 for a project titled “Corporate Workplace Culture and Business Sustainability: Evidence from Australian Mining Firms and Their Supply Chain Contracting”. She also has published an article relating to SDG 4 Quality Education.

The impact of the Sustainable Development Goals for Business research cluster is demonstrated through the numerous publications authored by our cluster's members.

Sharpe, W. H., Nguyen, P. M., & Colombage, S. (2023). CEO overconfidence, customer satisfaction, and firm value: An investigation of mediating and moderating effects. European Management Journal, Forthcoming SDG 12. Responsible Consumption and Production

Kanapathippillai, S., Yaftian, A., Mirshekary, S., Sami, H., & Gul, F. A. (2024). Director turnover, board monitoring and audit fees: Some Australian evidence.Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, 83, 102246. SDG 12. Responsible Consumption and Production

Gul, F. A., Khan, A., Lai, K., Mihret, D. G., & Muttakin, M. B. (2024). Corporate political donations and audit fees: Some evidence from Australian audit pricing.International Journal of Auditing, 28(2), 340-363. SDG 12. Responsible Consumption and Production

Trad, B., Freudenberg, B., Minas, J., & Cameron, C. (2024, March). Reasons behind SME advisor business structure recommendations. In Australian Tax Forum (Vol. 39, No. 1, pp. 93-145). Sydney, NSW: Tax Institute. SDG 8. Decent Work and Economic Growth

Grant-Smith, D., Hewitt, A., Cameron, C., & de Zwaan, L. (2024). Approaching unpaid work-integrated learning placements through a social justice lens. QUT Centre for Justice Briefing Papers, 47. SDG 4. Quality Education

Garvie, L. C., Brown, M., Lee, D. J., & Kulišić, B. (2024). Projecting investment potential of an emerging forest bioeconomy market: An EU—Australian benchmarking study. GCB Bioenergy, 16(8), e13176. SDG 15. Life on Land 

Malik, G., Sharma, P., Kingshott, R., Leung, T. Y., & Abdolrazagh, D. (2024). Technological sensing and response capabilities as drivers for radical innovation in the context of apocalyptic uncertainty. R&D Management, 54(3), 525-541. SDG 9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Chan, R. Y., Sharma, P., Alqahtani, A., Leung, T. Y., & Malik, A. (2024). Mediating role of cultural values in the impact of ethical ideologies on Chinese consumers’ ethical judgments. Journal of Business Ethics, 191(4), 865-884. SDG 12. Responsible Consumption and Production

Cheung, P. Y., & Leung, T. Y. (2024). Do Political Connections Help or Harm Family Firms? An Audit Pricing Perspective. The Chinese Economy, 1-20. SDG 12. Responsible Consumption and Production SDG 12. Responsible Consumption and Production

He, L., Zheng, L. J., Sharma, P., & Leung, T. Y. (2024). Entrepreneurship education and established business activities: An international perspective. The International Journal of Management Education, 22(1), 100922. SDG 4. Quality Education

Vlasceanu, M., Doell, K. C., Bak-Coleman, J. B., Todorova, B., Berkebile-Weinberg, M. M., Grayson, S. J., Leung, T. Y., ... & Lutz, A. E. (2024). Addressing climate change with behavioral science: A global intervention tournament in 63 countries. Science Advances, 10(6), eadj5778. SDG 13. Climate Action

Gul, F. A., Lin, B., Yang, Z., Zhang, M., & Zhu, H. (2023). Accounting personnel quality, audit risk, and auditor responses. Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, 43(1), 125-149. SDG 12. Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 4. Quality Education

Lai, K. M., Khedmati, M., Gul, F. A., & Mount, M. P. (2023). Making honest men of them: Institutional investors, financial reporting, and the appointment of female directors to all-male boards. Journal of Corporate Finance, 78, 102334. SDG 12. Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 5. Gender Equality

Blanco, B., Dhole, S., & Gul, F. A. (2023). Financial statement comparability and accounting fraud. Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, 50(7-8), 1166-1205. SDG 12. Responsible Consumption and Production

Trad, B., Minas, J., Freudenberg, B., & Cameron, C. (2023). Choice of Australian Business Structures in the SME Sector: What Do Advisors Recommend?.Australian Tax Review, 52(3). SDG 8. Decent Work and Economic Growth

Trad, B., Freudenberg, B., Cameron, C., & Minas, J. (2023). Not in isolation: the rationale for a combination of business structures in Australia. Australian Business Law Review, 51(3), 162-181. SDG 8. Decent Work and Economic Growth

Hewitt, A., & Cameron, C. (2023). Employee or student learner? Managing the risks of providing financial support to students undertaking work experience.Australian Journal of Labour Law, 36(3), 262-288. SDG 4. Quality Education

Trad, B., Freudenberg, B., Minas, J., & Cameron, C. (2023). How good is your business structure? A survey of Australian SME advisors. J. Australasian Tax Teachers Association Journal, 18(1), 83-136. SDG 8. Decent Work and Economic Growth

Paynter, M., Sharpe, W. H., Halabi, A. K., Reimers, V., Ma, H., & Johnstone, C. (2023). Chinese students’ decisions to study in Australia after the COVID pandemic-based on the PESTLE factor analysis.International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 96, 101867. SDG 4. Quality Education

Sharpe, W. H., Carey, P., & Zhang, H. F. (2023). Being private, Big 4 auditors, and debt raising. Accounting & Finance, 63(2), 2295-2345. SDG 12. Responsible Consumption and Production