QUT offers a diverse range of student topics for Honours, Masters and PhD study. Search to find a topic that interests you or propose your own research topic to a prospective QUT supervisor. You may also ask a prospective supervisor to help you identify or refine a research topic.
Found 639 matching student topics
Displaying 169–180 of 639 results
Exploring the attributes that influence the purchase of indigenous art and souvenirs
What attributes influence a consumers' intention to purchase indigenous art and souvenirs? Research has suggested ‘perception of authenticity’ motivate some consumers to seek out and purchase such products. However, authenticity may relate to the marker/artist, aesthetics of the design, or material use. These attributes are identified through the extant literature in indigenous art and souvenirs. The purpose of this research project is to determine what influences perceptions of authenticity, leading to purchase intention.
- Study level
- PhD, Master of Philosophy
- Faculty
- Faculty of Business and Law
- School
- School of Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations
Culture and corruption risks in local government: the role of technology in detecting fraud
A recent investigation by the Crime and Misconduct Commission found serious fraud and corruption across a number of Queensland city councils. This included inappropriate relationships between the Council and the private sector, in particular property developers and improper use of power and influence for personal benefit by elected councilors.This project investigates how council employees and councillors avoid detection under existing accounting controls, and how they can be strengthened. We will focus on the latest technologies for detecting financial misconduct and …
- Study level
- Master of Philosophy
- Faculty
- Faculty of Business and Law
- School
- School of Accountancy
The gender profile of the insolvency profession
Given the advances in representation by women in business leadership and accountancy profession generally, is it inevitable that there remain 'gendered occupational niches'?This project investigates the nature of professional work undertaken by insolvency practitioners and profiles the state of the profession to examine whether there are any isolating influences or barriers to entry for one gender or the other. It will identify the key determinants to effective performance to the role of insolvency practitioner and whether any systemic biases become …
- Study level
- Master of Philosophy
- Faculty
- Faculty of Business and Law
- School
- School of Accountancy
Can executive compensation improve investment efficiency?
Since the last decade, there have been intense debates over whether executive compensation contracts are set optimally for interest alignment between management and shareholders. As Jensen and Murphy (2010) noted, the real problem of compensation is 'not how much you pay, but how'. While there is an agreement that performance-based pay can influence corporate investment decisions, the evidence is less clear on how and to what extent such a link is established. The real interest of this study is to …
- Study level
- Master of Philosophy
- Faculty
- Faculty of Business and Law
- School
- School of Accountancy
Philanthropy and accountability in Australia
Philanthropy (defined here as structured giving through organisations such as foundations) is growing strongly and expected to benefit significantly from the intergenerational transfer of wealth in the coming decades. The accountability of philanthropy is a vital discussion, as criticism grows internationally of the lack of transparency, particularly for wealthy philanthropists who use their retained influence over donated and taxpayer-subsided funds to pursue their individual interests and influence public policy. There are current calls for a national blueprint or strategy for …
- Study level
- Master of Philosophy
- Faculty
- Faculty of Business and Law
- School
- School of Accountancy
- Research centre(s)
-
Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies
Compensation consultants: Whom do they serve? New evidence on pay for performance
It is common that companies routinely retain compensation consultants to provide guidance in setting executive pay packages. Most importantly, they offer recommendations about formulating appropriate compensation contracts for top management. Research shows that the size and structure of CEO compensation packages significantly affect firm performance (known as pay-for-performance) and, in particular, excessive CEO compensation is associated with the destruction of shareholder wealth. It is, therefore, interesting to investigate whether the use of compensation consultants actually benefits shareholders (e.g. improve firm …
- Study level
- Master of Philosophy
- Faculty
- Faculty of Business and Law
- School
- School of Accountancy
Risk management and financial systems integrity. Enhancing outcomes for indigenous not-for-profit organisations
This topic examines the NFP sector, in particular, indigenous organisations and the risk associated with incidents of fraud. As funding to these organisations is limited, a fraudulent event can have dire consequences on employees as well as impact future funding opportunities. Scant attention has been paid to the NFP sector in relation to fraud risk management. The study will help to address this.If you are interested in researching this topic as part of a Master of Philosophy (Accountancy), and you …
- Study level
- Master of Philosophy
- Faculty
- Faculty of Business and Law
- School
- School of Accountancy
New technology and the law
Computer vision has developed to a point where machines using artificial intelligence are better and faster than humans at performing many vision-related tasks. For example, we are now often processed through customs based solely on face recognition software. Add to this the fact that the average Australian is photographed on CCTV cameras around 75 times per day. Commercial applications of face recognition technology include Microsoft's Face Application Programming Interface that can be used to classify face images based on gender, …
- Study level
- PhD, Master of Philosophy
Capacity, wills and enduring powers of attorney
Dr Kelly Purser is interested in talking to students who wish to undertake research on the topics of capacity, wills, enduring powers of attorney, advance health directives, estate planning, equity and trusts, succession, or therapeutic jurisprudence.
- Study level
- PhD, Master of Philosophy
The softer side of next-gen entrepreneurship: the emotional experience and success
Next-generation (next-gen) entrepreneurs are described as people who operate solely in online environments (i.e. via the internet). The internet and mobile technologies have profoundly impacted the ways in which business is conducted, yet little is known about this new type of business environment. There has been considerable research into entrepreneurs who operate largely in physical 'bricks and mortar' settings, however the literature is limited in providing insight into entrepreneurs who operate solely in online environments.We know that emotions influence the …
- Study level
- PhD, Master of Philosophy
Customised flexible work
Developing and supporting flexible or customised work arrangements is a key HR strategy in many organisations and has been shown to have benefits for both business and individual employees. However, research has also demonstrated the significant problem of policy-utilisation gaps in relation to flexible work, including concerns about unequal access, low uptake amongst men and penalties that result from adjusting standard working arrangements.Student projects are available in this field of research and there is the possibility of utilising existing and …
- Study level
- PhD, Master of Philosophy, Honours
Corporate social and environmental performance information and related accountability practices
Due to stakeholder attention, companies are increasingly disclosing social and environmental performance information within their annual and corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports.OutcomesThis study will investigate whether these disclosures reflect real performance, and thereby create accountability practices by corporations. Both Australian and international companies are the focus of this project.The project considers both qualitative and quantitative methods.
- Study level
- Master of Philosophy
- Faculty
- Faculty of Business and Law
- School
- School of Accountancy
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