None
Monday, 13 December 2010

Australia will miss out on the benefits of global growth if it does not maximise the capability of its workforce, according to researchers at The University of Western Australia.

The effects of proactive individuals are the focus of a four-year study worth almost $900,000 by University's newly appointed Australian Research Council Future Fellow, Winthrop Professor Sharon Parker.

"Proactivity is becoming increasingly important as it enables effectiveness, innovation and responsiveness - whether in services such as bushfire-control, public health, the not-for-profit and public sectors, or in business and industry," Professor Parker said.

"Australia's success in a rapidly changing, unpredictable world depends on a proactive workforce engaged in making things happen," she said.  "There are four reasons why it is imperative that ways be found to enhance workplace proactivity: it is a major driver of change and innovation; it minimises chances of injury or error while maximising performance; it enhances skill development; and it is good for employees' mental health.

"My research will examine the importance of job design, leadership and a supportive climate in encouraging proactivity.  It follows an 18-month assessment of a trial of a two-day workshop aimed at improving proactivity and self-efficacy in Britain's National Health System and South Yorkshire Police Force."

She suggests a hierarchically structured workplace where the boss makes all the decisions and the workforce is powerless is outdated and points to research showing that if workers are encouraged to have input into an organisation's operations there is less absenteeism, more productivity and improved customer satisfaction.

UWA has Australia's first Future Fellows in the field of business and management.  Along with Professor Parker are Professor Mark Griffin and Professor Christina Gibson.  Professor Parker said UWA was shaping to be one of the world's best research concentrations in organisational behaviour.

"Our multi-disciplinary organisational behaviour group has been very successful in attracting funding including for a project examining how human and organisational factors affect equipment failures; and a grant for research into people-management processes affecting performances in retail banking," she said.

Media references

Winthrop Professor Sharon Parker (UWA Business School)  (+61 8)  6488 5628
Heather Merritt (+61 8)  6488 8171
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716

Tags

Channels
Business and Industry — International — Media Statements — Research — University News