Small and Medium Enterprise Research Centre
The Small and Medium Enterprise Research Centre (SMERC) promotes and encourages research into Australian small and medium-sized businesses. The Centre has developed strong links and collaborations with other educational institutions, industry, the business community and all three tiers of government through support, participation in and facilitation of business related activities.
SMERC is engaged in both research and program delivery in the area of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and is recognised nationally and internationally for research that has produced outcomes of significant value to academia and practice.
Research projects and expertise are in the areas of:
- Small business
- Environmental issues
- Business growth and development
- Gender
- Family business
- Strategic planning in small business.
- Home-based business.
SMERC is currently undertaking the following research projects:
- On-line training and SMEs
- Skill shortages in regional Western Australia
- Family business succession
- Exploring environmental management education for small and mediumsized enterprises
- Maddington-Kenwick Cockburn Sustainable Industry Project
- Strategic management study of small businesses.
SMERC also seeks to engage collaboratively with international researchers that are interested in small and medium enterprise practice to achieve outcomes that will have global impact. SMERC has two Adjunct Professors currently engaged in research, Rowena Barrett, Head of the School of Management and Associate Professor Beverley Webster is currently working at the University of Hong Kong in the Centre for Advancement of University Teaching.
Contact
Professor Beth Walker
Telephone: (61 8) 6304 5282
Email: elizabeth.walker@ecu.edu.au
