A partnership between Deakin and the Institute for Public Accountants, the centre focuses on issues that support the overall small-medium enterprise (SME) ecosystem. Our expertise in the three pillars of productivity – investment, innovation and human capital — allows us to broadly examine issues related to regulation, trade and sustainability of SMEs, including the well-being, resilience and skills of SME owners.
The IPA-Deakin SME Research Centre uses its host of multidisciplinary experts to broadly examine issues related to regulation, trade and sustainability of SME firms. A particular research focus of the Centre is the mental health and the design and delivery of integrated mental health initiatives for the accounting, bookkeeping and SME sectors.
A research degree at Deakin Business School is an opportunity to address some of society’s most important questions
The Centre brings together Deakin experts and external partners.
Professor Rui Torres de Oliveira is director of the Deakin-IPA SME Research Centre. Before transitioning to academia, Rui spent nearly two decades in industry, working with multinational companies in various international settings. Rui’s research focuses on strategy, entrepreneurship, innovation, international business, and sustainability.
Professor George Tanewski is former centre director and a professor of accounting at the Deakin Business School. His passion for the SME ecosystem plays a key role in influencing government policy in boosting the longterm viability and productivity of Australia’s small business sector.
Dr Miethy Zaman is a research fellow who is currently engaging in policy work. Her research focuses on productivity, education and innovation.
Our research, policy and engagement work targets a range of non-academic beneficiaries.
This research looks at oversight of programs that provide nonrecoverable one-off subsidies or payments to firms, with no requirement for repayment or returns of any financial costs to the public sector. Receiving grants can lead to a ‘grant mentality’ or ‘grant culture’ within individual businesses, which can negatively impact on the self-resilience of business owners.
This project is premised on the theory of using key intermediaries to deliver mental health support to difficult-to-reach groups – in this case, SMEs – and encourage them to access professional support. Advisers like accountants and bookkeepers have often been identified as key intermediaries, with SMEs often reaching out to their finance professional for advice or support when financially distressed.
The Centre is a collaboration between Deakin Business School and the IPA, the largest accounting body worldwide, representing the small business and SME sectors.
Our centre is governed by a board of industry of experts chosen for their experience and significant contributions to the SME community, and to Australian business generally.
Stay in touch with us to hear about partnership opportunities, working with us, research news, and much more.
