The mission of the IPA-Deakin SME Research Centre is to provide cutting-edge small-to-medium enterprise (SME) research, transformative training and strategic policy advocacy to foster sustainable growth, innovation and global competitiveness. Our applied research and initiatives are shaping the future of SME ecosystems through impactful partnerships and thought leadership
The IPA-Deakin SME Research Centre started as a partnership between Deakin and the Institute for Public Accountants in 2013. In that time the centre has fostered collaborations across industry, government and academia, generating robust research to better understand small-to-medium enterprise (SME) needs and improved practices moving forward.
We take action in applied research, training and policy advocacy, with a strategic focus on the the following areas:
Our innovation research explores sector-specific advancements, different types of innovation (including products, services and processes) and the role of emerging technologies in driving SME business growth and competitiveness.
Our digital transformation research explores cybersecurity, Industry 4.0, AI-driven solutions, digital strategies, and maturity models in the SME sector.
Our leadership and growth research includes adaptive leadership, strategic decision-making, financial leadership and people development, as well as a strong focus on stewardship and guiding businesses toward sustainable growth.
Our work in SME wellbeing focuses on job stress and burnout prevention, workplace psychological health and safety, wellbeing frameworks, and the delivery of mental health interventions at the individual, firm and sector levels.
Our business sustainability work examines SME productivity, sustainability metrics and reporting, policy and regulation, and economic sustainability, including access to finance and long-term business resilience.
Our internationalisation research focuses on market entry strategies, global networks, policy and regulatory insights, cross-cultural factors and supply chain challenges, helping SMEs navigate and succeed in international markets.
Micro-firms (sole traders and firms with 1-4 employees) make up 88.5% of businesses but contribute just 20% of GDP. Large businesses (200+ employees) represent 0.2% of businesses but contribute 44% of GDP. Our focus is on SMEs (5-199 employees) who account for 11.3% of businesses and drive 36% of GDP and 43% of employment – making them key drivers of the Australian economy.*
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, international entrepreneurship, innovation 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.
Professor Andrew Noblet is the workplace wellbeing lead at the Deakin-IPA SME Research Centre and a professor in organisational behaviour at Deakin Business School. He has established a strong track-record as a job stress and employee wellbeing researcher.
Carol Leow-Taylor is the Deakin-IPA SME Research Centre’s operations manager and a senior research fellow. She oversees daily operations and enables the successful delivery of its strategic objectives. She also engages in research focusing on SME wellbeing and leadership.
Dr Miethy Zaman is a research fellow who is currently engaging in policy work. Her research focuses on productivity, education and innovation.
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.
We develop practical industry insights, research-driven solutions, and initiatives that equip SMEs with the tools and strategies they need to thrive in today’s fast-evolving global economy.
The 'Counting on U' initiative (2020-2024) tackled financial distress and mental health in SMEs and encouraged them to access professional support. Partnered with IPA, Beyond Blue, WorkSafe and others, it trained 3,000+ advisors, reducing stigma and improving outcomes.
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.
Our research shapes the future of SME ecosystems through impactful partnerships with with professional organisations, academia and government bodies. Some of our partners include:
Reach out if you’d like to partner with the Centre or collaborate on grant opportunities, project-specific initiatives, research sponsorships, or tailored industry projects that drive real impact for SMEs.
Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our University rankings page.
*Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (2024), Small Business Data Portal
Stay in touch with us to hear about partnership opportunities, working with us, research news, and much more.
