Regional Businesses in a Changing Global Economy

Quamrul Alam, Professor of International Business and Strategy, School of Business and Law, Central Queensland University, Melbourne, Australia. Robert Grose, Lecturer, Accounting, School of Business and Law, Central Queensland University, Melbourne, Australia.

• 1 Shifting sands in the regional business environment in Australia. 2 Agricultural innovation in a remote setting: Natural Evolution company in Far North Queensland. 3 Bundaberg Brewed Drinks: regional to global. 4 Revival of declining small businesses in Australia. 5 Social innovation in health response: a rare case of social enterprise meeting rural health needs. 6 Return of the bushrangers? Technological determinism and the collapse and revival of independent Australian rural newspaper publishers. 7 Mt Buller’s snow business. 8 Australia Post: a successful government business enterprise. 9 GBR Helicopters: surviving the downdraft of COVID-19. 10 Australian macadamia industry: a community-supported regional industry. 11 Harvey Norman: a competitive business model. 12 Human resource management innovation in regional Australia. 13 The tale of a failed small business. 14 Conclusion.

‘The editors have endeavoured to integrate incredibly interesting interdisciplinary novel concepts and ideas in this book… the book chapters delved into the complex theoretical concepts related to the contemporary business challenges. The cases from different industry sectors are analysed in a reflective manner. These exemplary works are certainly contributory not only to the business students but also to the business academics.’ M Abu Saleh, Associate Professor of Marketing, Canberra Business School‘This collection of assorted cases in regional businesses is intended to provide innovative material for the exploration of current business management challenges and trends. This case book will resonate and provides an excellent opportunity for students of business management to understand the complexity of international business on a truly global landscape.’Professor Prem Yapa, PhD Coordinator, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia - Ernst & Young Endowed Professor in Accounting (USJP)‘In this book, the authors have collected 12 case studies that analyse businesses from diverse sectors to shed light on how innovative strategies and practices have been effectively adopted by managers… I believe that this book provides considerable value for both undergraduate and postgraduate/research students in developing their strategic thinking relating to many of the emerging topics in the business management discipline.’Professor Amrik Sohal, Department of Management, Monash Business School, Monash University, Australia