Principal Lecturer and Postgraduate Programme Manager Department of Applied Management
Otago Polytechnic Auckland International Campus
Email: Indrapriya.Kularatne@op.ac.nz
Dr Neeru Choudhary
Principal Lecturer
Open Polytechnic of New Zealand
Email: neeru.choudhary@openpolytechnic.ac.nz
Recommended citation: Nikula, PT., Kularatne, I. and, Choudhary, N (2025). Business Research Community of Practice Proceedings 2024
Table of Contents
1
5 Session 4 How to get published?
6 Presentation 1 Dr Walaa Ghazy - Cost stickiness and COVID-19 extreme uncertainty
7 Presentation 2 Dr Juan Liang - Engaging employees in a hybrid working culture: Communicative construction of organisational identification
8 Presentation 3 Dr Nathan Ehambaranathan - Leveraging VR in the age of the metaverse: Opportunities and challenges in private pilot licence training
9 Presentation 4 Jaikaran Narula, Nick Cordery and Michelle SimbulanTeachers’ perceptions on the validity, reliability, and fairness of Assessed Tutorial as an assessment method: Addressing AI-related challenges in designing assessments - Preliminary findings of the study.
10 Presentation 5 Olkan Guler - Factors influencing the identification of entrepreneurial opportunities: A systematic review
11 Presentation 6 Dr. Noushad Feroz - Does the social network effect for investors differ across cultures?
12 Presentation 7 Dr Indu Peiris - De-mechanising the present moment: From the present moment to the present movement
13 Presentation 8 Tania Parker and Anita Keestra: Integrating mātauranga Māori into a Project Management Course: Cultivating cultural competence in students
14 Flyer Invitation for 2025 seminar series.
Foreword
Welcome to the 2024 Proceedings of the Business Research Community of Practice!
This forum promotes the exchange of ideas and facilitates networking across applied business researchers in Aotearoa/New Zealand. In 2024, the Business Research Community of Practice celebrated its third year of successful operation. The online series, comprising of two networking/research pitch sessions, two professional development sessions, and eight research presentations drew well over 100 attendees across the year from across the country.
In 2024 the professional development topics covered the use of artificial intelligence in research and key considerations around publishing. In the first session of the year, participants learned about a range of Generative AI tools that can support research, including their advantages and disadvantages. The second professional development session explored the always topical question of ‘how to get published’, including how to identify a suitable journal, the editorial and peer-review process, revising a paper, handling rejections, and promoting a paper post-publication.
Complementing these research development sessions and our research pitch networking event, eight research presentations were given by members of the applied business research community. Spanning a diverse array of topics such as employee engagement, virtual reality, entrepreneurship, investment, and research into teaching and learning. This reflects the range of work being done across our research community. Each presentation contributed to our collective understanding of contemporary issues and challenges in the field of applied business research.
We have collated the presentation abstracts and presenter bios in this document for those presenters who wished to be included in the proceedings.
In 2025, this series will continue to provide an opportunity for applied business researchers to collaborate and network We believe that research grows stronger through collaboration and mutual support. New insights emerge through discussion, feedback, and the exchange of different perspectives. By working together and supporting one another, we help create better outcomes and contribute to the growth of our field.
Session 1
Date: 20 March 2024
Topic: Community of Practice launch
Facilitator:
• Associate Professor Pii-Tuulia Nikula, School of Business, EIT
Description
The first session of 2024 attracted attendees across eight Te Pūkenga campuses. The session began with a welcome address by Associate Professor Pii-Tuulia Nikula (EIT) who underscored the importance of applied business research. Pii-Tuulia also highlighted the purpose of the Business Research Community of Practice. After that all members introduced themselves and their research areas. During this session, the draft plan for 2024 was discussed, including various ways in which all members of the community of practice could contribute and participate.
Session 2
Date: 17 April 2024
Topic: Using AI to support your research
Facilitator:
• Dr. Selena Chan, Research Capability Developer, Ara Institute of Canterbury.
Dr. Selena Chan is an educational and research capability developer at Ara Institute of Canterbury. Her research informs her work, which includes facilitating curriculum development, technology-enhanced/integration of AI learning projects and academic educator development. She has published widely in vocational research journals. Her recent publications include two monographs: Identity, pedagogy and technology-enhanced learning (2020) and Digitally enabling ‘learning by doing’ (2021) She also co-edited the book Reshaping VET in Aotearoa (2022). Additionally, she serves as the co-editor for the Australasian Vocational Education and Training Research Association's (AVETRA) International Journal of Training Research and is on the editorial board for the Journal of Vocational Education and Training. She is currently editing a volume on AI in VET to be published by Springer later this year.
Description:
As a supporting tool for research, AI offers many opportunities. AI can be used to support all the stages of academic research, from locating and defining issues to research, designing the project, data collation (i.e. transcription), data analysis and reporting of the findings. There are many tools available, each with its idiosyncrasies and specialisations. In this workshop, Selena introduced a range of Gen AI tools that can support research endeavours. She discussed the advantages, disadvantages and ethical issues associated with the use of these tools. Additionally, several Gen AI tools were highlighted with a focus on identifying those that could be useful in research contexts.
Session 3
Date: 15 May 2024
Topic: Research pitch
Facilitator:
• Dr Neeru Choudhary, Principal Lecturer, Open Polytechnic.
Description:
The research pitch session attracted early career researchers who were eager to discuss and refine their ideas. During the session, participants engaged in discussions about the various research areas they are currently exploring, providing insights into their academic interests. They had the opportunity to share their research aspirations, explain their focus areas, and receive constructive feedback from peers and experienced researchers. This interactive exchange not only helped them refine their ideas but also fostered collaboration and intellectual engagement within the research community.
Session 4
Date: 19 June 2024
Topic: How to get published?
Facilitators:
• Dr. Amanda Cossham, Research Development Leader, Open Polytechnic.
Dr Amanda Cossham is the Research Development Leader, Open Polytechnic. She was a lecturer in Library and Information Studies for more than 20 years before moving to this role in 2023. She has a strong background in scholarly publishing and editing, and is the Regional Editor, Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication (an Emerald journal), and Regional Editor, Australasia and South-east Asia, Information Research (open access). She is also on the editorial boards of Digital Library Perspectives and IFLA Journal.
Description:
Publishing is one of the main ways our research can have an impact and reach a wide audience. This session explored aspects to consider when crafting an output for publication, including what to consider before starting to write a research paper, determining the best channel to publish in, selecting a journal, the editorial and peer-review process, revising a paper, handling rejection and promoting a paper post-publication. A short overview of business academic databases was also provided during the session
Presentation 1 – 21 August 2024
Cost stickiness and COVID-19 extreme uncertainty
Dr. Walaa Ghazy
Dr. Walaa Ghazy is a dedicated researcher with two PhD degrees. Her first PhD, completed at AlAzhar University in Egypt in 2013, focused on the effect of XBRL, as a digital reporting language, on the transparency of business reports. Her second PhD, obtained from Auckland University of Technology (AUT) in 2023, explored the effect of cost behaviour on the informativeness of financial reports in R&D-intensive firms, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a senior academic staff member at the Western Institute of Technology (WITT), Walaa teaches various courses, including Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Taxation, Research Methods, and Accounting Information Systems. Her expertise in these areas enriches her research endeavours, allowing her to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Abstract:
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to dramatic economic disruptions posing unprecedented uncertainty, which calls for a better understanding of the pandemic’s implications on corporate outcomes. This paper provides a comprehensive assessment of the impact of COVID-19 uncertainty on businesses’ cost stickiness behaviour with a focus on R&Dintensive firms. Despite many studies documenting the positive influence of demand uncertainty on cost stickiness, I predicted that the extreme uncertainty caused by the pandemic would motivate managers to reduce their costs more when demand declines than when they increase these costs if demand rises. Consistent with this prediction, I find that the COVID-19 outbreak reduces cost stickiness in US firms, which even the US governmental income support would not attenuate. However, I find evidence that the adverse impact of the COVID-19 crisis on cost stickiness is not observed in R&D-intensive firms. These results indicate that firms invested in R&D and technology during the crisis retain their resources and redirect them towards recovery.
Presentation 2 – 21 August 2024
Engaging employees in a hybrid working culture: Communicative construction of organisational identification
Dr. Juan Liang and Pranitha Devulapally
Dr. Juan Liang is a senior lecturer of Applied Management at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology where she supervises master’s students and teaches management courses at postgraduate level. She gained her PhD in Management from the University of Canterbury in 2020. Her research focuses on organisational communication and strategic communication
Under the supervision of Dr Juan Liang, Pranitha Devulapally gained her Master of Applied Management degree at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology and is currently engaging with human resources work in New Zealand.
Abstract:
This qualitative study aimed to unravel the intricacies of organisational communication and identification in a hybrid working culture. The findings highlight a co-constructive process between organisational identification construction and communicative practices at three distinct phases. The absence of communication between employees and the organisation during the initial uncertain stage has limited employees’ sense of identification with their organisation. In the second adaptive stage, organisations and employees focused on understanding the communication challenges faced and worked co-constructively to overcome them through virtual connections to engage employees. As a result, employees show an increasing sense of identification with their organisation. The third innovative stage witnessed further advancements in virtual communications and engagements. Improved communication and employees’ positive transformation at every stage have increased their sense of belonging to their organisations in the hybrid working culture. This study illustrates a process within which organisational communication constitutes organisational identification.
Presentation 3 – 18 September 2024
Leveraging VR in the age of the metaverse: Opportunities and challenges in private pilot licence training
Dr. Nathan Ehambaranathan
Dr Nathan Ehambaranathan's academic experience encompasses international business and management studies, and he has a Doctorate in Business Administration. He has taught in Vietnam, Malaysia and New Zealand, and facilitated modules remotely for institutions based in the United Kingdom, Solomon Islands, Australia and Japan. He is currently the Chief Strategic Officer for a global non-profit organisation and a part-time Senior Lecturer at UCOL.
Abstract:
Private Pilot Licence (PPL) training programmes have experienced substantial changes in the age of the Metaverse due to the swift technological progress. Presently, virtual reality (VR) training enables pilot trainees’ visual perception to be entirely replaced by threedimensional scenes generated by computers that facilitate precise training scenarios. Therefore, the primary aim of this research is to investigate the opportunities and challenges encountered by private pilot trainees while employing medium-fidelity virtual reality technology throughout their PPL training. The study utilised a qualitative research methodology based on an ontological perspective prioritising subjectivism. The study implemented a grounded theory approach, with semi-structured interviews as the principal data-gathering method. The findings from the thematic analysis revealed that the pilot trainees concur that VR is effective for theoretical instruction, pre-flight aircraft inspection, and procedure training. However, the challenges encountered were the isolation experiences while using VR, and trainees faced constraints in their capacity to acquire muscle memory. The findings from this research are anticipated to be utilised to develop VR instructional frameworks that could facilitate future PPL training.
Presentation 4 – 18 September 2024
Teachers’ perceptions on the validity, reliability, and fairness of Assessed Tutorial as an assessment method: Addressing AI-related challenges in designing assessments
Preliminary findings of the study.
Jaikaran Narula, Nick Cordery and Michelle Simbulan
Jaikaran Narula, Nick Cordery and Michelle Simbulan are Lecturers from EIT. Jaikaran teaches Management at the Tairāwhiti Campus, while Nick and Michelle, teach Management and Accounting courses at the Hawke's Bay Campus. They have been working on this research project since November 2023 and this assessment modality has already been presented across five courses at both Level 5 and 6. The research is stage one which focusses on faculty, with the next stage focussing on student views.
Abstract:
The aim of the study is to examine the perceptions of the Business and Computing tutors on the validity, reliability, and fairness of Assessed Tutorial as an alternative assessment method and if it can address AI-related issues on written assessments. The main purpose of education is to help learners genuinely acquire knowledge and skills, which can be reflected in the assessments. There has been a growing need to find alternative assessment methods, particularly in Business and Computing courses, due to AI in writing assessments and shifting to online course delivery due to COVID-19 and other natural calamities. These changes are reshaping the assessment design process. This study utilises qualitative research by undertaking semi-structured interviews with faculty members from the Schools of Business and Computing across two campuses at a regional polytechnic in New Zealand. Each semi-structured interview was between 30 and 45 minutes, done in person or using Microsoft teams. Thematic analysis will be used to determine common themes in the interview transcripts. Preliminary findings from the faculty show a consistent view that the assessment modality’s validity should be aligned with assessment practice at the institution. Reliability in this type of assessment modality is a factor which the faculty believes can be achieved. In terms of fairness, there is a view that while this may be achieved, students with lower oral skills may be at a disadvantage. There appears to be a consistent view that this assessment modality will help avoid AI issues.
Presentation 5 – 16 October 2024
Factors Influencing the identification of entrepreneurial opportunities: A systematic review
Olkan Guler and Thanh Huyen Bui
Olkan Guler graduated from a vocational high school in nursing and worked for four years as a nurse in Turkiye. He graduated with a B Sc (Hons) in public administration, majoring in economics and political science from Middle East Technical University, Turkiye. Granted a scholarship by the Government of India, he studied for a Master’s degree in Sociology at Delhi School of Economics, Delhi University, and graduated in 1995. Olkan graduated with a MBA from the University of Durban-Westville, Durban, South Africa in 1998. He taught financial management courses at the University of Natal, South Africa at the undergraduate and post-graduate levels. He has worked at a PTE in Auckland, Canterbury University, Aoraki Polytechnic, and CPIT, teaching finance and accounting courses. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in NZ in 2014 and is currently working at WelTec/Whitireia teaching undergraduate and post-graduate courses.
Abstract:
Identification of entrepreneurial opportunity (IEO) research plays an important role in driving innovation and economic growth by understanding how individuals and businesses identify and achieve new opportunities for innovation and investment. A systematic literature review is used in this study. Sixty most relevant articles were reviewed over a 10-year period from 2014 to 2024. Six themes were identified as influencing IEO: prior knowledge, social capital, cognitive/personality traits, environmental factors, entrepreneurial alertness, and entrepreneurial orientation. The findings reveal that opportunity recognition causes individuals to identify opportunities to innovate or improve new services or products, confirming the Opportunity Recognition Theory assertions.
The IEO can help them reduce the likelihood of business failure, which helps keep the economy at a reasonable inflation and unemployment rate. Successful entrepreneurs, guided by IEO factors, can reduce the risk of economic decline by investing in diverse sectors, such as technology, healthcare, education, and green energy. Governments could have policies that make it easier to set up a company or to file tax returns smoothly. In addition, employees should be trained in IEO factors by designing training programmes.
Presentation 6 – 16 October 2024
Does the social network effect for investors differ across cultures?
Dr. Noushad Feroz
Dr. Noushad Feroz gained his doctorate in economics from the University of Waikato in 2023. His research interests include financial information management, investment decisions, investor perceptions, and social networks in financial markets. He teaches multiple papers/ courses at the postgraduate, undergraduate, and business diploma levels at the Hawkes Bay campus, Eastern Institute of Technology. Dr. Noushad is also a published author with an active research agenda and academic contributions. Furthermore, he has been privileged to present his research findings at esteemed national and international conferences.
Abstract:
Social network factors such as network connectivity, social ties, and the size of the network play a crucial role in the dissemination of information across the network, and the dispersal of such information impacts individuals’ perceptions within the network. The impact of such information on one’s perceptions is also called the network effect. Similarly, the social network factors also vary across nations. Hence, this study’s major motive is to tackle the moderating role of network factors in a cross-cultural context (New Zealand vs South Korea). We used the actual data of investors’ networks (Twitter) to build structure, network size, and social relationships and illustrate the impact of network factors on information diffusion. Furthermore, to exemplify the impact of information on investors’ perceptions, we conducted sentiment analysis via the n-gram method.
The findings indicate that the effects of network factors vary noticeably. From New Zealand’s investors’ perspective, our findings show that network moderators have a significant contribution to the network effect. However, Korean investors’ results show that network moderators have a low contribution to the network effect. In terms of sentiment analysis, the investors replied to news and tweets based on the themes of news. Investors retweeted and discussed a variety of financial topics such as recession, economic crises, inflation, growth, etc. Investors also discussed non-financial news or topics such as COVID-19 and virus-related news.
Presentation 7 – 20 November 2024
De-mechanising the present moment: From the present moment to the present movement
Dr. Indu Peiris and Renu Joshi
Dr. Indu Peiris is a Principal Academic Staff member at Open Polytechnic and started his career in the Sri Lankan corporate sector by doing international marketing and product development. He completed his MBA and worked as a visiting lecturer at two Sri Lankan universities. In 2009 he moved to New Zealand to pursue his PhD in entrepreneurship and international business at Waikato University and completed his PhD in 2014. Indu is also a meditation teacher and a business mentor.
Abstract:
The explosion of interest in mindfulness meditation over the last few decades has led to widespread adoption but often without an understanding or practice of its original spiritual tenets, foremost among them non-self (anattā) and the deep inquiry into self and consciousness. Originally intended as a tool for self-transcendence and the dissolution of ego, contemporary mindfulness practices frequently reduce meditation to a mechanical exercise focused on stress relief, productivity, or emotional regulation. This departure is further compounded by the influence of corporate agendas, which have reframed meditation as a performance enhancer in workplaces, prioritising profitability over genuine inner development. In this commercialised landscape, few practitioners including meditators, teachers, and yogis engage with the deeper aspects of mindfulness that challenge the illusion of a stable, individual self and unravel the constructs of ‘I’, ‘me’, and ‘mine’. This presentation argues for a return to the foundational elements of mindfulness meditation, repositioning it as a journey from ‘present moment’ awareness to an exploration of ‘present movement’. Such a shift allows for the dissolution of self-illusion, paving the way for a more authentic engagement with the practice aimed at true self-transcendence.
Presentation
8 – 20 November 2024
Integrating mātauranga Māori into a Project Management course: Cultivating cultural competence in students
Tania Parker, Anita Keestra and Sanjeev Kumar
Tania is a Senior Lecturer at MIT, teaching Project and Operations Management. She holds a Master’s in Business (Massey) and a Graduate Diploma in Multimedia (AUT). With 20+ years of experience, she takes a practical, hands-on approach to teaching, focusing on real-world skills. Her research explores technology in learning and cultural competency in course material.
Anita is a Senior Lecturer and Industry Engagement Champion at the School of Business, MIT. She has taught courses in the Bachelor of Applied Management and is currently teaching on the Diploma in Business focusing on the Leadership and Accounting strands. Her qualifications include an MBA with majors in Management and Marketing, a Graduate Diploma in Economic Development, and a Bachelor of Education in Adult Education. She is now a law student at the University of Auckland.
Sanjeev is a Senior Lecturer in Operations and Supply Chain Management on the Master of Applied Business programme at Unitec. He is also Academic Lead at the School of Business, MIT. He has a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) from the Institute of Management and Commerce, Osmania University, Hyderabad, India. He completed a postgraduate Diploma in Management at the Siva Sivani Institute of Management, Hyderabad, India, and a Master of Logistics Management from the University of Sydney, Australia.
Abstract:
This research examines the integration of mātauranga Māori into a project management course, aiming to enhance students’ understanding and application of Whanaungatanga (relationships), manaakitanga (hospitality), and kaitiakitanga (guardianship). principles. The central theme of whakaako, which means to teach, instruct, or educate, guides this integration. By incorporating these concepts, the study aims to help ākonga (students) develop essential soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and cultural awareness. Integrating mātauranga Māori into a project management course can enrich students’ learning experiences and cultural competence significantly. Additionally, the research evaluates the process of embedding the framework, and potential risk factors and proposes a risk mitigation plan to ensure successful implementation.
Invitation to Participate in the Business Research Community of Practice 2025 Seminar Series
