Professor Beth Walker

BBusHons, PhD ECowan
Professor of Business Enterprise
Director Small and Medium Enterprise Research Centre

Contact Information

Tel:

+61 (0) 8 6304 5282

Fax:

+61 (0) 8 6304 5988

E-mail:

elizabeth.walker@ecu.edu.au

Campus:

Joondalup

Room:

2.438a

Availability:

Currently on secondment, available by appointment only.

Current Teaching:

Nil

Background

Personal History:

Beth Walker is a Professor in the School of Management and has led the SMERC team since 2003. She has extensive business and managerial experience in both Australia and the UK. She is involved in numerous community activities including membership of the Swan Catchment Council, Chairperson of the Swan Catchment Council Sustainable Development Light Industry Reference Group, a member of the State Ministerial Advisory Committee on Women in Local Government, and a board member of the Strategic Advisory Board Small Business Training Institute. She is the past president of the Small Enterprise Association of Australia & New Zealand (WA), and a past board member of the State Training Board Small Business subcommittee, the WA Department of Education and Training Small Business Advisory Committee and the Swan Region Business Enterprise Centre.

Research and Publications

Current Research Area:

Small business, environmental issues, home-based business, business development, gender, family business, strategic planning in small busines.

Awards:

2007

Dean’s award for Community Engagement. Faculty of Business and Law, Edith Cowan University.

2006

Honourable Mention 2006 B-HERT Award for outstanding achievement in collaboration in research and development and education and training.

2005

Vice Chancellors award for Enterprise. Edith Cowan University. 

Recent Research Grants:

2008

Walker, E. A, Wang, C  & Redmond, J. ($50,000)  Identification of small business management skills and competencies for business growth and development. ECU-Industry Collaborative Grant with Coastal Business Centre.
2007

Walker, E. A, Wang, C., & Redmond, J. Green Advantage for Small Business. AusIndustry Building Entrepreneurship in Small Business (BESB) Grant. Total budget $330,000.

Walker, E. A. Effective Business Exits (EBE) AusIndustry SBEP Grant. Total budget $310,000.

Walker, E. A., & Redmond J. “Gosnells Cockburn sustainable light industry project”. Total budget $40,000 from the Swan Catchment Council for longitudinal study (2 years).

Walker, E. A, Wang, C., & Redmond, J. “Family Small Business Succession: Dynamics of Founder-Successor Gender in Succession Selection”. ECU Faculty of Business & Law Strategic Grant + De Montfort University, UK. Total budget $19,600.

Walker, E. A., Wang, C., Redmond, J .L., & Sheridan L. “Exploring environmental management education for small and medium sized enterprises”. Funding received for an ECU-Industry Collaboration Grant with the Swan Catchment Council. Total budget $60,000.

Wang, C., Redmond, J. & Walker, E. A. Exploring the Value of IT Coaching as a Strategic Tool in Regional Small Business Growth.  Small Business Centre Bunbury-Wellington Research Grant. Total Budget $15,000.

2006

Walker, E. A., Wang, C., & Redmond, J .L. “Developing a predictive model of the growth intentions of home-based business (HBB) owner-operators”. Funding received for an ECU-Industry Collaboration Grant with the WA Small Business Development Corporation. Total budget $45,000.

Walker, E. A. Practical Employee Management Skills program (PEMS). AusIndustry SBEP grant with City of Armadale, Gosnells and the Great Southern Consortium as industry partners. Total budget $326,000.

Walker, E. A., Wang, C., Redmond, J .L. Investigating the planning practices of SMEs: Strategic or operational? ECU Faculty of Business & Law Strategic Grant + City of Swan. Total Budget $24,783.

2005

Walker, E. A., Stoney, S., Barrett, R., & Webster, B. J. On-line training for small business: Creating a best practice model. ARC Linkage with the West Australian Department of Education and Training. Total budget $671,846 for 3 years.

Walker, E. A., & Redmond J. “Bellevue sustainable industry project”. Funding received from the Swan Catchment Council for 18 month study. Total budget $33,000.

Walker, E. A., Charters, S., Brown, A., & Clark-Murphy, M. “Managerial Expertise in the Wine Industry: Implications for Rural Development”. Funding received from the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation and $20,000 from the Faculty Strategic Research fund. Total budget $40,000.

Walker, E. A., Webster, B. Millsteed, J. L., & Hocking, J S. S. “Adult learning: Human resource skills for small business managers”. Funding received for ECU-Industry Collaboration Grant with the City of Gosnells. Total budget $45,000.

Webster, B. Walker, E. A., & Stoney, S. “The appropriateness of current models of on-line training for SMEs.” Funding received for ECU - Industry Collaboration Grant with the Department of Education and Training. Total budget $45,000.

Walker, E. A., & Webster. “Evaluation of the HBBs program”. Funding received from the City of Joondalup and the City of Wanneroo. Total budget $14,750.

Reports:

2008
E. A. Walker,  J. L. Redmond,  L. Sheridan, C. Wang & U Goeft (2008). Small and medium enterprises and the environment: barriers, drivers, innovation and best practice: A review of the literature. Perth: Small & Medium Enterprise Research Centre, Edith Cowan University.

E. A. Walker, J. L. Redmond &  U. Goeft (2008). Maddington-Kenwick & Cockburn Sustainable Industry Project - Interim Report. Perth: Small & Medium Enterprise Research Centre, Edith Cowan University. 2007
E. A. Walker, J. L. Redmond & U. Goeft. (2007). Final Report Bellevue Sustainable Industry Project. Perth: Small & Medium Enterprise Research Centre, Edith Cowan University.
Walker, E. A., Wang, C., Redmond, J. & Breen, J. (2007). A survey of home-based businesses in Australia: Combined findings from Western Australia & Victoria. Report to the WA Small Business Development Corporation and the Victorian Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development as part of the research project: Developing a predictive model of the growth intentions of home-based business (HBB).
Walker, E. A., Wang, C., & Redmond, J. (2007). A survey of home-based businesses in Western Australia. Final report to the Small Business Development Corporations as part of the research project: Developing a predictive model of the growth intentions of home-based business (HBB) owner-operators, Perth, WA.
Wang, C., Walker, E. A., & Redmond, J. (2007). Evaluation of the IT Advisor/Coach Service in the South West Region of Western Australia. A report to the Small Business Centre Bunbury-Wellington, Perth, WA.
Walker, E. A., Wang, C., & Redmond, J. (2007). A survey of home-based businesses in Western Australia. Interim report to the Small Business Development Corporations as part of the research project: Developing a predictive model of the growth intentions of home-based business (HBB) owner-operators, Perth, WA.
2006
E. A. Walker & J. L. Redmond. (2006). Interim Report: Bellevue sustainability industry project. Perth: Small & Medium Enterprise Research Centre, Edith Cowan University.
E. A. Walker, B. Webster & S. Stoney (2006). On-line Training for SMEs. Perth: Small & Medium Enterprise Research Centre, Edith Cowan University.
E. A. Walker & J. L. Redmond. (2006). Adult learning: Human resource skills for small business owner- managers.  Perth: Small & Medium Enterprise Research Centre, Edith Cowan University.
2005
E. A. Walker, B. Webster & J. Turner. (2005). Developing a framework of training for the older small business owner. Perth: Small & Medium Enterprise Research Centre, Edith Cowan University.

Industry Reports:

Walker, E. A., Redmond, J. L., Sheridan, L., Wang, C. & Goeft, U. (2008) Small and medium enterprises and the environment: barriers, drivers, innovation and best practice: A review of the literature. Perth: Small & Medium Enterprise Research Centre, Edith Cowan University.

Walker, E. A., Redmond, J. L. & Goeft, U. (2008) Maddington-Kenwick & Cockburn Sustainable Industry Project - Interim Report. Perth: Small & Medium Enterprise Research Centre, Edith Cowan University.

Book Chapters:

Barrett, R., Walker, E. A., Dunemann, M., & Rajapakse, T. (2005) What is a ‘family business’? Defining an elusive concept. In Linda Glassop & Dianne Waddell (eds.) Managing The Family Business (pp 3-20). Heidelberg : Heidelberg Press.
Rowe, M., Cripps, H., Burn, J., Standing, C., Walker, E. A., & Bode, S. (2005). Effective Collaborative Commerce Adoption, Encyclopedia of E-Commerce, E-Government, and Mobile Commerce, Idea Group, http://www.idea-group.com.

Refereed Journal            Articles:

2008

Charters, S., Davis, N., Brown, A., Clark-Murphy, M. & Walker, E. A. (2008) Managerial expertise in the Australian wine industry. International Journal of Wine Business Research, 20 (2), 138-152.

Redmond, J., Walker, E. A. & Wang, C. (2008). Issues for small businesses with waste management: Resources or attitudes? Journal of Environmental Management, 88 (2), 275-285.

Walker, E. A., Wang, C. & Redmond, J. (2008). Women and work-life balance: Is home-based business ownership the solution? Equal Opportunities International  27, (3)  258-275.

Walker, E. A., Redmond, J. L., & Wang, C.  (2008) Waste Recycling - Local Methods for Successful Interaction with Small Business. International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development 7 (4) xxxx

Wang, C., Walker, E. A.,  Redmond, J. & Breen, J. (2008). Home-based businesses: Australia’s hidden economic engine. Monash Business Review

2007
Walker, E. A., Redmond, J., Webster, B., & Le Clus, M. (2007) Small business owners: too busy to train? Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 14 (2), 294-306.
Walker, E. A., & Webster, B.  (2007) Gender, age and self-employment: some things change, some stay the same. Women in Management Review. 22 (2) 122-135.
Wang, C., Walker, E. A., & Redmond, J. (2007). Explaining the lack of strategic planning in SMEs: The importance of owner motivation. International Journal of Organisational Behaviour 12 (1), 1-16. 
2006
Still, L. V., & Walker, E. A. (2006). The self-employed woman and her business: a profile. Women in Management Review 21 (4), 294-310.
Walker, E. A., & Webster, B. (2006). Management competencies of women business owners. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal (2) 495-508.
Wang, C., Walker, E. A., & Redmond, J. (2006). Ownership motivation & strategic planning in small business. Journal of Asia Entrepreneurship & Sustainability 2 (4), 26-50.
2005
Still, L. V., Soutar, G. N., & Walker, E. A. (2005) The impact of gender and generation on the start-up goals and satisfaction of home-based and commercial enterprises. Small Enterprise Research 13 (1), 72-80.
Webster, B. J., Walker, E. A., & Barrett, R. (2005) Small business and on-line training: who is willing to participate? New Technologies Work and Employment. 20 (3), 248-258.
Webster, B. J, Walker, E. A., & Brown, A. (2005) Small business participation in training activities. Education + Training 47 (8/9), 552-561

Journal Articles:

Redmond, J., Walker, E. A., Wang, C. & Webster, B. Are small businesses planning for the environment? (under review Business Strategy and the Environment 2008

Conference Papers:

2008

Wang, C., Walker, E. A.,  Redmond, J. & Barrett, R. (2008) Who gets the nod? Gender issues in family business succession selection.31st Institute for Small Business & Entrepreneurship Conference, 5th-7th November. Belfast: ISBE

Redmond, J., Walker, E. A., Wang, C., Simpson, M., & Parker, C. (2008). The impact of small business on the environment. 31st Institute for Small Business & Entrepreneurship Conference, 5th-7th November. Belfast: ISBE

Redmond, J. L., Walker, E. A., & Wang, C. (2008) A Case Study of Waste and Recycling by Small Business. Accepted for Presentation at the Waste & Recycle September 2008 Conference. Fremantle, WA.
Wynarczyk, P., Walker, E. A., Wang, C., Redmond, J. & Barrett, R. (2008). An investigation into the growth of women-owned home-based businesses (HBB): North East of England vs. Western Australia. 31st Institute for Small Business & Entrepreneurship Conference, 5th-7th November. Belfast: ISBE

Walker, E.A. & Barrett, R. (2008). A practical approach to building hr capacity in small firms. Accepted for Presentation at SME – entrepreneurship global conference 2008. Monash 3-4 July.
Wang, C., Walker, E.A., & Redmond. (2008). Gender as a Predictor of Strategic Planning in Small Business. Accepted for Presentation at SME – entrepreneurship global conference 2008. Monash 3-4 July.
2007
Brown, A., Davis, N., Steve Charters, S., Clark-Murphy, M., & Walker, E. A. (2007). Challenges for improving management skills through training in a diverse industry: the Australian wine industry EURAM 2007 16th -19th May.  Paris.
Brown, A., Walker, E. A., Charters, S., Clark-Murphy, M., & Davis, N. (2007) Small Australian wineries: surviving or thriving?. Proceedings of the Australian & New Zealand Academy of Management Conference 4-7th December.  Sydney: ANZAM.
Walker, E. A., Redmond, J.L., Wang, C., & Soteriou, T. Waste Recycling - Local Methods for Successful Interaction with Small Business (submitted: 14 May, 2007 to Waste & Recycle 2007 Conference).

2006
Redmond, J & Walker, E. A., & Wang, C. (2006, 31 Oct – 2 Nov). Small business environmental management: Rhetoric or reality? 29th National Institute for Small Business & Entrepreneurship Conference, Cardiff, UK. ISBE.
Walker, E. A., Wang, C., & Redmond, J. (2006, 16 – 17 Nov). Gender differences in small business strategic planning: Do women plan more than men? International Women and Leadership Conference, Perth, WA.
2005
Walker, E. A., Webster, B., Millsteed, J, Hocking, J., & Redmond, J. (2005). A conceptual framework for addressing the current skills shortage: Human resource skills for small business owners. Proceedings of the 18th Annual Small Enterprise Association of Australia and New Zealand Conference, 25-28th September, Armadale: SEAANZ.

Conference Papers in Proceedings (2003 -):

Redmond, J. L., Walker, E. A., & Wang, C. (2008). A Case Study of Waste and Recycling by Small Business. Waste & Recycle September 2008 Conference. Fremantle, WA.

Redmond, J., Walker, E. A., Wang, C., Simpson, M., & Parker, C. (2008). The impact of small business on the environment. 31st Institute for Small Business & Entrepreneurship Conference, 5th-7th November. Belfast: ISBE

Walker, E. A. & Barrett, R. (2008). A practical approach to building HR capacity in small firms. SME – entrepreneurship global conference 2008, 3-4 July. Monash University.

Wang, C., Walker, E. A., & Redmond, J. (2008). Gender as a Predictor of Strategic Planning in Small Business. SME – entrepreneurship global conference 2008, 3-4 July. Monash University.

Wang, C., Walker, E. A.,  Redmond, J. & Barrett, R. (2008) Who gets the nod? Gender issues in family business succession selection.31st Institute for Small Business & Entrepreneurship Conference, 5th-7th November. Belfast: ISBE
Wynarczyk, P., Walker, E. A., Wang, C., Redmond, J. & Barrett, R. (2008). An investigation into the growth of women-owned home-based businesses (HBB): North East of England vs. Western Australia. 31st Institute for Small Business & Entrepreneurship Conference, 5th-7th November. Belfast: ISBE

2007

Brown, A., Davis, N., Steve Charters, S., Clark-Murphy, M. & Walker, E. A. (2007). Challenges for improving management skills through training in a diverse industry: the Australian wine industry, EURAM 2007 16th -19th May. Paris.

Brown, A., Walker, E. A., Charters, S., Clark-Murphy, M. &  Davis, N. (2007) Small Australian wineries: surviving or thriving? . Proceeding of the Australian & New Zealand Academy of Management Conference 4-7th December.  Sydney: ANZAM.

Walker, E. A., Redmond, J. L., Wang, C., & Soteriou, T. (2007). Waste Recycling - Local Methods for Successful Interaction with Small Business. Presented at the Waste & Recycle 2007 Conference Fremantle, Western Australia.

2006

Breen, J., Ali, S., Walker, E. A. &  Paguio, R. (2006) Local government assistance for home-based businesses: Is it working? 51st ICSB World Conference 18th-21st June. Melbourne: ICSB.

Le Clus, M., Smith, T., Walker, E. A. & Duse, S. (2006) Skills shortage or people shortage?  International Women and Leadership Conference, 16-17th November, Fremantle, Curtin University.

Redmond, J & Walker, E. A. (2006) Small business environmental management: Rhetoric or reality? 29th Institute for Small Business & Entrepreneurship Conference, 31st October - 2nd November, Cardiff,  ISBE.

Still, L. V., Soutar, G. & Walker, E. A. (2006) Sources and Use of Business Assistance by Women Owned Businesses: A Comparison of Generations and Business Location Context. 51st ICSB World Conference 18th-21st June. Melbourne: ICSB 

Walker, E. A., Barrett, R., Webster, B. & Stoney, S. (2006) On-line training for small business: creating a model of best practice. 51st ICSB World Conference 18th-21st June. Melbourne: ICSB 

Walker, E. A., Charters, S., Brown, A., Clark-Murphy, M. &  Davis, N. (2006)  Managerial Competences in the Australian Wine Industry. 51st ICSB World Conference 18th-21st June. Melbourne: ICSB 
Walker, E. A., Geddes, G. & Webster, B. J. (2006). Risk taking propensities of new women business owners: The importance of age. International Women and Leadership Conference, 16-17th November, Fremantle, Curtin University.

Walker, E. A., Wang, C.  & Redmond, J. (2006). Business ownership and strategic planning: Throwing caution to the wind? International Women and Leadership Conference, 16-17th November, Fremantle, Curtin University.

 

2005

Rowe, M., Burn, J. & Walker, E. A. (2005). Small and Medium Enterprises Clustering and Collaborative Commerce – a social issues perspective. CRIC Clusters Conference 30th June-1st July. Ballarat: University of Ballarat.

Rowe, M., Cripps, H., Burn, J., Standing, C., Walker, E. A. & Bode, S, (2005), A Framework for Identifying the Conditions for Effective Collaborative Commerce Adoption, IRMA Conference, 23-26 May. San Diego: Information Resources Management Association.

Walker, E. A., Webster, B., Millsteed, J, Hocking, J. & Redmond, J. (2005). A conceptual framework for addressing the current skills shortage: Human resource skills for small business owners. Proceedings of the 18th Annual Small Enterprise Association of Australia and New Zealand Conference, 25-28th September, Armidale: SEAANZ.

Walker, E. A., Webster, B., Turner, J & Still, L. V. (2005). Business ownership as an employment option for older women. Proceedings of the 18th Annual Small Enterprise Association of Australia and New Zealand Conference, 25-28th September, Armidale: SEAANZ.

Webster, B. & Walker, E. A. (2005). The success of new business incubation in Australia. Proceedings of the 18th Annual Small Enterprise Association of Australia and New Zealand Conference, 25-28th September, Armidale: SEAANZ.

Webster, B,  Walker, E. A. & Turner, J. (2005). Smart training for the older entrepreneur. Proceedings of the 50th World Conference of ICSB, 15-18th June, Washington: ICSB.