ProjectsSutherland Shire Council's Economic Development Unit produces regular business and economic research reports. A selection are available below. In recent years the EDU has engaged tertiary students to undertake supervised research into aspects of the Shire's local economy. These research projects assist in building economic information. Important: While all due care has been taken to ensure that the content of this website is accurate and current, there may be errors or omissions in it and no legal responsibility is accepted for the information and opinions in this website. 1. Home Based Business Focus Groups in the Sutherland Shire This report, and the previous research undertaken by the Sutherland Shire Council’s Economic Development Unit in regards to Home Based Businesses, has uncovered a huge and largely unrecognised community of Home Based Business (HBB) operators. This community is unaware of its own size, expanse and diversity. This is hardly surprising considering their large numbers and ubiquitous spatial distribution an apparent lack of networking opportunities. It is difficult to accurately estimate the economic impact of this sector without further research. This research however, through physical engagement with this sector has uncovered a sense of the HBB sector’s impact on the local economy and the local community.
2. Analysis of Sutherland Shire's Home Based Business Sector Findings from this most recent study; a review and analysis of Sutherland Shire home-base business sector, indicates that HBBs are the backbone of the Shire’s economy and community. This study describes a wide range of Home-based business related issues gleaned from an internet-based survey, during November and December, 2008. Council has, for the first time, a picture of the structure, make-up, business activities, operational aspects and income and employment generating capability of Sutherland Shire’s home-based business sector.
3. A Study of Registered ABNs in Sutherland Shire from the Business Register The purpose of this project was to analyse the Australian Business Register (ABR) to report on the number and classifications of “businesses” registered in Sutherland Shire. The project was conducted by a student from University of Western Sydney. An extensive set of Tables has been produced which, for the first time, provide and describe the full extend of the “business” structure in Sutherland Shire. With the exclusion of non business entities, this analysis indicates some 52,245 active “businesses” ABNs in the Sutherland Shire.
4. E-Collaboration The research presented in this report is an exploratory investigation into Small and Medium Enterprise collaboration, in particular eCollaboration and was conducted from March to June 2009. Previous research conducted in this area has revealed the significant benefits in innovation and competitiveness, stemming from collaboration, for individual businesses, communities and local and national economies. Research on how to best encourage and facilitate collaboration has however been limited.
5. Journey to Work Analysis This report states employment structure and journey to work patterns of Shire Residents. Ideally the results will inform policy makers and education and training providers on what future step need to be taken to maintain a diverse, skilled, vibrant local economy and employment base. This report also highlights the occupations and industries that Shire residents are engaged in. It shows that the Shire’s workforce is diverse, skilled and qualified, but in the main, 55% have to leave the Shire to work elsewhere. Shire-based jobs reflect a diverse local economy, and are dominated by (in order of job numbers) Retail, Manufacturing, Property & Business Services, Health & Community, Education, and Construction.
6. A Survey of Sutherland Shire Marine Industry Businesses The activity of business networking within the Shire marine sector is extensively encouraged and supported by Sutherland Shire Council. One of the initiatives of council to promote business networking, is the publication of the Marine Networking Directory. The purpose of this project was to consolidate the marine business networks through the use of the SSMA Marine Networking Directory. In order for the directory to be effective, the business contact list in the directory must be accurate and up to date. The purpose of this project was to consolidate the marine business networks through the use of the SSMA Marine Networking Directory. In order for the directory to be effective, the business contact list in the directory must be accurate and up to date.
7. Sutherland Shire Council’s Business Network Consolidation and Recruitment Program The purpose of this Project was to consolidate Sutherland Shire Council?s business network development initiatives and conduct Economic Development Unit?s business networks recruitment program. A major initiative of the Sutherland Shire Council?s Economic Development Program is the development and facilitation of business networks.
8. A Review and Analysis of Sutherland Shire Council’s Business Databases The purpose of this project was to "clean up" and analyse the SSC business databases and compare the findings to official statistics. The revised de-duplicate and generally "cleaned up" database now provide the EDU and Council with business databases and a snapshot analysis for socio-economic analyses and an effective contact list for cluster development investigation and communication activities.
9. A review of Social and Employment Statistical data,for 1933 to 2001 (Census data) The research examines socio-economic changes over time. An historical socio – economic perspective of this type has not been undertaken before for the Sutherland Shire. This research has allowed a greater understanding of historical changes and helped illuminate the strengths of the Sutherland Shire Community.
10. Factors Affecting SME Adoption of Electronic Commerce A Study of SMEs in the Sutherland Shire The opportunity for SMEs to exploit information and communication technology has increased due to the improved affordability and sophistication of computing equipment, along with the development and utilisation of the Internet (Jones et. al 2003). McGregor (2003) suggests that SMEs have been slow to adopt Electronic Commerce (E-Commerce) despite the benefits these businesses should be able to achieve. This highlights the need to determine what factors contribute to this slow adoption level by one of Australia’s most important business sectors, the Small and Medium sized Enterprise (SME) sector.
11. Awareness and Practices of eCollaboration The research presented in this report is an investigation into Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) collaboration in the tourism and accommodation sector within the Sutherland Shire with focus on eCollaboration. It identifies factors that can potentially enable or inhibit collaboration.
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