Business Innovation

NEW: PhD study by HVRF examining innovation and social enterprise
Read more about Caroline Veldhuizen's study examining the synergies between social enterprise, corporate social responsibility and the development of innovative capacity within firms and regional business ecosystems. 

The Foundation expanded its research program in 2009 to include monitoring and evaluating business innovation in the Hunter, Upper Hunter and Central Coast. Business innovation is an important economic driver and an area of emerging interest for regions such as the Hunter, Upper Hunter and Central Coast. Initiated as part of the annual Hunter Central Coast Business Innovation Festival, the Foundation's research program examines:

  • what motivates local businesses to innovate
  • the extent of inventiveness
  • the design and development of new products and services
    -  in house or external
    -  time frame
    -  need for external assistance 
  • applications for patents
  • the factors motivating the introduction of new products and services.

Download the latest Innovation in Hunter, Upper Hunter and Central Coast Businesses working paper. 

HVRF Senior Research Fellow, Caroline Veldhuizen, presented at the CEDA 5th annual conference in Newcastle in September 2011. The conference theme was - What does the future hold for the Hunter Region, the 'Powerhouse' of NSW? It examined the key areas impacting the growth and development of this significant economic area and included: Export, Passenger and Freight Infrastructure | Energy, Sustainability and the impact of the proposed carbon tax | Innovation, skill requirements and demographic changes.

Download the HVRF presentation to CEDA conference titled Innovation in the Hunter

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