The Thriving Communities research cluster, aligned to Monash University’s Strategic Plan: Impact 2030, focuses on advancing the good life for all human beings by bridging the gap between research and real-world problems. We believe that research can and ought to be used for good.
Through groundbreaking research, we seek to identify practical solutions to challenges faced by vulnerable and marginalised communities in Malaysia and the region. Our current areas of research encompass these sub-clusters:
Economics and Policy
Sub-cluster Leader: Dr Sharon Koh
We analyse economic policies and its impact on communities, especially those at the margins of society, with an emphasis on tangible outcomes such as poverty alleviation, gender equality and combating the impacts of climate change. Our research strengths lie in developmental, environmental and experimental economics.
Consumption, Community and Technology
Sub-cluster Leader: Dr Juliana French
Keenly aware of the emergent digital frontier, this sub-cluster studies the interactions between technology, community behaviours and consumption patterns to identify solutions to business challenges whilst improving the well-being of communities. We also investigate the factors pushing communities in Asia to the margins and the interplay between culture, politics and market dynamics in consumption practices.
Enterprise and Innovation
Sub-cluster Leader: Dr Andrei Kwok
We examine the powerful enterprising ventures of disadvantaged groups for social inclusion, studying how their empowerment can drive transformative development within their communities. Through our research, we seek to enable communities that have historically faced resource deprivation and support their role in spearheading sustainable growth and progress.
Our partnerships with stakeholders have been notably diverse and take on various forms of engagement. Under our Economics and Policy sub-cluster, we have an MoU with the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce and an upcoming partnership with Teach for Malaysia. Our Entrepreneurship sub-cluster also enjoys partnerships with Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia, Women of Will, Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (Indonesia), and AFK Asia Group.
We also actively organise and conduct events such as conferences, workshops, dialogues and seminars, where we invite experts from industry, regulatory bodies and government. Some of our initiatives include the Research Seminar Series (collaboration with World Bank and Bank Negara Malaysia), Market Buzz 2023: Weaving the Future (roundtable hosting 12 industry leaders) and international conferences on women entrepreneurship (collaboration with Centre for Development Economics and Sustainability at Monash Australia, World Bank and the Asian Development Bank Institute).
(sub-clusters)
Greying Malaysia - How to Ensure a Sustainable Future?
Grant Awarded:
Faculty of Business and Economics Australia-Malaysia 2023 Research Collaboration Development Scheme
Project Description:
An examination of collaborative efforts between public and private aged-care stakeholders in Malaysia to identify key challenges, conduct a needs-based analysis, and propose solutions for inclusive aged care. The findings and proposed solutions will be disseminated extensively to inform initiatives for an aged care framework in Malaysia. For 2023, the research team is focusing on health consumption of the elderly poor.
MUM Researchers:
Dr Juliana French (PI)
Dr Sharon Koh (CO)
(sub-clusters)
Ethereum as Microcredit for Financial Inclusion in a Developing Country: Assessing the Drivers and Barrier
Grant Awarded:
Ethereum Foundation Academic Grant Round 2023
Project Description:
A study to understand the user perceptions and experiences of using Ethereum as a microcredit system in developing countries, specifically Kenya. Through interviews with key stakeholders, this research hopes to identify practical implications of blockchain-based microcredit systems and improve the Ethereum ecosystem to better meet users’ needs, especially in regions lacking access to traditional financial services.
MUM Researchers:
Andrei O. J. Kwok (PI)
Shazmin Khalid (CPI)
(sub-clusters)
Rural Women Empowerment through Entrepreneurship
Grant Awarded:
Fundamental Research Grant Scheme by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia
Project Description:
This study addressed the challenges faced by women micro-entrepreneurs in Malaysia’s bottom 40% household income bracket in embracing e-commerce despite governmental and NGO efforts. Our research identified that a growth mindset significantly enhanced e-commerce uptake among these entrepreneurs, resulting in strategic partnerships with stakeholders to refine existing training curriculum. Nearly 500 women in Malaysia and Indonesia took part in the updated training program, with participants reporting business expansion, higher sales and an increase in profits.
MUM Researchers:
Prof Grace HY Lee (PI),
A/P Abu Zafar Shahriar (CPI)