I have been developing an evolutionary theory of pricing combining elements of post-Keynesian, Schumpeterian and Sraffian price theory. This theory focusses on the role of innovation and heterogeneity across firms in driving evolutionary change in market structure, productivity performance, profitability and pricing. My previous empirical research deals with (1) the impact of international competition on domestic pricing, (2) the international transmission of inflation and (3) the terms of trade between manufacturers and primary producers. I have also jointly conducted applied research in productivity analysis, including several co-authored articles on determinants of productivity performance with former doctoral students. Other joint publications with former doctoral students cover an array of topics in development economics, especially in the Asian region, and topics in industrial organisation in Australia. Earlier co-authored applied research includes work on media and telecommunications economics, estimating the effect of competition on the price of television advertising time in the US, estimating the demand for pay cable television in the US and estimating the demand for telephone services in Australia as well as the cost of supplying these services. 

I have been involved in academic governance in most of the universities at which I have worked. At Curtin, I have been Head of the Department of Economics, Acting Head of the School of Economics and Finance, Chair of the CBS Graduate Studies Committee and Dean, Research and Development in the Curtin Business School. At Curtin, I have also been a member of both the University Graduate Studies Committee and the University R&D Committee over various periods. My academic reputation and service to Curtin University has been recognised by the award of the title of John Curtin Distinguished Professor in 2010 and as John Curtin Distinguished Emeritus Professor on my retirement in 2013.

My professional service activities include the Economic Society of Australia (ESA), where I have been President of the WA Branch from 2005 through 2008, and Editor from 2002 until 2006 (Co-editor from 2000 to 2002) of the Society’s journal, The Economic Record. In 2006 the Economic Society recognised my work by awarding an Honorary Fellow of the Economic Society of Australia. In 2016 the WA branch of the ESA recognised my lifetime contributions with its highest honour, the Austin Holmes Award, and in 2025 I received a lifetime membership award from the branch. I was a member of the Australian Research Council’s (ARC) College of Experts (COE) for 2008-2010 as well as a member of the ARC’s Laureates Selection Advisory Committee in 2013and 2021. My contributions to social science in Australia were recognised in 2012 by election as a Fellow of the Academy for the Social Sciences in Australia (ASSA) and I was Chair of Panel B (Economics and Related Disciplines) of ASSA from 2016 through 2018.