Prof. Peter J. Baldacchino
My research areas relate mostly to auditing (external, internal and public sector), corporate governance in organisations, but particularly in companies and cooperatives. The common and innovative theme is the small state perspective to auditing and corporate governance with particular reference to Maltese organisations. Publications include articles in various peer-reviewed international journals, book chapters, conference proceedings, working papers and professional journals.
Dr Silvio John Camilleri
My primary research involvement is in the area of securities markets. Throughout these past fifteen years I have worked across a diverse range of issues related to stock market microstructure, such as the efficacy of call auctions, non-synchronous trading, short selling activity, stock price seasonality, informational efficiency, and volatility. I have also explored the securities markets field from a strategic management perspective, with particular reference to emerging markets. My second area of research relates to bank management, including issues such as financial structure, service quality and the marketing of bank services. I occasionally get involved in economic-related research as well, such as the connection between the economy and stock markets, and the development process in frontier economies. Researching across such a wide range of areas was possible through the input of various co-authors, who have offered the opportunity for exchange of ideas and mutual learning.
Dr John Consiglio
My current full time research efforts are currently concentrated on the writing of a new book on Financial Services Regulation. The book will include chapters on themes such as: expertise and regulation, the relationships between economists and regulation, the different post-2008 stances to regulation in different parts of the world, and others.
Prof. Vincent Cassar
I am currently involved in developing a study with other colleagues and in collaboration with KU Leuven related to safety behaviours in the field of diving with emphasis on diving instructors. In addition, I am running a three tier project on the use of data analytics among HR professionals. This project involves Malta, Poland and Spain. And finally, I am one of three editors (the others being Prof. Godfrey Baldacchino and Dr Joseph Azzopardi of the book entitled: Malta and its Human Resources: Management and Development Perspectives which is due third quarter of 2019).
Dr Marie Briguglio
I hold a Ph.D. in Economics (Stirling), a Master of Science in Environmental and Resource Economics (London, Distinction), and a B.A. Honours in Economics (Malta, 1st Class). My main research interests include market failure and the economics of altruistic behaviour, voluntary environmental cooperation, wellbeing and cultural participation, on which topics I have published extensively. I am currently the University of Malta's Principal Investigator on a number of research projects including the R2pi project on the Circular Economy (funded by Horizon 2020), and in various collaborative research projects with public sector organisations. I also represent the Department of Economics on FEMA's Doctoral Committee and Research Committee and also sit on the University of Malta's Research Ethics Committee and the UM Committee for Sustainability.
Mr Philip Beattie
I am currently concentrating on research relating to two areas that impact risk and how it should be conceptualised, namely:
a. the notion of frenetic intemperance, defined as a restless, explosive and relentless drive that manifests itself within the financial economy by seeking to throw off legitimate constraints and gratifying disordered passions (Horvat, 2013)
b. the notion of financialisation, which, albeit subject to various definitions, refers to the increasing role of financial motives, financial markets, financial actors and financial institutions in the operation of the domestic and international economies. (Epstein, 2004).
I will attempt to determine whether or not the Austrian School of Economics and Risk provides, or allows for, a coherent explanation of these terms. In simpler terms, the objective is to determine whether or not these two notions are compatible with an Austrian School understanding of financial and risk economics.
Mr Andre Farrugia
The aim of my doctoral study is to raise the question on whether Malta and similar jurisdictions should reform the century old principle of utmost good faith. Based on case study experience, a reform model and index will be developed and such will shed light on the ripe time to introduce reform in insurance practices such as underwriting. This will also provide insights for legislators, regulators and stakeholders in the understanding of adapting and adopting to such changes in the light of the external environment namely the changing consumer behaviour, information technology and regulation among others.
Dr Jonathan Spiteri
My current research interests include behavioural and media economics, risk, environmental economics and health, and his academic work has been published in several leading peer-reviewed journals and books. I am currently involved in the R2Pi Horizon 2020 project which examines the shift from the concept of Circular Economy to one of Circular Economy Business Models in Europe. I also form part of the Nudge-It FP7 project which aims to develop and implement novel approaches informed by microeconomics and behavioural science to better understand people’s health choices and outcomes. In recent years, I have also published a number of research papers related to the financial services industry, including FinTech and the implications of financial regulations on industry competitiveness.
Ms Elaine Grech
Current research that I'm focusing on for my Ph.D. studies relate to the use of gamification to increase users' engagement and motivation. Gamification is the process of creating a gameful experience through incorporating engaging elements that are typically found in games to non-game contexts. The concept of gamification has been applied in several contexts, including health and well-being, education and learning, organisation engagement, environmental behaviour and market research.
Rev. Dr Carmel Tabone
The Threat of Globalisation on Sustainable Human Development - One would expect that globalisation, which has brought human beings in close proximity to one another, is valuable for human development. But, on the contrary, very often the opposite happens, in that it has the effect that the few capitalists continue to thrive as they have more people whom they can exploit. Globalisation is not only economic in nature but its roots are capitalistic. Where the purpose is profit at all costs, even at the cost of human beings themselves, very little room remains for the promotion of what is human. In this paper I will focus on what is meant by sustainable human development, with all its implications, and examine whether and how globalisation is being a threat to this development.