AGSM at UNSW Business School

A failed property auction could cost sellers up to $10,000, according to new research from UNSW Business School. The study found that homes that failed to sell at auction later sold for about 1.3% less than comparable properties sold by private treaty.

“A failed auction is a very public signal,” said Associate Professor Kristle Romero Cortés, School of Economics. “Even though the reasons for failure are often ambiguous, buyers may infer that there is ‘something wrong’ with the property, creating stigma.”

The research found that while successful auctions can deliver a price premium, the financial downside of failure is often larger than many sellers realise. For homeowners considering how to sell, factors such as market conditions, reserve prices and time pressures can all play an important role in the final outcome.

Read the full piece here: https://www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/news/2026/05/what-is-the-hidden-cost-of-a-failed-property-auction

What do the federal budget's tax changes mean for jobs and economic growth? In the latest opinion piece, Richard Holden, UNSW Sydney Vice Chancellor's Professor and Chief Societal Economist, argues the federal budget could have unintended consequences for Australia's most productive and fastest growing businesses.

“Young people will pay the biggest price for this profound policy error, because they will miss out on the jobs, growth, and prosperity that productive businesses create,” says Prof. Holden. In his analysis, he argues that the changes could result in higher effective tax rates for businesses that grow more quickly and create more jobs.

Prof. Holden says productivity is critical to lifting living standards and economic opportunity, and policies affecting business investment and growth deserve careful consideration because of their potential impact on future jobs, wages and prosperity.

Read the full article here: https://www.businessthink.unsw.edu.au/articles/cgt-changes-productivity-tax-business-growth

Who’s responsible when AI starts making more decisions in our workplaces?

Join this year's Learn to Lead and hear from UNSW Business School's Associate Professor Yenni Tim, who will discuss responsible AI, organisational resilience and what it really means to lead through digital transformation.

You'll also hear from Professor Joel Pearson, who will explore what happens to human judgment when AI enters the picture, and Professor Claire Annesley, who will show how to combine digital data with human insight to solve complex, real-world problems.

Starting today and free for UNSW Alumni, enrol now: https://www.unsw.edu.au/alumni/professional-hub/build-your-skills/learn-to-lead

Earlier this week, RioInspire, the leadership program co-created by AGSM and Rio Tinto for Indigenous leaders, was awarded the global Excellence in Practice Gold Award in Talent Development, recognising impact and innovation in Executive Education.

RioInspire combines culturally grounded leadership development with real business application to accelerate capability, strengthen enterprise influence and deliver measurable organisational outcomes.

Participants worked on enterprise-level strategic challenges, engaged directly with executive sponsors and developed the capability to influence governance, operational and community outcomes across a complex global organisation.

RioInspire also demonstrates the power of globally connected leadership development, bringing together Indigenous leaders across Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, Canada and the United States to strengthen cross-cultural insight, strategic influence and global leadership capability.

Australians hold more than $4.3 trillion in superannuation assets, yet many retirees still spend less and draw down their savings more slowly than expected in retirement. New research from UNSW Business School suggests one overlooked reason may be the hidden transaction costs involved in buying annuities, which are financial products that convert super savings into a regular retirement income.

“In simple terms, the fixed cost changes annuity buying from a gradual process into a ‘wait, then act’ decision,” said UNSW Business School Associate Professor Yang Shen. “The cost also affects how much retirees spend, how much they keep in savings, and how quickly they draw down their wealth.”

The research shows that even small upfront fees can significantly shape retirement behaviour, delaying annuity purchases and contributing to more cautious spending patterns. The findings highlight the importance of designing retirement products and advice that help Australians turn their super savings into a more stable and sustainable income.

Read the full article here: https://www.businessthink.unsw.edu.au/articles/retirement-income-annuity-costs-superannuation-drawdown

Why do people keep using social media platforms that they say make them feel worse? New research from UNSW Business School suggests the answer is not addiction, but social pressure. Users may want to leave, but feel compelled to stay because everyone else is still there.

“When people are judged by their number of followers or likes, there is extreme pressure to post and to participate in the network to keep up with their peers,” said UNSW Vice-Chancellor's Professor Richard Holden. “This is the very essence of a ‘rat race’.”

The research highlights how platform design choices, including likes, follower counts and engagement-driven algorithms, can intensify social comparison and make harmful networks harder to leave. For policymakers, businesses and parents, the findings raise important questions about the future of online communities and digital wellbeing.

Read the full article here: https://www.businessthink.unsw.edu.au/articles/social-media-harm-network-effects-bad-networks-unsw-research

Looking to accelerate your career with an MBA?

Join AGSM @ UNSW Business School at the UNSW CBD Campus, Sydney on 28 May from 6:30 pm for a networking event and AGSM MBA information session.

Hear from alumni Eu-Gene Harpur (MBA Tech 2021), ICT Operations Leader at Trinity Grammar School, and Anthony Butler (MBA Exec 2024), Regional Director - NSW/ACT at Ediom as they share how their AGSM MBA improved their career success.

Register here:

AGSM MBA Information Evening - Sydney Join this in-person event to learn more about AGSM’s MBA and Graduate Certificate Programs