The University of Queensland Business School and Negotiation Partners, an Australian negotiation consultancy with global clients, are delighted to announce a research partnership.

Australia is experiencing exceptionally volatile business conditions as well as an infrastructure investment boom. Deloitte Access Economics has estimated that the total price impacts borne by government as a result of poor infrastructure procurement practices alone are estimated at around $239 million per annum and that an additional $87 million per annum could be saved through better project management by lowering the costs of rectifying errors and overruns. The long term benefits for the broader economy were estimated at $5.1 billion in additional GDP over the period to 2030. (Economic benefits of better procurement practices) Given the current infrastructure boom, these figures are likely to be an under-estimate.

The academic literature on negotiation has long lagged behind the commercial and best practice in negotiation. Dr Jang (UQ) and Dr Lohmeyer (Negotiation Partners) will collaborate to measure the impact of advanced negotiation techniques and validate a series of tools and techniques. These will assist procurement teams and project leaders to negotiate more effectively and to deliver value for money outcomes for their organisations. The team will also develop the next generation of the NCRS™ negotiation behaviours diagnostic and formally research a number of effective negotiation skills that have not been documented in the scientific literature to date.

Dr Lohmeyer, Managing Partner of Negotiation Partners said: "This collaboration is designed to bridge the significant gap between advanced commercial practice and academic theory currently being taught at universities and business schools around the world."

This partnership between academia and negotiation specialists will provide an enhanced appreciation of best-practice techniques for managers and project leaders across all industries. It will also serve to advance the understanding of contemporary negotiation practice for the academic community globally.

The research findings will be submitted for publication in the scientific literature and will find application in the professional negotiation skills programs offered by Negotiation Partners.