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Professor Craig Furneaux

Professor of Business and Social Impact
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Biography

Professor Craig Furneaux worked for many years in QUT's School of Business before joining AC in 2026. His research focuses on how organisations and systems create value and legitimacy in complex environments. His work spans three interconnected areas.

First, he examines governance and performance, with a particular focus on how organisations design accountability and reporting systems that build trust and demonstrate value to diverse stakeholders. Second, he explores purpose-driven organisations, including social enterprises, nonprofits, and faith-based organisations, investigating how they balance financial sustainability with social outcomes, and how they develop the capabilities required to operate effectively in complex, stakeholder-intensive contexts. Third, his research considers policy, procurement, and institutional systems, analysing how regulatory frameworks, market structures, and procurement practices shape organisational behaviour and enable the delivery of both economic and social value at scale.

Qualifications

PhD (Queensland University of Technology), Variations on a Routine: How selection/adaptation/retention dynamics create variety in organisational routines – 2012

Master of Arts by Research (Sociology) (Griffith University), Russia’s Religious Revival: Exploring the New Paradigm of the Sociology of Religion – 2003

G.C.A.P (Queensland University of Technology) – 2003

B.Ed. (Griffith University) – 2004

BAdult&VocEd (Griffith University) – 1996

B.Min. (Garden City College of Ministries) – 1990

  • Research Publications

    Books

    • 2016
      • Barraket, J.; Keast, R. & Furneaux, C. (2016). Social Procurement and New Public Governance. Routledge. | External link
    • 2008
      • Brown, K. A.; Mandell, M.; Furneaux, C. & Beach, S. (2008). Contemporary Issues in Public Management: Proceedings of The Twelfth Annual Conference of the International Research Society for Public Management (IRSPM XII) 26-28 March 2008. Faculty of Business, QUT.

    Book Chapters

    • 2023
      • Furneaux, C. (2023). Usury In Poff, D.; Michalos, A., Encyclopedia of Business and Professional Ethics (pp. 1820-1825). Springer.
    • 2019
      • Williamson, A.; Williamson, L.; Williamson, B. & Furneaux, C. (2019). Accountability of philanthropic foundations: Interviewing private and powerful givers about their responsibilities In , Sage Research Methods Cases Part 2 (pp. ). Sage Publications.
      • Williamson, A.; Williamson, L.; Williamson, B. & Furneaux, C. (2019). From opinion to data: Undertaking empirical research in a controversial public policy context In , Sage Research Methods (pp. ). Sage Publications.
    • 2015
      • Government / nonprofit service delivery: insights into accountability mechanisms and relationships (2015). Furneaux, C. & Ryan, N. In Hoque, Z. & Parker, L., Non-Profits and NGOs: Issues in Accountability & Performance Management (pp. 185-210). Routledge.
    • 2013
      • Furneaux, C. (2013). Nonprofits In Smith, V., Sociology of Work: An Encyclopedia (pp. 629-631). Sage Publications.
      • Furneaux, C. (2013). Outsourcing and Subcontracting In Smith, V., Sociology of Work: An Encyclopedia (pp. 669-673). Sage Publications.
      • Furneaux, C. (2013). Contracts In Smith, V., Sociology of Work : An Encyclopedia (pp. 126-237). Sage Publications.
    • 2012
      • Social Innovation and Social Enterprise: Evidence from Australia (2012). Barraket, J. & Furneaux, C. In Hochgerner, J.; Howaldt, J. & Franz, H., Challenge Social Innovation (pp. 215-240). Springer CSI.
    • 2008
      • Furneaux, C.; Vassilev, N.; Burgess, J.; Brown, K. A. & Ward, M. (2008). Streamlining Local Government: Evaluating an E-Government Initiative in South East Queensland In Brown, K.; Hampson, K.; Brandon, P. & Pillay, J., Clients Driving Construction Innovation: Benefiting from Innovation (pp. 28 – 38). Icon. | External link
      • Brown, K.; Furneaux, C. & Allan, D. (2008). Harmonisation of OHS Regulation in Australia: An Evaluation of Three Initiatives In Brown, K.; Hampson, K. Brandon, P. & Pillay, J., Clients Driving Construction Innovation: Benefiting from Innovation (pp. 120 – 127). Icon. | External link

    Journal Articles

    • 2025
      • Furneaux, C.; Sumarwan, A. & Luke, B. (2025). Structure, Agency and Position‐Practice Relations in the Context of Accountability Praxis: An Examination of Two Credit Unions in Indonesia.. , Accounting & Finance.
    • 2023
      • Furneaux, C.; Yigitbasioglu, O. & Rossi, S. (2023). Case management systems and new routines in community organisations.. Financial Accountability & Management, 39(1) 216–236.
      • Furneaux, C.; Williamson, A. & Luke, B. (2023). Privateness, accountability and philanthropic foundations. Third Sector Review, 29(2) 103-123. | External link
      • Furneaux, C.; Kingston, K.L.; de Zwaan, L. & Alderman, L. (2023). Avoiding the accountability ‘sham-ritual’: An agonistic approach to beneficiaries’ participation in evaluation within nonprofit organisation.. Critical Perspectives on Accounting,., 92.
      • Furneaux, C.; Kingston, K.; Luke, B. & Alderman, L. (2023). Examining the re-territorialisation of beneficiary accountability: Digitising nonprofit services in response to COVID-19. The British Accounting Review, Article 101199.
    • 2022
      • Furneaux, C. & Irvin, R.A.(2022). Surviving the Black Swan Event: How Much Reserves Should Nonprofit Organizations Hold?. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 51(5) 943–966.
      • Furneaux, C.; Kingston, K.L.; Luke, B. & Alderman, L. (2022). A reflection on critical methodology: Accountability and beneficiary participative evaluation in third sector research. VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 33(6) 1148–1155.
      • Furneaux, C.; Sumarwan, A. & Luke, B. (2022). Managing the Regulatory Space: Examining Credit Union Accountability to Government in a Lightly Regulated Context. Social and Environmental Accountability Journal, 42(3) 140–159.
    • 2021
      • Furneaux, C.; Sumarwan, A. & Luke, B. (2021). Putting members in the centre: Examining credit union accountability as member-based social enterprises. Qualitative Research in Accounting & Management, .
      • Furneaux, C.; Williamson, A. & Luke, B. (2021). Perceptions and conceptions of ‘place’ in Australian public foundations.. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 50(6) 1125–1149.
      • Furneaux, C.; Williamson, A.K. & Luke, B. (2021). Ties that bind: Public foundations in dyadic partnerships. VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 32(2) 234–246.
    • 2020
      • Furneaux, C.; Bradford, A. & Luke, B. (2020). Exploring accountability in social enterprise: Priorities, practicalities, and legitimacy. VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 31(3) 614–626.
    • 2019
      • Furneaux, C.; Kingston, K.L.; de Zwaan, L. & Alderman, L. (2019). From monologic to dialogic: Accountability of nonprofit organisations on beneficiaries’ terms. Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal, .
      • Furneaux, C.; Williamson, A. & Luke, B. (2019). Privateness, accountability and philanthropic foundations. Third Sector Review, 25(2) 147–176.
    • 2018
      • Furneaux, C.; Bradford, A. & Luke, B.G.(2018). Social enterprise accountability: Directions, dominance and developments. Social Enterprise Journal, 14(2) 156–179.
    • 2017
      • Furneaux, C.; Williamson, A.; Luke, B. & Leat, D. (2017). Founders, Families and Futures: Perspectives on the Accountability of Australian Private Ancillary Funds. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, .
      • Furneaux, C.; Williamson, A.; Luke, B. & Leat, D. (2017). Why be accountable? Exploring voluntary accountability of Australian Private Ancillary Funds. Australian Journal of Public Administration, .
    • 2016
      • Furneaux, C.; Barraket, J.; Barth, S. & Mason, C. (2016). Understanding legitimacy formation in multi-goal firms: An examination of business planning practices among social enterprises. Journal of Small Business Management, 54(S1) 77–89.
    • 2015
      • Furneaux, C. & Wymer, W. (2015). Public trust in Australian Charities: Accounting for Cause and Effect. Third Sector Review, 21(2) 99–127.
    • 2014
      • Furneaux, C. & Barraket, J. (2014). Purchasing social good(s): A definition and typology of social procurement. Public Money and Management, 34(4) 265–272.
      • Furneaux, C. & Ryan, N.F.(2014). Modelling NPO Government-Relations: Australian Case Studies. Public Management Review, 16(8) 1113–1140.
      • Furneaux, C. & Furneaux, J.E.(2014). Into Darkness: Deviance in Star Trek. Fiction in Organisational Ethics. Routledge Book Series: Research in Ethical Issues in Organizations, Volume 11 103–129.
    • 2013
      • Furneaux, C. & Kivits, R.A.(2013). BIM: Enabling sustainability and asset management through knowledge management. The Scientific World Journal, Article ID 983721.
    • 2012
      • Furneaux, C.; Brown, K.A. & Gudmundsson, A. (2012). Managing infrastructure procurement transitions: A complex adaptive systems perspective. International Journal of Sustainable Development, 15(1/2) 54–71.
    • 2011
      • Furneaux, C.; Gallery, N.; Gallery, G.; Brown, K. & Palm, C. (2011). Financial Literacy and Pension Investment Decisions. Financial Accountability and Management, 27(3) 286–307.
    • 2009
      • Furneaux, C.; Gallery, N.; Gallery, G.T.; Palm, C.T. & Brown, K.A.(2009). When the light goes on. Superfunds,  42–45.
    • 2008
      • Furneaux, C.; Brown, K.A. & Allan, D. (2008). Public Values Embedded in Australian Public Works Procurement. Public Money and Management, 28(3) 167–172.
      • Furneaux, C. & Brown, K.A.(2008). Australian Indigenous Entrepreneurship: A Capital-based View. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 9(2) 133–144.
    • 2005
      • Furneaux, C.; Ryan, N.F.; Pink, A.J. & Brown, K.A.(2005). Public Sector Contracting: An Australian Study of Changing Work Conditions. Management Revue, 16(4) 438–457.

  • Internal and External Grants

    • 2026
      • Impact of the traditional religious cohort on volunteering and donation behaviour (2), $12500, Impact of the traditional religious cohort on volunteering and donation behaviour (2)
    • 2025
      • Building the Sustainability of Multicultural Sector Organisations Project (2), $25000, Building the Sustainability of Multicultural Sector Organisations Project (2)
      • Literature Review on Service Performance Reporting, $9288, Literature Review on Service Performance Reporting
      • Minderoo Project - Supporting Social Enterprise, $80000, Minderoo Project - Supporting Social Enterprise
    • 2024
      • Building the Sustainability of Multicultural Sector Organisations (1), $25000, Building the Sustainability of Multicultural Sector Organisations (1)
    • 2021
      • Evaluation Framework for Love of Learning Program Dr R Knight(Lead) (3), $10000, Evaluation Framework for Love of Learning Program Dr R Knight(Lead) (3)
    • 2020
      • CSIA Regional Asset Mapping for Service Delivery, $35000, CSIA Regional Asset Mapping for Service Delivery
      • Evaluation Framework for Love of Learning Program Dr R Knight (Lead) (2), $13385, Evaluation Framework for Love of Learning Program Dr R Knight (Lead) (2)
      • Impact of the traditional religious cohort on volunteering and donation behaviour (1), $12500, Impact of the traditional religious cohort on volunteering and donation behaviour (1)
      • Social Futures Culture Research Dr R Knight (Lead) (2), $4750, Social Futures Culture Research Dr R Knight (Lead) (2)
    • 2019
      • Breast Cancer Trials Impact Study Dr R Knight (Lead), $20000, Breast Cancer Trials Impact Study Dr R Knight (Lead)
      • Evaluation Framework for Love of Learning Program Dr R Knight (Lead) (1), $21615, Evaluation Framework for Love of Learning Program Dr R Knight (Lead) (1)
      • Evaluation Framework for Measuring Outcomes of Vending Machine Use Dr R Knight (Lead), $63636, Evaluation Framework for Measuring Outcomes of Vending Machine Use Dr R Knight (Lead)
      • Social Futures Culture Research Dr R Knight (Lead) (1), $20000, Social Futures Culture Research Dr R Knight (Lead) (1)
    • 2018
      • PJ Foundation - Love for Learning Impact Project Dr R Knight (Lead), $12000, PJ Foundation - Love for Learning Impact Project Dr R Knight (Lead)
    • 2017
      • Evaluating the Impact of Case Management Systems on Community Organisations: An Analysis of CSnet® (2), $10000, Evaluating the Impact of Case Management Systems on Community Organisations: An Analysis of CSnet® (2)
    • 2016
      • Evaluating the Impact of Case Management Systems on Community Organisations: An Analysis of CSnet® (1), $20000, Evaluating the Impact of Case Management Systems on Community Organisations: An Analysis of CSnet® (1)
    • 2015
      • 2015 – QUT Small Business T&L Grant – with Stuart Tooley -, $10000, QUT Small Business T&L Grant
      • Kickstarting Creative Social Entrepreneurship in Flexi Schools with Jaz Choi, Marnee Shay, Ann Morgan, Institute for Connected Societies -, $10000, Kickstarting Creative Social Entrepreneurship in Flexi Schools with Jaz Choi, Marnee Shay, Ann Morgan, Institute for Connected Societies
    • 2011
      • 2011 - Community Recycling in Australia/Victoria: a baseline study, $19033, 2011 - Community Recycling in Australia/Victoria: a baseline study
    • 2009
      • CRC CIEAM Scholarship, $34000, CRC CIEAM Scholarship

  • Presentations

  • Book Reviews

  • Awards

  • Funded Projects

  • Engagement Publications

    Journal Articles
    • 2026
      • Furneaux, C.; Ghoorah, U.; Gilchrist, D.; Hancock, P. & Schonfeldt, N. (2026). Connectivity of Nonfinancial and financial Information. Australian Accounting Standards Board., .
      • Furneaux, C. & Brown, K. A.(2026). Public Policy Implications of CRC for Construction Innovation Research. (vol. Australia). Construction Industry Business Environment, Report #3.. , .
      • Furneaux, C. (2026). Mapping the Regulatory Environment (vol. Australia). Construction Industry Business Environment, Report #2.. CRC CI., .
    • 2025
      • Furneaux, C.; Bath, S. & Parker, C. (2025). Phase 1: Sustainability of Multicultural Associations in Queensland. Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland., . | External link
    • 2023
      • Furneaux, C.; Ostern, N. & Rosemann, M. (2023). Blockchain for Charity: Trust-Related Affordances in the Charity Sector. ECIS Research Papers, European Conference on Information Systems, . | External link
    • 2022
      • Furneaux, C.; Knight, R.; Chell, K.; Luke, B.; Meuter, R.; Baldwin, L.; Peters, K.; Johnson, N. & Parker, C. (2022). The Impact of Breast Clinical Trials Research. Breast Cancer Trials, . | External link
    • 2019
      • Furneaux, C.; Subramaniam, N.; Gilchrist, D. J. & McMurray, A. (2019). The Sum of the Parts: Collaborations and Strategic Restructuring in the Australian Charities Sector - Industry Research Report. College of Business, RMIT University, .
    • 2012
      • Furneaux, C.; Yousefpour, N. & Barraket, J. (2012). Baseline Study of Australia's Community Recycling Enterprises CREs. Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies, Queensland University of Technology, .
    • 2009
      • Furneaux, C. & Hampson, K. (2009). Report – Construction Industry KPIs. Report Prepared for the Australian Construction Industry Forum and the Australian Procurement and Construction Council. CRC Construction Innovation, .
      • Furneaux, C.; Miller, G.; Davis, P.; Love, P. & O'Donnell, A. (2009). Built Environment Procurement Practice: Impediments to Innovation and Opportunities for Changes. Curtin University of Technology: Built Environment Industry Innovation Council, .
    • 2008
      • Furneaux, C.; Gallery, N.; Brown, K. A.; Gallery, G. T. & Palm, C. (2008). QSuper Financial Literacy Survey Report.. Australian Retirement Trust, .
      • Furneaux, C.; Brown, K. A. & McCabe, A. (2008). Public Art in Public Works: A Comparative Analysis. CRC Construction Innovation, .
      • Furneaux, C.; Brown, K. A. & Kivits, R. (2008). BIM – Implications for Government. CRC Construction Innovation, .
    • 2006
      • Furneaux, C.; Brown, K. A.; Gallery, N. & Gallery, G. (2006). QSuper Superannuation Education Index "Phase 1" Final Report. Australian Retirement Trust, .
      • Furneaux, C.; Hampson, K.; Newton, P. & Brown, K. A.(2006). Submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Environment and Heritage: Inquiry into a Sustainability Charter by the Cooperative Research Centre for Construction Innovation. Queensland University of Technology, .
    • 2005
      • Furneaux, C.; Pink, A. J. & Ryan, N. F.(2005). Redistribution and Risk in the Contracting Out of Government Services: A Report on the Contracting-Out of Maintenance Workers in Western Australia CP, O, O. Queensland University of Technology, .
      • Furneaux, C. & Ryan, N. F.(2005). Final Report: Towards Better Government / Nonprofit Relations in Queensland. Queensland University of Technology, .
      • Furneaux, C. & Brown, K. A.(2005). A Primer in Public Policy for the Construction Industry.. Construction Industry Business Environment, Report #1, .
      • Furneaux, C. & Ryan, N. F.(2005). Best Practice in Funeral Industry Regulation, Report to the Queensland Department of Justice for the Funeral Industry Regulation Working Party.. Queensland Department of Justice, .
      • Furneaux, C. & Ryan, N. F.(2005). Final Report: Towards Better Government / Nonprofit Relations in Queensland.. Queensland University of Technology, .
    • 2004
      • Furneaux, C.; Christie, M. & Foley, D. (2004). Indigenous Economic Development, in Meeting Challenges: Making Choice Literature Review, N. Ryan Ed.,. Queensland Department of Premier and Cabinet, .

  • Professional Memberships


    Australian and New Zealand Third Sector Research Inc.

    International Society of Third Sector Research

    Standards Australia, Mirror Committee MB-024, for ISO 20400 – Sustainable Procurement (member)



  • Supervision

    • Completed
      • 2019
        • Alexandra Williamson, Perceptions on the accountability of public ancillary funds (Doctoral Thesis)
        • Linda Bennison, Accountability in a horticultural marketing co-operative: Perceptions from grower members (Masters Project/Thesis)
      • 2018
        • Kylie Louise Kingston, Evaluation as a means of enhancing accountability and beneficiary participation within nonprofit organisations (Masters Project/Thesis)
      • 2017
        • Iwan Purwanto Sudjali, The accounting for zakat: The accountability of Indonesian zakat agencies (Doctoral Thesis)
      • 2016
        • Hridesh Gajurel, Institutional constraints on altruism in the formation of a venture idea (Masters Project/Thesis)
      • 2015
        • Vien Thi Thanh Chu, Towards sustainable poverty alleviation: Building NGO accountability to beneficiaries in microenterprise development programs (Doctoral Thesis)
        • Alexandra Kate Williamson, Accountable to everyone, or to no one? Perspectives on the accountability of Australian private ancillary funds (Masters Project/Thesis)
        • Gloria Astrid Guraieb Izaguirre, Social enterprises: Examining accountability for social and financial performance. (Masters Project/Thesis)

  • Projects

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