Dr Martin Robson's area of academic interest focuses on the non-rational and subconscious drivers of organisational life. Of particular interest is the utilisation of intuition, such as gut feelings, by leaders in Australian organisations. Dr Robson's research was groundbreaking, being the first to investigate how intuition is both used and valued by the top leaders in Australia, despite receiving little acknowledgment. Before returning to academia, Dr Robson gained extensive experience in the banking and information technology sectors, as well as successfully initiating and running two businesses. Dr Robson speaks three languages and has lived and worked in four different countries. Alongside these achievements, Dr Robson possesses a keen interest in cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence, and developments in world politics and economics.
Areas of Specialisation
Dr Robson has taught a range of psycho-social subjects in a number of tertiary educational institutions. These include Leadership, Communication, and Conflict Resolution; Interpersonal Communication; Globalisation of Enterprise; Strategic Human Resource Management; Organisational Behaviour; and Organisational Research Methods. Dr Robson has taught at the University of New England, Southern Cross University, the University of New South Wales, the Australian Institute of Business, and the New Zealand Institute of Education. Dr Robson has a particular interest and passion for developing thinking and writing skills in new tertiary students. He has developed and delivered academic writing coursework for new students.
Business Background
Dr Robson first worked in the banking sector before operating mainframe computers in the early days of the IT industry in New Zealand. After working as a contractor for AMP in Sydney and later for British Rail in London, Dr Robson lived and worked in Switzerland for six years, raising a family, working as a data analyst for a local engineering company, and successfully developing a local manufacturing business. Dr Robson returned to Australia to own and run an ice-cream retailing business in Northern NSW and resume studies. Since 2002, Dr Robson has been lecturing in academic institutions.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, New England Business School, The University of New England, Armidale, NSW.
- Bachelor of Social Science (1st Class Hons), Southern Cross University, Lismore, New South Wales.
Awards
2004 – Southern Cross University Medal. Selected as the graduating student speaker for Graduation, Southern Cross University.
2007 – Australian Postgraduate Award (scholarship).
Publications
Theses
Honours Thesis
Robson, M. J. (2004). Australian elite leaders and intuition: Rationale for the non-rational. Lismore: Southern Cross University.
PhD Thesis
Robson, M. J. (2011). The Use and Disclosure of Intuition(s) by Leaders in Australian Organisations: A Grounded Theory. Armidale: University of New England. <https://rune-uat.une.edu.au/web/handle/1959.11/11912>
Book Chapters
Robson, M. J. and R. Cooksey (2014). Theorising Intuition in Practice: Developing Grounded Theory with Elite Business Leaders. In M. Sinclair (Ed). A Handbook of Intuition Research Methods (pp. 219-232). Cheltenham: Elgar Publishing, <http://www.elgaronline.com/view/9781782545989.00027.xml
Robson, M. (2015), Feeling Our Way with Intuition. In J. Liebowitz (Ed.). Bursting the Big Data Bubble: The Case for Intuition-Based Decision Making (pp. 21-38). London: Taylor & Francis. <https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/e/9781482228878 >
Refereed Journal Articles
Robson, M. J. & Miller, P. (2006). Australian Elite Leaders, Intuition and Effectiveness. Australasian Journal of Business and Social Inquiry 4(3): 43-61.
Robson, M. & Cooksey, R. W. (2008). Towards the Integration and Contextualisation of Perspectives on Managerial Intuition. Australasian Journal of Business and Social Inquiry 6(3): 62-84.
Peer-reviewed Conference Papers
Robson, M. (2008). Interviewing the Australian Business Elite: Let’s Get Down to Business. Proceedings of the 3rd Annual Postgraduate Research Conference (pp. 151-164). T. Hays & R. Hussain (Eds). Armidale: University of New England.
Robson, M. (2009). Towards the Reconciliation of Idealism and Realism through Monistic Idealism: Bridging the Gap. Proceedings of the 4th Annual Postgraduate Research Conference (pp. 235-244). T. Hays & R. Hussain (Eds.) Armidale: University of New England.
Robson, M. J. (2010). The Disclosure of Intuitions in Organisations: A Grounded Theory. Proceedings of the 5th Annual Postgraduate Research Conference (pp. 163-178). T. Hays and R. Hussain (Eds.). Armidale: University of New England.
Business Magazine Articles
Robson, M. J. (2018). How to engage you Entrepreneurial Intuition. Dynamic Business. Retrieved from:https://www.dynamicbusiness.com.au/entrepreneur-profile/how-to-engage-y…
Robson, M. J. (2012). Intuition: Why Every Good Leader Needs It. Dynamic Business. Retrieved from: http://www.dynamicbusiness.com.au/blogs/intuition-why-every-good-leader…
Robson, M. J. (2012). The Role of Intuition in Leadership: How It Works. Dynamic Business. Retrieved from: http://www.dynamicbusiness.com.au/entrepreneur-profile/intuition-how-it…
Accreditations
- The Research Society
Testimonials
Dr Robson was a great course facilitator. I watched all of the recordings which were informative and helpful.
I want to thank you for you are one of the most influential people I ever met (for me), and you are the reason that my academic writing has improved. You may not know it, but I genuinely appreciate all your teachings.
Your webinars helped to reinforce the key points in the text and your guidance for both assignments was most appreciated.
The feedback you provided for my assignments was both detailed and constructive and will also help me with future assignments.
A fantastic level of feedback in assessments and clear direction for them.
Webinar was really helpful, made lot of things easy to understand. My full respect to Dr Robson.
I would like to tell you that I considered myself lucky to be one of your students. It's really a pleasure to be taught by you.
Thank you for all the learning and knowledge you have shared with us, this is definitely another reason to be motivated and to strive harder to get in the finish line.
Your comments are really motivating and inspiring me to put more effort in my studies.
I could not have improved my academic writing skills and HR knowledge without your guidance and support. Once again thank you for your help and support.
