Professor Victor Callan
Professor

Victor Callan

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+61 7 334 68013

Background

Victor Callan AM is Professor of Leadership and Organisational Change at the University of Queensland (UQ) Business School in the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law. His research investigates a variety of factors impacting on organisational change, leadership performance and employee training, and he is one of Australia's most recognised researchers in these fields.

In terms of recognition by external bodies, Victor has been elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia, a Fellow of the Queensland Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia for his significant service to higher education in the field of management as a researcher and adviser to Government and industry. Within UQ, Victor has been awarded the University's Award for Excellence in Higher Degree Research Supervision for the quality of outcomes associated with his PhD supervision. In addition, he is a recipient of two UQ Excellence in Leadership Awards for his roles in developing strong research, consulting and industry partnerships.

Victor is a regular contributor to executive education for senior managers and executives in the public and private sectors in Australia and internationally. He has completed over 100 projects as an adviser for Federal, State and local government departments including major reviews on employee skills, vocational education and training, major industry closures and workforce development. He has also completed organisational and workforce development projects internationally, including for governments and organisations in South Africa, Ghana, Tanzania, Indonesia, Bhutan, Brunei, New Zealand, PNG and for South Pacific countries.

Currently his major teaching activities at UQ are in courses associated with MBA students, and students in the Bachelor of Advanced Business Honours program. In 2025 as one of the four Chief Investigators, he has begun his 14th Australian Research Council (ARC) project, in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), Mimal Land Council, and Indigenous women’s groups across northern Australia.

Availability

Professor Victor Callan is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services Psychology

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Arts, University of New South Wales
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Australian National University

Research interests

  • Organisational Change, Leadership and Skills Development

    1. Organisational Change and Leadership Special interest in employees' and leaders' experiences with large scale organisational change, examining their levels of adaptation, personal capabilities, as well as the communication and team dynamics. 2. Employee Skills, Capabilities and Training Examinations of effective responses to skills development and shortages, including strategies around recognition of prior learning, e-learning, new models of apprenticeships and strategies to assist displaced older workers, training and retraining including downsized employees, and the skills of leaders and chairpersons required of corporate boards.

Research impacts

Published reports for the National Centre for Vocational Education Research by Professor Callan are informing public policy in the areas of workforce development, apprenticeships, the application of e-learning in the workplace, and the development of improved pathways between the vocational education and higher education sectors. In addition, he has completed numerous evaluations of the effectiveness of State and Federal Government programs including evaluations of training programs in prisons; new models for the delivery of mental health services; programs to introduce more e-learning and e-assessment into workplaces; investigations into programs to assist employees impacted by large scale industry closures; and evaluations of various forms of apprenticeship models. His published academic work that consists of over 250 publications is presented into various executive education and middle manager programs for UQ, especially around applications for improved leadership, better communication, changes to workplace training and more successful change management.

Search Professor Victor Callan’s works on UQ eSpace

300 works between 1980 and 2025
All (300) Journal Article (178) Book Chapter (16) Conference Publication (60) Book (17) Other Outputs (29)

41 - 60 of 300 works

2016

Book

Skills and capabilities for Australian enterprise innovation: Report for the Australian Council of Learned Academies

Cunningham, Stuart, Theilacker, Max, Gahan, Peter, Callan, Victor J. and Rainnie, Al (2016). Skills and capabilities for Australian enterprise innovation: Report for the Australian Council of Learned Academies. Melbourne, Victoria: Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA).

Skills and capabilities for Australian enterprise innovation: Report for the Australian Council of Learned Academies

2016

Journal Article

Attitudinal similarities and differences of hotel frontline occupations

Robinson, Richard N.S., Kralj, Anna, Solnet, David J., Goh, Edmund and Callan, Victor J. (2016). Attitudinal similarities and differences of hotel frontline occupations. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 28 (5), 1051-1072. doi: 10.1108/IJCHM-08-2014-0391

Attitudinal similarities and differences of hotel frontline occupations

2015

Journal Article

Control and commitment HR practices, job satisfaction and turnover intentions: a comparison between local and multinational firms in China

Ma, Shaozhuang, Silva, M. Gabriela, Callan, Victor J. and Trigo, Virginia (2015). Control and commitment HR practices, job satisfaction and turnover intentions: a comparison between local and multinational firms in China. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 27 (9), 974-990. doi: 10.1080/09585192.2015.1052535

Control and commitment HR practices, job satisfaction and turnover intentions: a comparison between local and multinational firms in China

2015

Other Outputs

Filling the pool

Fitzsimmons, T. W. and Callan, Victor J. (2015). Filling the pool. Perth, WA Australia: Committee for Perth.

Filling the pool

2015

Other Outputs

Industry restructuring and job loss: helping older workers get back into employment

Callan, Victor J. and Bowman, Kaye (2015). Industry restructuring and job loss: helping older workers get back into employment. NCVER Research Reports Adelaide, SA, Australia: National Centre for Vocational Education Research.

Industry restructuring and job loss: helping older workers get back into employment

2015

Conference Publication

Do job Positions Matter in Emotional Labor and in its Relationship With job Performance?

Ma, Shaozhuang, Silva, Gabriela, Trigo, Virginia and Callan, Victor (2015). Do job Positions Matter in Emotional Labor and in its Relationship With job Performance?. Proceedings of the 11th European Conference on Management Leadership and Governance, Lisbon Portugal, 12-13 November 2015. Reading United Kingdom: ACAD Conference Publishing.

Do job Positions Matter in Emotional Labor and in its Relationship With job Performance?

2015

Journal Article

Initial validation of the support mobilization for work stressors inventory

Lawrence, Sandra A., Jordan, Peter J. and Callan, Victor J. (2015). Initial validation of the support mobilization for work stressors inventory. Australian Journal of Management, 40 (4), 587-612. doi: 10.1177/0312896214528186

Initial validation of the support mobilization for work stressors inventory

2015

Journal Article

How organisations are using blended e-learning to deliver more flexible approaches to trade training

Callan, Victor James, Johnston, Margaret Alison and Poulsen, Alison Louise (2015). How organisations are using blended e-learning to deliver more flexible approaches to trade training. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 67 (3), 294-309. doi: 10.1080/13636820.2015.1050445

How organisations are using blended e-learning to deliver more flexible approaches to trade training

2014

Journal Article

Gender disparity in the C-suite: do male and female CEOs differ in how they reached the top?

Fitzsimmons, Terrance W., Callan, Victor J. and Paulsen, Neil (2014). Gender disparity in the C-suite: do male and female CEOs differ in how they reached the top?. Leadership Quarterly, 25 (2), 245-266. doi: 10.1016/j.leaqua.2013.08.005

Gender disparity in the C-suite: do male and female CEOs differ in how they reached the top?

2014

Journal Article

Thinking job embeddedness not turnover: towards a better understanding of frontline hotel worker retention

Robinson, Richard N. S., Kralj, Anna, Solnet, David J., Goh, Edmund and Callan, Victor (2014). Thinking job embeddedness not turnover: towards a better understanding of frontline hotel worker retention. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 36, 101-109. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhm.2013.08.008

Thinking job embeddedness not turnover: towards a better understanding of frontline hotel worker retention

2013

Journal Article

The social validation and coping model of organizational identity development: a longitudinal test

Smith, Laura G. E., Amiot, Catherine E., Smith, Joanne R., Callan, Victor J. and Terry, Deborah J. (2013). The social validation and coping model of organizational identity development: a longitudinal test. Journal of Management, 39 (7), 1952-1978. doi: 10.1177/0149206313488212

The social validation and coping model of organizational identity development: a longitudinal test

2013

Journal Article

Rationalizing ideologies, social identities and corruption among civil servants in Indonesia during the Suharto era

Budiman, Adang, Roan, Amanda and Callan, Victor J. (2013). Rationalizing ideologies, social identities and corruption among civil servants in Indonesia during the Suharto era. Journal of Business Ethics, 116 (1), 139-149. doi: 10.1007/s10551-012-1451-y

Rationalizing ideologies, social identities and corruption among civil servants in Indonesia during the Suharto era

2013

Conference Publication

Understanding the leadership of networks in the public health care system

Callan, Victor, Johnston, Margaret, Paulsen, Neil and Ayoko, Remi (2013). Understanding the leadership of networks in the public health care system. EURAM13: 13th Annual Conference of the European Academy of Management 2013, Harbiye, Istanbul, Turkey, 26-29 June, 2013. Ortaköy, Istanbul, Turkey: European Academy of Management (EURAM).

Understanding the leadership of networks in the public health care system

2013

Conference Publication

Transformational leadership, team identity, team effectiveness and follower satisfaction during large scale organisational change

Callan, Victor, Paulsen, Neil, Ayoko, Oluremi and Johnston, Margaret (2013). Transformational leadership, team identity, team effectiveness and follower satisfaction during large scale organisational change. EURAM13: 13th Annual Conference of the European Academy of Management 2013, Harbiye, Istanbul, Turkey, 26-29 June, 2013. Ortaköy, Istanbul, Turkey: European Academy of Management (EURAM).

Transformational leadership, team identity, team effectiveness and follower satisfaction during large scale organisational change

2013

Journal Article

Transformational leadership and innovation in an R&D organization experiencing major change

Paulsen, Neil, Callan, Victor J., Ayoko, Oluremi and Saunders, Diana (2013). Transformational leadership and innovation in an R&D organization experiencing major change. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 26 (3), 595-610. doi: 10.1108/09534811311328597

Transformational leadership and innovation in an R&D organization experiencing major change

2012

Other Outputs

A pedagogic framework for socially inclusive VET: Principles, strategies and capabilities

Bowman, Kaye and Callan, Victor J. (2012). A pedagogic framework for socially inclusive VET: Principles, strategies and capabilities. Melbourne, VIC Australia: NVEAC.

A pedagogic framework for socially inclusive VET: Principles, strategies and capabilities

2012

Journal Article

Getting new staff to stay: The mediating role of organizational identification

Smith, Laura G. E., Amiot, Catherine E., Callan, Victor J., Terry, Deborah J. and Smith, Joanne R. (2012). Getting new staff to stay: The mediating role of organizational identification. British Journal of Management, 23 (1), 45-64. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8551.2010.00728.x

Getting new staff to stay: The mediating role of organizational identification

2012

Conference Publication

Managerial identity, career progression and job satisfaction among middle managers in the health care sector

Meissner, Ellen, Callan, Victor and Wilson, Jill (2012). Managerial identity, career progression and job satisfaction among middle managers in the health care sector. ANZAM 2012 Conference, Perth, Australia, 5-7 December 2012. Australia: Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management.

Managerial identity, career progression and job satisfaction among middle managers in the health care sector

2012

Book Chapter

Comparing organizational and business communication

McKenna, Bernard, Callan, Victor J. and Gallois, Cindy (2012). Comparing organizational and business communication. The Handbook of Comparative Communication Research. (pp. 48-63) edited by Frank Esser and Thomas Hanitzsch. New York and London: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9780203149102-11

Comparing organizational and business communication

2011

Journal Article

The role of social support in coping during the anticipatory stage of organizational change: A test of an integrative model

Lawrence, Sandra A. and Callan, Victor J. (2011). The role of social support in coping during the anticipatory stage of organizational change: A test of an integrative model. British Journal of Management, 22 (4), 567-585. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8551.2010.00692.x

The role of social support in coping during the anticipatory stage of organizational change: A test of an integrative model

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2028
    Amplifying leadership and voices of Indigenous women environmental rangers
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2023
    Careers in everyday industries: Potential benefits of increased visibility (National Careers Institute Partnerships Grant)
    Federation University Australia
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2023
    Taylor Family Director (Chair) of The Centre for the Business and Economics of Health
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2015
    Managing Key Professional Transitions in the Health Sector
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    Newcomer Socialisation: Testing a Human Resources Model
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2010
    Newcomer socialisation: Examining the processes predicting changes in organisational identification over time
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2009
    Team processes, identification, and reliable performance: Implementing the Balanced Scorecard in health service teams
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2006
    Coping with an Organizational Merger: A Longitudinal Study Investigating Changes in Social Identification Among Employees from High and Low Status Pre-Merger Organizations
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2005
    Identifying and Removing Boundaries to Effective Team Functioning and Communication
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2007
    Site-Level Community Engagement Processes in the Australian Minerals Industry: A Comparative Analysis
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2006
    The Management of Information Technology Based Organisational Change
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2004
    Community Consultative Mechanisms in the Australian Minerals Industry: An Evaluation
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2002
    Employee adjustment to organisation change: applying social identity theory
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2001 - 2002
    Employee adjustment to organisational change: The role of communication and intergroup perceptions.
    ARC Collaborative Grant (SPIRT)
    Open grant
  • 2000
    UQ - Wolston Park Hospital Collaboration Framework Agreement
    Wolston Park Hospital
    Open grant
  • 1998 - 2000
    Employee Adjustment to Continue Organisational Change
    ARC Collaborative Grant (SPIRT)
    Open grant
  • 1998 - 2000
    Employee adjustment to continued organisational change
    Department of Public Works & Housing
    Open grant
  • 1998 - 2000
    Employee adjustment to continued organisational change (in kind contribution only - no cash)
    Princess Alexandra Hospital
    Open grant
  • 1996 - 1997
    Validation of a strategic organisational culture survey
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1995 - 1997
    Communication and workplace diversity
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Victor Callan is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Asian-Australian Leaders' Ascension to Top Management Teams and their Contributon to Organisational Resilience

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Ree Jordan

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The role of maverickism in driving cultural transformation to achieve future workforce objectives

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Ree Jordan

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Asian-Australian Leaders' Ascension to Top Management Teams and their Contributon to Organisational Resilience

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Ree Jordan

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Victor Callan directly for media enquiries about:

  • Leadership
  • Organisational change
  • Training and skills - work
  • Work place communication

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communications@uq.edu.au