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 (12) Other Outputs (34)

121 - 140 of 300 works

2004

Book Chapter

VET teacher and student attitudes about generic skills

Callan, Victor (2004). VET teacher and student attitudes about generic skills. Generic skills in vocational education and training: Research readings. (pp. 53-68) edited by Jennifer Gibb. Adelaide, South Australia: Australian National Training Authority.

VET teacher and student attitudes about generic skills

2004

Journal Article

A longitudinal study of employee adaptation to organizational change: The role of change-related information and change-related self-efficacy

Jimmieson, Nerina L., Terry, Deborah J. and Callan, Victor J. (2004). A longitudinal study of employee adaptation to organizational change: The role of change-related information and change-related self-efficacy. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 9 (1), 11-27. doi: 10.1037/1076-8998.9.1.11

A longitudinal study of employee adaptation to organizational change: The role of change-related information and change-related self-efficacy

2004

Conference Publication

Perceived available support and the effects of organizational downsizing

Lawrence, S. A., Callan, V. J. and Pisarski, A. (2004). Perceived available support and the effects of organizational downsizing. The Academy of Management 64th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana, 6-11 August, 2004. Rowan University,m Glassboro, NJ: Academy of Management.

Perceived available support and the effects of organizational downsizing

2004

Conference Publication

Job uncertainty and personal control during downsizing: A comparison of survivors and victims

Callan, V. J., Paulsen, N., Rooney, D., Gallois, C., Jones, E., Grice, T. A. and Bordia, P. (2004). Job uncertainty and personal control during downsizing: A comparison of survivors and victims. SAM/IFSAM V 11th World congress, Goteborg, Sweden, 5-7 July, 2004. Goteborg, Sweden: IFSAM.

Job uncertainty and personal control during downsizing: A comparison of survivors and victims

2004

Other Outputs

Working together: Industry and VET provider training partnerships

Callan, V. J. and Ashworth, P.N. (2004). Working together: Industry and VET provider training partnerships. Adelaide, SA: NCVER.

Working together: Industry and VET provider training partnerships

2004

Journal Article

The best-laid plans: Uncertainty, complexity and large-scale organisational change

Callan, Victor J., Latemore, Gregory and Paulsen, Neil (2004). The best-laid plans: Uncertainty, complexity and large-scale organisational change. Mt Eliza Business Review, 7 (1), 10-17.

The best-laid plans: Uncertainty, complexity and large-scale organisational change

2004

Other Outputs

Knowledge Management in Cotton and Grain Irrigation

Callan, V. J., Christiansen, I. and Harris, G. (2004). Knowledge Management in Cotton and Grain Irrigation. Narrabri, NSW: Australian Cotton Cooperative Research Centre.

Knowledge Management in Cotton and Grain Irrigation

2004

Book Chapter

How vocational education and training providers are working innovatively with industry

Callan, V. J. (2004). How vocational education and training providers are working innovatively with industry. Vocational education and training and innovation: Research readings. (pp. 140-152) edited by S. Dawe. Adelaide: Australian National Training Authority.

How vocational education and training providers are working innovatively with industry

2003

Journal Article

Erratum: Cigarette use by adolescents: Attitude-behavior relationships (Substance Use & Misuse (1999) 34:3 (455-468))

O'Callaghan, F. V., Callan, V. J. and Baglioni, A. (2003). Erratum: Cigarette use by adolescents: Attitude-behavior relationships (Substance Use & Misuse (1999) 34:3 (455-468)). Substance Use and Misuse, 38 (9)

Erratum: Cigarette use by adolescents: Attitude-behavior relationships (Substance Use & Misuse (1999) 34:3 (455-468))

2003

Conference Publication

Perceived available support: Description and validation of a multidimensional measure

Lawrence, S. A., Gardner, J.M.J. and Callan, V. J. (2003). Perceived available support: Description and validation of a multidimensional measure. Annual Meetings of the Academy of Management, Seattle, Washington, 1-6 August, 2003. New York: Academy of Management.

Perceived available support: Description and validation of a multidimensional measure

2003

Journal Article

Trust me, I'm your boss: Trust and power in supervisor-supervisee communication

Willemyns, Michael, Gallois, Cynthia and Callan, Victor J. (2003). Trust me, I'm your boss: Trust and power in supervisor-supervisee communication. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 14 (1), 117-127. doi: 10.1080/09585190210158547

Trust me, I'm your boss: Trust and power in supervisor-supervisee communication

2003

Conference Publication

Intragroup conflict, emotional reactions to bullying and counterproductive behaviors

Ayoko, O. B., Callan, V. J. and Hartel, C. (2003). Intragroup conflict, emotional reactions to bullying and counterproductive behaviors. IACM 2003, Melbourne, 15-18 June, 2003. International Association for Conflict Management.

Intragroup conflict, emotional reactions to bullying and counterproductive behaviors

2003

Other Outputs

Generic Skills: Understanding vocational education and training teacher and student attitudes

Callan, V. J. (2003). Generic Skills: Understanding vocational education and training teacher and student attitudes. Leabrook, South Australia: NCVER.

Generic Skills: Understanding vocational education and training teacher and student attitudes

2003

Journal Article

Cigarette use by adolescents: Attitude-behavior relationships (vol 34, pg 455, 1999)

O'Callaghan, FV, Callan, VJ and Baglioni, A (2003). Cigarette use by adolescents: Attitude-behavior relationships (vol 34, pg 455, 1999). Substance Use & Misuse, 38 (9), 1383-1383. doi: 10.1081/JA-120023473

Cigarette use by adolescents: Attitude-behavior relationships (vol 34, pg 455, 1999)

2003

Conference Publication

Work unit identification, communication, and employee outcomes during organizational change

Paulsen, N., Callan, V.J. and Gallois, C. (2003). Work unit identification, communication, and employee outcomes during organizational change. Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, Seattle, Washington, 1-6 August, 2003. New York, U.S.A.: Academy of Management.

Work unit identification, communication, and employee outcomes during organizational change

2003

Book

Ideas 2 market: A commercialisation guidebook for Queensland innovators and entrepreneurs

Callan, V. J. (2003). Ideas 2 market: A commercialisation guidebook for Queensland innovators and entrepreneurs. Brisbane: Department of Innovation and Information Economy.

Ideas 2 market: A commercialisation guidebook for Queensland innovators and entrepreneurs

2003

Journal Article

Workplace conflict, bullying, and counterproductive behaviors

Ayoko, Oluremi B., Callan, Victor J. and Hartel, Charmine E. J. (2003). Workplace conflict, bullying, and counterproductive behaviors. International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 11 (4), 283-301. doi: 10.1108/eb028976

Workplace conflict, bullying, and counterproductive behaviors

2003

Conference Publication

Management are aliens! Rumours during organisational change

Bordia, P., Jones, E., Gallois, C., Callan, V. and DiFonzo, N. (2003). Management are aliens! Rumours during organisational change. The 3rd Victorian Postgraduates in Psychology Conference, Melbourne, Australia, 23 November 2002. Basingstoke, UK: Taylor & Francis. doi: 10.1177/1059601106286880

Management are aliens! Rumours during organisational change

2002

Journal Article

Cultural values, sources of guidance, and their relevance to managerial behavior: A 47-nation study

Smith, P.B., Peterson, M.F., Schwartz, S.H., Ahmad, A.H., Akande, D., Andersen, J.A., Ayestaran, S., Bochner, S., Callan, V., Davila, C., Ekelund, B., Francois, P.H., Graversen, G., Harb, C., Jesuino, J., Kantas, A., Karamushka, L., Koopman, P., Leung, K., Kruezela, P., Malvezzi, S., Mogaji, A., Mortazavi, S., Munene, J., Parry, K., Punnett, B.J., Radford, M., Ropo, A., Saiz, J. ... Yanchuk, V. (2002). Cultural values, sources of guidance, and their relevance to managerial behavior: A 47-nation study. Journal of Cross-cultural Psychology, 33 (2), 188-208. doi: 10.1177/0022022102033002005

Cultural values, sources of guidance, and their relevance to managerial behavior: A 47-nation study

2002

Journal Article

Resolving the puzzle of productive and destructive conflict in culturally heterogeneous workgroups: A communication accommodation theory approach

Ayoko, O. B., Hartel, C. E. J. and Callan, V. J. (2002). Resolving the puzzle of productive and destructive conflict in culturally heterogeneous workgroups: A communication accommodation theory approach. International Journal of Conflict Management, 13 (2), 165-195. doi: 10.1108/eb022873

Resolving the puzzle of productive and destructive conflict in culturally heterogeneous workgroups: A communication accommodation theory approach

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

    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

  • 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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