Dr Upamali Amarakoon, a UQ Business School PhD graduate, has been awarded the prestigious Dean’s Award for Outstanding Research Higher Degree Thesis for her research into ‘The Role of Human Resource Innovation for Firms’ Competitive Advantage’.
Dr Amarakoon’s thesis makes a substantial contribution to the strategic human resource management field, highlighting the importance of innovative human resource practices to support firm competitive advantage.
It presents a validated framework to guide HR practitioners to successfully design and implement such novel practices.
The University of Queensland Dean’s Award gives formal recognition to PhD and MPhil graduates who have demonstrated research higher degree excellence.
Candidates for the Dean’s Award are nominated by independent thesis examiners who are world leaders in the respective field of research, based on the substantial contribution a thesis makes to the field of research.
Fewer than 10 percent of research higher degree graduates are recognised in this way each year.
Dr Amarakoon, who is now a Senior Lecturer at the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, was pleasantly surprised by receiving the award.
“This prestigious award is a great acknowledgment of all my efforts. In addition, it recognises the quality of the research process, supervision and research outcomes at UQ Business School.
“I am thankful to my principal advisor, Associate Professor Jay Weerawardena, and associate advisor Associate Professor Martie-Louise Verreynne, for their invaluable support and guidance right throughout my PhD candidature,” she said.
