RSS 1.0Business, Management, Accounting and Finance
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Institutional complexity and contestation in a local policing collaboration tackling exploitationPolicing in England and Wales is struggling to adapt to meet the modern challenges faced by our communities. Policing culture is often seen as part of the problem, contributing to an ongoing ‘permacrisis’. This case study of a local multi-agency partnership addressing exploitation adopts a critical realist philosophy to the entrenched perspectives of police and partners on the frontline of public services. Considering the national recognition of increasing workloads related to vulnerability and the need for more collaborative working arrangements, this case study offers insight into the institutional complexity of everyday multi-agency community safety work. An insider-researcher employs thematic analysis of partners' interview data to identify three core institutional logics, revealing that tension exists within local police as much as between police and partners. A dominant cultural stance founded on the logics of managerialism and criminal justice is uncovered, underpinning sense-making and framing practices that prioritise efficiency through specialisation and simplistic victim-offender dichotomies. The implicit theories and mental schemata within these logics impede meaningful system-wide efforts to protect some of society’s most vulnerable. Further exploration indicates that an institutional tendency towards clarity, directness, and simplicity underpins both logics, which hinders the capacity to address increasingly complex issues such as exploitation. However, a strategic logic is also observed in use by officers and partners, which, based on a broader view of the police role in society, is equipped with a wider range of mental frameworks to understand complex problems. This naturally leads to valuing a greater variety of options and responses as part of an extended, systemic mental model of public protection. Being subordinate to the dominant logics in a centralised bureaucracy, its practice is hindered and thus its impact limited; nevertheless, it holds promise as a model for policing to address the challenges of modernity better. The institutional logics and complexity approach helps shift the discourse around police reform away from simplistic discussions of values, standards, or leadership towards a deeper understanding of the institutionalised nature of police practice, and why it has proved so resistant to change.
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The role of grievance redressal mechanisms and sociopsychological factors in fostering trust in cryptocurrency and investment behavioursThis study develops a model for understanding the key contextual factors that will foster public trust in cryptocurrency and ultimately investment in it. Specifically, this study tests whether the regulatory factor of grievance redressal mechanism, the social factor of (mass)media influence and psychological factor of perceived integrity of crypto-asset merchants are essential to building public trust in cryptocurrencies and, in turn, willingness to invest. Primary data were collected to test the model using advanced regression analytics. We find that all the identified factors are positively associated with public trust that, in turn, positively predicts cryptocurrency investment intentions. Additional analysis reveals that trust plays an important mediating role. The originality and value of study lies in empirically providing evidence on the contextual and proximate antecedents of trust-building in cryptocurrency, which assists this digital currency ecosystem in designing strategies and interventions that should promote and sustain public interest and trust in the digital asset.
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An elite perspective on interviewing entrepreneurs – methodological considerations for the entrepreneurship fieldPurpose: Elite interviewing is a well-established area of interview research methods. Nevertheless, the actual casting of an “elite” has been generally conducted in a prima facie or broad manner. A consideration of entrepreneurs and owner-managers as “elites” has been less profiled and received less attention, therefore the paper views the entrepreneurs and owner-managers as constituting a form of “local elite” within given and varying sectorial, regional and community boundaries. The authors argue that a consideration of entrepreneurs as “local elites” and transferring knowledge from an elite interviewing perspective may strongly support scholarly research in the entrepreneurship field. Design/methodology/approach: The study conducts a comprehensive narrative literature review of elite interviewing literature and transfers key methodological insights to the entrepreneurship field. The methodological contribution based on literature is complemented by experiences and observations from an extensive inductive interview study with over 30 entrepreneurs of German manufacturing Small and Medium-sized Entities (SMEs) and are used to reflect on, and refine, interview research approaches with entrepreneurs. Findings: The reflections and discussions in this paper provide valuable insights for other researchers conducting research in entrepreneurship domains regarding the power dynamics of negotiating access, procedural issues of interviews and thereby enhancing the quality of data. Originality/value: The contribution to knowledge is mainly of a methodological nature. While the paper takes a novel act of recasting elite interviewing in the SME and entrepreneurship context, the paper methodologically contributes to the entrepreneurship and elite interview literature thereby facilitating higher quality interviews.
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Climate change readiness in Arab universities: Policy paths for the future of climate actionClimate change is a growing global crisis with far-reaching implications for environmental, economic, social, and public health stability. The Arab region, comprising 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), faces unique challenges due to its arid climate, limited freshwater resources, and reliance on climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture and energy. Rising temperatures, intensified heatwaves, and increasing water scarcity have already begun to disrupt ecosystems, exacerbate food insecurity, and challenge the region’s socio-economic development. Given the region’s projected population growth and the expected decline in agricultural productivity, it is crucial to identify sustainable pathways to address these interconnected crises. Universities, as key institutions of knowledge, research, and societal engagement, hold significant potential in tackling climate change and driving adaptation and mitigation strategies. This paper examines how Arab universities can contribute more effectively to climate action, focusing on their roles in research, curriculum development, sustainable campus operations, and community outreach. Through a combination of PEST (Political, Economic, Social, and Technological) analysis, expert surveys, and Policy Pathways Mapping, the study assesses the factors influencing the ability of Arab universities to engage in climate change initiatives. It identifies key barriers, including inadequate funding, fragmented research efforts, and weak policy integration, as well as opportunities for improving institutional responses to climate challenges. The paper proposes strategic policy pathways that emphasize the importance of regional collaboration, sustainable financing, and the integration of climate change into educational frameworks. It further outlines actionable recommendations for enhancing universities' roles in climate change mitigation and adaptation, such as fostering interdisciplinary research, expanding climate literacy, adopting green campus practices, and strengthening community engagement. By implementing these policy pathways, Arab universities can become critical drivers of change in the region’s climate response efforts, advancing both national and global climate goals. The paper concludes with a call for a comprehensive, coordinated approach to align higher education institutions with climate action frameworks and policies, ensuring that universities fulfill their potential as leaders in climate resilience and sustainability.
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Charitable organisations and ambidexterity: implications for charity sector leadersPurpose: This paper is an outcome of professional doctoral research into charitable organisations and ambidexterity. The study aims to offer a new contribution to the organisational literature on charity and organisational ambidexterity through determining key components of organisational ambidextrous design in the delivery of social mission. Design/methodology/approach: The research was conducted using a mono method, in the form of 14 semi-structured interviews with executive members of UK-based charities in the disability, health or social care arena. Analysis took place through a reflexive thematic analysis process. Findings: Findings culminated in eight key components for the application of organisational ambidexterity in charity. Research limitations/implications: The research advances prior debates, relating to charities and organisational ambidexterity respectively, and develops previous associated research on organisational ambidexterity and public enterprise. In doing so, it proposes a new framework model of eight components for ambidextrous working in charity. Findings are based on a small purposive research sample and are embryonic, meaning that there is opportunity for this field of study to evolve and mature over time. Practical implications: The paper points to clear evidence of organisational ambidexterity represented in multi-dimensional structural models, culture, systems and strategy, which has resulted in a model of components for ambidextrous working relevant to the charity sector. Social implications: Research within this paper provides awareness and new knowledge for charity sector leaders and managers in the achievement of social mission. Originality/value: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper represents the first scholarly research conducted into organisational ambidexterity applied to private charities in the UK.
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A review of the basic elements, organizational and theoretical foundations of work-based learning (WBL) in the higher educationThe aim of the study is to review basic elements, organizational and theoretical foundations of work-based learning (WBL) in the higher education, based mostly on the experience of higher education institutions in the United Kingdom. Methodology and research methods. The methods of system and comparative analysis, synthesis and generalization are used. Results . This review article summarizes briefly: the social attributes of students who prefer to complete WBL programs; relevant requirements of employers to the quality of training; a new university policy on the management of training, and its contribution to the creation of innovative educational environment at workplaces; overcoming challenges when establishing long-term partnerships between universities and enterprises; organizational and theoretical foundations of the WBL study programs. A number of critical remarks on WBL study programs are being analyzed. Authors make a point about the importance of a transdisciplinary shell framework to facilitate learning driven by the interests of the learner(s). When carrying out the review, authors refer also to the experience of other English-speaking countries (Australia and the USA), which also successfully develop the concept under consideration. Scientific novelty . For the first time an analytical review of basic elements, organizational and theoretical foundations of work-based learning (WBL) in the higher education, which is widespread in English-speaking countries over the last 25 years, is presented in the Russian scientific literature in education. Practical significance. The materials provided in the article can be useful to managers and teachers of higher education institutions, methodologists of higher and vocational education providers and departments of professional development of High-Tech enterprises.
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Reducing quiet quitting in the contemporary workplace: Four focus areasPurpose: This viewpoint paper aims to provide four recommendations to improve belonging and reduce quiet quitting in the contemporary workplace. Design/methodology/approach: This paper synthesises recent academic and contextual literature regarding remote teams, organisational belonging and quiet quitting coupled with the authors’ practical experience as leaders within a multinational organisation and in a university setting. Findings: Four focus areas related to leaders as the lynchpin to improved socialisation, connection and belonging in the workplace and therefore reduced quiet quitting. Originality/value: In the continued contemporary working landscape of remote working, wider workforce demographics and declining organisational engagement, this paper contributes to literature by presenting key focus areas coupled with four practical recommendations for human resource professionals, leaders and organisations to focus on to reduce the risk of quiet quitting.
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Supply chain and digital transformation in the automotive industryThe aim of this thesis is to fill a gap in the literature by evaluating how digitalisation transforms the automotive industry in Germany, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina as the countries move from Industry 3.0 to 4.0. To achieve the research aim, secondary and primary data were collected through multiple choice and open-ended survey questionnaires. The questionnaires were distributed to respondents in three automotive firms and suppliers (Thyssenkrupp Presta, AD Plastik and ASA Prevent). They were recruited using convenience and chain referral samplings. Out of 800 questionnaires, 142 participants responded. Multiple-choice responses were analysed using correlation, regression and cross-tabulation analyses. Open-ended texts were evaluated using thematic analysis. The thesis revealed the following findings: firms assist their suppliers in improving digitalisation (backward and upstream supply chain collaboration, including risk sharing and customer focus). Firms are in stage three out of four supply-chain automation stages. However, they are currently in stage four out of six digitalisation stages. Both collaboration and digitalisation levels affect product quality; firms tend to undertake a high level of R&D to enhance new product development through a downstream part of the supply chain collaboration. Collaboration is regarded vital for vertical and horizontal integration. Collaboration and customer focus are the most important aspects in implementing digitalisation; the advantage of electric vehicles is energy conservation by steering away from fuel and oil. Unfortunately, they also emit toxic battery waste, leading to environmental degradation. Moreover, the growth of the vehicle charging stations infrastructure has not kept pace with the growth of electric vehicles; digitalisation has transformed the labour market. It has abolished conventional labour. However, education and training are not consistently conducted at all levels in companies. The findings contain strategic implications for the industries to upskill the labour force to enhance digitalisation, supply-chain automation and AI skills facing Industry 4.0.
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Outsourcing marketing - the why, the what, the how, and the so whatThe focus of this research was to explore the drivers, processes and measurement protocols for the outsourcing of marketing, through the lens of both experienced client side and supply-side marketers. Here, the ultimate aim was to arrive at some decision-making best practices that can enhance the way in which organisations choose to engage (or not) in the outsourcing of marketing.
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Exploring future scenarios for strengthening science, technology, and innovation collaboration between Egypt and BRICS countriesIn this study, the potential enhancement of science, technology, and innovation (STI) collaboration between Egypt and the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) and new members (Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE) is analyzed by scenario analysis until 2040. It highlights the significance of Egypt's recent BRICS membership in 2024 and its alignment with the country’s Vision 2030. The study identifies key drivers for STI collaboration, including government policies, economic and investment factors, technological capacity, and the private sector’s role. The paper employs a methodology combining literature reviews, expert inputs, and scenario writing to develop three future scenarios: strategic partnership (“Green Zone”), full integration (“BRICS Harmony”), and limited engagement (“Narrow Path”). These scenarios reflect varying degrees of cooperation, driven by economic, political, and technological factors. These scenarios envision varying degrees of cooperation based on economic, political, and technological factors, with a focus on creating a sustainable, innovation-driven economy in Egypt. The paper emphasizes the importance of building robust international partnerships, investing in technology, and developing research infrastructure to enable Egypt to maximize the benefits of its BRICS membership and strengthen its role in the global digital economy. Policy recommendations are offered to ensure long-term success, including enhancing public-private partnerships, fostering innovation, and aligning national policies with BRICS standards.
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Nigeria's transition to a circular economy: challenges, opportunities and future perspectivesThe concept of a circular economy (CE) is a sustainable development strategy aimed at minimising waste and maximising resource efficiency. This paper explores the transition towards a circular economy in Nigeria, providing an overview of the challenges, opportunities, and future perspectives. Nigeria is rich in natural resources and has significant economic potential. However, the country faces severe environmental, economic, and social challenges that could be met with a circular economy. Although Nigeria has abundant natural resources and great economic potential, it faces many significant environmental, economic, and social challenges that must be addressed to move to a circular economy as a viable solution. The methods used in research are based on a mixed-methods research approach; the study synthesises findings from a comprehensive literature review, case studies of Nigerian businesses adopting CE practices, and insights from a SWOT analysis conducted in consultation with experts. The conclusions of the SWOT analysis, enriched by discussions with experts, form the basis for a set of targeted recommendations. These recommendations are aimed at policymakers, business leaders, and practitioners, outlining strategic actions to overcome the identified barriers and harness the opportunities inherent in a circular economy. This paper contributes to the scholarly discourse on sustainability and serves as a practical guide for other developing countries navigating the transition to a circular economy. It underscores the urgency and feasibility of adopting circular economy principles in Nigeria, highlighting the path towards a more sustainable, efficient, and economically robust future. In the study, prospects for Nigeria to benefit from include increased resource efficiency, job creation, economic diversification, and environmental sustainability if the circular economy approach were applied.
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The circular blue economy in Egypt: opportunities for regional cooperation and integration with Mediterranean countries for sustainable developmentThis study examines the possibility of the Circular Blue Economy in Egypt to support sustainable development and the usage of its renewable resources, focusing on possibilities for regional collaboration, particularly in the Mediterranean region. The study's methodology was an analysis of missing policies, identifying key actors, and an expert survey to identify future collaborations and opportunities, which included 20 experts from diverse sectors. Current policies in Egypt (e.g., Egypt Vision 2030) and the Mediterranean region were analyzed against the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 14) and regional initiatives such as BLUEMED and SwitchMed, highlighting shortcomings in cooperation, investment, and environmental measures. The main parties, including the Egyptian government, the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), the private sector, and local communities, were grouped according to their level of interest and influence. Findings indicate that Egypt's strategic location and extensive coastline are suited to drive regional efforts in maritime tourism, aquaculture, and maritime transport. Yet, problems, including marine litter and underfunding, continue. Experts also support the creation of regional cooperation platforms and joint pollution monitoring systems. The paper concludes with policy recommendations to integrate circular economy concepts into government strategies, strengthen collaboration across the region, and establish a collaborative and innovation-based ocean governance model. The paper presents new ideas to support regional integration and suggests additional studies on sustainable financing mechanisms.
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Purification of olive mill waste: a circular economy model for the Mediterranean regionWhen olive mill wastewater is given directly to nature without being treated, natural waters become coloured, aquatic life is adversely affected, surface and underground waters are polluted, bad odours occur, and soil quality deteriorates. For these reasons, waste water is not allowed to be poured into soil and water without being discharged. This problem has become a problem that needs to be solved for the Mediterranean countries. With this study, acid cracking and chemical treatability studies achieved the conversion of the physicochemical pretreatment process of olive black water to an automation system. With the applied processes, removal efficiencies of 85% for Chemical Oxygen Demand, 99% for suspended solids, 97% for oil grease and 92% for phenol were obtained. Since the mixing processes of the tanks in the chemical additions are long, the heating chamber in the acid cracking process is designed larger than the tanks. Thus, when there is a black water density in the system, the heating tank in this system can be used as a heating and resting tank in sudden densities in this system. This waste separation process includes producing raw materials, protecting natural resources, and increasing sustainability. In particular, separating the phenol material and making it usable have been essential gains.
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Policy options in accelerating circular economy adoption in the Gulf countriesThe transition to a circular economy is a pivotal step for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, given the growing environmental challenges, scarce resources, and the urgent need to diversify economies away from hydrocarbon dependence. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of policies to accelerate the adoption of the circular economy in the Gulf countries based on a multi-dimensional analytical framework encompassing Social, Technological, Economic, Environmental, and Political (STEEP) aspects. Drawing on consultations with regional experts and specialized researchers, numerous case studies, and global best practices. The study reviews a set of proposed policies to accelerate investment in the circular economy in the Gulf countries. These include various tools such as investment in clean technology, strong political support, and the establishment of circular funds. It also reviews the challenges and outcomes of recycling, stimulates legislation, and reduces traditional consumption patterns. The study also presents a "causal loop diagram" (CLD) highlighting the dynamic interactions and feedback influencing the transition to a circular economy. The findings emphasize the importance of aligning regulatory policies, providing financial incentives, developing circular infrastructure, and enhancing community awareness. The study concludes by proposing six actionable policy options constituting a roadmap tailored specifically to the Gulf context, contributing to integrating circular economy principles into national development strategies. It contributes to the sustainable development literature by proposing realistic and effective policies that enable Gulf countries to lead in circular innovation and low-carbon growth. It further contributes to the growing discourse on sustainable development by offering actionable, context-sensitive policy recommendations for fostering a resilient and circular Gulf economy.
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Investigation of corporate sustainability performance data and developing an innovation-oriented novel analysis method with multi-criteria decision making approachThis study addresses the growing importance of integrating innovation into corporate sustainability strategies by examining the financial and environmental performance of ten firms listed on the Borsa Istanbul Sustainability Index over a five-year period. The main objective is to develop and test a novel, data-driven analytical framework that reduces reliance on subjective expert judgments while providing actionable insights for sustainability-oriented decision-making. Within this framework, the entropy method from the Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) approach is first applied to calculate the objective weights of sustainability criteria, ensuring that the analysis is grounded in real performance data. Building on these weights, an innovative reverse Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) model, implemented through a custom artificial neural network-based software, is introduced to estimate direct influence matrices and reveal the causal relationships among criteria. This methodological advance makes it possible to explore how environmental and financial factors interact with R&D expenditures and to simulate their systemic interdependencies. The findings demonstrate that R&D serves as a central driver of both environmental and financial sustainability, highlighting its dual role in fostering corporate innovation and long-term resilience. By positioning R&D as both an enabler and outcome of sustainability dynamics, the proposed framework contributes a novel tool for aligning innovation with strategic sustainability goals, offering broader implications for corporate managers, policymakers, and researchers.
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The impact of neoliberalist government reform and regulatory oversight on private training providers in the UK technical education sectorPurpose: Adopting the lens of ambidexterity, this paper examines decision-making within private technical education providers as they attempt to meet workforce and UK government training demands against a backdrop of unprecedented pace of global change in technology. Design/methodology/approach: Qualitative data, drawn from semi-structured interviews of participants within a private training provider, was analysed thematically to investigate common patterns, clarify understanding and identify development areas to inform government bodies and private provider apprenticeship delivery practices. Findings: The findings reveal the extent to which neoliberalism is potentially undermining technical education reform and increasing regulation whilst decreasing trust and reducing authentic partnerships between key stakeholders, together negatively impacting ambidextrous decision-making. Research limitations/implications: This study is limited by the use of a monolingual, monocultural sample; therefore, a broader cross-section of respondents from a wider range, size and geographical location of training providers may result in a deeper understanding of the varying tensions and challenges associated with technical education reform. Practical implications: This work seeks to inform policymakers of the wider consequences of neoliberalism and provide recommendations for government bodies and technical training providers to work collaboratively in seeking solutions to the barriers in delivering vocational training fit for a future-proof workforce. Originality/value: This paper builds on a limited body of research examining the dual impact of once in a lifetime technological challenges and the consequence of neoliberalism upon ambidextrous decision-making within private providers of post-16 technical education.
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An investigation of the effects of retinoids and mesenchymal stem/stromal cell secretomes on embryonic stem cellsGastrulation is a landmark event in early embryonic development that marks the formation of the three germ layers. Spatiotemporal activation of retinoic acid receptors (RAR) α, β, and γ is crucial for proper embryonic development. In addition, mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) secretomes encompass trophic biological factors that provide global signalling pathways capable of regulating immature cell types via paracrine activities. The overall aim of this study was to explore (i) the influence of ATRA and highly selective agonists and antagonists for RARα and RARγ in the regulation of gastrulation and (ii) how the paracrine activity of MSCs regulates immature cell types during development. Transcriptome analysis conducted on a pre-existing mouse ES cell gastruloid dataset (Rossi et al., 2021) revealed the level of expression of RARα and RARγ in developing gastruloids identified heterogeneous cell types. UMAPs showed that mRNA RARα expression was ubiquitous. In contrast, RARγ mRNA expression was restricted to primitive cell types and strongly associated with the expression of stem cell markers, namely Pou5f1 (Oct4), Nanog, Sox2, Sox1, and Tbxt (Brachyury) at days 4, 5, and 6 of gastruloid development. Immunofluorescence (IF) revealed presence of RARα and RARγ in mouse ES cells, both primarily localised within nucleus, with some detected in the cytoplasm. Treatment of mouse ES cells with RARγ agonist significantly reduced ES cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas RARα agonism mirrors control effect. Additionally, WNT-induced gastruloid axial elongation was blocked by ATRA and RARγ agonist treatment. Conversely, 10 nM RARα agonist treatment slightly enhanced elongation, though not statistically significant. Surprisingly, 100 nM RARα agonist disrupted gastruloid elongation. Co-addition of RARγ antagonist to override the effect of ATRA blockage showed marginal effect. Serum-supplemented and serum-free (sf) MSC conditioned medium (CM) bound to the culture substratum had no significant impact on ES cell proliferation but was marginally better than control. 24 h serum or serum-free MSC CM had a comparable effect on ES cell proliferation to their respective control conditions, whereas late harvested MSC CM (48 h and 72 h) inhibited ES cell proliferation. Proteomic analysis of sfMSC CM identified 38 proteins consistently secreted across 48 h sfMSC CM triplicate samples. GO revealed enrichment in excreted factors and extracellular factors, while KEGG pathways identified 12 associated biological processes. STRING analysis revealed a complex, functionally interconnected protein-protein interaction (PPI), highlighting sfMSC secretome coordinated functional roles. Investigation of the paracrine activity of 48 h sfMSC secretomes on mouse ES gastruloids revealed induction of gastruloid elongation structure, albeit at ~58% frequency. Overall, the studies presented in this thesis have made use of a highly tractable gastruloid system to show that signals provided by RARα and RARγ, WNT/β-catenin, and extracellular signalling as provided by paracrine activities of MSC secretomes are integrated to mediate events during gastruloid development.
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Adapting scenario planning to create an expectation for surprises: Going beyond probability and plausibility in risk assessmentThe need for risk assessments to take full account of uncertainty by going beyond probability and creating an expectation for surprises has recently been highlighted in this journal. This paper sets out an adaptation to the Intuitive Logics (IL) scenario-planning method that assists risk assessors to achieve this aim. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this adaptation through a controlled experiment. The controlled experiment took the form of a simulated IL scenario-planning exercise in which individuals assigned values representative of extreme outcomes to sets of simple and more complex clusters of driving forces under three experimental conditions representing alternative uncertainty expressions (‘probable’, ‘plausible’, and ‘surprising’). The values assigned in the ‘probable’ and ‘plausible’ conditions were not significantly different from each other. However, the ‘surprising’ condition resulted in the assignment of more extreme values than either of the other two conditions. The complexity of a set of clustered driving had no effect. A follow-up analysis showed that participants interpreted the words ‘probable’ and ‘plausible’ similarly. This is problematic for scenario methods like IL, which are claimed to stretch consideration of the future’s potential extremity beyond what it would be using probability by instead employing plausibility. Yet, if participants interpret ‘probable’ and ‘plausible’ similarly, then using plausibility instead of probability will not stretch their thinking as desired. By adapting IL in the simple way this paper outlines, scenario planning can assist risk assessors to go beyond both probability and plausibility, thereby taking fuller account of uncertainty and improving anticipation of surprises.
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Enabling organisational congruency? A critical examination of character, culture and strategic intent at the University of ChesterHigher Education (HE) in England has been subject to significant change over the past 20 years, with most recent concerns including the sector’s long-term future as financial pressures reach a critical point in many institutions. Set against a challenging, arguably neoliberal environment, and using a mixed methods approach, I critically examine the character, culture and strategic intent of one university – the University of Chester (UoC). As an insider researcher, and through utilising an adapted version of the Organisational Character Index (OCI) (Bridges, 2000) with 75% (n=47) of UoC middle managers, I assert that the organisational character type for UoC is ISTJ and the organisational shadow is ENFP. Using this data, alongside analysis from an in-depth interview with the current Vice Chancellor, three key contributions to knowledge are noted; 1) A proposed model of character influence on organisational congruence; 2) The novel application of the Organisational Character Index to a university; and 3) The important identification of the ambivert organisation. Recommendations for germane training and development are offered for UoC, alongside opportunities for further research.
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Coaching for wellbeing and engagement in contemporary work environmentsWellbeing and engagement in the workplace have been on the decline since 2020. This decline is attributed to factors such as economic instability, technological change, demographic shifts and new workplace settings employees and employers are experimenting with. This atmosphere continues to challenge employers and employees. Increased levels of flexibility and autonomy bring benefits and simultaneously pose heavy demands on workforces and companies. Upskilling workforces and leaders to better navigate these new work environments is indispensable. Extant literature acknowledges a decline in wellbeing and engagement but is inconclusive about what skills are required to equip the future workforces. Workforces have a strong desire in keeping the benefits flexibility and autonomy offer despite the negative impacts likewise evidenced. Leaders play an important role in shaping workplaces and in supporting their workforces. Synchronously, leaders themselves must develop new skills and drive the cultural and technological transformation of their organisations. This research project aims to provide more clarity about the specific skills leaders require to navigate these ambivalent dynamics and complex workplace situations. Furthermore, the role of coaching in these evolving workplace settings is investigated. A multimethod approach is deployed, comprising an online questionnaire to the researcher’s client base in Germany and England, her network on LinkedIn, and two focus groups to further reveal latent themes developed in the online questionnaire. Reflexive thematic analysis is used to develop themes from both datasets to answer the research questions posed. The findings of this research project add knowledge to existing literature about the growing importance of flexibility and autonomy for workforces, the ambivalent nature flexibility and autonomy entails, and how wellbeing and engagement can be negatively impacted by these paradoxical dynamics. Insights are added about the interrelatedness of competing interests and the impact an individual’s decision can have on the collective causing friction at task and at people level. A deeper understanding is provided for work process adaptation to alleviate workloads and time spent in meetings, paired with suggestions on how to humanise workplaces dominated by technology. Additionally, the findings present recommendations for practitioners to better balance ambiguities and paradoxical needs of new work. Ideas are proposed to re-design learning and leadership development programmes to upskill employees in organisations so they can benefit from the gains of flexible work arrangements and mitigate the deficiencies. A conceptual model synthesises the contributions made and exposes the unique skills combinations from the findings to support wellbeing and engagement in contemporary workplaces. A 4-phase framework is offered to practitioners to support reflections and facilitate skills transitions to the workplace. The findings and recommendations developed from the data are applicable to specific sectors including the automotive industry and their suppliers.
