Research projects

Current Staff & Student Research Projects

Innovation performance and sources of knowledge. A study of the UK Community innovation survey. Marion Frenz, Birkbeck University of London and Grazia Ietto-Gillies, London South Bank University

The study analayses two main categories of knowledge sources and their impact on the innovation performance of enterprises: own generation through R&D versus knowledge transfer via: bought-in resources for innovation purposes; external collaborations on R&D; and internal sources within the company. The national and international dimensions of the internal networks and of the external collaborative agreements are explored. Data from two UK Community Innovation Surveys (CIS 3 and 2) are used and econometric methods based on time-lagged data are applied.

Conceptual issues in the development of internationalization indices. Grazia Ietto-Gillies, London South Bank University

The last couple of decades have seen several attempts at developing indices of internationalization usually involving specific empirical applications.Indices are constructed and estimated with reference to countries or companies. The UNCTAD micro and macro indices published now for many years in the 'World Investment Report' have been widely used. This project follows on earlier work by the author. It aims to consider the conceptual basis of a variety of indices and to analyse their applicabilty and possible policy implications in the light of concepts underpinning the empirical results.

A Scholarly infrastructure for the XXI century: how to use the new technologies to arrive at better interaction of researchers and evaluation of research papers. Grazia Ietto-Gillies, London South Bank University

The last few years have seen an increasing amount of research into issue of evaluation of research output. This project aims first to review some criticisms of the Peer Review (PR) system for the evaluation of academic works. The critiques are grouped into efficiency and effectiveness criteria. It then goes on to analyse the roles of PR and how good the system is at fulfilling those roles. The paper then develops and proposes an alternative system for evaluation of academic works which makes a better use of new technologies of information and communication.

Different models of health care deliveries in the UK: a critical analysis. Grazia Ietto-Gillies, London South Bank University

Recent developments in the British National Health Service have prompted an increase in discussion around various models of deliver. This project aims to analyse the issues around the models on the basis of distinction between funding and provision systems. Some international comparisons.

The Trade Union impact upon Work Life Balance, a study of the effectiveness of trade union interventions in the area of work life balance. Mike Rigby & Fiona O'Brien Smith, London South Bank University

Despite government exhortation and legislation, progress in improving work life balance in UK companies appears to be slow. Even where companies have introduced flexible working policies, take up by staff has often been disappointing. The role of trade unions in improving this situation would appear to be important. Both the 1998 and 2004 WERS surveys found work life policies were more likely to exist in firms where unions were recognized.

This study examines union approaches to work life balance in two sectors - retail distribution and the media. It seeks to identify the effectiveness of union strategies in improving the balance of members, the problems they face in this area and a number of success cases where union intervention has been proved significant.

The research is funded by the British Academy.

The Role of Accountants in providing HR/Employment advice to small firms

This project, carried out by Mike Rigby and Robin Jarvis, examines the role of Chartered Accountants in relation to the provision of support to small firms in the areas of Human Resources and Employment. The project involves interviews with Chartered Accountants to identify how they support small firms in this area, the resources they use and how these can be improved. It is funded by the ACCA.