Mapping Precariousness, Labour Insecurity and Uncertain Livelihoods: Subjectivities and Resistance

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from SAGE Publications via the DOI in this record

‘Dances with Daffodils’: Life as a Flower-picker in Southwest England

This is the final version. Available on open access from SAGE Publications via the DOI in this recordPhysically-demanding and low-paid, work in the agri-food sector has been described in the literature as equal measures precarious and exploitative. In order to investigate the everyday realities of a flower-picker’s job we trace Ivan’s journey from a Bulgarian University, to the daffodil fields of Cornwall. Following two rounds of successful promotions, Ivan’s work is no longer governed by the seasonal rhythms of the flower-picking industry. However, as a welfare manager, he now faces hidden and open resistance from other migrant pickers whose work he oversees. Speaking to us at the height of the picking season and having worked seven days a week for months, Ivan is struggling. He has no time to complete his application to remain in the UK and is becoming mindful of the gap between the expectations placed on him by his employer, and the recompense offered in return.British Academy of Managemen

Breaking-up the ‘Precariat’: Personalisation, Differentiation and Deindividuation in Precarious Work Groups

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from SAGE Publications via the DOI in this record.Much-debated and researched, the subject of precarious work remains at the forefront of academic and policy discourses. A development of current interest is the reported growth of employment flexibility and increase in non-standard and atypical work, regarded by some as contributing to the emergence of a class-like ‘precariat’ of insecure and marginalised workers. However, this precariat framework remain largely untested and underexplored. Therefore, using in-depth narratives from 77 semi-structured interviews with workers from groups within the precariat spectrum, we address this gap. Our study finds that cohesion within and between these groups is overstated, and worker collectivisation far from apparent. As a result, this diversity of group dynamics, attitudes and experiences challenges not only negative conceptualisations of the precariat in the literature, but the theoretical validity of the precariat framework itself

Thirdspace: ‘Small circle’ economies

This is the final version. Available on open access from Elsevier via the DOI in this recor

The Future of University or Universities of the Future: A Paradox for Uncertain Times

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Emerald via the DOI in this record.Purpose: Using narratives from leading international academics and commentators, we chart four, possible, ‘universities of the future’ models, and discuss how current university management issues can enable, or hinder them. Methodology: Deploying a Gioia-methodology analysis of 'University of the Future' narratives, we derive 12 categories of institutional properties and, ultimately, four distinct models. Findings: We identify how current, classic and polytechnic institutions can adapt their operations and service delivery in order to transition into future-ready business models. Originality: We interpret the opinions and predictions from world-leading experts in the higher education field in order to present the first, to our knowledge, typology of aspirational university models

A tale of two trusts: case study analysis of bullying and negative behaviours in the UK ambulance service

This is the final version. Available on open access from Routledge via the DOI in this recordThis article analyses the risk to workplace experiences for staff in the UK ambulance service. Adopting a case study methodology following interviews with front-line and management employees, the authors investigated two UK NHS ambulance trusts, Blue Light (N = 1100) and Green Cross (N = 2093) and found that efficiency targets—whether time or ‘dashboard’, increased job demands and reduced resources create a double-whammy effect of heightened claims of bullying and harassment, alongside diminished staff resilience and wellbeing

Enabling circular economy practices in regional contexts: Insights from the UK Southwest

This is the final version. Available on open access from SAGE Publications via the DOI in this recordData availability: The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The full dataset is not publicly available due to restrictions (the containing information could compromise the privacy of research participants).While much research has focused on embedding circular economy (CE) practices in urban contexts, there is growing interest in the opportunities and challenges of rural settings. Adopting a regional lens can account for local knowledge, collective practices and community memory, yet CE conceptualisations often lack both a place-based dimension and a consideration of regional stakeholders. The aim of this paper is to explore the role of various stakeholders, in driving the adoption and implementation of CE practices at a regional level. We do this through engagement with 31 participants from business, governance and community groups in a peripheral region situated in the Southwest of the UK. Using stakeholder theory and thematic analysis of interviews, participant observation and workshop scripts, we identify ‘influencers’ as a key stakeholder group leading the implementation of regional CE goals and practices. Furthermore, we highlight key barriers and enabling factors which underpin interactions among different stakeholder groups and discuss their implications for regional CE transition.Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)Innovate U

The SME paradox? Investigating ill-treatment behaviours in small and medium-sized enterprises in Ireland

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from SAGE Publications via the DOI in this recordThe dynamics of employment relations in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have attracted academic interest since the 1970s. To date, research debates have converged around two competing perspectives extolling either the opportunities, or the exploitation caused by informal working practices in smaller sized firms. Responding to calls for a more balanced and nuanced view, we analyse n = 1764 responses from a nationally representative study of workplace relations in Ireland, specifically focusing on negative behaviours in SMEs. We contribute to bullying and SME literatures by disaggregating the SME label and showing that certain employee groups in medium-sized firms are likely to report higher incidences of ill-treatment than their counterparts in smaller and larger firms. We conclude by making recommendations on how managers, owners and HRM practitioners can use our study’s findings to improve employee experiences and tackle bullying, harassment and other types of ill-treatment in their respective working environments

University–industry collaboration: using meta-rules to overcome barriers to knowledge transfer

This is the final version of the article. Available from Springer Verlag via the DOI in this record.University–industry knowledge transfer is an important source wealth of creation for all partners; however, the practical management of this activity within universities is often hampered by procedural rigidity either through the absence of decision-making protocols to reconcile conflicting priorities or through the inconsistent implementation of existing policies. This is problematic, since it can impede operational effectiveness, prevent inter-organisational knowledge-creation and hamper organisational learning. This paper addresses this issue by adopting a cross-discipline approach and presenting meta-rules as a solution to aid organisational decision making. It is proposed that meta-rules can help resolve tensions arising from conflicting priorities between academics, knowledge transfer offices and industry and help facilitate strategic alignment of processes and policies within and between organisations. This research contributes to the growing debate on the strategic challenges of managing knowledge transfer and presents meta-rules as a practical solution to facilitate strategic alignment of internal and external stakeholder tensions. Meta-rules has previously only been applied in a computer intelligence context however, this research proves the efficacy of meta rules in a university–industry knowledge transfer context. This research also has practical implications for knowledge transfer office managers who can use meta-rules to help overcome resource limitations, conflicting priorities and goals of diverse internal and external stakeholders

Book Review: Academic Writing and Grammar for Students, Alex Osmond

This is the author accepted manuscript