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Business as usual for top UK Universities

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A new report highlighting the impact that university business schools are having on businesses and industry has been released by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

The report aimed to understand how social science is influencing and improving business, and the mechanisms that researchers are using to help create and encourage impact and innovation.

The authors of the report looked at the Business and Management schools of three Higher Education Institutes; Lancaster University, Cardiff University and Warwick University. They found that the research coming from the schools has helped businesses in many different ways.

Social science researchers at Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) for example have formed extensive links with businesses and companies in their local area. Through the Leading Enterprise and Development (LEAD) programme, the University increased the productivity and sales of 250 local companies. The leadership programme included a series of workshops, masterclasses, lectures and networking events, which helped managers increase their profitability and grow their business. Out of 110 businesses surveyed, around half indicated an increase in sales turnover since joining LEAD.

Researchers at Lancaster University have also engaged with businesses through KwikScreen, a small young organisation making retractable walls mainly for the NHS. The company has enjoyed considerable success in reducing infection in hospital wards and driving down costs to the NHS. KwikScreen was originally hosted by The Work Foundation (TWF), a registered charity and think tank wholly owned by Lancaster University.

Researchers at Cardiff Business School on the other hand have contributed to significant developments in the sustainable production of motor vehicles. Working with both UK-based and international firms, the researchers have developed a model for sustainable car manufacture which involves the use of more lightweight, durable and sustainable materials. The model has already been adopted by the company Axon Automotive.

Warwick University Business School has formed extensive links with businesses through their Knowledge Innovation Network (KIN), an exclusive membership network which aims to promote and support collaboration between academics and businesses when doing research. They have also worked with a large transport company, MAN Trucks to improve their service networks and supply chains. As a result MAN Trucks has improved its customer experience through a better service network, raising levels of satisfaction and increasing its customer retention.

Universities and Science Minister David Willetts said: "This report shows that Business Schools are not only important sources of academic research, but also play a vital role in stimulating growth in their local economies."

"It demonstrates the real impact social science research can have on improving products, management practice, cost savings and supply chains within businesses. I encourage businesses to extend their collaboration with researchers, taking advantage of existing support such as Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and Innovation Vouchers."

Paul Boyle, Chief Executive of ESRC said: "Engaging with the business community is a key priority for the ESRC and I am pleased to see the excellent work that business schools across the UK are doing in supporting their local businesses, and providing much needed growth in the economy."

ESRC Press Office:

Notes for editors

  1. This release is based on the findings from Evaluating the Business Impact of Social Science report carried out by Professor Steve Johnson, Professor Kevin Orr, Professor Shona Bettany, Louise Sturgeon-Adams, Matthew Terry and Rose-Marie Smith of the Hull University Business School and Department of Social Sciences, with Cloud Chamber.
  2. The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is the UKs largest organisation for funding research on economic and social issues. It supports independent, high quality research which has an impact on business, the public sector and the third sector. The ESRCs total budget for 2012/13 is £205 million. At any one time the ESRC supports over 4,000 researchers and postgraduate students in academic institutions and independent research institutes.

Susie Watts 
Email: susie.watts@esrc.ac.uk 
Telephone: 01793 413119

The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

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Economic and Social Research Council