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Follow the LEAD to local success in Lancashire

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A new report highlighting the impact that Lancaster University Management School has had on local businesses and industry has been released by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

The report confirms the extensive links that social science researchers at Lancaster University have formed with businesses. One example from the wide range of leadership and management programmes is the Leading Enterprise and Development (LEAD) programme which 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.

Another successful programme from Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) is the Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIR) programme. The programme began in 2008, assisted by a grant from the ESRC, and the School now plays host to over twenty entrepreneurs, many of whom are longstanding associates of LUMS. Entrepreneurs provide a voice in the School to help better understand the world view of business owner-managers.

Ian Gordon, Senior Teaching Fellow at Lancaster University Management School and Head of Leadership & Management Programmes for SMEs says:

"For the last 10 years the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development at Lancaster University has been deeply involved with the production of research informed programmes for businesses that joins them in their world. This recognition by the ESRC that our work is making a positive contribution to improving the economy is a welcome endorsement of our strategy to engage with business on a local, regional and national basis."

Researchers 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. In return for office space and admin support, KwikScreen collaborated with researchers on a study commissioned by the Intellectual Property Office. The study was an economic and policy analysis of the intellectual property framework around 'design rights'.

Dr Eleanor Hamilton, Associate Dean for Enterprise Engagement and Impact at Lancaster University Management School says: "This report recognises that the strategy of the School reflects its high level of commitment to business impact and that this plays a significant role in its mission, practice and reputation."

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."

The authors of the ESRC report, 'Evaluating the Business Impact of Social Science', looked at the Business and Management schools of three Higher Education Institutes; Lancaster University, Cardiff University and Warwick University. The study aimed to understand the routes through which social science influences business, and the mechanisms that facilitate impact.

ESRC Press Office:

Lancaster University Management School:

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.
  3. Lancaster University Management School, the 2012 THE Business School of the Year, is a triple-accredited, world-ranked management school, consistently among the UK's top ten. Lancaster is among the few leading business schools to combine excellence in research with a student-centred campus, and a full spectrum of undergraduate, postgraduate, PhD and executive programmes. Leadership programmes for multinational companies and outreach provision for SMEs are of equal importance to our mission.

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

The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)