Russell Kinman

The Well‐being of the UK Academy, 1998–2004

Abstract This paper compares the findings of two studies, conducted in 1998 and 2004, of academic staff in British universities. It examines the stability over time of working hours, specific work stressors and levels of psychological distress. Comparisons are also made between the levels of psychological distress currently reported by academic staff and those reported by other professional groups and the general population in the UK. Finally, the paper assesses the extent to which UK universities are meeting minimum health and safety at work standards for the management of job stressors. The findings indicate that: there has been little change in the levels of most stressors experienced over the six year period; the high levels of psychological distress found in the 1998 study are undiminished and exceed those of other professional groups and the population generally; the majority of the health and safety at work standards are not met. Possible implications of these findings for the quality of UK higher education are discussed.

Computer-based support for marketing strategy development

Reports on an investigation of computer‐based support for developing marketing strategy. First, on the basis of a literature study, the nature of marketing strategy development is clarified. The needs for computer‐based support are identified. The status and underlying problems of existing computer‐based information systems for developing marketing strategy are then examined. Finally, a mail questionnaire survey on computer‐based support for developing marketing strategy is discussed. The major issues addressed in the survey were: managers’ needs for computer‐based support in developing marketing strategy; the current provision of computer‐based information systems; and the gaps between the identified needs and current provision. It is believed that this was the first study to use a large‐scale questionnaire survey to explore these issues. The findings provide important evidence and implications for both researchers and designers of computer‐based support for marketing strategy development.

Integrating group Delphi, fuzzy logic and expert systems for marketing strategy development:the hybridisation and its effectiveness

A hybrid approach for integrating group Delphi, fuzzy logic and expert systems for developing marketing strategies is proposed in this paper. Within this approach, the group Delphi method is employed to help groups of managers undertake SWOT analysis. Fuzzy logic is applied to fuzzify the results of SWOT analysis. Expert systems are utilised to formulate marketing strategies based upon the fuzzified strategic inputs. In addition, guidelines are also provided to help users link the hybrid approach with managerial judgement and intuition. The effectiveness of the hybrid approach has been validated with MBA and MA marketing students. It is concluded that the hybrid approach is more effective in terms of decision confidence, group consensus, helping to understand strategic factors, helping strategic thinking, and coupling analysis with judgement, etc.

The Role of Motivation To Learn in Management Education.

As they seek to develop a culture of “lifelong learning”, many UK companies are providing “in‐house” education and training for their employees. Some programmes make use of the techniques of “work‐based” learning to achieve greater synergy between work roles and an academic curriculum. This paper examines the possibility that the main motivational factors for manager participants to undertake and complete one such programme are not necessarily conducive to the most effective forms of learning. It reviews some of the literature focusing upon the motivation and learning styles of mature students, and uses this as a basis for examination of data from questionnaires and semi‐structured interviews with participants administered as part of a longitudinal research programme. Questions are raised about the suitability of the workplace as a site for successful academic learning and the value of such programmes to assist companies to become “learning organisations”.

Small manufacturing businesses: meeting decision support needs

Small businesses play a crucial role in national and local economies, but their problems are not always accorded the same importance as those of larger organisations. Research shows that many small businesses fail from lack of management ability. It has been argued that small businesses can improve their performance and increase their competitiveness with better information and decision support systems (DSS). Study of the few research papers available reveals that the current use of computers in small and medium‐size enterprises (SMEs) is often limited, and geared to operational support rather than managerial decision making. The work discussed in this paper investigated current DSS use in small manufacturing businesses in Bedfordshire, and canvassed the views of managers as to what additional support they most needed. Conclusions are drawn from the results of interviews with managers of six small manufacturing businesses and a large‐scale self‐report survey of Bedfordshire firms.

A framework for a hybrid intelligent system in support of marketing strategy development

A framework for a hybrid intelligent support system is proposed, on the basis of a discussion of the main problems of current computer-based support systems and the roles for computer-based systems in developing marketing strategy. The objectives of the framework are: to integrate the strengths of different support techniques and technologies; to assist strategic analysis; to couple strategic analysis with managers’ judgement; to help managers deal with uncertainty; and to aid strategic thinking. Within this framework, the benefits of different strategic analysis models are combined to offer enhanced support for a logical sequence of strategic analysis, while the advantages of diverse support techniques and technologies are integrated and fitted to support different aspects of the marketing strategy development process. As well as the theoretical basis for the proposed framework, the paper also examines the associated technical issues.

Use of decision support systems in small businesses

The study of recent literature available suggests that current use of computer-based information systems in small businesses is often limited, and geared to operational support rather than managerial decision-making. Little research in the UK has attempted to examine the current level of DSS usage in small businesses, and to investigate the managers’ needs and how their needs could be met by greater, or more appropriate use of Decision Support Systems (DSS). The research reported in this paper investigated the current practice of using DSS in small manufacturing firms in Bedfordshire, UK. It reports the current level of DSS implementation; users’ satisfaction of DSS; the DSS development methods utilised for different decision-making activities in different firms; and gaps between current DSS utilisation and managers’ desired levels of DSS support.

Work-based learning on trial: a partnership with Vauxhall Motors, UK

The need for more flexible patterns of teaching and learning is well recognized both by industry and academic institutions. Leaner, more responsive ‘learning’ organizations require continuing, and more focused education and training for their employees. The development of suitable delivery methods has led to new challenges for higher education, itself involved in significant and continuing change. Integration of the daily experience of employees into the curriculum through work-based learning is one mechanism that might help meet the requirements of both industry and higher education. This paper reports early experiences of delivering an in-house, business studies degree programme to managers in the motor industry, using elements of work-based learning. The appropriateness and effectiveness of work-based learning as a delivery technique, and the strengths and weaknesses of the model in this context are evaluated. It is suggested that there are significant problems that need to be overcome if work-based learning is to reach its full potential. Recommendations for alleviation of the emergent difficulties are provided, and questions for further research are proposed.

Cracking 'open' a learner-centred door : Open learning or just an open question?

SUMMARY In many educational settings a move to more open learning presents difficulties. In the context of ‘massified’ higher education, in a new and impecunious British university, those difficulties are considerable. This paper discusses the problems in attempting to focus learning more upon the student in a popular undergraduate module which introduces the topic of business computing. The changes are described and an analysis of whether greater openness has been achieved is presented. Difficulties in encouraging students to move from a passive model of education are considered. The unexpected changes flowing from withdrawal of academic staff in favour of technical demonstrators are noted. A conclusion is that students, university management and academic staff themselves have reasons to resist greater openness, and that continued rapid change in a climate of stringency also limits the opportunities for innovation. Funding the continued research that is clearly needed will be difficult.