- Warwick Business School's new building has opened. - Several WBS faculty members have recently received external awards and honors for their excellence, including Dean Howard Thomas being honored with the title of ABS Companion. - Professor Lloyd Harris received the AMA Marketing Services Paper of the Year award. - Professor Lucio Sarno received the US-based Centre for Economic Policy Research/ESI 2007 prize for the Best Central Bank Research Paper. - Professor Colin Carnall gave a presentation on Change Management at Arcelor Mittal headquarters that was viewed by 200 executives.

1. Warwick Business School Alumni Association magazine: spring 08

2. Executive Education
Release your potential
Having studied at WBS, you already know the quality of Case study
our expertise and teaching. But did you know that we The benefits of a WBS education, to individuals and to the
have one of the fastest growing executive development organisation, are already visible and will be immense over time.
departments in the UK? Our focus is on providing James McCormac
tailored solutions to our corporate clients and to date Chief Operating Officer, TNT Express
we have developed over 2,500 delegates.
James came to WBS looking for a way to develop a
Developing talent in your organisation common business understanding and language across
We support you in building future business senior management in 26 countries. He wanted a part-
leaders – those currently at or aiming for senior or time residential development programme that would be
executive management level. We listen carefully accredited by a university, making it portable, but also
to your requirements and work with you to design specific to his organisation’s needs. WBS stood out for
development solutions that support your business many reasons, not least for our 5-star academic reputation,
objectives. Our faculty are practitioners who award winning residential facilities, and dedicated
understand the challenges facing global business, so postgraduate teaching complex. But it was our flexibility
you can be sure the learning will be relevant to your and ability to respond quickly to their needs which really
organisation. caught TNT’s attention.
Our clients come from a range of sectors – large
multinationals, UK corporates and not for profit. Whether you are looking for the latest information on a
Recent clients include TNT Express, Lloyds TSB, UBS, particular topic, or are seeking a customised development
Network Rail, Capgemini and Transport for London. programme, make WBS your first choice thought
leadership partner.
W wbs.ac.uk/executive
T +44 (0)24 7652 4395
E execqueries@wbs.ac.uk

3. 3
message from the dean 3
What has been at the heart of position within the upper echelon of European business
WBS and Warwick from the schools with an international profile and global draw.
mid-1960s is academic rigour and
excellence. Our vision and mission In 2007 I had the opportunity to meet with more alumni
as a School is the same as at our than ever before and across the globe – USA, Canada, China
inception – to provide outstanding and Europe to name but a few – it has been my privilege
teaching embedded in research meeting with you all and gaining your invaluable feedback.
excellence. As such, we produce We are committed to relevant lifelong business and
citizens worldwide who not only management education.
become leaders within their
field, but contribute to society and communities. Academia Please take the time to look at our events calendar in the
is an exciting example of this. In this edition of nexus we centre pages and keep informed through our monthly
demonstrate continued investment into aspiring students eNewsletter and online provision. If you’re not receiving
and Faculty appointments which is furthering business and eNews or utilising our online directory, let us know – we are
management teaching and research globally. here to help you become globally connected.
As I am sure you are well aware, I am passionate about the I hope you enjoy the diversity of news in this edition of
investment we provide to our students. More than ever, there nexus and that it will encourage you to engage with us even
is great need for investment in those who want to pursue a more in the year ahead. I wish you every success in your
career in academia and at WBS we facilitate this. For example, endeavours, both professional and personal, in 2008.
I am proud we have one of the leading global doctoral
programmes. More than ever leading business schools need
to invest in Faculty to ensure we provide the very best in
teaching delivery – from revised curricula, to implementing
new teaching styles, which embrace self-discovery,
technology and blended learning. Building upon this work,
at WBS we are implementing strategies to see us embrace our
contents
4–7 WBS news
8 what drives service success?
6 8
Dr Rhian Silvestro
9 letter from America
Professor Robert W McGee
10 talent wars
Dr Susan Bridgewater
11 message from Marseilles
Professor Walter Baets
12 at the hub
Professor Roger Mumby-Croft
13 notes from Australia
Associate Professor Ian Glendon 2 0
14–15 Event calendar 2008
16 update from Argentina
Dr Andrés Hatum
17 WBS development programme
18–20 40th anniversary global dinners
22–23 UK event reviews, SIGs and regional groups
24–25 alumni news
26 alumni board
27 alumni relations development changes
Front cover: Dr Jungli (Rowena) Wang (PhD 200–06) at summer graduation 2007

4. 4 nexus: spring 08 research review
At the Chartered Lloyd Harris, Howard Davis,
Institute of Professor of Research Manager,
Housing’s annual Marketing Local Government
conference in Strategy, has won the Centre, has been
2007, the then American Marketing awarded a major
Communities Association contract by the
Secretary, Ruth Marketing Services Department for Work
Kelly unveiled Paper of the Year and Pensions to
Martin Cave proposals described Lloyd Harris award for his Howard Davis evaluate the LinkAge
as the widest-ranging published paper: Plus pilot programme.
changes to social housing rules in over 30 Harris, Lloyd C and Emmanuel Ogbonna This is set against the context of meeting the
years. She was responding to a major review (2006), Service Sabotage: A Study of challenges of ageing in the 21st century.
of social housing regulations carried out by Antecedents and Consequences, Journal of the
Professor Martin Cave, Director, Centre for Academy of Marketing Science, 34 (Fall), 543 The programme involves a number of pilot
Management under Regulation (CMuR). – 558. authorities seeking to integrate services
for older people, which will be designed to
Delivering Housing Regeneration: Service sabotage is defined as ‘organisational meet the needs of each local area. It seeks
Communities England and the Future of Social member behaviours intentionally designed to build on effective links between central
Housing Regulation contains proposals to to negatively affect service,’ likely to be government, local authorities and other
create a new housing and regeneration especially damaging not only to service organisations and will be driven by the needs
agency. The consultation document outlines: encounters but to firm profitability and and aspirations of older people themselves.
growth. The survey-based findings largely This is potentially a major contribution to the
• the delivery functions proposed to transfer support the hypothesised antecedents of goal of providing modern, effective citizen-
to Communities England from central service sabotage and highlight that a range centred services.
government of individual characteristics, management
• the portfolio of investment tools proposed control efforts, and perceived labour market
• the new agency’s place making conditions are linked. Further analysis
role; explaining how it will tailor its suggests that such behaviours are associated
interventions to the needs of communities with individual and group rewards, effects for
and seeking views on working with local customers and other performance measures.
partners, including the private sector, to
create vibrant and economically sustainable
places Simon Collinson,
Professor of Paul Marginson Paul Edwards
To see the full report visit International
w tinyurl.com/2t4mny Business and Professor Paul Marginson, Director, Industrial
Innovation, Relations Research Unit, in collaboration with
Professor Andrew launched the AIM Professor Paul Edwards of WBS and colleagues
Sturdy and Nick Executive Briefing at DMU Leicester and King’s College London,
Wylie, IROB group, in September with recently launched the findings from: ‘the
have been awarded Simon Collinson Adapting to the first comprehensive survey of employment
an Economic China Challenge: practice ever undertaken in multinationals
Social Research Lessons from Experienced Multinationals at a operating in the UK.’
Council (ESRC) presentation at the China-Britain Business
grant for a project Council. The briefing was a summary of The survey gathered responses from 302
Andrew Sturdy on internal manage- initial findings from his two-year research firms covering both overseas-owned and
ment consultancy in study in collaboration with Dr Bridgette UK-owned firms who have at least 500
HRM, commencing in July 2008. Sullivan-Taylor, on foreign multinational employees worldwide. In addition, at least
enterprises in China. 100 employees had to be based in the UK
Internal Consultants as Agents of Change: The for overseas-owned MNCs, and at least 100
Redesign of the Human Resource Function in the The unprecedented rise of foreign direct employees in another country for UK-owned
UK will examine how the internal consulting investment into China – now running at MNCs. Analysis is based on extensive face-
model can contribute to the management of over $60 billion a year – has created the to-face interviews with senior HR managers
a firm’s human resources. Through four in- largest array of international mergers and responsible for the UK operations.
depth case studies of internal HR consulting acquisitions, alliances, joint ventures and
in public and private sector organisations, partnerships ever witnessed. The research The survey examines three key aspects of
they will use interviews and observation examines British, European and US firms MNCs in Britain:
to generate insights into management operating in China. There are numerous
consulting, HRM, knowledge transfer and success stories and examples of how these • the strategy, structure and control
organisational change. multinational firms have overcome the mechanisms of companies
challenges to establish profitable businesses. • the structure and role of the HR function
• four areas of employment practice
To download the report
w www.aimresearch.org/executiveseries.html The full report of the survey can be
downloaded at: w tinyurl.com/2pjh4e

5. research review nexus: spring 08 5
The UK Cabinet with the threat of terrorism. The research The project will build on her recent ground-
Office has awarded project, Assessing Organisational Resilience: breaking research, funded by the Leverhulme
Dr Bridgette Sullivan- The Capacity of Organisations to Cope with the Trust, which examined the intricate
Taylor, MSM, Threat or Act of Terrorism, will seek to identify inter-relationships between international
funding for a three- ways in which organisational resilience tourism and terrorism, and how managers
year study to extend in both the public and the private sectors in the travel and tourism sector cope with
her research on might be embedded and enhanced, not least the uncertainties caused by the threat of
how organisations through the transfer of best practice within terrorism.
Bridgette Sullivan-Taylor respond to and deal and between sectors.
hot off the press
Project Management Essentials of Modern Bright Marketing – why
Survival by Richard Spectrum Management should people bother
A D Jones (DLMBA by Martin Cave and to buy from you? is the
1988–93), published Chris Doyle, CMuR, latest book by Robert
by Kogan Page. Offers with William Webb, Craven (MBA 1990–91),
practical advice on Ofcom, published by published by Crimson
getting to the truth of Cambridge University Books. This informal,
a project, developing Press. As regulators interactive book is
a genuinely workable move away from practical and inspiring,
plan and reveals how to traditional spectrum whatever your business
manage people to keep management methods, size – whether you
projects on track. this book pioneers new trade locally, regionally,
W tinyurl.com/2bpvdv ground describing and evaluating modern nationally or internationally.
spectrum management tools. W www.bright-marketing.co.uk
W tinyurl.com/ys4j6n
Advances in
Organisational Smartarse’s
Psychology co-edited Department for Guide to
by Associate Professor Transport: Long Term Organisational
Ian Glendon (MBA Process and Impact Change by HR
1987–88), School of Evaluation of the Local consultants
Psychology, Griffith Transport Plan Policy. George
University, Queensland, Howard Davis, Principal Blair and Sandy
published by Australian Research Fellow, Local Meadows
Academic Press. Government Centre, (BSc ManSci
Includes chapters by has been involved in 1971–74), illustrator Janet Nunn. A humorous,
acclaimed researchers publications concerned practical and deceptively simple guide to well-
on work-family balance, upwards bullying, with future options for balanced and effective organisational change,
wellbeing at work, leadership, teamwork, transport – two projects for the Department aimed at all those who have battled vainly
emotional intelligence and organisational for Transport and one for the Passenger against the inflexibility of big organisations.
justice. W tinyurl.com/256fvm Transport Executive Group. Published by Smartarse Media
w tinyurl.com/295r64
Market Segmentation
The MBA Official Guide Success: Making It BSA Twins – The
Book. Masateru Kato Happen! by Dr Lyndon Essential Buyers guide by
(MBA 2004–05) was a Simkin, MSM, and Peter Henshaw (MAIR
member of the project Professor Sally Dibb, 1984–86), published
team that published Open University, by Veloce Publishing.
this guide to introduce published by The A practical guide to
European business Haworth Press. Explains buying one of these
schools to potential how to create market highly usable classic
Japanese applicants. segments, select which bikes today. Covers the
Masateru’s article consumers or business complete range, from
relates his experience of customers to target, what problems will be the very first 1946 500cc
studying at WBS. Published by Chuokeizai- encountered, and how to overcome these A7 to the final 1973 650cc A65s.
Sya. W www.chuokeizai.co.jp challenges. W tinyurl.com/28vg6z w tinyurl.com/ypjmug
Implementing Information and Consultation: M Terry, Employment Relations Research undertaken by a WBS IRRU-based research
early experience under the ICE Regulations, Series No. 88, Dept for Business, Enterprise team on behalf of the government published
M Hall, S Hutchinson, J Parker, J Purcell and and Regulatory Reform, 2007. A report on the Department’s web site.
W tinyurl.com/37oeb8

6. 6 nexus: spring 08 WBS news
new building opens awards and honours
Members of WBS faculty have recently been recognised externally for
their excellence...
Dean of WBS Howard Thomas has been honoured with the title of ABS
Companion, this title was created to celebrate the 15th anniversary
of the launch of the Association of Business Schools (ABS). Seven
companions in total have been awarded. Besides Howard, two of the
other Companions, Peter McKiernan and Andrew Pettigrew, are former
professors of WBS.
Professor Lloyd Harris has been awarded the prestigious American
Marketing Association (AMA) Marketing Services Paper of the Year
for his majority authored paper entitled Service Sabotage: A Study of
Antecedents and Consequences in the Journal of the Academy of Marketing
Science.
Professor Lucio Sarno has been awarded the US-based Centre for
Economic Policy Research/ESI 2007 prize for the Best Central Bank
Research Paper. Lucio co-authored Asset Prices, Exchange Rates and
the Current Account, looking into the role of asset prices mainly in
comparison to exchange rates as a driver of the US trade balance.
Professor Colin Carnall recently gave a presentation on Change
Management at the Arcelor Mittal headquarters in Luxemburg. Arcelor
Mittal is the world’s largest steel company. Colin’s presentation was not
only viewed by 200 Arcelor Mittal executives but was also web cast to
A landmark event in the history of WBS took place on Saturday 21 their executives globally.
July, as alumni, faculty, retired staff, friends, donors and members
of the School’s advisory boards came together to celebrate the 40th Dr Duncan Angwin has been invited by the UK Management
anniversary. Consultancies Association (MCA) and the Sunday Times to be a judge
for the Consultant of the Year Award.
The second phase of WBS Scarman Road was officially opened by Val
Gooding CBE, CEO of BUPA (BA French Studies 1968–71). Former
Chair and current member of the Board of WBS, Val recalled her time
as a student at Warwick, her pride in being associated with WBS, and
significant role for WBS in
commended the WBS community for their role in creating such a international congress
successful School with an outstanding global reputation for academic
excellence. Speeches by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nigel Thrift, and The success of the 8th European Congress of the International
WBS Founders’ Association member and Chair, Sandy Meadows (BSc Industrial Relations Association, held in the UK for the first time in 30
Management Sciences 1971–74) acknowledged the role endowment years, owed much to WBS. Professor Linda Dickens MBE chaired the
and donations are making to WBS’ vision for future development and organising committee, and major contributions during the Congress
continued success. came from Professor Colin Crouch, Professor Paul Marginson and Dr
Guglielmo Meardi. Last but by no means least, and in keeping with
The Academic Update on Building a Sustainable Future demonstrated its strategy of supporting and encouraging research engagement, WBS
Warwick’s commitment to creating global citizens who can make provided sponsorship awards to enable attendance by 13 doctoral
this a reality. The ‘from global to local’ session featured Professor students and new researchers who came from eight countries.
Nigel Thrift, Vice-Chancellor; Nick Hillard, Environment Officer, and
Professor Peter Mills, Warwick Horticulture Research International.
‘The practitioner debate’ seminars were presented by Dr Henri Winand
(EXMBA 1999–03), CEO, Intelligent Energy; Leigh Chadwick (BSc
8th industrial relations congress
Accounting Financial Analysis 1975–78), Co-owner, Seasalt Cornwall;
and Dr Catherine Mitchell, Principal Research Fellow, CMuR.
Here’s to the next 40 years of innovation, diversity and success!
Watch the official opening ceremony:
w www.wbs.ac.uk/news/features/2007/07/21/WBS/officially/opens
rankings
WBS is now ranked 27th in the world in the WhichMBA?
Economist Intelligence Unit ranking, a rise of 4 places. In the
Financial Times ranking its Full-time MBA is currently 36th in the
world, while its Executive MBA is ranked 23rd.

7. WBS news nexus: spring 08 7
Robert Dyson retires MBA sailing
Robert Dyson, Professor of Warwick MBA students and alumni
Operational Research at WBS, have been involved in international
retired at the end of 2007. Robert sailing regattas and races for some years
began his career at WBS, then now. Read reports of their efforts in the
known as SIBS – School of Industrial Global MBAs Cup, and the Fastnet Race.
and Business Studies – in 1970 as a w tinyurl.com/2ohpt8
lecturer in Operational Research. He
has the currently unique attribute
of heading WBS twice; once as summer graduation
Chairman from 1978 to 1981, and
then as Dean from 1997 to 2000. It Last summer’s Graduation Week was even more of a landmark event
was during his Deanship that WBS than usual, as we not only celebrated almost 900 students successfully
became the first UK business school graduating, but also marked our 40th anniversary, and formally opened
to achieve triple accreditation the latest GBP9million building extension at WBS Scarman Road.
– from the Association of MBAs, the European Foundation for
Management Development, and the US-based AACSB International.
To read more about Robert’s contribution and achievements visit
w www.wbs.ac.uk/news/features
WBS media profile rises again
Media references to WBS for the past 12 months, at 590, were over 18
percent higher than the previous year, placing us again in the top 5
business schools in the UK. Congratulations and thanks to all faculty,
staff, current students and alumni; these contributions helped to
achieve one of our best years ever.
achievements and landmarks
As well as the lovely new building, a number of other ‘firsts’ have
happened at WBS since the last issue of nexus, reflecting the quality
masters in management accreditation
and international character of WBS...
In July, our MSc in Management was given Pre-Experience Masters
in General Management (PEMM) accreditation by the Association
highest number of new undergraduates of MBA’s International Accreditation Advisory Board. The current
PEMM criteria were put together following extensive consultation
Professor Paul Edwards, Associate Dean for the Undergraduate with employers and institutions offering PEMMs.
Programme, reports on recent landmarks in the WBS Undergraduate
Programme: ‘We have just achieved our biggest first year intake
in WBS history. Around 425 new first year students arrived at the
MSc in marketing strategy recognition
start of term to join our main undergraduate degrees. Average entry
Our MSc Marketing Strategy degree has gained Economic and
points exceeded our tough admissions requirements. Across all
Social Research Council (ESRC) recognition, which means that UK
cohorts, we have achieved a perfect 50:50 gender balance, and a
and EU students on this degree are eligible to apply for ESRC-funded
record 71 nationalities from around the world are represented.’
scholarships for the 2009 intake. This degree is also now accredited
by the UK’s Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) accreditation of
CFA accreditation for WBS under- Prior Learning, giving students who have chosen the Marketing and
Communications elective module to gain credit towards the CIM
graduate and masters level degrees Professional Diploma in Marketing.
In September, WBS was awarded the US-based CFA (Chartered
Financial Analyst) Institute Level 1 accreditation for our BSc our DLMBA spreads to a record number
Accounting Finance degree. This achievement means that WBS is
the first business school in the world to enjoy CFA accreditation for
of countries
both Masters-level and Bachelors-level degrees; the MSc Economics
WBS now has candidates from the highest ever number of countries
Finance (now MSc Finance Economics) and MSc Finance
applying for the Warwick MBA by Distance Learning. Four new
degrees were accredited at Levels 1, 2 and 3 in December 2006.
countries are now represented – Balize, Maldives, Morocco and
Nepal, bringing the impressive international list to 57 in just one
Investors recognise the CFA designation as the definitive standard
intake. Across the DLMBA as a whole, over 100 countries are now
for measuring competence and integrity in the fields of portfolio
represented.
management and investment analysis.

8. 8 nexus: spring 08 alumni in academia
what drives service success?
Dr Rhian Silvestro (EMBA 987–9, PhD 99–96) Associate Professor of Operations Management, charts her return to
the theme of service performance measurement.
When the editor invited me to write this of store size: in this industry large stores consultants at face value. Challenging
article for Nexus, I wondered whether she tend to be more profitable than small the received wisdom is healthy and there
knew that this is the 20th anniversary of stores; they are more pleasant places to is always a need to test the precepts of
my career at WBS or whether I just look as shop, but far more stressful as places of management in one’s own organisation.
though I’ve been around for that long! work. So the finding, which went against The results are often unexpected, surprising,
the received wisdom, could readily be even uncomfortable, but once the outcomes
Well, I must say, it doesn’t feel that long ago explained by the management. Yet at the are established, I find managers are often able
since I intrepidly stepped into the Business outset of the research they had fully bought to explain them. And, importantly, this forces
School for my interview. At the time I was into the idea, and indeed it was part of the the organisation to change its management
working at Mitaka Translations as production management rhetoric of the organisation, rhetoric to better match the business realities.
manager. It was a really stimulating business that employee satisfaction drove customer
environment and a typical operations satisfaction which in turn drove store [1] My collaborators on the projects referred to
management ‘hot seat’. I joined WBS as a profitability. in this article include WBS MBA alumni, Stuart
research fellow collaborating on a project on Cross, Michael Pritchard and Tse How (Don)
service performance measurement, and also • In a chain of DIY stores, there was no Low. Publications based on this work can be
took the opportunity of pursuing the MBA. evidence of a link between customer loyalty accessed at: w tinyurl.com/38zzp5
I was keeping my options open in terms of and financial performance: seemingly a
returning to industry: but I’m still here! basic tenet of retail management. Again
management were forthcoming with the author in minute
After completing the research fellowship, an explanation. The profitability of this
the MBA by evening study and delivering my organisation was significantly influenced
first-born (I’ll always remember the delights by product mix, purchasing and store Rhian Silvestro
teaches
of dashing out of my Strategic Management layout: all decisions which were made
operations
exam three times with morning sickness…), centrally rather than by store managers. and service
I became an ESRC teaching fellow in the Furthermore huge supplier rebates based management
OM group and embarked on a PhD. Getting on purchasing volumes had a major impact on a range of
the PhD was also rather a close-run thing on profitability. So again the management undergraduate,
between delivering the dissertation and accepted that customer loyalty and postgraduate
delivering the second baby (my viva being financial performance did not appear to and executive
courses. She
four weeks before my due date). be linked at store level, despite the fact
was formerly
that when the project was being set up production
In more recent years I have returned to they had espoused the view that customer manager at
the theme of performance measurement, satisfaction and loyalty were key drivers of Mitaka, a Far
focusing on understanding the drivers of financial performance. East translation
service performance. The management and printing
literature is laden with assumptions about • In a telecommunications company years company.
what drives service success. Received wisdom of measuring customer satisfaction had Subsequently
she became a
has it that ‘you can’t make happy customers failed to prove a link between customer Research Fellow in the Operations Management
without happy employees’ (founder of satisfaction and financial performance. Group at WBS.
Marriott Hotels), and that satisfied and loyal The management could not understand
customers drive profit and growth. Intuitively why this might be. However, analysis of Rhian has conducted service management
it makes sense; but is it true? the satisfaction data in a slightly different research in a number of large, leading edge
way was revealing: instead of taking organisations including retail companies, banks,
This question has fascinated me and I have mean satisfaction scores we analysed the transport companies and call centres. She has
acted as a consultant to ward managers in NHS
been lucky enough to collaborate on some percentage of dissatisfied customers. This
hospital trusts, as well as NHS Direct, in the area
research studies to investigate these supposed manifested an inverse correlation: revenues of nurse scheduling and the computerisation
performance linkages [1]. Fortunately many fell as dissatisfaction increased; this time of rostering systems. She reviews and referees
of the research outcomes have been counter- an endorsement of the received wisdom. papers for over ten international journals
intuitive and tricky to interpret: so it’s kept Whilst highlighting the importance of ‘top and is a member of the European Operations
me busy for a number of years now. Let me box’ measures of customer satisfaction, Management Association.
outline some of the research findings which this also signals the need for multiple
Her research interests include: service process
whetted my appetite to explore the issues measures of performance in order to
design; process improvement; quality
further: better understand performance linkages in management; performance measurement in
different contexts. service organisations; workforce scheduling;
• In a superstore chain, we found that the health service management.
most productive and profitable stores I believe that the key message here for
generated the lowest levels of employee managers is that they should not take the
satisfaction. This was explained in terms management teaching of academics and

9. nexus: spring 08 alumni in academia 9
letter from America
Professor Robert W McGee (PhD 982–86) is Professor of Accounting at the Andreas School of Business in Florida. Here
he focuses on his business ethics research.
I started teaching here in 2002 after that they seldom give any arguments that highly of the WBS. The continually high
returning from Bosnia, where I was part of will hold up under careful examination. rankings in the various surveys help give the
a USAID accounting reform project. One of Utilitarian analysis refutes most of their school a good image, which benefits us all.
the things I like about Barry University is the arguments and the solutions they suggest
small classes. I know the students by name often require violating someone’s property
and they don’t get lost in the crowd. We or contract rights, which makes their the author in minute
have a fair number of international students, solution unethical automatically.
which adds to the richness and diversity Robert W
of the educational experience. Some have Another issue I am looking at is the ethics McGee teaches
worked in other countries and can bring of tax evasion. Many people think that tax in the Andreas
their experiences into the lectures. evasion is always unethical. But the last School of
500 years of philosophical and theological Business at
Barry University
I have studied a number of business ethics literature make some exceptions. A few years
in Miami,
issues over the years. One common thread ago I ran across a doctoral thesis on the USA. He has
I have found is that many ethics scholars topic that summarised the philosophical published
present arguments that are either emotional and theological literature. I constructed more than 50
or illogical. I try to improve on their analyses a questionnaire based on that thesis and scholarly books
by applying accepted ethical systems to have been distributing it to various groups and more than
various issues. Since most economists ever since. I ask respondents to grade 400 articles,
book chapters
and many lawyers are utilitarians, I feel the arguments on a scale of 1 to 7. Then
and papers in
compelled to apply utilitarian ethics so we I rank them from strongest to weakest. the fields of
will be on the same wavelength. But there What I found is that many people believe accounting,
are several structural flaws with utilitarian tax evasion can be ethical under certain taxation, economics, law, philosophy and ethics.
ethics. There is no way to accurately measure circumstances. The Journal of Business Ethics ranked him No. in
gains and losses, so one must estimate the world for business ethics scholarship. He is
also ranked in the top one-tenth of one percent by
whether the gains exceed the losses. One of the strongest arguments to justify tax
the Social Science Research Network out of more
According to utilitarian ethics, something is evasion is for Jews living in Nazi Germany. than 80,000 scholars worldwide.
ethical if the result is a positive-sum game Other strong arguments are in cases where
and unethical if it is not, so it is necessary to the government is corrupt, where the tax One of his specialties is accounting and financial
estimate whether the gains exceed the losses. system is unfair or where tax rates are too reporting in transition and developing economies.
high. Results differ based on country, gender, He assisted the Armenian finance ministry
age and ethnicity. to adopt International Financial Reporting
Barry University was founded in 1940 and Standards (IFRS), drafted the accounting law for
is located in the suburbs of Miami, Florida, Armenia and Bosnia and reviewed the proposed
I plan to continue to write academic stuff accounting law for Mozambique. He also helped
USA. The Andreas School of Business
and will also start publishing novels. I have upgrade the accounting curriculum in all major
got its name from Mrs D Inez Andreas,
started writing a few already and expect to universities in Armenia and all eight Bosnian
a benefactor. It has 21 full-time faculty
finish one or two manuscripts by the end universities.
and an ethnically diverse student body.
of the year. I would also like to visit one or
Latin American and Caribbean countries Another area of interest is business ethics. His
two new countries each year. I like travel
are especially well represented. It offers general approach is to apply utilitarian ethics and
– it expands my horizons and will give me
bachelors and masters degrees and is rights theory to a variety of ethical issues. One
material for the novels. of his current projects involves survey research
accredited by the AACSB.
on the ethics of tax evasion, gathering opinion
I enjoyed my time at Warwick. Roger data from various countries, ethnic and religious
But an even more important flaw in utilitarian Fawthrop was my thesis supervisor. He spent groups.
ethics is the total disregard of rights. So I most of his career as a practising accountant
He has lectured or consulted throughout North,
supplement utilitarian ethics with rights and rose to a high position at a major British
South and Central America, the Caribbean, Asia,
theory. Most business ethics scholars don’t corporation before switching to academia. Africa, Europe and Australia and is on the summer
use this approach, which is what separates my Coming from a practitioner background faculties of the Copenhagen Business School in
work from that of most others. myself, having Roger as my supervisor was Denmark and Thammasat University in Bangkok.
a good fit. He helped me focus on what was He recently completed a term as visiting research
For example, most economists agree that free important and guided me through every step scholar at the Curtin Business School in Australia.
trade results in a positive-sum game because of the thesis process.
In his spare time he likes to walk on the beach,
the gains exceed the losses. That makes it an play guitar and write novels.
ethical act for utilitarians. Yet many academic I am glad to be a part of the WBS world
papers take the position that free trade is community. It seems that wherever I go I w www.barry.edu/businessundergraduate/
unethical for some reason. The problem is meet Warwick graduates or people who think faculty/mcgee-robert.asp

10. 0 nexus: spring 08 alumni in academia
talent wars
Dr Susan Bridgewater (DLMBA 986–90, PhD 99–95), Associate Professor of Marketing Strategy, examines the
challenges faced by football managers as talent managers and whether there are parallels for other business sectors.
Organisational success increasingly depends
on getting the most out of talented, flexible the author in minute
knowledge workers. WBS developed and runs
a Certificate in Applied Management, funded
Susan Bridgewater was the first DLMBA graduate
by the Professional Footballers Association, for to achieve her doctorate from WBS. Her research
current and aspiring football managers. interests are branding; international marketing;
marketing and strategy in professional sports;
Why is football management a good metaphor football clubs as brands and strategic management
for business? of football.
• Football management is a turbulent career
choice. More than half (47) of the 92 English Susan was previously international brand manager
football league managers were dismissed in with Nairn-Forbo and new products manager,
Unilever. She was Academic Director of The
the 2006 – 2007 season. Football managers
Warwick MBA by distance learning 999–02.
may be held accountable for failing to Susan is now Director of the Certificate course for
deliver results on the pitch which result from football managers and teaches blue-chip clients
resource, governance and other failings of the including Chrysalis, HSBC, Prudential, KPMG, RHM
broader organisation. and the Football Association, League Managers’
Association and the Professional Footballers’
• Football is the ultimate results business; Association.
clear performance measures, scrutinised by
media, fans and other involved stakeholders.
Success or failure may ride on a single match.
£60 million rests on the 90 minute play-off Conversely, high profile players such as Identifying and attracting the best talent
final for the third promotion place from the Bobby Charlton struggled to make the grade Once talent has blossomed, there is a
second to first League. as managers. So how does specialism and competitive market to attract it. In many
talent at the operational level relate to future sectors, the best talent is difficult to attract,
• Success depends on getting others to perform. leadership success? motivate and retain. Football recognises that
Once the players cross the line onto the pitch, the best method of winning the talent wars is
the manager has limited ability to control Some commentators point to the different to identify talent early. This it does through
their performance. requirements of playing excellence, which extensive scouting networks and academy
requires individual skill, and management training. Whilst this has its challenges, it is
• Football managers manage talented excellence which involves bringing the best relatively costly to set up this type of system
individuals with different team roles out of teams of others. Others note that highly and the fail rate is considerable, the discovery
– goalkeeper, defender, midfield or attack. talented individuals may do things intuitively, of raw gems is felt to merit a grassroots
Success depends on all functions delivering whilst the less talented have to develop approach. At what stage should other sectors
and working together. techniques and think through how to deliver. begin their identification and preparation of
The latter may be an advantage in bringing potential talent? Are we leaving it too late and
• Talented individuals can be unpredictable performances out of others and so more likely losing out to competitors?
under match pressure, as seen in red cards to bring management success.
and penalty misses in the heat of the Motivating talented individuals
moment. Do players of some positions make better One football manager described to me an
managers than others? ideal Premiership playing squad as having
• Resources are limited. If a first choice player A well-known football Chairman recently two good players for every position and a
is injured or suspended, the football manager claimed that ‘goalkeepers never make good good youngster coming through, thus three
may have to deploy resources out of position. managers.’ Others maintain that management players for every position. Assuming though
This need for flexibility is not covered well by style relates to the position played, such that that talented individuals have equivalent sized
other business metaphors, such as Drucker’s defenders may be more cautious managers egos, how do you handle the competitive
orchestra, although it is a challenge faced by and strikers bolder and more entrepreneurial. dynamics between these three contenders. If
many businesses. Whilst the data does not show any not handled correctly, the incumbent feels
relationship between playing position and under pressure, the reserve disenchanted and
Football questions which may apply to business football management success, this raises the the rising star tempted to move on to further
broader question of whether business is also first team opportunities. Should we opt for
Do you have to have been an excellent player to subject to this type of lore. Do we tend, for the squad rotation. All then get their chance
be an excellent manager? example, to promote those with customer- to shine, but Claudio Ranieri at Chelsea was
Some of the best known football managers were facing experience over those with technical, nicknamed ‘the Tinkerman’ for his many first-
not high profile players. José Mourinho, Arsène or vice versa? Is this similarly preconception team permutations and squad rotation was
Wenger and Sven Goran Eriksson played only at rather than based on a proven relationship viewed as managerial inability to recognise the
lower league level but are excellent managers. with management success? best line up.

11. nexus: spring 08 alumni in academia
message from Marseilles
Professor Walter Baets (PhD 989–94) is Associate Dean for Research and MBA Director at Euromed Marseille Ecole
de Management. He maintains that complexity theory and quantum mechanics give a completely new insight into
management.
Four years ago I had the opportunity to join a
school in serious turmoil with the ambition the author in minute
of becoming a top European school,
different from the others, which would After 5 years in business (strategic planning
contribute something new to the business and decision support), Walter Baets decided to
community. I joined Euromed Marseille change and join the academic world. A graduate
as Director Graduate Programs, with the in econometrics and operations research from
academic responsibility for all the Masters Antwerp University (Belgium), he was awarded
and Bachelors programmes. I had the unique a PhD from WBS in 994, and defended his
Habilitation thesis at the University Paul Cezanne,
opportunity to take an important and active
Aix-Marseille III.
part in the re-creation of the school’s vision
and its pedagogical approach, based on a He has held academic positions in Belgium, the
more holistic view on management. Netherlands, Spain and is now Associate Dean for
Research and MBA Director at Euromed Marseille
Euromed Marseille undertakes research and Ecole de Management. He has published 0
delivers programmes that aim to enrich the books and more than 50 academic papers on the
more functional approach to management, subjects of complexity, knowledge and learning.
let us say to complement the more Anglo His latest book is titled: Complexity, Learning
and Organizations: A quantum interpretation of
Saxon approach to management. A holistic, business (Routledge, 2006).
systemic view on management allows
the development of a managerial theory
and its application. This makes issues like same lines quantum mechanics, give us a WBS). Stephanie Stray (Distance Learning
responsibility, sustainability, ethics and completely new insight into management. MBA director in those days), Robert Dyson
diversity co-creating forces in the added value Instead of searching causalities on a high and Bob Galliers represent for me what I
that a company can offer the marketplace. level of integration, today science suggests would relate most to the Warwick scientific
It is not a coincidence that Euromed joined that it might all be based on a highly spirit: down to earth, humble people who all
the Global Compact programme and today interacting world of intention, energy contribute to what they feel is their mission.
we are taking part in a pilot study with the and interconnectedness. The Newtonian This mission I believe, as they do, is to
Global Compact programme to give a seal of view of the world is clearly not working in support people to evolve academically and
management and now we know why; how in business life. They are rigorous academics
long do we need before starting to develop a who respect intellectual freedom and
Euromed Marseille Ecole de Management new managerial theory? scientific experimentation. By putting this
Created in 1872 by the Chamber of into practice WBS does make a difference; at
Commerce. Re-named 2003 (formerly My research, in cooperation with companies, least it did for me.
Groupe ESC Marseille Provence). EQUIS is oriented towards the understanding of
and AMBA accredited. Adhered to the UN the implications of complexity theory and I dream of tailor-made learning, given to
Global Compact in 2005. 3150 Students the impact of consciousness on managerial whoever wants it, wherever in the world,
(of which 35% foreign students of 50 practice (in particular in learning, knowledge whenever he or she wants to, and all this
nationalities). 68 full time faculty members management, innovation and personal at an accessible price. If we do not manage
(of which 40% foreign faculty) development). I run a blog* where there to give learning to those who want it but
Campuses in Marseille, Algiers and is much of my work and links to other cannot afford it immediately, we fail our
Shanghai. Exchange agreements with 109 people’s work in this field under the readings academic mission. I am not here to make
universities through the world. Budget of section. Most of my teaching is oriented to the smart smarter, and the rich richer. We
approximately €40 million ‘complexity, creativity and learning’ and ‘the have designed and developed a learning
w www.euromed-marseille.com quantum interpretation of business’, mainly platform that enables this kind of learning to
in executive education and coaching. be given throughout the world, combining
high quality and low price and adapted to
approval to students (and not schools) that Many years ago I met Robert Dyson on one of any specific need. It is now just a question
choose a curriculum based on the Global the first Euro Summer Schools about decision of finding some companies or individuals to
Compact values. We deliberately do not making under uncertainty. He made such an fund this operation.
produce clones, but allow each student to impression that when I decided to go for a
have an individualised curriculum with a PhD (in my early 30s), I wanted to join WBS. And if one day the opportunity arose for me
great deal of project based learning. I started on the Distance Learning MBA but to have a research group on consciousness
after the first year decided to continue for a in business, I would accept this as a gift from
Personally, I am extremely interested in PhD. It just so happens I am more of a creator heaven!
how complexity theory, and along the than a follower. I had the opportunity to have
Bob Galliers as my tutor (who had just joined w http://euromed.blogs.com

12. 2 nexus: spring 08 alumni in academia
at the hub
Warwick alumnus Roger Mumby-Croft (MA Social History 992–94), Professor of Enterprise, sets out the new WBS
strategy for supporting the start and growth of new businesses.
WBS has recently appointed me to the role
of Professor of Enterprise and my remit is to the new enterprise hub
create an Enterprise Hub that will promote,
develop and deliver across a wider area of
enterprise activities. The Enterprise Hub will take an integrated
approach to delivering a range of enterprise
One of the main areas I will be concentrating related projects in a number of different
on will be enterprise programmes for alumni. areas.
It is becoming increasingly important for
Universities to have a dynamic, interactive It will, for instance, coordinate and support
and ongoing relationship with alumni over the start-up of student enterprises, as well
much longer periods of time. as working closely with partners such as
the University of Warwick Science Park, to
This must, of course, start whilst people are support staff and alumni who wish to start a
at University and we will be putting a lot of company that may be the result of their work
support into the coordinating of student at the University.
enterprise societies, for those students who
want to understand more about enterprise
and/or want to start their own business whilst
at University and I hope that many alumni
might be interested in helping with this the University and outside. This can only initiative and actually start their own business
initiative. help to raise the profile of both WBS and the the Enterprise Hub will continue to support
University within its regional hinterland. them during their first year in business.
We will, of course, want to engage
alumni more closely on a whole range of Another key alliance, as stated, will be the If you are interested in registering to receive
programmes. In 2008, we plan to run a one with the alumni community. This more details of this forthcoming event
Business Start-up weekend that will help partnership has to become a two-way life-long
those who are thinking of becoming relationship starting when students are still E sian.lawrence@wbs.ac.uk
owners/managers to have a greater degree of at University whilst, at the same time, having
success. We will also run Business Growth proactive links with those who have left for
programmes for those alumni who already 20 years or more. WBS needs input from the the author in minute
run their own company but may want help alumni as mentors, speakers and investors,
with their growth strategy. This relationship as well as asking them to be involved with Roger Mumby-Croft recently joined WBS as
has, of course, to be two-way to be effective course development so that we are always Professorial Fellow, working with Professors
Howard Thomas and David Storey (Director of the
and therefore we will welcome alumni ensuring what we deliver is market relevant.
Centre for Small Medium-Sized Enterprises).
involvement in a number of areas.
With this relationship in mind we are Before joining WBS, Roger created and directed a
For instance, we are, in conjunction with promoting the start-up programme to alumni. new Enterprise Centre at Oxford Brookes University
Warwick Science Park, setting up an Alumni It will take the form of a Business Start-up Business School. Prior to this he held a variety
Angels Network (see P21), the aim of which weekend. For the modest cost of £500 this will of academic positions at Oxford Brookes and
Westminster College, Oxford.
is to bring together alumni with money to provide two days of high quality information,
invest with University spin-out or alumni support and guidance on how to give oneself During the 980’s Roger founded and directed
start-up companies. We also want to increase the best opportunity to succeed if starting SeaKing Fish Products Ltd in Grimsby. Before
the number of alumni who might act as a business is something that is a major beginning this business venture, he was the
mentors to students or alumni enterprise as attraction to you as a life-option. More and marketing director for GMC (Holdings) Ltd.
well as to actively participate in our teaching more people are viewing their own business
either as guest speakers or indeed undertaking as their way forward and we want to ensure Roger’s principal achievements include a DTI
Business Fellow award; he was a European Union
some teaching. that those of our alumni who are in this Senior Expert in Entrepreneurship and Small
category get the best possible advice. Business Management. He was responsible for
Forming partnerships will be an important the Developing Management Excellence (DMT)
part of progressing the Enterprise Hub. These The weekend will cover creativity, idea programme for the hi-tech and bioscience sectors
partnerships will need to be with a number of generation and personal profiles as well as and Business Boffins – a three year support
key players. For example with other parts of marketing, finance and business planning. programme for SMEs.
the University such as Warwick Ventures and There will be a number of external presenters He is a board member and chair of several small
the Bio-medical area, such alliances added who are all excellent practitioners as well business forums and networks and is a NED of
to the one with the Science Park will enable as WBS faculty whose area of interest this Brand Blue Ltd.
a far better level of integration both within is. Furthermore, for those who do take the

13. nexus: spring 08 alumni in academia 3
notes from Australia
Ian Glendon (FMBA 987–88) writes from the Gold Coast School of Psychology, charting his involvement in its
development and giving an insight into his research in the organisational and traffic transportation psychology fields.
Griffith University’s six campuses stretch My Warwick MBA knowledge contributed to
80 kilometres from Brisbane to the Gold my leadership roles, particularly the school
Coast between SE Queensland’s beautiful headship. Some accounting knowledge
coast and spectacular hinterland. The Gold helped in communications with finance and
Coast School of Psychology, where I have administration, while effective marketing
been based since emigrating in 1996, began ensured high brand visibility to potential
in 1994 with a small core of staff. The new students and other stakeholders. My previous
campus had few buildings and no library. management experience included nine years
I was attracted by the vision of those I spoke as director of a start-up Aston Science Park
with and the friendly atmosphere. company, which I jointly founded in 1984
– one motivation for taking the Warwick
My first task was developing a new MBA.
postgraduate degree programme in
organisational psychology, of which I I enjoyed the Warwick MBA challenge and
remained director until last year. Like its my academic experience probably helped me
sister school that began a few years earlier to that sought-after distinction. Tony Steele
in Brisbane, our student and staff numbers described accounting topics, all of which
grew rapidly. For ten years, Griffith boasted were new to me, in a language that I could
two schools of psychology. The 2004 understand, while Peter Doyle – also now
merger formed one of the largest schools of sadly deceased, uniquely marketed himself
psychology in Australia, with 45 academic along with his message. Andrew Pettigrew’s
staff supporting a flourishing suite of intellect was impressive and doubtless still is!
undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. With colleagues from the School of Marketing
I was head of the Gold Coast School 2001–03 and the School of Tourism at Griffith, I am My future goals include adding to my
to oversee continuing school expansion and researching consumers’ reactions to company publishing tally, continuing my consulting
developing our talented staff to ensure that crises, and how organisations should best work, maintaining a healthy work-life
we merged as an equal partner. deal with crises – for example, using strategies balance, and hopefully inspiring generations
involving denial, justification, ‘no comment’, of students.
Our School is one of the most productive or confession.
within the University in publications,
research grants and PhD completions. In collaboration with accounting and the author in minute
Within one of fastest growing regions of the finance specialists in three other Australian
developed world, the Gold Coast campus universities, I am investigating cognitive Ian Glendon is Associate Professor at Griffith
is experiencing phenomenal growth, and biases in professional, retail and naïve University’s School of Psychology (Gold Coast,
is now Griffith’s largest campus, with well Australian and New Zealand share investors. Australia). He has held visiting positions at
over 10,000 students and extensive future Biases that we are particularly interested in universities in Australia and China.
expansion plans. With education being are negative weighting, over-confidence,
Australia’s fourth biggest export, like most anchoring, representativeness, self-serving, His research interests include OHS/risk
universities down under, Griffith attracts and severity. Our research findings should management, safety culture/climate, and driver
many international students. help investors to make more informed behaviour/stress. He has supervised 22 research
higher degree students to completion and his
decisions about psychological aspects of
over 00 publications include four co-authored
My research is mainly in the organisational investing, even if the effects of cognitive books. He has consulted for over 60 clients on
and traffic transportation fields, focusing biases cannot be completely overcome. safety culture/climate analysis, occupational
on individual and organisational risk safety. health and safety auditing, human error/
My current research involves local, national I undertake cross-cultural research in risk reliability analysis, and injury/incident analysis.
and international collaboration. management and risk culture in high risk He was an Expert Panel member for the 2003–04
sector organisations (eg petro-chemical, NSW Special Commission of Inquiry into the
With colleagues from Griffith University’s electricity distribution and supply). We have Waterfall Rail Accident.
School of Employment Relations I am data from organisations in Australia and Hong
He is a registered Psychologist in Queensland,
involved in a State government funded Kong, and I also collaborate with researchers a Chartered Fellow of the Institution of
project into high performance work systems in Beijing. Inter alia, this involves translating Occupational Safety and Health, a Chartered
as part of the Queensland Government’s survey materials into Chinese. Occupational Psychologist (UK), and President
‘Smart State’ initiative. I have a special (2006–0) of the International Association of
interest in safety climate in high risk sector I am also currently undertaking a substantial Applied Psychology Traffic and Transportation
organisations, for example aviation, rail consultancy project on safety culture for a Psychology Division.
transport, and healthcare. large rail sector organisation.
w www.griffith.edu.au/school/psy/

14. 4 nexus: spring 08 WBS events calendar 2008
WBS fora
january
Throughout the autumn and spring terms
8 Corporate Fundraising Dinner WBS hosts a series of six lectures aimed at
23 Winter Graduation and Celebration Lunch gathering students and alumni to hear world
23 MBA Projects evening class speakers on campus. The spring series
26 Alumni Board Away Day begins with a panel on Risk Management on
29 WBSS Forum February. Full details are available online.
academic update
february Saturday st March
Following on from the sell-out success of the
07 World Grad tour – Washington DC
2007 Academic Updates, the first Academic
09 Business Angels alumni event
Update in 2008 will see WBS faculty discussing
09 World Grad tour – New York
Strategy development, leadership and operations
WBS Forum – Risk Management
management. The event is open to all alumni
2 South West Regional Group
and guests and is aimed at those who would
20 Telecoms SIG – Martin Cave – Liberalising
like to update their knowledge with reference
wireless telecoms in the developing world
to the latest research at an incredible price of
25 WBS Forum
£65 for each one-day seminar.
26 Singapore Academic Update
26 Alumni Board meeting
28 WBS Forum
march
0 Academic Update – Strategy development,
leadership and operations management
07 First Friday London group
0 WBS Forum
8 WBS Board meeting
29 Executive MBA Dinner
april
24 Annual Dinner – House of Commons
24 Volunteers’ Day
tbc Midlands regional group
tbc Thames Valley regional group
W www.wbs.ac.uk/alumni/
may forthcoming.cfm
4 WBS – Detica City Series
tbc Oxford regional group

15. nexus: spring 08 WBS events calendar 2008 5
WBS annual open day
(including Global Academic Update with star june
faculty and alumni Summer Ball)
Telecoms SIG – Martin Cave –
Saturday 9 – Sunday 20 July 2008 Separation of telecoms networks 2
Building on the success of the Academic Alumni Board meeting 26
Update Series and Annual Summer Ball, North West regional group tbc
we are merging both events into one this
year, over a weekend on campus which
provides you with the opportunity to hear
from lead faculty and our most senior alumni
july
about global challenges in business and
management and an opportunity for you to First Friday London group 04
reconnect with classmates or alumni in similar Graduation week 4–8
professions over a relaxed summer ball. Also Undergraduate/Specialist Masters Graduation 5
an opportunity to explore campus, use the WBS Board meeting 5
facilities and reconnect. Put the date in your MBA graduation 8
diary now and start signing up classmates, Summer Ball 9
fellow alumni and friends. All welcome! Academic Update 9
Entrepreneurship SIG event 9
annual dinner Midlands regional group tbc
september
Thursday 24 April
The sixth WBS Annual Dinner will take place at
the House of Commons in London. Members
of our most senior alumni, four external
MBA farewell lunch tbc
advisory boards and volunteer groups will
Programme Inductions tbc
be invited by way of thanks for the hard work
South West regional group tbc
they put in for the alumni community and to
promote WBS to the wider world. The event
will be hosted by Jeremy Wright, MP for
Rugby and Kenilworth and the Dean of WBS, october
Professor Howard Thomas, will share his vision
for the future of the School. First Friday London group 03
Executive MBA Dinner
WBS Board meeting 4
Academic Update tbc
november
Alumni Board meeting 04
Oxford regional group tbc
december
First Friday London group 05
Midlands regional group tbc
North West regional group tbc
South West regional group tbc

16. 6 nexus: spring 08 alumni in academia
update from Argentina
Andrés Hatum (PhD 998–02) recounts how his research into organisational flexibility in emerging economies
originally came about and how it has gained him recognition in this field.
I remember when I started my PhD some
fellow students saying that I had to choose a IAE Business School
relevant topic; by relevant meaning a topic
in a developed country. They said that this • IAE Business School is located in
was important to be able to publish papers
Argentina and opened in 978
later. Coming from a developing country, I
thought that, in my case, it would be more • It holds the 22nd position in the
appropriate if I was able to develop theory 2007 Executive Education rankings
in a theme more suitable for emerging according to the Financial Times
economies. This is why I undertook the and st position with regards to
difficult task of understanding the whys and International Clients
wherefores of organisational flexibility in
emerging economies.
• 50 faculty members, mainly with
PhDs from the USA, UK or Spain
The focus of my research was trying to • 3 international accreditations: Equis,
understand the determinants of such AACSB, AMBA
flexibility that were in some ways different w www.iae.edu.ar
from achieving organisational flexibility
in a developed country. I found that the
heterogeneity of the dominant coalition, at IESE Business School, I am also co- are brilliant and very important scholars too.
environmental scanning, low macroculture writing a book on the link between strategy, Furthermore, they are always there to help,
embeddedness, lower levels of formalisation organisation, HR and the role of the founders becoming an important link to the school.
and centralisation of decision-making and in bridging all these.
a strong organisational identity were all Since finishing my PhD my career has
important to be able to adapt fast under When I started my PhD I never thought it rocketed. I am now Associate Professor at IAE
conditions of environmental turmoil. would make such an impact on my career. business school and visiting scholar in other
Throughout the time I was at WBS, the establishments in Latin America and Europe.
School started to achieve more international I have written four books, one in English,
When I started my PhD I recognition. The international background and many papers and conference papers.
never thought it would make of its students is really impressive. This is also I see my future in academia, deepening my
such an impact on my career... helpful when you are starting an academic understanding of the different issues of
You know that wherever you go, or corporate career. You know that wherever the region and becoming a bridge between
you go, you will find alumni of WBS. Besides, companies and academics from abroad
you will find alumni of WBS. your degree from WBS is really important in who would like to understand the reality of
Besides, your degree from WBS the market today, whatever career path you emerging economies in my field of expertise,
is really important in the market are going to follow. which is Management and Organisation.
today, whatever career path you
I had a great time at WBS. However, I do I hope to come back to Warwick sometimes
are going to follow. believe it is really difficult to do a PhD. to catch up with old friends and see the
Moreover, you are in a different country with growth of the business school that makes us
a different culture and language. For me, all proud.
This research not only helped me identify having a supervisor like Professor Andrew
the importance of flexibility in adapting Pettigrew was crucial. He made a long-lasting
in economies shaped by jolts and havoc, impression and moulded me as an academic. the author in minute
but also allowed me to be known in a field He made me think in more depth and helped
in which there was a dearth of studies. me to become more analytical. A good
In addition, and to my surprise, not supervisor is a personal and professional Andrés Hatum is an Associate Professor in Human
Resource Management at IAE Business School in
only academics were interested but also mentor, working with you and supporting Buenos Aires, Argentina. He is a visiting scholar at
companies that were wondering how to you through the hurdles of the PhD. This schools in Europe and Latin America.
rearrange their organisation towards the was Andrew in my case and I am very grateful
challenges of the future and the challenges to him. His research centres on flexibility in organisations,
imposed by the context. talent management, and career development.
Once you are in the business school with He has published in international journals and
has also published books in Spanish and English.
I was also doing research on the cultural your head down in papers or books, you
His latest book is Adaptation or Expiration in
differences among Latin American managers might not realise the importance of the Family Firms: Organizational Flexibility in Emerging
and starting a new project on the career path people surrounding you. With the clarity of Economies (Edward Elgar, 2007).
of Latin American leaders. With a colleague distance, I must say that the faculty of WBS