Current research

Leading Thinking: Research Issues for 2009-10

Our research examines a wide range of management and workplace issues, offering practical insights and recommendations to help managers raise the performance of their organisations. Current programmes are outlined below.

If you are interested in exploring how you could sponsor and help shape any of the Institute's research projects, please contact Petra Wilton, Director of Policy and Research, on 020 7421 2708 or e-mail research@managers.org.uk.

Lean and Green:  Leadership for a low-carbon future

 

The Institute published its latest research report on 14 July.  It suggests that while the importance of the green agenda is increasingly well-recognised, too few organisations are taking the urgent action needed to transform the UK economy for a low-carbon future. It identifies a failure of boardroom leadership as a significant block to reform and, in conclusion, calls for managers to do more to cut emissions by making green issues part of the mainstream of management activities.

 

The CMI commissioned the Centre for Environmental Strategy at the University of Surrey to carry out the research.  It was sponsored by EDF Energy and the Association of Chief Police Officers in Wales and conducted in partnership with the Institution for Engineering and Technology (IET) and the UK Business Council for Sustainable Energy.

 

The Economic Outlook

 

The Economic Outlook is the CMI ’s new series of research papers examining managers’ views on the economy.  The first report was published in April 2009 and the survey will be conducted on a regular six-monthly basis to provide insights into the impact of the economy on UK organisations, managers’ expectations of future economic performance, and the actions being taken by managers to steer their organisations through the challenges they face.

 

The Outlook is written by Professor Lord Eatwell, Chief Economic Adviser to the Chartered Management Institute.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS

Quality of Working Life

 

The Institute's Quality of Working Life research series has been tracking the extent of organisational change and its impact on the quality of managers' working lives and their health since 1996. This year’s report, the seventh in the series, will track a number of key issues including talent retention, managers' motivations, career progression and work-life balance.  We are currently seeking sponsors for this research.

 

Innovation

 

Innovation is critical for organisational long-term prosperity and growth, particularly in dynamic markets.  Given the current economic turbulence, an organisation’s ability to innovate is regarded not only as vital for success, but often a requisite for mere survival.  The idenification and development of innovative people within organisations is a core contributing factor.  There is now general recognition that the innovative potential of an organisation resides in the knowledge, skills and abilities of its employees. 

 

Working with NESTA, City University and the Work Psychology Group, we will be publishing new research in the autumn exploring how the organisational culture and the level of support from leaders and managers play a crucial role in enhancing employee capability and motivation to innovate. 

 

 ANNUAL SURVEYS

Business Continuity Management

The survey on Business Continuity Management assesses the nature and extent of disruptions experienced by organisations over the a twelve month period. The 2009 Business Continuity Management research, A Decade of Living Dangerously, was carried out in partnership with the Civil Contingencies Secretariat in the Cabinet Office.

“Out of Office” – summer survey

 

The Chartered Management Institute’s annual Quick Reaction Survey on managers' holiday plans looks at the issues surrounding managers' holiday time.  It examined questions around how far managers are concerned about their job security during the economic downturn and found that many managers blame an excessive workload for their inability to take a break over the summer.

National Management Salary Survey

The National Management Salary, carried out by Remuneration Economics, provides a vast array of details, ranging from managers' and directors' pay and the incidence of bonuses to the extent and nature of benefits packages.  Now into its 36th year, the next findings will be published in June 2009. Our news release highlighting findings from the 2008 report is available here.