NEWS & INSIGHT
WORKERS ARE FEELING THE STRAIN OF INSECURE EMPLOYMENT SCENARIOS
SCHOOL: Lancaster University Management School COUNTRY: UK
Researchers from the Work Foundation at Lancaster University, part of Lancaster University Management School, say the notion that people are choosing to stay in insecure work for the ‘perk’ of flexibility is flawed, as almost half (46 per cent) would find another job if given the chance. However, they feel trapped due to limiting factors, such as the cost and availability of childcare and transport, as well as a lack of local job opportunities. Researchers say insecure workers are more than three times as likely as secure workers to perceive a risk of job loss – with 42 per cent of insecure workers expecting to lose their jobs within the next 12 months, compared with just 13 per cent of secure employees. Women in insecure work are impacted more than men. One in three women (32 per cent) say they are struggling to get by financially, compared to fewer than one in four men (23 per cent); and 16 per cent of women in insecure employment say they are suffering from poor mental health, compared to 11 per cent of men. The Work Foundation director Ben Harrison said: “As inflation continues to bite and interest rates rise, workers in insecure jobs are under enormous strain. While many might believe that the benefit of flexibility offered to workers on temporary, part-time, or zero- hour contracts outweighs the risks of this form of employment, our new research shows that nearly half of these workers disagree. “The reality is these workers feel trapped by circumstances out of their control; without government intervention, they’re likely to be prevented from accessing more secure work in future.” Among the report’s recommendations are an increase in the rate of pay for workers on maternity, paternity and parental leave and the development of a long-term plan to bolster the childcare sector. CD
RESEARCH CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS TECHNOLOGY’S IMPENDING IMPACT
SCHOOL: Hong Kong Baptist University School of Business COUNTRY: Hong Kong SAR, China
Technology’s impact on management education and the world of work was a central theme at the 10th biennial International Association for Chinese Management Research (IACMR) conference held recently at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) School of Business. In his welcome address, HKBU dean Alexander Wai underlined the importance of preparing students for careers that will rely increasingly on new technology: “One of our key concerns in addressing the challenge of globalisation is to educate the next generation with an innovative and transdisciplinary approach so they will be equipped with the skills, knowledge and visionary mindset to help them seize the opportunities that technology brings.” Preparing for the future was also the topic of a deans’ discussion featuring business school leaders from Arizona State University, Fudan University, the Education University of Hong Kong, Tsinghua University, the University of Hong Kong and Zhejiang University, alongside HKBU School of Business dean Ed Snape. At it, Snape said that schools should focus on strengthening students’ soft skills: “These skills, such as communications, leadership and teamwork, are irreplaceable by machines or AI and are exactly the strengths of the whole-person education that the School [of Business] and HKBU have been emphasising.” Elsewhere, HKBU School of Business professor Leo Ho explored the benefits of involving senior executives in management education, bridging the divide between academia and industry and offering more networking and collaboration. A further 11 scholars and researchers from HKBU School of Business presented papers on areas including gender issues, creativity and corporate social responsibility. Over the course of the IACMR’s five days, a total of around 100 panels, symposia, paper presentations and roundtables were attended by approximately 1,500 academics, students, managers and consultants. The next IACMR biennial conference will be in Xi’an in 2025. TBD
Ambition | SEPTEMBER 2023 | 11
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