PEOPLE FOCUS - CIPD

RESEARCH AND POLICY PEOPLE FOCUS
Joint research study
into line-managers’
role in change
The Institute’s research agenda has
taken significant steps this year with
involvement in three new dynamic
studies coordinated with the CIPD
research and policy department.
CIPD Ireland’s research and policy adviser, Gerald Flynn is
leading a new joint research project into the role and
contribution of line managers as a resource for change in key
Irish organisations. The work is being undertaken jointly
with the National Centre for Partnership and Performance
(NCPP) and in association with Professor Peter Totterdill
and his team from Nottingham University.
The project involves a series of qualitative discussions with
managers and employees based on an ‘Appreciative Inquiry’
approach stressing the role and contribution of line managers
where successful and fundamental organisational change has
been achieved.
“For too long the emphasis of much organisational
development research has been on front-line and middle
managers as blockers or inhibitors of attempts at top-down
driven change programmes. We are looking at areas where
these managers have been able to contribute and enhance
flexible adaptation and expansion using ‘group recall’ interview
techniques,” Mr Flynn explained.
Among the participating organisations are the Legal Aid Board,
which is the largest solicitor service in the state; Calyx, Ireland’s
fastest growing provider of communications and computer
services with operations in Britain and Ireland; and the
Environmental Protection Agency, whose 300 staff operate from
ten locations throughout the country.
The focus of CIPD research initiatives is on adding value for
people management professionals and ensuring the best
practices solutions developed in commercial enterprises and
services sectors is disseminated throughout the wider CIPD.
Complementing this will be the Irish participation in a new
three-year research initiative called ‘Shaping the Future: A
vision for sustainable high performance organisations’. The
programme will involve15 large organisations where world-class
people management is in place and it has been designed by the
CIPD Research and Policy Director, Linda Holbeche and her
team in conjunction with a panel of advisers and specialists
from business schools and organisational consultancies. We
expect that at least two Irish companies will be contributing to
this research programme which places its emphasis on sectors
50
such as communications, financial services, IT/software and
business consultancy.
Ms Holbeche told People Focus that this new programme
will build on the CIPD’s well-regarded People and
Performance research. “Shaping the Future will run until
2011 and will examine the organisational dynamics that
drive high performance and sustain it over time. Our
intention is to carry out a series of in-depth experiential
case studies in 15 organisations. Alongside these research
activities we plan to hold a series of events offering
opportunities for as many practitioners as possible to be
involved”.
CIPD Ireland is also working with Newcastle University on a
study of absence management in Irish firms which complements
some of the work undertaken by the Kemmy Business school at
the University of Limerick.
In recent weeks over 200 chartered members and fellows
have opted to join the new CIPD Ireland research panel
which later this year will initiate a series of surveys to
reflect the views, experiences and concerns of senior
practitioners on policy issues affecting employment
regulation, legislation, and effective
management practices. Panel
members will have priority
participation in this research and
policy development area ■
Gerald Flynn
'the Irish research programme
is well underway'