The seminar titled 'Do Managers Matter? Management Practices in post-Covid Northern Ireland' was presented by Dr David Jordan and Professor John Turner, Queen's Business School, Queen's University Belfast. It took place on Wednesday 31 January 2024 at 15.30 in the NERI/ICTU offices, 45-47 Donegall Street, Belfast, BT1 2FG.
Details of seminar:
Dr David Jordan and Professor John Turner, Queens Business School, Queen's University Belfast made their presentation on their Northern Ireland management paper. Subsequently, a discussion was open to the floor where the chairperson, Paul Mac Flynn, NERI Co-director presented questions to David and John.
Abstract:
In our report, we examine the management practices of businesses in Northern Ireland. Using results from our management practices survey, we find that there is a long tail of firms with poor management. Larger firms, with better qualified managers, who have taken leadership training, score closer to best practice; while firms that face weak competition, and are second-generation family-managed, have poorer management practices. In terms of firm performance, better management practices scores are associated with higher levels of firm digitalisation, working from home, exports, and profitability. Our results suggest policymakers should target support at firms with characteristics associated with being further from best practice.