Dr Mark Gilman, Senior Lecturer in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management, Kent Business School, University of Kent comments on the following BBC news item.
‘William Hague tells bosses to work harder’
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-18048963
“More help needed to work better: Research generally highlights that a long working hours culture and work intensification have not been beneficial in improving the UK’s poor productivity and growth. Research from the Centre for Employment, Competitiveness and Growth (CECG) at Kent Business School, University of Kent, highlights that owner-managers of small and medium enterprises have high aspirations for their businesses but are not in a position to achieve their aspiration. Often they are forced to act like ‘busy fools’ rather than taking a more planned and strategic approach to growth. The emphasis should be on assisting them to meet their aspirations, not on telling them they are not working hard enough. This usually equates to working smarter rather than harder! CECG have generated the Business Improvement and Growth (BIG) ten characteristics of growth and work with owner managers to achieve them. Perhaps the government should consider these kinds of approaches rather than insulting business owners/managers.”
For further information about the Centre for Employment, Competitiveness and Growth visit: http://www.kent.ac.uk/kbs/ecg/