Under the broad heading of ‘employability and locality’, a group of CLMS academics meets regularly to discuss their research interests. Subject matters considered in the meetings thus far have included work, employment and the labour market in the East Midlands; regions; employment and learning; political economy; education and training; unemployment and health; older workers; and economic development. The group aims to discuss and develop ideas and, as appropriate, ensure they progress into conference papers, research projects and/or publications.

Members

Relevant projects include:

Dr Vanessa Beck

In 2008/09, Vanessa undertook research on 'Older Workers – Older Learners' for the Learning and Skills Council East Midlands. This research investigates the relationship between involvement in learning and the motivation to remain in employment. The aim of this research project was to establish the basis for planning employer engagement and the promotion of learning opportunities for older workers – as well as to lay the foundations for a better understanding of the situation older workers face in the labour market. Previously, Vanessa, Martin and Nik, together with Emma Pitchforth and Mary Edmunds Otter (Health Sciences) and Andrew Dunn (Library) reviewed 'The Economics of Health' for the East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA). The project aimed to examine the relationship between mental and physical health and employability, labour market participation and economic performance with specific attention given to the direction of the causal relationships. In particular, the project aimed to: identify sub-groups affected by ill health as a barrier to employability; analyse available data on the linkages between mental and physical health and employability in the East Midlands, including sub-regional analysis to identify disparities within the region; estimate the cost of sickness absence in the East Midlands economy; advise on data sources to be used in addressing research questions; give policy recommendations to address ill health as a barrier to employability and to improve the health of the region’s workforce. The final report is available at: www.intelligenceeastmidlands.org.uk

Dr Nik Hammer

Nik is interested in the global-local linkages in global value chains and global production networks, particularly with regard to the restructuring of work and employment. Relevant projects include work with Lone Riisgaard (DIIS/Copenhagen) on labour, embeddedness and value chains; and the role of lead firms in local construction subcontracting across India, Russia and South Africa.  

Martin Quinn

Martin has been involved in the Leicester Shire Economic Partnership’s (now SARCOG) economic advisory sub-group since 2003. This is a group of local experts drawn from the higher education sector, public and private sectors and the governance structures set up in the county whose remit is to add to the evidence base collected on the City and County.

Labour’s Regional Policy and its Impact on the East Midlands – This research forms the focus of Martin’s PhD which examines the Labour Government’s regional policies since coming to power in 1997. Using the theories of New Regionalism as a framework the study looks at the implementation of Regional Development Agencies as the main vehicle of English Regional policy and in particular examines the work of the East Midlands Development Agency in the East Midlands region. This raises issues concerned with territoriality and the extent to which the private sector becomes involved with attempts to develop a regions economy

Dr Melissa White

Melissa is currently examining leadership and community development.  The focus of this research is on the role of political leaders in facilitating community development.  The following elements inform the framework of this project: what political leaders believe contributes to economic development; what they believe their role is in facilitating community development and how and where they have learned about their roles with regard to facilitating community development.

In 2006 Melissa worked on an Internal Research Grant ($4,000) at the University of New England.  The project title was 'Leadership for Sustainable Communities: Rebuilding Declining Regional Areas in Australia' and covered a review of the literature and a pilot study.

Relevant publications include:

Beck, V. (2009) ‘Older workers, older learners: the contribution of employers in the British East Midlands’, in Cedefop (ed.) Working and ageing: Emerging theories and empirical perspectives. Luxembourg: Publications Office.

Beck, V. (2009) Older Workers – Older Learners, The perspectives of employers in the East Midlands. Leicester: Learning and Skills Council.

Beck, V., Quinn, M., Hammer, N., Pitchforth, E., Dunn, A., and Edmunds-Otter, M. (2008) The Economics of Health. Nottingham, EMDA.

Felstead, A., Sung, J. and Quinn, M. (2002) East Midlands Baseline Labour Market Information, Report for FRESA Forum. East Midlands Development Agency.

Goodwin, J., Sung, J. and Quinn, M. (2003) Baseline Labour Market Information for Leicestershire SSP (Pilot Feasibility Study for the Creation of SSP Data). Final Report for the East Midlands Development Agency. March 2003.

Hammer, N. (forthcoming 2010) Cross-border Cooperation under Asymmetry – The Case of an Interregional Trade Union Council, European Journal of Industrial Relations.

Otter, S., Unwin, L. and Quinn, M. (2004) Audit of Leadership and Management Training in the East Midlands. Nottingham, EMDA.

Raddon, A. and Quinn, M. (2007) Demand for Foundation Degrees and Engaging Employers in the East Midlands. HEFCE

Rainnie, A. and Quinn, M. (2008) Midlands in a Globalising World. Birmingham, TUC.

Riisgaard, L. and Hammer, N. (forthcoming 2010) Prospects for Labour in Global Value Chains: Labour Standards in the Cut Flower and Banana Industries. British Journal of Industrial Relations.

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