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University of Bolton, why we are the right choice
Location - Bolton, Greater Manchester
To be a centre of excellence that provides new insights and unique perspectives to leading and empowering people. We research new forms of leadership with a focus on ensuring gender equality, inclusivity, diversity, well-being and empowerment. We foster leadership development by our bespoke education programmes and promote outstanding engagement with industry and community.
Research
excellence
Industry & community
engagement
Applied
education
Collaboration
We live in uncertain times propelled by complex systems, a cycle of global recessions, climate change and the ever-increasing use of technology. To entertain these internal and external challenges, leaders and their leadership is put to test, and people continue to look up to their leaders for solutions. Under these deep uncertain conditions, timely, legitimate, effective and forward-thinking response is expected from leaders. In such dynamic and diverse organisational contexts, we need leaders that can combat challenges and provide an equitable and inclusive experience for their followers.
The Centre for Leadership & Empowerment is one of the four research centres for excellence in the Greater Manchester Business School that provides new insights and approaches to leading, managing and empowering people. We research new forms of leadership and management with a focus on ensuring gender equality, inclusivity, diversity, wellbeing and empowerment.
We are a diverse community of academics and practitioners with expertise in a range of fields including leadership, human resource management, organisation studies, organisational behaviour, culture, psychology, philosophy, gender, organisational sustainability, resilience, management education, anthropology and mainstream management studies. Drawing on our extensive research and evidence-based practice, we support individuals, teams, groups and organisations looking to develop their ability to thrive and succeed in a dynamic and turbulent environment.
We work with businesses, enterprises, companies, charities, government, academic institutions and a range of organisations from the private, public and third sector across the globe to develop and deliver programmes that enhance their leadership capability. We specialise in developing capable, confident and visionary leaders that challenge conventional wisdom which is important in the creation of social, environmental and economic value within organisations.
“Leadership is a personal journey and leaders need to commit to developing their own skills.”
Our research provides new insights into leadership, leadership development and empowerment.
We connect with the industry and community to address real-world challenges.
We provide bespoke leadership development programmes for several organisations and our centre members contribute to a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate and professional courses.
We take a collaborative approach in the centre. We work with businesses, enterprises, companies, charities, government, academic institutions and a range of organisations to provide a range of services including consultancy, research and evaluation.
Gulnaz Brennan stands at the helm of the SheInspires Network, where her unwavering commitment revolves around empowering women, amplifying their voices, and ensuring their safety. Her world is dedicated to inspiring positive change, and she finds immense joy in lighting the spark of inspiration in the hearts of countless individuals.
A passionate advocate for women's empowerment and celebration, Gulnaz wears the hat of an accomplished author. Through her narratives, she weaves tales of triumph, resilience, and empowerment that resonate deeply with her audience. With over two decades of experience in the education sector in the UK and abroad, she has become a stalwart figure, making significant contributions to the field.
Gulnaz is not only the creative mind behind lifestyle books and the community newspaper ChaiTimes but has also launched a national women's magazine, BEE, adding another dimension to her impactful storytelling.
Jackie Hyde is the Owner-Managing Director at Stanmore Insurance Brokers Ltd. Since 1962, Stanmore Insurance Brokers have been providing personal and professional insurance to North West businesses. Offering protection, peace of mind, and superior quality of service in the face of ever-changing market conditions. Jackie has worked at Stanmore for 35 years and joined as an Account Handler, working her way through to owning the business.
Stanmore is an award-winning commercial insurance broker who aim is to change the perception of insurance for the better. Stanmore is also home to a dedicated children’s day care nursery insurance scheme, dot2dot, who insure over 3,000 nurseries across the UK.
Jackie sits on the fundraising boards of various charities and community interest organisations and is an avid supporter of females so they maximise their true potential, which includes sponsoring a number of awards.
In 2017, 2020 & 2022 Stanmore was named Schemes Broker of the Year at Insurance industry awards. Also in 2022, Jackie was named one of the insurance industry’s Elite Women by Insurance Business Magazine.
Jack is an award-winning social entrepreneur based in the United Kingdom. He possesses vast experience in international development, finance, and edtech. In his current role as Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Rural Inclusion, a social enterprise supporting rural communities in over seven countries, he leads a team across the UK, Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America to develop innovative projects on training and research to support smallholder farmers, microentrepreneurs, refugees and host communities become more resilient and prosperous.
Jack regularly travels in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, and collaborates with community-based organisations, international development partners, academic institutions and financial institutions.
He is also the host of a development podcast called The Social Impact Journal, where he meets with founders, academics and development practitioners to discuss important topics surrounding the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Michelle Howard is a sought-after speaker, trainer, contributor and consultant who helps businesses grow and succeed. With over 25 years of experience in the corporate and public sector, Michelle has helped business leaders across the UK and beyond to implement strategies that have resulted in better strategy, improved performance, enhanced customer and employee satisfaction, and reduced costs.
Her career began as a Chartered Marketer working within Legal 500 Law Firms, a title she has held for over 20 years. It progressed to the public sector where Michelle built up expertise implementing strategic and change initiatives and leading transformational projects, often developing strategic practices which were recognised for their contribution to national best practice. With an award-winning record of building long-term relationships, Michelle brings her strategic marketing and her leadership knowledge to the forefront of all that she does to help businesses to develop. She has led and contributed to substantial partnerships which have led to business success. This includes a partnership between education, health, local government, and third sector organisations which won a Guardian Newspaper Innovation in Partnership Healthcare Award. Judges praised it for its innovation and contribution to the future of both education and healthcare.
“Business models and performance impact of business incubators: a study of Nigeria.” International Journal of Business and Systems Research [Accepted]
A Study of Agricultural Companies Development in Nigeria: A Systematic Literature Review. International Journal of Agricultural Science, 7. ISSN: 2367-9026
“Entrepreneurial leadership development in teams: a conceptual model.” International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
“Entrepreneurial leadership skills and competencies: a systematic literature review” International Review of Entrepreneurship [Accepted/In press]
“Challenges and competencies of entrepreneurial leaders in driving innovation at DIY laboratories.” Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, 33(10), 1132-1146
“Entrepreneurial leadership measurement: a multi-dimensional construct.” Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development 27 (4), 659-679
“Effect of pandemic and lockdown on the performance and operations of farmers’ markets in Southwest, Nigeria”. International Journal of Business and Emerging Markets. ISSN 1753-6227
“Income inequality among entrepreneurs in Ondo state, Nigeria”. International Journal of Business and Globalisation, 24(1), 19-38
“Leading the way: the entrepreneur or the leader?”. Journal of Small Business & Entrepreneurship, 35(6), 890-906.
Using semi-structured interviews to research entrepreneurial leadership [Video]. Sage Research Methods.
For innovation in universities, we must stop ineffective traditional paradigms. The Guardian Nigeria.
Christian Harrison: How I became a professor at 35. The Nation.
Who can voters trust in Scottish politics? The Herald.
Why young people in every sphere – not just business and politics – should learn to lead, The Conversation.
Contextualising African Studies: Challenges and the Way Forward (New Frontiers in African Business and Society). Emerald Publishing Limited.
"Introduction to the Contextualizing African Studies: Challenges and the Way Forward", Harrison, C. and Omeihe, K.O. (Ed.) Contextualizing African Studies: Challenges and the Way Forward (New Frontiers in African Business and Society), Emerald Publishing Limited, Bingley [In Press]
“Developmental Strategy for Agriculture in Nigeria”, Harrison, C. and Omeihe, K.O. (Ed.) Contextualizing African Studies: Challenges and the Way Forward (New Frontiers in African Business and Society), Emerald Publishing Limited, Bingley [In Press]
“Contextualising Entrepreneurship: A call for more African Research”, Harrison, C. and Omeihe, K.O. (Ed.) Contextualizing African Studies: Challenges and the Way Forward (New Frontiers in African Business and Society), Emerald Publishing Limited, Bingley [In Press]
A de facto referendum could work for the SNP – but it's a huge risk, The Herald.
Entrepreneurs know that failure is sometimes necessary – here’s what we can learn from them, The Conversation.
What's so bad about changing your mind?, The Herald.
Whoever leads the Yes or No campaigns could tip balance on independence, says Christian Harrison, The Herald.
"Challenges Faced by Entrepreneurs in Nigeria: A Study of the Retail Pharmacy Sector", Omeihe, K.O. and Harrison, C. (Ed.) The African Context of Business and Society (New Frontiers in African Business and Society), Emerald Publishing Limited, Bingley, pp. 189-213
How Ukraine's heroic President Zelenskyy shows the world what a real leader looks like, The Herald.
Five rules for effective leadership in difficult times, The Conversation.
Four Key Rules for Successful Leadership, The Conversation.
Making Sense of Leadership: A Critical Insight into Leadership and Management Research, Switzerland, Palgrave MacMillan.
Traditional Paradigms of Leadership: A Critical Insight into Established Theories and Concepts, Switzerland, Palgrave MacMillan.
Modern Paradigms of Leadership: A Critical Insight into Contemporary Theories and Concepts, Switzerland, Palgrave MacMillan.
Emerging Paradigms of Leadership: A Critical Insight into Developing Theories, Switzerland, Palgrave MacMillan.
“CSR reporting: a review of research and agenda for future research”. Management Research Review, 43(11), 1395-1419.
"Systematically reviewing servant leadership", European Business Review, 33(3), 465-490
“The role of the entrepreneurial leader: a study of Nigerian SMEs”. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 49(2), 187-215
The African Context of Business and Society. (New Frontiers in African Business and Society). Emerald Publishing Limited.
"Introduction to the African Context of Business and Society: The way Forward", Omeihe, K.O. and Harrison, C. (Ed.) The African Context of Business and Society (New Frontiers in African Business and Society), Emerald Publishing Limited, Bingley, pp. 1-9
"Defining Authentic Leadership: A Developing Economy Perspective", Omeihe, K.O. and Harrison, C. (Ed.) The African Context of Business and Society (New Frontiers in African Business and Society), Emerald Publishing Limited, Bingley, pp. 31-54
“Entrepreneurship: an assimilated multi-perspective review”. Journal of Small Business & Entrepreneurship, 31(1), 43-71
“Developing a conceptual framework of entrepreneurial leadership: A systematic literature review and thematic analysis”. International Review of Entrepreneurship, 17(3), 347-384
"Resilience in healthcare supply chains: a review of the UK’s response to the COVID19 pandemic". International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 53(3), 297-329
“Developing resilient supply chains: lessons from high-reliability organisations”. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, 25(1), 77-100
“Leadership: the complexities and state of the field”. European Business Review, 30(5), 514- 528
Leadership Theory and Research: A Critical Approach to New and Existing Paradigms, Switzerland, Palgrave MacMillan.
“Entrepreneurial leadership in a developing economy: a skill-based analysis”. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 25(3), 521-548
“Entrepreneurial leadership in retail pharmacy: developing economy perspective”. Journal of Workplace Learning, 28(3), 150-167
“Entrepreneurial leadership: a systematic literature review”. International Review of Entrepreneurship, 14(2), 235-264
The influence of women leaders and their Authentic Leadership trait in India’s Automobile Industry. In British Academy of Management 2023 Conference Proceedings (Vol. 2023). ISBN 978-0-9956413-6-5 British Academy of Management.
Entrepreneurial leadership: A study of Black Minority Ethnic SMEs in the UK. In British Academy of Management 2023 Conference Proceedings (Vol. 2023). ISBN 978-0-9956413-6-5 British Academy of Management.
Stars in the making: The rise of UK migrant entrepreneurs. In British Academy of Management 2023 Conference Proceedings (Vol. 2023). ISBN 978-0-9956413-6-5 British Academy of Management.
Innovation strategies of SMEs’ entrepreneurial leaders: evidence from Pakistan. In British Academy of Management 2022 Conference Proceedings (Vol. 2022). British Academy of Management.
Crisis leadership and leadership styles: before, during and after. In British Academy of Management 2022 Conference Proceedings (Vol. 2022). British Academy of Management.
Authentic leadership repair within a developing economy context. In British Academy of Management 2022 Conference Proceedings (Vol. 2022). British Academy of Management.
Authentic entrepreneurial leadership within the Igbo trade apprenticeship system. In British Academy of Management 2022 Conference Proceedings (Vol. 2022). British Academy of Management.
“A study of agricultural companies’ development in Nigeria: a systematic literature review”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud, Lancaster.
“Entrepreneurial leadership (EL): an investigation of entrepreneurial competition on EL’s competencies development”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud, Lancaster.
“Leading during crisis: a Scottish higher education perspective”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud, Lancaster.
“Leadership and the consequences of morality”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud, Lancaster.
“Distributed leadership in SMEs: a review, critique and new directions”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud, Lancaster.
“Authentic leadership skills within a developing economy context”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud, Lancaster.
“Authentic leadership: a systematic literature review”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud, Lancaster.
The Rise or Fall of Authentic Leadership. In Academy of Management Proceedings (Vol. 2021, No. 1, p. 13926). Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510: Academy of Management.
“Distributed leadership in the tourism industry: a study of Dubai”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud, Lancaster.
“Ethical leadership in the public sector: an African perspective”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud.
“National economic policy and corporate sector development: a study of South-western Nigerian agricultural companies’ development”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud.
“Innovative development in Africa: cluster and triple helix approach”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud
“Challenges faced by entrepreneurs in a developing economy: a study in the retail sector”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud.
“Servant leadership: the skills of those who serve”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud.
“Leadership and the changing world of work: a review, a critique and new directions”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud.
“Authentic leadership moments: the impact of authentic leadership behaviours in an emerging economy context”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud.
“Distributed leadership in the tourism industry”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud.
“Distributed leadership: systematic literature review”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud
“Significance of guidance and counselling in entrepreneurial development and women empowerment in federal capital territory Nigeria”. Centre for African Research on Enterprise and Economic Development (CAREED), Annual Conference, Paisley.
“Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and macroeconomic policy environment in Nigeria”. Centre for African Research on Enterprise and Economic Development (CAREED), Annual Conference, Paisley.
“The effectiveness of risk management strategy on business performance: A knowledge management perspective”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, Birmingham.
“Leadership skills in higher education: a study of Scotland”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, Birmingham.
“Leadership in higher education: A study of the west of Scotland”. Learning, Teaching and Research Conference Annual Conference, Paisley.
“Ethical leadership: the way forward”. In British Academy of Management 2018 Conference Proceedings [565] Bristol: British Academy of Management.
“Ethical leadership: an effective and efficient leadership approach for the Nigeria public sector”. In British Academy of Management 2018 Conference Proceedings (Vol. 2018). [567] Bristol: British Academy of Management.
“Female entrepreneurs and their contribution to the Egyptian economy”. 23-23. Centre for African Research and Economic Development (CAREED), Annual Conference, Paisley, United Kingdom.
Servant leadership: a thematic analysis. In British Academy of Management 2018 Conference Proceedings [800] Bristol: British Academy of Management.
Servant leadership: the skills of those who serve. In British Academy of Management 2018 Conference Proceedings [551] Bristol: British Academy of Management.
“The entrepreneurial leadership paradigm: a thematic analysis”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, Warwick.
“Entrepreneurial leadership: Scotland, skills, and SMEs”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, Warwick.
" An investigation of the role of transformational leadership behaviours: a case study on Sainsbury’". British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, Warwick.
“Delphi methodology: from nuclear science to humanitarian disaster management”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, Warwick.
“Entrepreneurial leadership in the retail pharmacy sector of a developing economy”. International Council for Small Business (ICSB), World Conference on Entrepreneurship, New Jersey/New York.
"Measures to improve humanitarian supply chain and logistics operations for beneficiary agencies". British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, Newcastle.
“Entrepreneurial leadership in retail pharmacy: a developing economy perspective”. University of the West of Scotland (UWS), Research Conference, Paisley.
"Entrepreneurial leadership: where are we in the field?". British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, Portsmouth.
“Entrepreneurial leadership in a developing economy: The retail pharmacy sector”. Institute for Small Business & Entrepreneurship (ISBE), Annual Conference, Manchester.
“Entrepreneurial leadership in the retail pharmacy sector of a developing economy”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, Belfast.
“Entrepreneurial leadership: a systematic literature review”. International Council for Small Business (ICSB), World Conference on Entrepreneurship, Dublin.
“Entrepreneurial leadership in the retail pharmacy sector of a developing economy. a study in Nigeria”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Doctoral Consortium, Liverpool.
Health visitors’ domestic violence routine questioning tool: An exploration of women’s experience, effectiveness and acceptability. International Journal of Health Promotion and Education. Vol 42, Issue 1, pages 14-22
Health visitors’ domestic violence routine questioning tool: An exploration of
women’s experience, effectiveness and acceptability. International Journal of Health Promotion and Education. Vol
42, Issue 1, pages 14-22
This paper won best paper award (2004) for the above research based on professional impact – the
recommendations were implemented nationally along with academic requirements.
Adolescents and intimate partner violence: Evaluating a brief school-based
education programme: International Journal of Health Promotion and Education. Vol 45, (1) 17-23.
The above paper resulted in DV educational programmes being introduced to the curriculum (PSHE) within high
schools.
Women’s Attitudes and Behaviours: Providing Women with a voice. Scarman Trust: Millennium Commission.
Pre-Hospital Emergency Service Evaluation: Safeguarding Domestic Violence Victims. Boston: Boston EMS.
Professor Christian Harrison
Professor of Leadership & Enterprise
c.harrison2@bolton.ac.uk
Centre for Leadership and Empowerment,
Greater Manchester Business School,
University of Bolton, Great Moor Street,
Bolton BL1 1SW
cle@bolton.ac.uk
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University of Bolton, Deane Road, Bolton. BL3 5AB
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University of Bolton, Deane Road, Bolton. BL3 5AB
Part of the University of Bolton Group