Welcome once more to Fifty Four Degrees, our showcase of some of the cutting-edge, thoughtprovoking research from Lancaster University Management School. The world in which our LUMS community operates continues to be shaped by the Covid-19 pandemic, much as do the lives of us all. In this edition, Work Foundation Director Ben Harrison examines the continuously evolving effects of the pandemic on the UK’s workers, those in retail in particular. Lara Pecis’ research into the Italian government response to the initial wave of the pandemic reveals the importance of embracing all perspectives. Unlike in Italy, I am confident that our response within LUMS has achieved that, welcoming input at the highest levels from a diverse group as we plan for the present and the future. I would like to think my leadership of the School these pastfive years – and during the pandemic – has been clear and honest, and that I always deliver the truth no matter how hard it is to hear. As David Collinson discusses in his fascinating piece, this is not always the case for all of our leaders. I cannot imagine colleagues past or present would accuse me of the same ‘Prozac Leadership’ seen from President Trump! Covid has highlighted more than ever the need for good mental health, though it is not always easy to achieve that state. Monideepa Tarafdar demonstrates the dangers of social media in that regard, while Saurabh Singhal investigates the effects of corruption on our mental health through a study in Vietnam. Beyond Covid, Steve Young’s work on a programme to help make the analysis of company annual reports easier has the potential for a wide spectrum of applications, holding companies to account in a post-pandemic world. Jesse Wang demonstrates how these companies can benefit in many ways from adopting policies that treat more fairly their female employees, though Margaret Hogg’s analysis of how female workers and mothers have been portrayed in adverts over the last 70 years shows there is still some way to go in changing perceptions in that regard. The task of altering behaviour around sustainable consumption is the focus of Laura Salciuviene, and that is certainly something in which Sir Tim Smit, founder of the Eden Project, would take an interest. He writes for us with an insight into his path to Eden, and with advice for businesspeople and entrepreneurs gained from decades of experience. Those tips will likely be of interest to the family businesses who are the focus of Giovanna Campopiano ‘s work investigating the role of family members on boards in shaping innovation. Fifty Four Degrees is just one of the ways in which we continue to engage our Management School with the wider community in these digi-centric times. With the support of our Corporate Guardians, NatWest, we continue to deliver our insightful Masterclass Series online. Thanks to NatWest’s backing, we are able to support the same family businesses highlighted by Giovanna, as well as organisations and individuals through this stimulating series that provokes ideas, inspires, and facilitates collaboration. If you enjoy reading about the research contained within these pages, then we hope the Masterclasses will also be of interest. Professor Angus Laing is Dean of Lancaster University Management School and Chair of the Academic Advisory Board at Nurture Higher Education Group. a.w.laing@lancaster.ac.uk Foreword Within these pages, youwill learn about some of thewideranging, impactful researchwe have been carryingout at Lancaster University Management School. FIFTY FOURDEGREES | 5 SUBSCRIBE
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