Judge Business School launches management centre

A major new forum devoted to excellence in global human resource management - the Centre for International Human Resource Management (CIHRM) has been launched by Judge Business School, University of Cambridge.

Through strong partnerships between industry and academia, and sponsors from the world's premier public and not-for-profit organisations, the Centre will bring together companies and faculty to discuss latest research findings and debate innovative advances in practice to address the main issues, priorities and concerns facing HR leaders today.

Dr Philip Stiles, Director of CIHRM, said: "Our partnership approach will provide a forum for intellectual thought-leaders and practitioners throughout the world to collaborate and shape relevant, rigorous research agendas.

"Our aim is to be a real source of distinctiveness and expertise. With companies operating in increasingly difficult environments, key issues such as managing talent, improving employee performance and developing leadership skills are paramount, as well as how to make tough choices such as restructuring, downsizing and offshoring.

"Our Centre draws on a high profile network of academics and industry experts to assess the major challenges facing international organisations."

The Centre already has existing relationships with global companies such as Rolls Royce, British Telecom, Shell, General Electric, IBM, Coca Cola, Samsung and Unilever, and other leading academic institutes including Cornell University, Erasmus University and INSEAD, through the Global Human Resources Research Alliance Study which examines best practice and key themes in global human resource management.

By developing the Centre's academic partnerships it will bring together the very best HR researchers to generate fresh understanding of the processes and practices by which international organisations manage their people. This research will be guided by the interests of the companies within the Centre.

CIHRM also offers a range of cutting-edge executive education programmes to its corporate partners on organisational development and change issues, as well as consultancy support to assist them with the transition from "concept to action".

They will have unique access to excellent networking opportunities via regular roundtables where they can discuss in confidence with other HR Directors, the major people issues facing their organisations, and an annual global HR symposium which will feature world-renowned HR thought-leaders.

Dr Jonathan Trevor, Deputy Director, CIHRM, said: "All of the research indicates that people, as capital into which organizations should invest, are key to long term competitive advantage. However, justifying this long term investment in the right talent, when the current downturn in the economy requires a short term focus on cost cutting, is a difficult balancing act.

"Through CIHRM and its international network we aim to provide our partners with insightful skills and tools to address these issues, leading them and their organisations to improved business efficiency and profitability, in an increasingly global and competitive environment."