WBS research wins clutch of awards at global management conferences

Warwick Business School once again demonstrated its academic prowess by clinching three prestigious awards at management conferences around the world.

The 38th edition of the British Academy of Management (BAM) Conference in Nottingham saw scholars attend from all over the world with the School’s Irina Surdu-Nardella, Professor of International Business & Strategy, Xiaocan Yuan, Research Fellow, and Nigel Driffield, Professor of International Business, walking away with a best paper award for their research on CEO compensation.

While at the 84^th Academy of Management (AOM) Conference in Chicago Hossam Zeitoun, Reader of Strategy and Behavioural Science, and Pietro Micheli, Professor of Business Performance and Innovation, won Best Reviewer Awards.

Neil Stewart, Pro-Dean (Research, Engagement & Impact) and Professor of Behavioural Science, said: “These awards reflect the excellent research of our world-class academics.

“Our curiosity and openness to the challenges of business and management drives the research we do, leading to real change in organisations. Indeed, the UK Government’s latest Research Excellence Framework rated 93 per cent of the School’s research ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.

“Our faculty’s commitment to addressing real-world challenges through rigorous academic inquiry continues to position WBS as a leader in the global academic community. The recognition of our scholars at the AOM and BAM conferences is a testament to their hard work and dedication.

“We are incredibly proud of our faculty and their contributions to advancing knowledge in their respective fields.” 

Leading the accolades was the Best Paper Award in the Performance Management category at BAM, awarded to the paper titled Is (S)he Worth It? Behavioural Agency, CEO Compensation Complexity and The Productivity-Profitability Dilemma.

This groundbreaking research delves into the intricate dynamics of CEO compensation and its impact on an organisation’s productivity and profitability, offering fresh insights into the ongoing debate over executive pay structures.

It is part of the work by the £32 million Productivity Institute, of which Professor Driffield leads the Midlands Forum, as it tries to improve the UK’s productivity, which has remained stubbornly low since the financial crisis in 2008.

Professor Surdu-Nardella said: “The recognition of our work underscores the significant contributions WBS scholars are making to the field of management.

“Winning this award is a tremendous honour. Our research aims to shed light on the growing complexities of CEO compensation and its broader implications for organisational performance.

“Our main finding is that the more complex CEO compensation packages become, the more they impede managerial focus on a given organisational goal, hindering firm productivity. We hope our findings will contribute to more informed decision-making in corporate governance.

“Our paper addresses a critical and very relevant issue in management, and we are thrilled that our work has been acknowledged at such a prestigious platform.”

Dr Zeitoun was honored with the AMR Outstanding Bridge Reviewer Mentor Award, which recognises his role in bridging the gap between seasoned researchers and emerging scholars, fostering a supportive and collaborative academic environment.

Professor Micheli received the Best Reviewer Award for the Technology and Innovation Management division. Professor Micheli’s recognition underscores his commitment to maintaining high standards in academic peer review, ensuring that research in the field of technology and innovation management is both rigorous and impactful.

Professor Stewart added: “We like to challenge convention to find a better way. We promote an open and restless research culture, deepening our understanding of business and management, and creating real change.

“We work closely with policy and practice, to ensure both relevance and practical application.

“The School’s continued success at international conferences like BAM and AOM highlights our role and responsibility as a leader in the global academic community. The recognition of WBS scholars at such prestigious events underscores the impact of their research.”

Find out what it takes to be a Change Maker at Warwick Business School.