2020 and 2021 brought unprecedented forced disruption from a global pandemic.
We have also seen the exit of the UK from the EU, global political movements and a spotlight on climate change. This has brought wider societal and global pressures into sharper focus for many manufacturers. The pivot forced many manufacturing firms to start producing ventilators, PPE and sanitiser at short notice (to keep their workforce employed), which was just the start of a continuous cycle of organisational adaptation needed to keep pace with global shifts. Continuous innovation is crucial for competitive and stable environments, yet discontinuous innovation is imperative when radical changes are on the horizon.
We have partnered with Leeds University Business School to research and evaluate how the adoption of ESG initiatives can help manufacturers to improve productivity, sustainability and overall resilience to such shocks and stresses.
Our research focuses on five pillars of disruption innovation: resilience and innovation, organisational behaviour, supply chain and customers, sustainability, and workforce. We explore each of these issues in detail and look at ways of future proofing manufacturing.