AIM works with academics, business, public sector and policy thinkers across more than 110 institutions in order to develop and deliver management research of world class standard. We ensure our projects achieve these standards by adhering to four main objectives.

AIM’s objectives:

• Conduct research that will identify actions to enhance the UK's international competitiveness

• Raise the scientific quality and international standing of UK research on management

• Expand the size and capacity of the active research base for UK research on management

• Develop the engagement of that capacity with world-class research outside the UK and with practitioners as co-producers of knowledge about management and other users of research within the UK

Objective 1: Conduct research that will identify actions to enhance the UK's international competitiveness

The UK's economy has strengthened in the last few decades, but it depends upon interactions with increasingly able competitors. AIM's first objective is to increase the UK’s international competitiveness by developing knowledge about management and making that knowledge available to UK managers. Our current research projects focus on:

• UK productivity and other performance indicators for the 21st century

• Sustaining innovation while meeting competitive pressure

• Adapting promising practices to new circumstances

• Developing an agenda for public service innovation and effectiveness

• Extend our particular understanding of the nature and impact of services.

Objective 2: Raise the scientific quality and international standing of UK research on management

AIM is committed to recognising and increasing UK contributions to the international management research community. Since the autumn of 2003, 31 AIM Fellows have worked both nationally and internationally in collaboration with reflective practitioners from industry and government to expand the UK research base on management and raise its scientific quality and international standing.

Objective 3: Expand the size and capacity of the active research base for UK research on management

Increasing the number of able scholars in the UK is central to AIM’s mission and our capacity development programme addresses all career levels. In addition, we run a variety or capacity building workshops, seminar programmes, conferences and events.

Objective 4: Develop the engagement of that capacity with world-class research outside the UK and with practitioners as co-producers of knowledge about management and other users of research within the UK.

As an initiative we are expected not only to respond, but to create new opportunities. In doing so, we attend to the larger goal of supporting national well-being as well as the immediate need to support national competitiveness. The varied perspectives and backgrounds of AIM Fellows and associates help ensure that this larger context informs the ongoing evaluation of opportunities for management research.

Research Councils

AIM is currently sponsored by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

For related information on the council's research and research centres visit the links below:

ESRC Research Centres - Focal points for social science research

EPSRC IMRC Research Centres - Innovative Manufacturing Research Centres

For further information regarding AIM Research please contact 0870 734 3000 or aim@wbs.ac.uk.

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