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Expert Commentary

In the world of business, things are constantly changing. Our expert academics explain and give their views on the latest hot topics from the worlds of law, business, HR, finance, retail and much more.

Why organisational perspectives on the future matter

Management and organisational research are becoming increasingly future-focussed (Wickert, 2025). This is not because scholars are trying to predict what comes next, but because futures are organised. They are imagined, debated, foreclosed and realised through the everyday work of organisations, institutions and the communities that constitute them. Futures do not simply arrive; they are in a continual state of becoming and are shaped through the ways actors of various kinds coalesce around ideas and respond to matters of concern.

Applying general selection theory to business decisions for sustainability 

Dr David Beech, an organisational psychologist and Lecturer in Salford Business School, recently presented his practical research on applying general selection theory to business decision-making for sustainability. His work proposes a socio-ecological framework to help managers understand how different types of decisions and processes can support long-term sustainability. 

2026 predictions: the next phase of AI in the workplace 

As 2026 approaches, artificial intelligence (AI) continues to evolve at remarkable speed, embedding itself deeper into working life. Organisations now face new challenges and opportunities in how they apply, govern and benefit from AI. 

Start 2026 graphic

Five HR predictions for 2026 

Rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), shifting workforce expectations and tighter regulation are reshaping the human resources (HR) landscape.   Here, Dr Jonathan Lord outlines five trends he expects to influence HR practice in 2026 and beyond.

Higher education professional services staff as researchers: navigating the liminal space 

Earlier this month, Dr Joanne Caldwell, School Business Manager at the University of Salford, presented her latest research at the Society for Research into Higher Education (SRHE) Annual Conference. Her paper, “On the Edge but Not There Yet”: Exploring the Liminal Space of Higher Education Professional Services Staff and Research, sparked thoughtful discussion among delegates from around the world.

How circular thinking can help businesses cut waste and carbon

Dr Silvia Tedesco, Associate Professor for Sustainability at the University of Salford’s Centre for Sustainable Innovation (CSI), recently delivered an online lecture for the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) North West Power Division. Her talk, How can circularity improve business? introduced engineers and industry professionals to new ways of reducing waste and carbon emissions by reusing materials that would normally be thrown away.

RMERC

Gamifying carbon footprints to inspire deeper learning

Last month, Dr Anjana Basnet, Lecturer in International Business and Strategy and PRME (Principles for Responsible Management Education) Coordinator at the University of Salford, presented the research paper ‘From bananas to flights: gamifying carbon footprints for deeper learning’ at the Responsible Management Education Research Conference (RMERC) 2025 in Belgrade, Serbia.

Building a secure and resilient AI future for SMEs

At this year’s European Conference on Artificial Intelligence (ECAI 2025), Dr Angel Jimenez-Aranda from Salford Business School presented his latest research at the edu4AI workshop. His talk, titled “A Framework for Building a Secure, Resilient and AI-based Digital Future for SMEs”, explored how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can embrace artificial intelligence (AI) while staying secure, resilient, and inclusive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Fleur Middlebrough, of Salford Business School standing in front of a projector with a presentation bout widening participation on it.

Exploring widening participation, regional collaboration, and global engagement at the NERUPI Convention 2025

The 2025 Network for Evaluating and Researching University Participation Interventions (NERUPI) Convention, held in London in September, brought together universities, practitioners, and policymakers to explore how higher education can expand access, strengthen regional collaboration, and align with the Office for Students’ (OfS) new partnership-driven agenda for widening participation.