The role of business continues to extend and evolve beyond its traditional remit. Today, businesses are increasingly expected to be agents of positive change and pioneers of innovative solutions to the world’s global social challenges.
Since the inception of the Bristol University Press Business, Management and Economics list five years ago, we have published a collection of titles offering fresh perspectives on business and economics that contribute to this evolution, critiquing current practice and challenging the status quo. In doing so, we have built a great community of authors and readers who care passionately about making organisations and society better for all.
Given our social mission as a publisher, we are keen to ensure cutting-edge research is transferred into practice successfully for maximum impact. This has led us to establish a new series of professional business titles focusing on creating change in practice. The series will cover many organisational settings and will focus on the significant social challenges facing workers, leaders and organisations today. Authors will include leading academics from the University of Bristol Business School and beyond, as well as thought leaders and activists.
Establishing this list also reflects the urgency with which we need to act. A growing number of leaders, managers and workers are keen to ensure their work doesn’t just pay lip service, but instead helps to resolve important social issues in their organisation and in society. Businesses can have a purpose beyond profit: to have a positive social impact on employee well-being, society and the planet.
This new series of professional business books is part of this transformative movement: a curated selection of titles that will empower business minds with the latest insights from academia and practice. By amplifying the voices of academics, NGOs, activists and practitioners who are actively engaged in transforming organisations for the better, we seek to inspire action and drive meaningful progress towards a more equitable and inclusive future.
We believe that true leadership extends beyond the boardroom, encompassing a commitment to ethical decision making and business social responsibility. With our carefully selected titles, we aim to equip leaders and change makers with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate the ever-evolving world of work. Books will challenge conventional thinking and provide practical advice for readers to implement effective change in their workplace. Titles will cover issues related to the major inequalities and crises we face, as well as building inclusive and accountable cultures at work.
The first titles in this series are committed to this mission. Moomin Management explores how Tove Jansson’s family business has kept the value of generosity at the heart of the organisation while building a successful internationally recognised brand. Changemakers draws on the authors’ frontline experiences in trade unions and social justice movements, providing insights on leadership, overcoming setbacks and the art of negotiation. Men Stepping Forward sets out a clear path for men to lead inclusion policies in the workplace.
Drawing on the success and history of Bristol University Press and Policy Press, we are uniquely positioned to curate a collection that bridges the gap between theory and practice. Our partnership with esteemed scholars and experts ensures that each book in our list is grounded in rigorous research, while remaining accessible and relevant to a broad business audience.
We hope that this list will empower and inspire you to become agents of change in your communities and industries.
Ellen Pearce is a Commissioning Editor at Bristol University Press. You can contact Ellen at ellen.pearce@bristol.ac.uk.
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