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 Marc Thompson 

Courses taught

Consulting and Coaching for Change
Executive MBA
Oxford Advanced Management and Leadership Programme
Custom executive education programmes
 

Expertise

Organisational change
Strategic innovation
Managing scientists and engineers
High performance work systems
The nature of managerial and leadership work
Strategic renewal 

Overview

Marc Thompson is Academic Director of the MSc Consulting and Coaching for Change, which is run jointly with HEC-Paris. He is Fellow and Academic Tutor at Green Templeton College where he Co-Directs the Future of Work, research programme. Marc teaches on and directs a range of innovative custom programmes mainly for science and technology organisations.  He is an associate researcher at MIT (and an associate fellow at SKOPE. He holds a BA (hons), MSc and PhD. Prior to joining Saïd Business School, he was a Senior Research Fellow, and Fellow at Templeton College, a Principal Research Fellow at the Institute for Employment Studies, University of Sussex and a Researcher at the London School of Economics.

Research interests

Marc Thompson has published over 60 papers, articles and book chapters. His early work explored human capital and talent management including work on performance pay, reward strategies, ageing workforce, gender and race discrimination. Subsequently, he focused on high performance work systems, mainly in the high technology sector, understanding their adoption, evolution and impact. He has used mixed method research, combining large-scale sector surveys as well as in-depth case studies, to explore multi-level phenomena such as management capability.

More recently, Marc's work has favoured engaged scholarship, working collaboratively with senior managers in organisations on how firms strategically renew through innovation. His current research interests lie in two areas (1) understanding the nature of ‘leadership work’ in the context of change and (2) exploring the challenges of engineers’ collaborative working across firm boundaries and cultures. He draws on activity theory to inform this work.

Book chapters:


Thompson, M (2009). Salary progression systems, in White, G. and Druker, J. (eds) Reward Management: A Critical Text. Routledge. 2nd Edition.

Thompson, M (2005). Added Value through High Performance Workplaces in Storey, J (ed) Adding Value through Information and Consultation, Palgrave MacMillan.

Thompson M (2000) . Salary Progression Systems, in White G and Druker J Reward Management: A Critical Text. Routledge.

Thompson M (2000). HR Strategies for the new economy, in Moving to e-Business (ed Willcocks and Sauer). 2000. Random House.

Thompson, M (1998). Trust and reward,  in Trust, Motivation and Commitment: A Reader published by the Strategic Remuneration Research Centre July 1998.

Journal articles:

Ramirez, R. and Thompson, M. with Roodhart, L. Lednor, P. and Allen, E. (2011) The micro-foundations of strategy: linking innovation and strategic renewal (under review, Journal of Management Studies)

Thompson, M. (2011) Why do firms invest in training? Variations between managerial and non-managerial employees, (under review, British Journal of Industrial Relations)

Thompson, M and Ramirez, R. with Roodhart, L. Lednor, P. and Allen, E. (2011) Dynamic capabilities in action (in preparation)

Thompson, M and Edwards, A. (2011) Resourceful leadership: the work of senior leadership teams in children’s services  (in preparation)

Thompson, M (2011) Reward Strategies in R&D Establishments (under review R&D Management)

Thompson, M (2011) Strategic renewal in inter-governmental organisations (submitted to International Journal of Public Administration)

Thompson, M (2011)  Reward Strategies, Human Resource Management Systems and Performance (submitted to Human Resource Management)

Thompson, M (2007) Innovation in Work Practices: A Practice Perspective, International Journal of Human Resource Management, 18(7).

Thompson, M and Heron P (2006) Relational quality and innovative performance in R&D based enterprises. Human Resource Management Journal, 16(1).

Thompson, M and Heron P (2005) Management capability and high performance work organization International Journal of Human Resource Management, 16(5).

Thompson, M and Heron, P (2005) The difference a manager can make: organizational justice and knowledge worker commitment International Journal of Human Resource Management, 16(3).

Undy, R. Kessler, I. and Thompson, M (2002) The impact of the national minimum wage in the apparel industry. Industrial Relations Journal, 33(4).

Thompson, M. and Richardson, R. (2000) The impact of human resource practices on business performance, Quality Focus, 4(1).

Marsden, D. and Thompson, M. (1990) Flexibility agreements and their significance in the increase in productivity in British Manufacturing since 1980. Work, Employment and Society, 4(1).

Reports and monographs:

Thompson, M (2010) Competing through people – the work innovation report. Engineering Employers Federation.

Nahapiet J and Thompson M (2004) Building partnering competence in Amersham Health R&D,  Confidential Report to Amersham Health.

Thompson, M and Heron P (2003) ARM Employee Survey, Confidential Report to ARM.

Thompson, M (2003) High Performance Work Organisation in UK Aerospace.

Department of Trade and Industry and Society of British Aerospace Companies. London.

Thompson M and Heron P (2001) ‘Innovation, the psychological contract and the knowledge business’ Oxford Executive Briefing (with Paul Heron). 2001. Templeton College.

Thompson M (2001) ‘Transco’s Gender Equality Initiative’ in Undy et al Gender and Pay Discrimination. Report to the DTI for the ‘Future of Work Group’. May 2001

Thompson M and Heron P (2001) ARM Employee survey. Confidential Report to ARM.

Buchan J and Thompson M (2000) ‘Remuneration and Incentives in Healthcare Systems’ World Health Organisation. Geneva.

Thompson, M and Heron P (2001) ‘Reward and Innovation: Final Report to the ESRC’  ESRC.

Thompson, M (2000) ‘The UK Aerospace People Management Audit 2000’  Department of Trade and Industry and Society of British Aerospace Companies. London.

Richardson R and Thompson M (1999) The impact of HRM on business performance: a review of the literature, Institute of Personnel and Development, 1999.

Thompson, M and Buttigieg, D (1999) ‘Pay and Performance in UK Aerospace’ Department of Trade and Industry and Society of British Aerospace Companies. London.

Thompson M (1998)  Skills, Training and Business Performance. Department of Trade and Industry and Society of British Aerospace Companies. London.

Thompson, M (1999) ‘People Management in UK Aerospace: Case Study Findings’. Department of Trade and Industry and Society of British Aerospace Companies. London.

Thompson, M (1998) Jet Setters  People Management, April 1998
Buchan, J and Thompson, M (1997) Recruiting, retaining and motivating nursing staff: the use of clinical ladders Institute for Employment Studies, Report 339 .

Strebler, M and Thompson, M (1997) Skills, competencies and gender: issues for pay and training. Institute for Employment Studies Report 333.

Atkinson, J Hillage, J & Thompson, M (1996) Contemporary issues in industrial relations: implications for WIRS  Institute for Employment Studies Report 299.

M Thompson (1995) Team Working and Pay. Institute for Employment Studies Report 281.

Thompson M and Bevan S (1992) Performance Management: an analysis of the issues, Institute of Personnel Management.

Thompson M and Bevan S (1993) Merit pay, performance appraisal and attitudes to women’s work Equal Opportunities Commission.

Buchan J and Thompson M (1992) Performance Related Pay and UK Nursing, Institute of Manpower Studies Report 235.

Thompson M (1993) Performance Pay: The employee experience, Institute of Manpower Studies Report 258.

Thompson M (1993) The Third Age: Employer Perspectives. Report to the Carnegie Inquiry on the Third Age.

Metcalf H and Thompson M (1991) Pay Pressures in the Private Sector: Managerial Strategies, Institute of Manpower Studies Report No. 204.

Thompson M (1991) Last in the Queue: Corporate Employment Policies and the Older Worker, Institute of Manpower Studies Report 204.

Thompson M and Metcalf H (1990) The Employment and Utilisation of Older Workers: Employer Attitudes and Practices, Institute of Manpower Studies Report 193, 199.

Rajan A and Thompson M (1989)  The Economic Significance of the UK Vehicle Industry. Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

Conference and working papers:


Thompson, M, & Ramirez, R (2006) How do Organizations link Innovation and Strategic Renewal? A Social-Practice Perspective. Conference on HRM and Knowledge, Copenhagen Business School, September 19 2006

Thompson, M & Ramirez, R (2006) Innovation and Strategic Renewal: Understanding the Role of Social Architecture. Academy of Management Conference. Atlanta. August 2006.

Thompson, M & Ramirez, R (2006)  Linking Innovation and Strategic Renewal. EGOS conference, Bergen. July 2006

Mannervik, U and Thompson, M (2005)  Social identity and its role in  mechanisms integrating strategic renewal and innovation, Strategic Management Society, Orlando, Florida, November 2005

Thompson M & Heron P (2004) Management Capability, HRM and Performance, International Industrial Relations Association Conference, Lisbon, Portugal, September 2004

Thompson M and Heron P (2003), Knowledge creation and the employment relationship, Academy of Management Conference, Seattle, August 2003

Thompson M and Heron P (2003) IT professionals and knowledge creation: the role of social capital, Academy of Management Conference, Seattle, August 2003

Thompson and Heron P (2003), The difference a manager can make; organizational justice and knowledge worker commitment, Academy of Management Conference, Seattle, August 2003

Thompson and Heron P (2003) Social capital and innovation: a psychological contract perspective, International Human Resource Management Conference, Limerick, June 2003

Thompson and Heron P (2003) Management capability and high performance work organization, HR and Performance Conference, Cornell University, April 2003

Thompson M and Heron P (2002) The employment relationship and knowledge creation, EURAM, Stockholm, June 2002

Thompson M and Heron P (2002) The diffusion of HR practices in the UK aerospace sector, HR and Performance Conference, Bath, April 2002

Thompson M and Heron P  (2001) Searching for complementarities: compensation systems, HR systems and pay effectiveness. Global HRM Conference. Barcelona. June 2001.

Thompson M and Heron P (2001) Compensation strategies, HR systems and performance: evidence from UK knowledge intensive industries. Academy of Management Conference. Washington DC. August 2001.

Thompson, M and Heron P (2001) The determinants of employer provided training in UK aerospace, SKOPE conference, 2001.

Reports and monographs:


Nahapiet J and Thompson M (2004) Building partnering competence in Amersham Health R&D,  Confidential Report to Amersham Health

Thompson, M and Heron P (2003) ARM Employee Survey, Confidential Report to ARM

Thompson, M (2003) High Performance Work Organisation in UK Aerospace.
Department of Trade and Industry and Society of British Aerospace Companies. London.

Thompson M and Heron P (2001) ‘Innovation, the psychological contract and the knowledge business’ Oxford Executive Briefing (with Paul Heron). 2001. Templeton College.

Thompson M (2001) ‘Transco’s Gender Equality Initiative’ in Undy et al Gender and Pay Discrimination. Report to the DTI for the ‘Future of Work Group’. May 2001

Thompson M and Heron P (2001) ARM Employee survey. Confidential Report to ARM

Buchan J and Thompson M (2000) ‘Remuneration and Incentives in Healthcare Systems’ World Health Organisation. Geneva.

Thompson, M and Heron P (2001) ‘Reward and Innovation: Final Report to the ESRC’  ESRC

Thompson, M (2000) ‘The UK Aerospace People Management Audit 2000’  Department of Trade and Industry and Society of British Aerospace Companies. London.

Richardson R and Thompson M (1999) The impact of HRM on business performance: a review of the literature, Institute of Personnel and Development, 1999

Thompson, M and Buttigieg, D (1999) ‘Pay and Performance in UK Aerospace’ Department of Trade and Industry and Society of British Aerospace Companies. London.

Thompson M (1998)  Skills, Training and Business Performance. Department of Trade and Industry and Society of British Aerospace Companies. London.

Thompson, M (1999) ‘People Management in UK Aerospace: Case Study Findings’. Department of Trade and Industry and Society of British Aerospace Companies. London.

Thompson, M (1998) Jet Setters  People Management, April 1998

Buchan, J and Thompson, M (1997) Recruiting, retaining and motivating nursing staff: the use of clinical ladders Institute for Employment Studies, Report 339 

Strebler, M and Thompson, M (1997) Skills, competencies and gender: issues for pay and training. Institute for Employment Studies Report 333,

Atkinson, J Hillage, J & Thompson, M (1996) Contemporary issues in industrial relations: implications for WIRS  Institute for Employment Studies Report 299 

M Thompson (1995) Team Working and Pay. Institute for Employment Studies Report 281

Thompson M and Bevan S (1992) Performance Management: an analysis of the issues, Institute of Personnel Management

Thompson M and Bevan S (1993) Merit pay, performance appraisal and attitudes to women’s work Equal Opportunities Commission

Buchan J and Thompson M (1992) Performance Related Pay and UK Nursing, Institute of Manpower Studies Report 235,

Thompson M (1993) Performance Pay: The employee experience, Institute of Manpower Studies Report 258

Thompson M (1993) The Third Age: Employer Perspectives. Report to the Carnegie Inquiry on the Third Age

Metcalf H and Thompson M (1991) Pay Pressures in the Private Sector: Managerial Strategies, Institute of Manpower Studies Report No. 204,

Thompson M (1991) Last in the Queue: Corporate Employment Policies and the Older Worker, Institute of Manpower Studies Report 204,

Thompson M and Metcalf H (1990) The Employment and Utilisation of Older Workers: Employer Attitudes and Practices, Institute of Manpower Studies Report 193, 1990

Rajan A and Thompson M (1989)  The Economic Significance of the UK Vehicle Industry. Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

Contact Details

Saïd Business School
Executive Education Centre
University of Oxford
Egrove Park
Oxford
OX1 5NY
UK

Marc.Thompson@sbs.ox.ac.uk 

+44 (0)1865 422728