Professor Ben Lupton
Professor of Employment
My profile
Biography
Ben researches and supervises research students in the field of employment. He is a member and former director of Manchester Met’s Decent Work and Productivity Research Centre.
Ben’s primary research interests are in HRM in small enterprises and he has published widely on this and other employment in leading academic journals - including Work, Employment and Society, British Journal of Management, Human Resource Management, Human Resource Management Journal, International Small Business Journal, International Journal of Human Resource Management, Gender, Work and Organization and Journal of Business Ethics. Ben co-authored the CIPD’s research report on the implications of behavioural science for pay and reward, and their evaluation of the ‘People Skills’ project providing employment support to small businesses, and recently completed a project on ‘blame’ at work, funded by the Leverhulme Trust. He also led on the preliminary evaluation of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter. He is a former winner of the Professor Ian Beardwell prize for best research paper at the CIPD applied research conference, and the prize for best paper (Gender and Management) at the British Academy of Management Conference.
Ben is currently working on Manchester Met’s ESRC-funded Good Employment Learning Lab project, and leads on the delivery in Greater Manchester. The project is investigating how best to provide support for line managers around the people management challenges that they face.
Before joining MMU, Ben was an HR professional in the NHS and he is a Chartered Fellow of CIPD. He has Masters degrees in HRM, and in Philosophy, and a PhD from Manchester Met. He has held external examiner positions at Aston University, the University of York, and University of Central Lancashire.
Other academic service (administration and management)
Ben is a member and former Director of Manchester Met’s Decent Work and Productivity Research Centre.
‘Decent Work’ is a leading research centre in the field of employment, conducting nationally and internationally recognised academic research, successfully delivering large funded research projects for central and local government, charities and professional bodies. The Centre also supports a thriving community of PhD students in the field of work and employment.
Projects
I am currently working on the Good Employment Learning Lab Project, funded by the ESRC, and am leading on the delivery in Greater Manchester. The project aims to find out ‘what works’ in terms of developing the people management skills of line managers. Working with key stakeholders in the region, we have been trialling masterclasses, peer learning groups and one-to-one coaching interventions around key challenges that managers fact, for example, managing an agile workforce, and handling conflict. This is supported by a programme of evaluation, research and dissemination.
Teaching
I have supervised many PhD students to successful completion, and am currently supervising a number of students across a range of employment related topics. I am particularly interested in supervising PhD students in the field of HR in small businesses and graduate migration.
Research outputs
Human Resource Management in Small Businesses
Behavioural Science and Human Resource Management
Payment Systems
Blame in Organisations
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Books (authored/edited/special issues)
Lucas, R., Lupton, B., Mathieson, H. (2006) Human Resource Management in an International Context.
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Chapters in books
Atkinson, C., Lupton, B. 'HR support to enhance small firm performance, i.' Reframing HRM in SMEs. Palgrave,
Atkinson, C., Lupton, B., Dahwa, C. (2022) 'HRM in small firms: Owner-managers as line managers.' Research Handbook on Line Managers. pp. 184-200.
Atkinson, C., Lupton, B., Dahwa, C. (2022) 'HRM in small firms: line managers as owner.' Handbook on Line Managers. Edward Elgar,
Lucas, R., Lupton, B., Mathieson, H. (2007) 'Themes and Reflections.' Human Resource Management in an International Context.
Lupton, B., Woodhams, C. (2007) 'Employment Equality.' Human Resource Management in an International Context. CIPD Publications, pp. 333-349.
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Reports
Christie, F., Page, C., Papadopoulos, O., Lupton, B. (2023) Report 5: Final Evaluation And Assessment – Graduates For A Greater Manchester (OfS Local Challenge Fund Project). Manchester Metropolitan University.
Rouse, J., Willocks, K., Atkinson, C., Lupton, B. (2023) How to develop line managers people management skills, Good Employment Learning lab Evaluation report.
Christie, F., Page, C., Lupton, B. (2021) Report 4: Partner Perspectives On Rise Digital Activities (OFS Local Challenge Fund Project). Manchester: Manchester Metropolitan University.
Christie, F., Papadopoulos, O., Lupton, B. (2021) Report 3: Student Perspectives On RISE Digital Activities (OFS Local Challenge Fund Project). Manchester: Manchester Metropolitan University.
Ball, C., Christie, F., Lupton, B. (2020) Tech and Creative Digital: patterns of graduate employment in Greater Manchester. Manchester: Manchester Metropolitan University.
Christie, F., Lupton, B. (2020) Tech and Creative Digital: labour market trends and graduate skills in Greater Manchester. Manchester: Manchester Metropolitan University.
Lupton, B., Atkinson, C., Crowley, E. (2019) Productivity and Place: The Role of LEPS in Raising the Demand for, and use of, Skills at Work. Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
Atkinson, C., Lupton, B., Kynighou, A., Antcliff, V., Carter, J. (2017) An Evaluation of HR Business Support Pilots: People Skills Building Ambition and HR Capability in Small UK Firms. CIPD.
Atkinson, C., Lupton, B., Kynighou, A., Antcliff, V., Carter, J. (2017) Case Studies: People Skills Deep-Dive SME Vignettes.
Lupton, B., Whittle, R., Rowe, A, (2015) Show me the Money! The Behavioiural Science of Pay and Reward. Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
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Journal articles
Atkinson, C., Lupton, B., Kynighou, A., Antcliff, V. (2021) 'Small firms, owner managers and (strategic?) human resource management.' Human Resource Management Journal, 32(2) pp. 449-469.
Antcliff, V., Lupton, B., Atkinson, C. (2021) 'Why do small businesses seek support for managing people? Implications for theory and policy from an analysis of UK small business survey data.' International Small Business Journal, 39(6) pp. 532-553.
Lupton, B., Sarwar, A. (2021) 'Blame at Work: Implications for Theory and Practice from an Empirical Study.' Business and Professional Ethics Journal, 40(2) pp. 157-188.
Pendleton, A., Lupton, B., Rowe, A., Whittle, R. (2019) 'Back to the Shop Floor: Behavioural Insights From Workplace Sociology.' Work, Employment and Society, 33(6) pp. 1039-1057.
Lupton, B., Warren, R. (2016) 'Managing Without Blame? Insights from the Philosophy of Blame.' Journal of Business Ethics, 152(1) pp. 41-52.
Woodhams, C., Lupton, B., Cowling, M. (2015) 'The Presence of Ethnic Minority and Disabled men in Feminised Work: Intersectionality, Vertical Segregation and the Glass Escalator.' Sex Roles, 72(7-8) pp. 277-293.
Woodhams, C., Xian, H., Lupton, B. (2015) 'Women Managers' Careers in China: Theorizing the Influence of Gender and Collectivism.' Human Resource Management, 54(6) pp. 913-931.
Woodhams, C., Lupton, B., Cowling, M. (2015) 'The Snowballing Penalty Effect: Multiple Disadvantage and Pay.' BRITISH JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT, 26(1) pp. 63-77.
Woodhams, C., Lupton, B., Perkins, G., Cowling, M. (2015) 'Multiple disadvantage and wage growth: The effect of merit pay on pay gaps.' Human Resource Management, 54(2) pp. 283-301.
Woodhams, C., Lupton, B. (2014) 'Transformative and Emancipatory Potential of Intersectionality Research: Making a Case for Methodological Pluralism.' Gender in Management: An International Journal, 29(5) pp. 301-307.
Woodhams, C., Lupton, B., Xian, H. (2009) 'The persistence of gender discrimination in China - evidence from recruitment advertisements.' International Journal of Human Resource Management, 20(10) pp. 2084-2109.
Woodhams, C., Lupton, B. (2009) 'Analysing gender-based diversity in SMEs.' Scandinavian Journal of Management, 25(2) pp. 203-213.
Woodhams, C., Lupton, B. (2006) 'Does size matter? Gender-based equal opportunity in UK small and medium enterprises.' Women in Management Review, 21(2) pp. 143-169.
Lupton, B. (2006) 'Explaining men's entry into female-concentrated occupations: Issues of masculinity and social class.' Gender, Work and Organization, 13(2) pp. 103-128.
Woodhams, C., Lupton, B. (2006) 'Gender-based equal opportunities policy and practice in small firms: The impact of HR professionals.' Human Resource Management Journal, 16(1) pp. 74-97.
Lupton, B., Shaw, S. (2001) 'Are Public Sector Personnel Managers the Profession's Poor Relations.' Human Resource Management Journal, 11(3) pp. 23-39.
Lupton, B. (2000) 'Maintaining Masculinity: Men who do 'Women's Work'.' British Journal of Management, 11(3)
Lupton, B. (2000) 'Pouring the coffee at interviews? Personnel's role in the selection of doctors.' Personnel Review, 29(1) pp. 48-68.
Lupton, B. (1999) 'Human resource management. The NHS: A case study.' PERSONNEL REVIEW, 28(3) pp. 279-281.
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Non-peer reviewed articles / reviews
Lupton, B., Atkinson, C., Kynighou, A., Antcliff, V., Carter, J. How best to support small businesses with their HR challenges.
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Conference papers
Atkinson, C., Lupton, B., Kynighou, A. (2019) 'How strategic is HRM in small firms? British Academy of Management Conference.' In British Academy of Management Conference. University of Aston, 3/9/2019 - 5/9/2019.
Atkinson, C., Lupton, B., Kynighou, A. (2019) 'Forms of business support for SMEs British Academy of Management.' In HRM SIG Workshop. Birmingham City University, 4/6/2019 -
Lupton, B., Atkinson, C. (2018) 'The Roles of Local Enterprise Partnerships in Regional Skills Development.' In CIPD Applied Research Conference. Nottingham, 6/12/2018 -
Atkinson, C., Lupton, B. (2018) 'Addressing the skills utilisation challenge: The knowledge, role, and capability of Local Enterprise Partnerships.' In CIPD Applied Research Conference. Nottingham Trent University, 5/12/2018 - 6/12/2018.
Lupton, B., Sarwar, A. (2018) 'Blame at Work: Meanings, Norms and Practices.' In European Business Ethics Network Conference. Tilburg, Netherlands,
Atkinson, C., Lupton, B., Kynighou, A., Antcliff, V., Carter, J. (2017) 'People Management Support in Small Firms.' In British Academy of Management. Warwick University, 4/9/2017 - 8/9/2017.
Atkinson, C., Mouratidou, M., Lupton, B. (2017) 'Exploring the Kaleidoscope Career Model in Austerity.' In Academy of Management Conference. Atlanta, Georgia, 4/8/2017 - 8/8/2017.
Abualhamael, Z.W., Alker, L., Pagano, R., Lupton, B. (2017) 'Leadership is the Art of Orchestrating Energy: The Context of Saudi Higher Education.' 9/6/2017 - 9/6/2017.
Kynighou, A., Wilson, J., Lupton, B. (2016) 'Employee Perceptions of Feedback Effectiveness: The Impact of Organisational Tenure, Experience and Seniority.' In CIPD Applied Research Conference. Warwick Business School, 19/12/2016 - 19/12/2016.
Wilson, J., Kynighou, A., Lupton, B. (2016) 'Employee Perceptions of Feedback Effectiveness.' In CIPD Applied Research Conference. London, 19/12/2016 - 19/12/2016.
Mouratidou, M., Atkinson, C., Lupton, B., Antoniadou, M. (2016) 'The career needs of the Crisis.' In University Forum for Human Resource Development. Manchester Metropolitan University, 8/6/2016 - 10/6/2016.
Wilson, J., Lupton, B. (2016) 'Perception of Feedback Effectiveness: The Impact of Tenure and Experience.' In University Forum for Human Resource Development. Manchester, 10/6/2016 - 10/6/2016.
Abualhamael, Z.W., Alker, L., Pagano, R., Lupton, B. (2016) 'The Relation Between Leadership Style, Productive Energy and Job Satisfaction.' Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom, 4/6/2016 - 4/6/2016.
Abualhamael, Z.W., Alker, L., Pagano, R., Lupton, B. (2016) 'The Correlation Between Leadership and Job Satisfaction: The Saudi Arabian Context.' University of South Florida, 13/5/2016 - 13/5/2016.
Sutcliffe, O., Lupton, B. (2016) 'New Psychoactive Substances and Employment.' In Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development Regional Public Policy Group. Manchester, 4/5/2016 - 4/5/2016.
Mouratidou, M., Atkinson, C., Lupton, B., Antoniadou, M. (2015) 'Exploring careers in austerity through the lens of the KCM: the case of the Hellenic Public Sector.' In British Academy of Management Conference. University of Portsmouth, 8/9/2015 - 10/9/2015.
Albualhamael, Z., Alker, L.P., Pagano, R., Lupton, B. (2015) 'The Power of Productive Energy.' In University Forum for Human Resource Development Conference 2015. University College Cork, 2/6/2015 - 3/6/2015.
Lupton, B., Whittle, R., Rowe, A. (2015) 'Insights Into the Behavioural Science of Reward - Is It All About the Money?.' In CIPD Reward Conference and Workshop. Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, London, United Kingdom, 15/4/2015 - 16/4/2015.
Whittle, R., Lupton, B. (2015) 'The Behavioural Science of Pay and Reward.' In CIPD Reward Conference. CIPD, 1/4/2015 - 1/4/2015.
Lupton, B., Sutton, A. (2015) 'Authenticity and Engagement.' In CIPD Research Into Practice Seminar Series. 4/2/2015 - 4/2/2015.
Abualhamael, Z.W., Alker, L., Pagano, R., Lupton, B. (2015) 'The Impact of Leadership Style and Productive Energy on Job Satisfaction.' Imperial College, London, 20/1/2015 - 20/1/2015.
Lupton, B., Woodhams, C., Cowling, M. (2012) 'Intersectionality and Pay.' In Research Seminar. University of Exeter, Exeter, UK, 6/12/2012 - 6/12/2012.
Lupton, B., Woodhams, C. (2012) 'Multiple Disadvantage and Pay.' In HRM Research Group. Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK, 25/10/2012 - 25/10/2012.
Lupton, B., Woodhams, C., Cowling, M. (2012) 'Multiple Disadvantage and Pay: An Analysis of the Interaction Effect.' In British Academy of Management. Cardiff, 1/9/2012 - 1/9/2012.
Lupton, B., Woodhams, C., Cowling, M. (2012) 'The Snowball Penalty Effect: Multiple Disadvantage and Pay.' In CIPD Centres Conference. CIPD, York, UK, 21/6/2012 - 21/6/2012.
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Other
Rowe, A.D., Lupton, B., Whittle, R. (2015) The Behavioural Science of Pay and Reward.