Professor Pooran Wynarczyk
Professor & Director of SERU

  • Email: pooran.wynarczyk@ncl.ac.uk
  • Telephone: +44 (0) 191 243 0805
  • Fax: +44 (0) 191 243 0808
  • Personal Website: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/seru/
  • Address: Small Enterprise Research Unit {SERU}
    Newcastle University Business School
    1st Floor, Citywall
    Citygate
    St James Boulevard
    Newcastle upon Tyne
    NE1 4JH

Introduction

I am Director and Founder of the Small Enterprise Research Unit at Newcastle University Business School. Since joining the University in 1983, I have been a principal investigator and award holder, of numerous major Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), EU and consultancy funded applied and action research projects and programmes in the areas of small and medium-size enterprise (SME) sector and entrepreneurship, as well as business support and training projects.

Roles and Responsibilities

Chair of the Diversity Consultave Group, Newcastle University
Member of Diversity Committee at Newcastle University

Memberships

Elected Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (FRSA)

Board Director, Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE)

A Women Enterprise Ambassador for the North East, appointed by the Regional Development Agency, One NorthEast for the Minister of the State for Industry and the Region, 2007-

Sponsor and a Member of the Judging Panel, North East Spirit of Innovation Awards, a regional initiatives also sponsored by North East Business and Innovation Centre, One NorthEast, Royal Bank of Scotland, Sunderland University, and Government Office for the North East

Appointed Supporting Member, European Platform for Women Scientists (EPWS)

A Member of the Judging Panel, F1 in Schools North East Regional Competition Finals

Editorial Board Member, Journal of Equal Opportunities International (EOI)

Editorial Board Member, International Journal of Business Excellence (IJBEX)

Other memberships include, North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC); International Council for Small Business (ICSB); European Council for Small Business (ECSB), Prowess and London Business Forum

A member of the ESRC Commissioning Panel for the Capacity and Cluster Building in Business Research and Engagement 2008

A member of the Newcastle University ‘Vice Chancellor’s Think Tank on Gender Balance’

Research Interests

Research into the Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) sector

Empirical and consultancy research studies undertaken by me investigate the many aspects and key issues surrounding the SME sector (including self-employment) and entrepreneurship in the light of the wider regional economic development, socio economic factors, diversification, and science and technology policies and practises.
Research on SMEs has focused, mainly, on key issues:
• enterprise culture,
• managerial labour market,
• role of technological advance in SME development,
• scientific labour market,
• high growth enterprises,
• scientific-based enterprises,
• sub-contracting and supply chain,
• late payment of commercial debts,
• gender and ethnicity disparities in Science, Engineering & Technology (SET) and Construction in the UK,
• high level scientific activities (invention, innovation, IPR, R&D, university spin-outs) of women, men and members of the ethnic minority groups within the SET Community in the public and private sectors,
• science parks and business incubators,
• enterprise in further education,
• teleworking and e-home working of self employed,
• human resource development (e.g., Investors in People standards) skills and training, flexible working, work-life balance, equal opportunity policies and practices, employment law and legislation.

In addition to my core research, I have also been undertaking commissioned research and evaluation on other topics that are believed to have direct or indirect impact on the SME sector. These include, for example, a comparison of participation of women in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) activity and pipeline in the nine regions of England, Scotland and Wales, commissioned by the UKRC Resource Centre for Women in SET and the take up of science subjects, examining the impact of science initiatives and policies, commissioned, jointly, by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCFS).

Other Expertise

One result of my research has been the creation of a number of highly valuable and unique databases and benchmarking tools, alongside the development of innovative statistical and econometrics techniques and models, implemented to undertake original and novel empirical research in the area of SMEs in order to:
• analyse the complex growth paths and development of SMEs in order to enhance our understanding of the process and conditions which produce, develop and sustain (or inhibit) successful SMEs operating in contrasting regional environments;
• inform policy makers in the development of new policies and measures for SMEs; and
• design, develop and deliver (in collaboration with external partners) customised training, guidance and support packages for business start ups (including self employed), and established SMEs (employers and employees).

Over the period 1998 and 2004, I pioneered and co-ordinated several major EU funded business support and training programmes for pre start ups, business start ups and existing SMEs and their employees, under the ADAPT Transnational Human Resource Community Initiative (ADAPT Support Unit, ECOTEC, and DfEE), EU Objectives 2, 3 & 4 Programmes (Government Office for the North East), and EU Objective 4 National Programme (DfEE). These projects, carried out in collaboration with a number of EU, national and regional partners, primarily, aimed to facilitate the transfer of best practice from successful high growth SMEs to potential and newly created technology-based small firms with potential for rapid growth through customised education, training and other business support packages and courses for pre start ups, business start ups and SMEs via virtual and physical incubation units. Over 1500 individuals, companies and employees received training and other support. Over 20 companies achieved Investors in People Standard and several companies were created as the direct result of these projects.

In 2002, I created the Marketing Information Service (MIS) at SERU, with pump-priming funding of over £28,000 from the Regional Development Agency, One NorthEast. MIS is a unique business support service offering a range of functions, including basic market information, in-depth market research, help with business plan and grant application, IPR issues, design and development of customised workshops and courses, as well as additional business support, including training & counselling. Its wide range of data sources and its relationships within the public, private and academic sectors allow MIS to provide its services to various organisations encompassing business support agencies, the Graduate Business Start up Programmes, established firms and new business ventures. Since its formation in 2002, MIS has supported well over 200 companies, pre start ups, inventors and innovators. In doing so, it has built up a considerable network of clients, partners and consultants, including the NE Business & Innovation Centre (Sunderland), Building up Business (N. Tyneside Council), Patents Advice Centre, etc. The quality and range it’s of business support activities has enabled SERU to be recognised and registered formally as a Business Link/One NorthEast “Approved Service Provider”.

I secured funding, through European Social Fund (ESF) for three years, for the continuation of the Patents Advice Centre (PAC) in Newcastle which became under the threat of closure, following the demise of Tyneside TEC, its main sponsor. PAC is a unique and precious storehouse of patent information in the North East of England and SERU’s special support of PAC has enabled its clients to gain special access to this service. The Centre aims to ensure the local availability of patent information, foster awareness of intellectual property rights and support local enterprise and economic development through innovation. PAC is now sponsored by One NorthEast (RDA).

Since 2003, I provided sponsorship to further promote invention and innovation in the North East through the “Spirit of Innovation Awards”, a regional initiative to celebrate the North East’s inventions and cutting-edge ideas. Pioneered at the Business Innovation Centre (BIC), the awards are also sponsored by One NorthEast (RDA), Robert Muckle Solicitors, Sunderland University and the Royal Bank of Scotland.

I sponsored the “Company under 20 Employees” category and, in 2006, created a new category entitled “Female in Innovative” in order to encourage greater participation of women and young girls in innovation and invention in the North East of England. I am a member of the Judging Panel.

In 2005 I established the Postgraduate Vocational Learning by Doing Hub for the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering (SAgE) through Sir Roberts Postgraduate Fund, as a respond to Sir Roberts Review (2002) which has emphasised the importance to employers of training and development in general skills, as well as the skills and knowledge specific to the individuals own research area. The Hub extends postgraduate learning into an office-based environment where they will work on actual research projects both at the University and within the business community – “learning by doing” – and in doing so enhances their career prospects and their research capabilities. During their time at the Hub, postgraduates gain hands-on experience in a number of vocational skills and activities, including “hard” skills such as statistical analysis, data charting, qualitative writing and market research, as well as “soft” skills such as learning to work to tight deadlines, interaction with work colleagues, team working and adding value to projects.

Current Work

In 2007 I pioneered and established the North East of England Role Model Platform for Innovative Women through funding by the ESRC Impact Grants, supported by Newcastle Science City Initiative and Women’s Enterprise Ambassador Programme. The Platform was formally launched, on 10 December 2007, at a high profile partnership event at Newcastle University Business School. Over 70 delegates from the business community attended the event. This event builds upon her empirical research funded by the ESRC Science in Society Programme which has demonstrated that women are massively underrepresented in certain sectors, namely, in science, technology and innovation, particularly within the SME sector and face professional and personal barriers such as work-life balance issues, stereotype, institutionalisation sexism and a lack of access to local role models that prevent them from entry to the industry or progression beyond the glass ceiling.

The purpose of the initiative is to identify inspirational women within sectors that are primarily male dominated. By highlighting these women’s success stories and having them on-hand for advice, guidance and mentoring, it aims to encourage more women and young into the industry and education.

Esteem Indicators

 Elected Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (FRSA)
 Founder and Director, “ESRC North East of England Role Model Platform for Innovative Women”, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Impact Grants and supported by Newcastle Science City Initiative and Women’s Ambassador Programme
 Founder, ‘Postgraduate Learning by Doing Hub’, for the Faculty of Science, Agriculture, and Engineering (SAgE), Newcastle University, Sir Roberts Fund, 2005 onwards

Funding

Role Model Platform for Young Scientists, Funded by the ESRC Festival of Social Science Week 2010, £2,000, 16th March.

Role Model Platform for Young Scientists, Funded by the ESRC Festival of Social Science Week 2009, £2,000, 10th March.

Role Model Platform for Young Scientists, Funded by the ESRC Festival of Social Science Week 2008, £2,000, 13th March.

Improving Take-Up of Science and Technology Subjects in Schools and Colleges, Funded by the ESRC/DCSF, Research Synthesis, £10,000, July 2007 – February 2008, (Principal Investigator).

North East of England Role Model Platform for Innovative Women, Funded by ESRC Impact Grants, in collaboration with the Business and Innovation Centre (BIC), £50,000, February 2007 – March 2008, (Principal Investigator).

Gender and Ethnicity Issues in SET Conference, Centre for Life/Newcastle, 23 November 2006, funded by the ESRC Science in Society Programme, £20,850, (Principal Investigator),

The Impact of Gender Innovation on Regional Technology, Economy & Society, Funded by the ESRC Science and Society Programme, £47,000, April 2005 – February 2007, (Principal Investigator).

Projects

Undergraduate Teaching

Module Leader: Module NBS8134 "Business Support ina Practical Setting"
Module Leader: Module NBS8209 "Gender and Entrepreneurship"