Predicting the eurozone crisis, holding corporate officers responsible, bank employee wellbeing during the financial crisis, management decision-making following Fukushima are among some of the subjects which will be covered at the 11th World Congress of the International Federation of Scholarly Associations of Management (IFSAM) being held at the University of Limerick from 26th - 29th June 2012.

Professor Michael J Morley, Kemmy Business School and Chair of the IFSAM 2012 World Congress said; “The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Management Re-imagined’ and it is designed to capture the debate that is going on about the need to re-examine the nature of management education and management practice as a result of the crises which we have witnessed, not just the financial crisis, but what many have characterised as a crisis of values. It is also designed to capture the changing landscape of international business and the rise of emerging economies which are becoming hugely important players, bringing new management styles and new approaches that we must all become familiar with, whether as management educators or practitioners. At IFSAM 2012, we are delighted to have so many leading international speakers and researchers who will address a range of contemporary business topics relevant to managers, policy makers, educators and students.”

This is the first time the world congress has been held in Ireland with previous locations including; Tokyo, Paris, Dallas, Berlin, Shanghai. Over 400 delegates from 48 countries will be attending the week-long event being held at the Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick. The conference programme includes; 10 keynotes from leading scholars from around the world and some 90 workshops and symposia.

Professor Animesh Ghoshal of DePaul University, USA will discuss whether there was Managerial failure in foreseeing the Eurozone crisis. Speaking in advance of his presentation, Professor Ghoshal said; “The eurozone debt crisis has had a profound effect on businesses not only in Europe, but throughout the world. Even before the crisis began to erupt in 2009, economic indicators pointed to unsustainable imbalances within the eurozone, and the failure to recognise this was a major managerial failure on the part of political and business leaders."

Professor Ghoshal added; “There are considerable differences across countries which came under severe pressure in financial markets, but a common feature was an unsustainable current account deficit. Ireland, unlike many of the others, did not become uncompetitive because of labor costs outstripping productivity; in fact its unit labor cost actually declined in the period 2000-2008. The problems arose because the current account is the sum of net public and private saving, and while Ireland’s public savings reflected a fiscal policy of rectitude, its private savings fell drastically, fuelled by easy borrowing. In fact, Ireland can be regarded as a classic example of the fact that private borrowing, particularly by banks, can easily turn into sovereign risk, and condemn a country to a long period of austerity.”  

In his presentation entitled ‘From Boom to Bust: Irish Attitudes to Immigrants’, Tom Turner, University of Limerick said; “Our research compared attitudes toward immigrants in 12 European countries at three critical moments in time – prior to large immigration flows in 2002, at the height of the economic cycle in 2006 and after the financial crash in 2010. The decline in positive attitudes towards immigrants was highest in Greece and Ireland. Overall in Ireland negative attitudes towards immigrants increased on more sharply than any other country.”

International Federation of Scholarly Associations of Management (IFSAM) mission is to promote research and teaching in the field of management and to exchange and disperse ideas and systems in this field all over the world. IFSAM is working towards achieving these goals by promoting the worldwide exchange of information and global communication, especially within the academic community, but also between the academic community and management practice. IFSAM does this by creating and supporting networks and by taking on development responsibilities. IFSAM conferences are opportunities for scholars around the world to share new knowledge pertaining to important managerial questions and issues. The 2014 Congress will be hosted in Tokyo.

For further information go to www.ifsam2012.org