The challenge of change in professional service firms (Centre for Professional Service Firms, Cass Business School, City University, London)

Questions have emerged recently about whether traditional models for managing professionals can deal with the distinctive challenges confronting contemporary professional service firms.   Current leaders must struggle to reconcile multiple tensions within their firms and to persuade their multiple stakeholders to accept the need for change. Young professionals challenge the traditional apprenticeship model and no longer aspire to the lifestyles of their senior colleagues.  Senior professionals fight to maintain their personal autonomy from encroaching management systems and "creeping corporatism".  Functional managers struggle to establish status and credibility when specialist professional expertise is prized over management expertise.  Clients pressurise their professionals to share more of the burden of escalating costs and increasing risks.  New models are emerging but are still relatively unformed.  This workshop will explore:

• The process driving change in professional service firm management;
• Future challenges for those leading professional firms; 
• Implications for research in professional service firms.

Details of the event

Date: 12th of January 2010

Venue: Centre for Professional Service Firms, Cass Business School, City University, London

Start Time: 10am

Confirmed speakers include: 

Prof. Bob Hinings (University of Alberta)

Olivier Chatain (Wharton, University of Pennsylvania)

Heidi Gardner (Harvard Business School)

Janet Gaymer CBE, QC (Commissioner for Public Appointments - former Senior Partner, Simmons & Simmons)

Michael Izza (Chief Executive - Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales)

Attendance is by invitation only. If you are interested in attending this event please contact Prof. Laura Empson by email – laura.empson.1@city.ac.uk

Bursaries are available to PhD students, Post-Doctoral researchers within 2 years of completing their PhD or unwaged academic researchers. Bursaries will be awarded on a first-come first-served basis and will provide a contribution to travel and subsistence expenses. To be considered please contact the event organiser. The decision of the event organiser regarding the award of bursaries is final.