Changing Cultures of Competitiveness: Financialization of Competitiveness

Call for Papers

Financialization of Competitiveness

Friday 25th April, 2008

School of Arts and Social Sciences,

Northumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Financial markets are now key in framing the ways in which corporate competitiveness is understood and measured. This 'financialization of competitiveness' is, however, somewhat ambiguous, uncertain and contested. The privileged place of finance in setting the parameters for competitiveness would seem to be manifest in the drive to deliver shareholder value, and in corporate governance reforms that further institute the power of shareholders over managers and workers. Nonetheless, the extent to which shareholder value has become embedded and embodied in corporate practice and management is open to question. Corporate governance reform has also received support from pension funds, as processes of financialization feed concerns with ethical investment and shareholder activism that advance corporate social responsibility.

The Financialization of Competitiveness is the second in a series of seminars, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, entitled 'Changing Cultures of Competitiveness' (http://www.lancs.ac.uk/fass/events/changingcultures/seminars.htm).

The programme for the day will begin at 11am. Keynote debates either side of lunch will be followed by breakout paper presentations from mid-afternoon. Confirmed keynote speakers include Rob Aitken (University of Alberta), Shaun French (University of Nottingham), Matthew Watson (University of Warwick), and Karel Williams (University of Manchester). All those interested in presenting a paper should submit a title and short abstract to paul.langley@unn.ac.uk by 1st February 2008.

Academics, postgraduates, and practitioners are invited to attend and participate in a seminar that will subject the financialization of competitiveness to critical scrutiny. Attendance at the seminar is free. Places are limited, however, so please contact paul.langley@unn.ac.uk to reserve your place as soon as possible. Travel grants are available for UK postgraduate participants and practitioners.

LOCATION

Northumbria University

Sandyford Road

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE1 8ST

Tel: 0191 227 4410

Campus map: http://northumbria.ac.uk/brochure/visit/campus_branch/ncle_cmp/city_campus/

ACCOMMODATION

The Swallow Imperial (nearest to campus), Jurys Inn, Hilton Gateshead, and Copthorne hotels all have a number of rooms set aside for delegates to book for themselves. When booking a room at any of these hotels, please quote 'Northumbria University ESRC Seminar Series'.

Swallow Imperial Hotel

Jesmond Rd

Jesmond

Newcastle upon Tyne

Tyne and Wear

NE2 1PR

Tel: (+44) 191 2815511

* Room rate £70.00 inc breakfast

Hilton Hotel Gateshead

Bottle Bank

Gateshead

Tyne and Wear

NE8 2AR

Tel:0870 863 7424

* Room rate £70.00 inc breakfast

Jurys Inn

St. James Gate

Scotswood Rd

Newcastle upon Tyne

Tyne and Wear

NE4 7JH

Tel:0845 45 66 399

* Room rate £120.00 inc breakfast

Copthorne Hotel

The Close

Quayside

Newcastle upon Tyne

Tyne and Wear

NE1 3RT

Tel:0845 45 66 399

*Room rate £120.00 inc breakfast

Newcastle has a wide range of alternative accommodation options. These include:

Albatross Backpackers Inn!

51 Grainger Street

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE1 5JE

Tel: 0191 233 1330

* Room rate from £18.50

Brandling Guest House

4 Brandling Park

Jesmond

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE2 4QA

Tel: 0191 281 3175

* Room rate £29.00 (standard) £35.00 (en-suite)

Grosvenor Hotel

18 Grosvenor Road

Jesmond

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE2 2RR

Tel: 0191 281 0980

* Room rate £39.00 (single) £60.00 (double/twin) inc breakfast

Jesmond Hotel

Osborne Road

Jesmond

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE2 2PR

Tel: 0191 281 2821

* Room rate £45.00 - £47.50

Premier Travel Inn

The Quayside

Newcastle upon Tyne

Tyne and Wear

NE1 3DE

Tel: 08709906530

* Room rate £68.90 inc breakfast

DIRECTIONS

BY RAIL

Newcastle Central Station is based in the heart of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and is served by GNER, Virgin Trains and TransPennine Express. On arrival at Newcastle Central Station, a taxi to Northumbria University will cost between £5 and £10. Alternatively, Central Station is linked to the rest of the city by the metro. Take the metro to Haymarket, and Northumbria University City Campus is a three-minute walk away.

For information and booking rail tickets please see below;

Company

Web

Contact Telephone

National Rail Enquiries

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

0845 748 4950

TransPennine Express

www.tpexpress.co.uk

GNER

www.gner.co.uk

08457 22 52 25

Virgin Trains

www.virgintrains.co.uk

0870 722 2333

BY AIR

Newcastle International Airport is served by many airlines providing direct links from international and UK destinations, and is only 25 minutes from the city centre. The metro is the quickest and easiest way to get to the city centre from the airport. Trains run every 5-15 minutes and the journey takes 22 minutes. Taxis to the city centre cost between £10 and £15.

You can fly to Newcastle International Airport from the following destinations;

Destination

Duration

Operator

Aberdeen

50mins

Eastern Airways

Birmingham

1hr

Eastern Airways

Bristol

1hr 10mins

easyjet

Cardiff

1hr 20mins

Air Wales

Dublin

1 hr

Ryan Air

Exeter

1hr 15mins

Flybe

BY CAR

From A69

From Hexham join the A69 (Which way)

At roundabout take 2nd exit onto the A186 (signposted City West)

At roundabout take 2nd Exit onto A186

At roundabout take 2nd Exit onto A186

At roundabout take 2nd Exit onto A186

Turn left onto the A189

At roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Gallowgate B1307

At roundabout take the 1st exit onto Percy Street - B1307

Turn right onto John Dobson Street

From A1 North

Join the A1

Branch left, then at round about take the 1st exit onto the A167 (signposted City Centre)

At round about take the 2nd exit onto the A167

At round about take the 2nd exit onto the A167

At round about take the 3rd exit onto the A167

At Cowgate Roundabout take 1st exit onto A167

Continue forward onto the A167 (M) (signposted City Centre, East and South, A167 (M)

Branch left, then merge onto the A1058 (M) (signposted Tynemouth A1058, Jesmond)

Turn right onto Osbourne Road - B1309

At round about take 2nd exit onto Sandyford Road - B1307

From A1 South

Join the A1 motorway (signposted A1 (M)

Pss Washington Service area (Moto)

Keep in right hand lane and bear right onto the A194 (M) (signposted Tyne Tunnel, South Sheilds)

At White Mare Pool Roundabout take the 1st exit (signposted Gateshead, Newcastle, A184, Springwell, B1288)

Continue forward, then merge onto the A184

(WARNING: Speed Camera along the A184)

At roundabout take the 2nd exit onto the A184

At roundabout take the 3rd exit, then merge onto the A167 (signposted Newcastle)

Over the Tyne Bridge

Continue forward onto the A167 (M)

Branch left, then at New Bridge Street Roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Durant Road - B1309 (signposted City Centre, B1309)

CAR PARKING

There are a number of car parks available around the city centre. They are all clearly signposted. The following car parks as close to Northumbria University City Campus;

John Dobson Street

Address

Daily tariffs

John Dobson Street MscpNewcastleNE1 8HlTEL: 0191 232 1869

1 Hour £ 1.901 To 2 Hours £ 4.002 To 3 Hours £ 5.003 To 4 Hours £ 6.504 To 6 Hours £ 7.706 To 9 Hours £ 8.809 To 12 Hours £ 10.8012 To 24 Hours £ 11.80Night Rate 1700-0900 £ 3.90Sun 1 Hour £ 1.90Sunday 24 Hours £ 4.00Motorcycle Per Day £ 2.001 Week Pass £ 25.00

Opening hours

Monday-Sunday :24 HoursOpen Bank Holidays

>

New Bridge Street

Address

Daily tariffs

Newbridge Street MscpNewcastleNE1 8AbTEL: 0191 232 4495

2 Hours £ 3.802 To 4 Hours £ 6.704 To 6 Hours £ 7.806 To 9 Hours £ 9.509 To 12 Hours £ 10.5012 To 24 Hours £ 11.60Night Rate 1700-0900 £ 3.00Sun 1 Hour £ 2.00Sun 2 To 24 Hours £ 4.40Motorcycle Per Day £ 2.00

Opening hours

Monday-Saturday :07:00-22:00

Sunday 10:00-18:00

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For a more detailed map of Newcastle City Centre please see URL below;

http://www.newcastlegateshead.com/media/Map_pages_TyneandWear.pdf

For more details on how to get round please visit the below URL:

http://www.newcastlegateshead.com/media/Map_pages_howtogetaround.pdf