Introduction

The Cardiff School of Management (CSM) has a widely regarded and rapidly developing reputation for critical research in management and  tourism studies. Our theoretically well-founded research addresses real issues of social and economic importance, reflecting the changing economic, social, political and policy landscapes of the UK and beyond. That is, the growth of neoliberal governmental regimes has led to a blurring of traditional boundaries between the public, private and voluntary sectors and national sovereign boundaries, with a consequent growth in new forms of socio-economic organisation, cultural practices and globalisation.

These trends and developments are facilitated by the widespread and growing application of management tools and techniques. Research within the School not only aims to focus a rigorous lens on such developments, bringing to bear expertise in both management techniques and social theory to understand and evaluate socio-economic change, but also to develop new and innovative socio-economic solutions to significant issues of the day. That is, we aim to use applied social science as a progressive force for economic, political and social engagement and analysis of the economy and civil society. We characterise this approach broadly as one of ‘social innovation’.