Dr Alf Crossman

Biography

Alf Crossman has been at the Surrey Business School, University of Surrey, since September 1999. Previously he was at Thames Valley University as a Senior Lecturer in Industrial Relations for eight years. Alf holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Personnel Management from Ealing College of Higher Education (Thames Valley University), a MA in Industrial Relations from Brunel University. His PhD from the University of Surrey investigated the relationship between authoritarian management and the psychological contract and whether satisfaction with pay acted as an intervening variable. Alf is also an alumnus of the International Teachers Programme which he studied at the Stockholm School of Economics. He is a member of a number of academic/scholarly organisations including the British Academy of Management and the Industrial Law Society. He is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development ) and of the Royal Society of Arts.

Prior to entering a career in higher education, Alf held a number of senior HR posts in the hotel sector in London and throughout the UK. In the late 1970s and early 1980s Alf served in the Royal Navy, working on a range of computerised missile systems; most of his seagoing service was in HMS Argonaut just prior to her sailing for the Falkland Islands conflict. At the time the Royal Dockyards were 100 per cent unionised and fairly 'militant'; this experience  later proved invaluable for his industrial relations teaching.  He is an experienced HR consultant and has assisted a small number of internationally renowned companies, such as Boeing and General Motors, as well as advising the Ministers of Labour in Barbados and Mauritius. Alf has been a frequent contributor to television, radio and newspapers at international, national and regional levels, commenting on high profile industrial disputes,the effect of government cuts in the public sector, and proposed changes to employment legislation. His views have appeared in articles in Professional Manager, The Times, and Kommersant Daily (Russia).

In recent years Alf has been a visiting lecturer in Industrial Relations at the Royal Military College of Science, Shrivenham (Cranfield University) and an associate lecturer in Industrial Relations and HRM at Brunel University. He is currently a Visiting Professor at the Moscow International Business School – MIRBIS and a visiting lecturer at Linkoping University in Sweden. Since 2005 he has been a member of the TiasNimbas (Utrecht) faculty teaching Organisational Behaviour and Leadership on the MA and MSc programmes and Managing People on the Bradford MBA programme. 

Research Interests

Industrial relations and industrial conflict

Psychological contract

Job satisfaction

Management climate

Whistle-blowing and employee complicity

Publications

Journal Articles and Book Chapters

Pepper, A. A., Gore, J. and Crossman, A. "Are long-term incentive plans an effective and efficient way of motivating senior executives?",  Human Resource Management Journal, Forthcoming.

Crossman, A. 2011, "Conflict and stress in organisations", in Butler, M. and Rose, E. (Eds) Introduction to Organisational Behaviour, London, CIPD

Crossman, A. & Harris, P. 2006, "Job satisfaction of secondary school teachers", Educational Management Administration and Leadership, vol.34, no.1, pp. 29-46

Crossman, A. & Lee-Kelley, L. 2004, "Trust, commitment and team-working: the paradox of the virtual organization", Global Networks, vol.4, no.4, pp. 375-390

Cook, J. & Crossman, A. 2004, "Satisfaction with performance appraisal systems: a study of role appraisal systems", Journal of Managerial Psychology, vol.19, no.5, pp. 526-541

Crossman, A. 2004, "Critical incidents and the dynamics of the psychological contract", The Anahuac Journal, vol.5, no.1, pp. 55-66

Lee-Kelley, L., Crossman, A. & Cannings, A. 2004, "A social interaction approach to managing the 'invisibles' of virtual teams", Industrial Management and Data Systems, vol.104, no.8, pp. 650-657

Sarker, S., Crossman, A. & Chinmeteepituck, P. 2003, "The relationships of age and length of service with the job satisfaction: an examination of hotel employees in Thailand", Journal of Managerial Psychology, vol.18, no.7, pp. 745-758

Crossman, A. & Abou-Zaki, B. 2002, "Job satisfaction and employee performance of Lebanese banking staff", Journal of Managerial Psychology, vol.18, no.4, pp. 368-376

Crossman, A. & Lee-Kelley, L. 2002, "Breaking up is hard to do: the centrality of commitment in virtual organizations", Journal of Management Systems, vol.14, no.3, pp. 1-12

Crossman, A. 2001, "Do employers act strategically? A case of the British National Minimum Wage", The Anahuac Journal, vol.3, no.2, pp. 160-173

Crossman, A. 2001, "The rhetoric and reality: employer responses to the national minimum wage", Economic Affairs, vol.21, no.4, pp. 46-50

Conference Papers

Pepper, A; Gore, J. and Crossman, A. (2010) ‘Behavioural aspects of senior executive reward’. The Human Resource Management Track, British Academy of Management  Conference, Sheffield, Sept 2010. (under review).

Pepper, A; Gore, J. and Crossman, A. (2010) ‘Are long term incentive plans an effective and efficient way of motivating senior executives?’ International Association for Research in Economic Psychology (IAREP) and the Society for the Advancement of Behavioral Economics (SABE) Conference, Department of Economic and Social Psychology of the University of Cologne, Sept. 2010.(under review).

Crossman, A. (2010) ‘Effective Knowledge Management’, Keynote address, Russian Association of Business Education Conference,  Moscow, 20-21 April.

 Pepper, A; Gore, J. and Crossman, A. (2010) ‘Are long-term incentive plans an effective and efficient way of motivating senior executives?’, British Academy of Management HRM Conference, London School of Economics, 22-23 April.

Crossman, A. (2009) ‘Managing the employment relationship in turbulent times’, Invited address: Cyprus HRM Association Conference, 28 May, Nicosia, Cyprus.

Lee-Kelley, L. & Crossman, A. 2005, "A 21st century high-tech surveillance: impact on the employer-employee psychological contract", in Proceedings of the 8th Conference on International HRM, Cairns, Australia 2004

Crossman, A. & Ready, E. 2004, "The psychological contracts of employees and voluntary workers: a comparative study", in , Dunedin, New Zealand

Crossman, A. & Morrison, P. 2004, "Old, gifted and scrap: a study of age stereotyping in the NHS", in , Dunedin, New Zealand

Lee-Kelley, L. & Crossman, A. 2004, "Knowledge as a shared commodity in 21st century collaborations: trust and power as prefects", in Proceedings of the International Telework Academy Workshop, Crete

Crossman, A. & Lee-Kelley, L. 2004, "High-tech surveillance in the workplace: the psychologial contract revisited", in Proceedings of the International Conference on HRM in a knowledge-based economy, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia

Cook, J. & Crossman, A. 2003, "Role and satisfaction in performance appraisal systems", in Proceedings of the 17th ANZAM conference, Edith Cowan University, Fremantle

Crossman, A., Cannings, A. & Lee-Kelley, L. 2003, "Brief encounters: managing the 'soft' issues of virtual teams", in Proceedings of the 7th conference on international human resource management, University of Limerick

Crossman, A. 2002, "Exploring the dynamics of the psychological contract", in Proceedings of the British Academy of Management Conference, Middlesex University, UK

Crossman, A. & Lee-Kelley, L. 2002, "Breaking up is hard to do: the centrality of commitment in virtual organizations", in Proceedings of the 20th AoM/IAoM Conference,

Crossman, A. & Lee-Kelley, L. 2002, "The centrality of commitment in virtual organizations", in Proceedings of the 20th AoM/IAoM conference,

Lee-Kelley, L. & Crossman, A. 2001, "Tiptoe through the tulips: towards collaboration in the networked organization", in Proceedings of the Telework 2001 Conference, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Lee-Kelley, L. & Crossman, A. 2001, "Will you still love me tomorrow? Trust in the virtual organization", in Proceedings of the Human Resources Global Management Conference, Cranfield University, Barcelona, Spain

Teaching

Management of Human Resources (PG)

Industrial Relations (PG)

Advanced Organisation Theory (PG)

Departmental Duties

Director: Doctor of Business Administration

People and Organisations Deputy Subject Group Leader

Module Leader: Industrial Relations (PG)

Module Leader: Advanced Organisation Theory (PG)

Module Leader: Managing Human Resources (PG)

Leisure interests

Cycling (road and mountain bike) - too fast :o)

Running (road and cross-country) - too slow :o( 

Skiing (snow) - too fast for my own safety :o)))          ...Paragliding                                         ...Microlighting

Media contributions

30.08.12 (08.00) BBC Radio Sheffield: Commenting on the dispute between Unite the Union and Sheffield City Council/Violia over changes to recycling arrangements.

25.07.12 (08.15) BBC Radio Surrey: Commenting on the Government’s intentions to seek a High Court injunction to prevent the UKBA strike on 26th July.

25.07.12 (06.30) BBC Radio Wales: Commenting on the Government’s intentions to seek a High Court injunction to prevent the UKBA strike on 26th July.

23.07.12 (09.15) BBC Radio London: Commenting on the Jeremy Hunt’s views on the suggestion that striking UKBA staff should be dismissed.

06.07.12 (07.05) BBC Radio Surrey: Commenting on the ballot for industrial action by the RMT at South West Trains over bonus payments during the Olympic Games.

21.06.12 (08.10) BBC Radio Surrey: Commenting on the industrial action by doctors over changes to pension arrangements.

28.05.12 Kommersant Daily (Russia), Interview column - commenting on the 'Shareholder Spring'.

20.04.12 (08.20) BBC Radio Surrey: Commenting on the latest developments in the petrol tanker drivers dispute over pay, training and health & safety.

20.04.12 (08.05) BBC Radio Wales: Commenting on the latest developments in the petrol tanker drivers dispute over pay, training and health & safety.

05.04.12 (17.00) BBC Radio Surrey: Commenting on the industrial action by petrol tanker drivers in the dispute over pay, training and health & safety.

02.12 Professional Manager, Ask the Experts column on managing organisational change.

30.01.12 Kommersant Daily (Russia), Opinion column, Re-shoring: prospects for the UK and EU’.

25.11.12 The Times (UK), Opinion column, ‘Unions must get members to turn out for strike ballots’.

05.12.11 Quoted in Kommersant Daily (Russia) article on the impact of lay-offs in the financial services sector on the labour market.

30.11.11 (18.40) BBC Radio Wales - ‘Good Evening Wales’: Commenting on the day of action over public sector pension changes.

25.11.11 The Times (p.85): Opinion column - 'Unions must get more members to turn out for strike ballots'. commenting on low ballot turnouts in the public sector pensions dispute.

02.11.11 (16.30) Sky News: Discussing the Government’s revised offer to the public sector unions on pension reforms.

26.10.11 (17.30) BBC Radio London - Drive Time: Commenting on the leaked report by Adrian Beecroft for the Government, outlining radical changes to employment legislation.

18.10.11 Quoted by Middle East North Africa Financial Network (MENAFN.Com) regarding attitudes towards education in Barbados.

21.09.11 (08.00) BBC Radio Sheffield - ‘Toby Foster Bigger Breakfast Show’: Commenting on the one-day industrial action among public sector workers in Sheffield.

18.08.11 (08.20) BBC Radio Sheffield - ‘Toby Foster Bigger Breakfast Show’: Commenting on the continued industrial action by the NUJ at the Johnston Press in Yorkshire.

19.07.11 (07.45) BBC Radio Sheffield - ‘Toby Foster Bigger Breakfast Show’: Commenting on the indefinite industrial action by the NUJ at the Johnston Press in Yorkshire.

13.07.11 (07.20) BBC Radio Leeds (Martin Kelner and Katherine Hannah): Commenting on the Leeds City Council proposal (white paper) to abolish full-time TU convenors.

30.06.11 (10.00) Eagle Radio: Commenting on the public sector strikes on 30th June.

28.06.11 (08.00) BBC Radio Surrey: Commenting on the proposed industrial action by pilots at Virgin Atlantic.

07.06.11 (08.20) BBC Radio Sheffield - ‘Toby Foster Bigger Breakfast Show’: Commenting on the government plans to make it more difficult for trade unions to engage in industrial action.

12.05.11 (18.10) BBC1 Television 6 o’clock News: Interview commenting on the outcome of the Unite cabin crew meeting to discuss the proposed settlement of the British Airways/Unite dispute.

12.05.11 (17.00) BBC Television News Channel: Interview commenting on the outcome of the Unite cabin crew meeting to discuss the proposed settlement of the British Airways/Unite dispute.

12.05.11 (07.20) BBC Radio Surrey: Interview commenting on the possible settlement of the British Airways/Unite dispute.

12.05.11 (06.15) BBC Radio 4 ‘Today’: Interview commenting on the possible settlement of the British Airways/Unite dispute.

25.03.11 (07.05) BBC Radio Sheffield - ‘Toby Foster Bigger Breakfast Show’: Commenting on the effectiveness of demonstrations in advance of the TUC march on 26.03.11.

28.01.11 (07.05) BBC Radio London: Commenting on the TUC meeting with the 55 affiliated unions to discuss coordinated industrial action.

28.01.11 (06.05) BBC Radio Surrey: Commenting on the TUC meeting with the 55 affiliated unions to discuss coordinated industrial action.

28.01.11 (06.05) BBC Radio 5 Live: Commenting on the TUC meeting with the 55 affiliated unions to discuss coordinated industrial action.

27.01.11 Quoted in Times Educational Supplement article: 'Get back to where we belong' by Hannah Frankel on the Government cuts to schools and the likely impact on industrial disputes in the sector.

26.10.10 (09.00) BBC Radio Surrey: Commenting on the background to the FBU-London Fire Brigade dispute.

26.10.10 (08.45) BBC Radio 5 Live - Nicky Campbell Show: Commenting on the background to the FBU-London Fire Brigade dispute.

22.10.10 (10.10) BBC Radio Sheffield: Commenting on the 2nd reading of the Lawful Industrial Action (Minor Errors) Bill 2010-11, to remove minor errors as a reason to prevent strike action, and the calls by the CBI to make strike action more difficult.

21.10.10 (09.10) BBC Three Counties Radio: Commenting on the likelihood of coordinated industrial action along the lines of France after the cuts announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review.

29.09.10 (08.20) BBC Radio Sheffield - ‘Toby Foster Bigger Breakfast Show’: Commenting on the day of European day of coordinated action/protest in protest at the proposed public sector job cuts across Europe.

24.09.10 Times Education Supplement: 'When something’s got to give', article on the prospect of another 'winter of discontent'.

16.09.10 (09.25) BBC Radio Sheffield - ‘Toby Foster Bigger Breakfast Show’: Commenting on the TUC conference and the likelihood of mass industrial action in protest at the proposed public sector job cuts.

17.08.10 (09.50) BBC Three Counties Radio: Business News: Commenting on the dispute between Unite and the British Airports Authority over pay and the threat of strike action.

10.08.10 (17.00) BBC Radio Wales - ‘Good Evening Wales’: Commenting on the leaked Ministry of Justice letter and the PCS claim that 15,000 jobs will be lost.

10.08.10 (09.25) BBC Radio Sheffield - ‘Toby Foster Bigger Breakfast Show’: Commenting on whether trade unions still have a role to play in contemporary industrial relations.

30.07.10 Quoted in the Barbados Advocate: Keep up the good work' about employers treatment of employees.

26.07.10 (17.15) BBC Radio Wales - ‘Good Evening Wales’: Interview commenting on the BA/Unite dispute and the intention of Unite to use European human rights legislation regarding the withdrawal of travel perks.

10.07.10 Barbados Advocate (p.4): ‘Employers encouraged to get to know their staff’, coverage of Senior Management seminar ‘Managing the employment relationship in turbulent times’, held at the Barbados Hilton.

10.07.10 Barbados Advocate (front page and p.4): ‘Employees are human beings first’, coverage of Senior Management seminar ‘Managing the employment relationship in turbulent times’, held at the Barbados Hilton.

09.07.10 (19.00) CBC Barbados Business News: feature (including interview) on the Senior Management seminar, ‘Managing the employment relationship in turbulent times’, held at the Barbados Hilton.

31.05.10 (08.50) BBC Radio 5 Live: Joint interview with Francis Beckett commenting on the comparability between the British Airways/Unite strike and the year-long Miner’s strike of 1984-85.

24.05.10 (08.20) BBC Radio Sussex: Interview commenting on the breakdown of negotiations between British Airways and Unite.

24.05.10 (07.20) BBC Radio Surrey: Interview commenting on the breakdown of negotiations between British Airways and Unite.

24.05.10 (07.10) BBC Radio Wales - ‘Good Morning Wales’: Interview commenting on the breakdown of negotiations between British Airways and Unite.

19.05.10 (09.30) BBC Radio Sheffield - ‘Toby Foster Bigger Breakfast Show’: Interview commenting on the whether there should be a ‘right to strike’ following High Court injunctions in the British Airways/Unite, Network Rail/RMT, and Johnston Press/NUJ disputes.

20.05.10 (09.30) BBC Radio Wales - ‘Good Morning Wales’: Interview commenting on the successful appeal in the Court of Appeal by British Airways following High Court injunction preventing strike action on 17.05.10.

18.05.10 (11.20) BBC Radio Surrey: Interview commenting on the High Court injunction in the British Airways/Unite dispute.

18.05.10 (07.50) BBC1 Breakfast Television: Interview commenting on the High Court injunction in the British Airways/Unite dispute.

18.05.10 (06.10) BBC Radio 4 ‘Today’: Interview commenting on the High Court injunction in the British Airways/Unite dispute.

18.05.10 (05.30) BBC Radio 5 Live - ‘Wake up to Money’: Interview on the British Airways/Unite dispute.

26.04.10 (06.50) BBC1 Breakfast Television: Interview commenting on the British Airways/Unite dispute.

26.04.10 (05.30) BBC Radio 5 Live ‘Wake up to Money’: Interview commenting on the British Airways/Unite dispute.

15.03.08 Quoted in the Barbados Advocate about improving public sector performance in Barbados.

16.11.07 Quoted by Barbados Advocate about the BIMAP graduation ceremony and the award of University of Surrey Master degrees.

19.11.07 Quoted by Barbados Advocate about the role of BIMAP and the University of Surrey in the development of human resources in Barbados.