Emeritus Professor
Management, Work and Organisation University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA
Chartered Director & Fellow of Institute of Directors PhD Management (Lancaster University Management School)
I joined the University of Stirling in December 2012 as Director of Research from the University of Strathclyde Business School, where I was Head of Department. March 2013 to June 2018, I was Director of Stirling Management School. Whilst Director I led a programme of major restructuring and culture change with a focus on providing a top quality student experience, engagement with industry and recruiting and retaining high calibre staff. My leadership of the Management School was recognised by the Institute of Directors in 2015 in their annual award ceremony. For three years I was also the University’s first Institutional Dean for Equality and Diversity and led the implementation of the ‘One Stirling’ campaign, which focussed on creating a culture of respect and celebration of diversity. Prior to joining Strathclyde Business School in March 2007, I spent seven years at Lancaster University Management School. I have also worked as a Senior Administrator in the public and private sectors.
Currently, I am engaged in consultancy work and writing a book and articles. I am also Vice-President for Research at the Athens Institute of Education and Research (ATINER).
I am best known for my research concerning the management of emotion in organisations and, most recently, my conceptualisation of different dimensions of dignity at work and how this translates into managerial practice. My ideas are disseminated widely via speaking engagements and publication in leading academic and practitioner journals and edited collections, including several papers concerned with conceptualising workplace emotionality, dignity at work, the human in human resource management, public sector management and nursing, and gender and the professions. The origins of my interests lie in some perennial questions concerning how we can better understand the relationship between people, work and society, and what is the fundamental conception of humanity embedded in the political economy.
Emerging Leader Award
Awarded by Institute of Directors in recognition of leadership of University of Stirling Management School
Dispatches - Too Old to Work (C4 Documentary)
Appearance as expert in the Channel 4 Documentary concerned with ageism at work. Based on research conducted into 'Best Companies to Work for'
Dimensions and Divisions of Dignity at Work. The Knowledge Based Economy Colloquium: Institute Advanced Studies (IAS), Lancaster University. 19-20th October 2005
Institute Advanced Studies (IAS), Lancaster University
http://www.esrc.ac.uk/…49c-8fc75041f444
Public Sector Professionals / Workplace Well-being / Gender / Diversity & Inclusion / Dignity at Work / Meaningful Work / The management of emotion in the workplace
Article
Absolute autonomy, respectful recognition and derived dignity: Towards a typology of meaningful work
Laaser K & Bolton S (2022) Absolute autonomy, respectful recognition and derived dignity: Towards a typology of meaningful work. International Journal of Management Reviews, 24 (3), pp. 373-393. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijmr.12282
Article
The relational work of compassion and toxicity at a pupil referral unit
Bolton S & Laaser K (2021) The relational work of compassion and toxicity at a pupil referral unit. Organization, 28 (6), pp. 976-992. https://doi.org/10.1177/13505084211015376
Article
The Moral Economy of Solidarity: A Longitudinal Study of Special Needs Teachers
Bolton SC & Laaser K (2020) The Moral Economy of Solidarity: A Longitudinal Study of Special Needs Teachers. Work, Employment and Society, 34 (1), pp. 55-72. https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017019871237
Article
A neglected pool of labour? Frontline service work and hotel recruitment in Glasgow
Bolton SC, Laaser K & McGuire D (2019) A neglected pool of labour? Frontline service work and hotel recruitment in Glasgow. European Management Review, 16 (3), pp. 567-578. https://doi.org/10.1111/emre.12172
Book Chapter
The moral economy: flexible employment and layers of disconnection
Bolton SC & Laaser K (2019) The moral economy: flexible employment and layers of disconnection. In: Gall G (ed.) Handbook of the Politics of Labour, Work and Employment. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, pp. 201-213. https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/handbook-of-the-politics-of-labour-work-and-employment
Article
Selective Consent and Dissent: Professional Response to Reform in the Post-crisis Greek NHS
Bolton SC, Charalampopoulos V & Skountridaki K (2019) Selective Consent and Dissent: Professional Response to Reform in the Post-crisis Greek NHS. Work, Employment and Society, 33 (2), pp. 262-279. https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017018774244
Article
Ethics of care and co-worker relationships in UK banks
Laaser K & Bolton SC (2017) Ethics of care and co-worker relationships in UK banks. New Technology, Work and Employment, 32 (3), pp. 213-227. https://doi.org/10.1111/ntwe.12099
Article
The Medical Tourist and a Political Economy of Care
Bolton SC & Skountridaki K (2017) The Medical Tourist and a Political Economy of Care. Antipode, 49 (2), pp. 499-516. https://doi.org/10.1111/anti.12273
Article
Quality Work and the Moral Economy of European Employment Policy
Bolton SC, Laaser K & McGuire D (2016) Quality Work and the Moral Economy of European Employment Policy. Journal of Common Market Studies, 54 (3), pp. 583-598. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcms.12304
Newspaper Article
Why there are so many women managers, but so few women CEOs
Bolton SC (2015) Why there are so many women managers, but so few women CEOs. The Conversation. 06.03.2015. https://theconversation.com/why-there-are-so-many-women-managers-but-so-few-women-ceos-38447
Article
Work, employment and society through the lens of moral economy
Bolton SC & Laaser K (2013) Work, employment and society through the lens of moral economy. Work, Employment and Society, 27 (3), pp. 508-525. https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017013479828
Book Chapter
Bolton SC (2013) Emotion. In: Smith & V (eds.) Sage Sociology of Work Encyclopaedia. Los Angeles: SAGE. http://www.sagepub.com/books/Book237017?subject=600&sortBy=defaultPubDate%20desc&fs=1
Book Chapter
Bolton SC (2013) Dignity at Work. In: Smith & V (eds.) Sage Sociology of Work Encyclopaedia. Los Angeles: SAGE. http://www.sagepub.com/books/Book237017?subject=600&sortBy=defaultPubDate%20desc&fs=1
Book Chapter
Bolton SC (2013) Goffman. In: Smith & V (eds.) Sage Sociology of Work Encyclopaedia. Los Angeles: SAGE. http://www.sagepub.com/books/Book237017?subject=600&sortBy=defaultPubDate%20desc&fs=1
Article
The story of a 'boss man', his community and the 1984 miners' strike
Bolton SC & Ditchburn J (2012) The story of a 'boss man', his community and the 1984 miners' strike. Work, Employment and Society, 26 (6), pp. 1019-1027. http://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/41100/; https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017012458172
Article
Contingent Work and Its Contradictions: Towards a Moral Economy Framework
Bolton SC, Houlihan M & Laaser K (2012) Contingent Work and Its Contradictions: Towards a Moral Economy Framework. Journal of Business Ethics, 111 (1), pp. 121-132. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-012-1439-7
Book Chapter
Critical Human Resource Management
Bolton SC (2011) Critical Human Resource Management. In: Tadajewski M, Maclaran P, Parsons E & Parker M (eds.) Key Concepts in Critical Management Studies. SAGE Key Concepts. Sage Publications, pp. 74-78. http://www.sagepub.com/books/Book234616?siteId=sage-us&prodTypes=Books&q=Key+Concepts+in+Critical+Management+Studies+&fs=1
Book Chapter
Dimensions of Dignity: Defining the Future of Work
Bolton SC (2011) Dimensions of Dignity: Defining the Future of Work. In: Townsend K & Wilkinson A (eds.) Research Handbook on the Future of Work and Employment Relations. First ed. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd, pp. 370-384. http://www.e-elgar.co.uk/bookentry_main.lasso?id=13751&breadcrumlink=&breadcrum=&sub_values=&site_Bus_Man=&site_dev=&site_eco=&site_env_eco=&site_inn_tech=&site_int_pol=&site_law=&site_pub_soc=
Research Report
What Makes a Great Place to Work in Scotland
Bolton SC, Findlay P & Nickson D (2011) What Makes a Great Place to Work in Scotland. Great Place to Work.
Article
Making Sense of Modern Medical Careers: The Case of the UK’s National Health Service
Bolton SC, Muzio D & Boyd-Quinn C (2011) Making Sense of Modern Medical Careers: The Case of the UK’s National Health Service. Sociology, 45 (4), pp. 682-699. https://doi.org/10.1177/0038038511406598
Article
Corporate Social Responsibility as a Dynamic Internal Organizational Process: A Case Study
Bolton SC, Kim RC & O’Gorman KD (2011) Corporate Social Responsibility as a Dynamic Internal Organizational Process: A Case Study. Journal of Business Ethics, 101 (1), pp. 61-74. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-010-0709-5
Book Chapter
Old Ambiguities and New Developments: Exploring the Emotional Labour Process
Bolton SC (2010) Old Ambiguities and New Developments: Exploring the Emotional Labour Process. In: Thompson P & Smith C (eds.) Working Life: Renewing Labour Process Analysis. First ed. Critical Perspectives on Work and Employment. Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan. http://www.palgrave.com/products/title.aspx?pid=320775
Article
Bermuda revisited? Management power and powerlessness in the worker-manager-customer triangle
Bolton SC & Houlihan M (2010) Bermuda revisited? Management power and powerlessness in the worker-manager-customer triangle. Work and Occupations, 37 (3), pp. 378-403. https://doi.org/10.1177/0730888410375678
Article
Being human: dignity of labor as the foundation for the spirit–work connection
Bolton SC (2010) Being human: dignity of labor as the foundation for the spirit–work connection. Journal of Management, Spirituality and Religion, 7 (2), pp. 157-170. https://doi.org/10.1080/14766081003746422
Book Review
The Oxford Handbook of Sociology and Organization Studies: Classical Foundations
Bolton SC (2010) The Oxford Handbook of Sociology and Organization Studies: Classical Foundations. Review of: Paul Adler (ed.) The Oxford Handbook of Sociology and Organization Studies: Classical Foundations Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009, (ISBN: 9780199535231) 679 pp. Work, Employment and Society, 24 (2), pp. 394-395. https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017010362851
Article
Are we having fun yet? A consideration of workplace fun and engagement
Bolton SC & Houlihan M (2009) Are we having fun yet? A consideration of workplace fun and engagement. Employee Relations, 31 (6), pp. 556-568. https://doi.org/10.1108/01425450910991721
Article
Beyond the control-resistance debate: A fresh look at experiences of work in the new economy
Bolton SC & Houlihan M (2009) Beyond the control-resistance debate: A fresh look at experiences of work in the new economy. Qualitative Research in Accounting and Management, 6 (1/2), pp. 5-13. http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=1779163; https://doi.org/10.1108/11766090910940629
Book Chapter
Work, Workers and Workplaces: The Contemporary Experience
Bolton SC & Houlihan M (2009) Work, Workers and Workplaces: The Contemporary Experience. In: Bolton S & Houlihan M (eds.) Work Matters: Critical Reflections on Contemporary Work. First ed. Critical Perspectives on Work and Employment. Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 1-20. http://www.palgrave.com/products/title.aspx?pid=334248
Edited Book
Work matters : critical reflections on contemporary work
Bolton SC & Houlihan M (eds.) (2009) Work matters : critical reflections on contemporary work, First ed. Critical Perspectives on Work and Employment. Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan. http://www.palgrave.com/products/title.aspx?pid=334248
Article
The lady vanishes: women's work and affective labour
Bolton SC (2009) The lady vanishes: women's work and affective labour. International Journal of Work Organisation and Emotion, 3 (1), pp. 72-80. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJWOE.2009.025400
Commentary
Getting to the heart of the emotional labour process: a reply to Brook
Bolton SC (2009) Getting to the heart of the emotional labour process: a reply to Brook. Commentary on: Paul Brook, 'In critical defence of "emotional labour" refuting Bolton’s critique of Hochschild’s concept', Work Employment & Society, September 2009, vol. 23 no. 3, pp.531-548. Work, Employment and Society, 23 (3), pp. 549-560. https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017009337069
Book Chapter
L'esercito di riserva: femminizzazione e profitto nella professione legale inglese
Bolton SC & Muzio D (2008) L'esercito di riserva: femminizzazione e profitto nella professione legale inglese. In: Bertocchi & C (eds.) La Libertà: Nelle Professioni, nell Arte, nell'Impresa. Bologna, Italy: Proctor.
Book Chapter
Me, Morphine and Humanity: Experiencing the Emotional Community on Ward 8
Bolton SC (2008) Me, Morphine and Humanity: Experiencing the Emotional Community on Ward 8. In: Fineman & S (eds.) The Emotional Organization: Passions and Power. First ed. Oxford, UK: Wiley-Blackwell, pp. 15-26.
Article
Bolton SC & Muzio D (2008) The paradoxical processes of feminization in the professions: the case of established, aspiring and semi-professions. Work, Employment and Society, 22 (2), pp. 281-299. https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017008089105
Book Chapter
Bolton SC (2007) Emotion Work as Human Connection: Gendered Emotion Codes in Teaching Primary Children with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties. In: Lewis P & Simpson R (eds.) Gendering Emotions in Organizations. First ed. Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 17-34. http://www.palgrave.com/products/title.aspx?pid=275617
Book Chapter
Dignity in and at Work: Why it Matters
Bolton SC (2007) Dignity in and at Work: Why it Matters. In: Bolton S (ed.) Dimensions of Dignity at Work. First ed. Oxford, UK: Butterworth-Heinemann, pp. 3-16.
Book Chapter
Best Companies, Best Practice and Dignity at Work
Bolton SC & Wibberley G (2007) Best Companies, Best Practice and Dignity at Work. In: Bolton S (ed.) Dimensions of Dignity at Work. First ed. Oxford, UK: Butterworth-Heinemann, pp. 134-153.
Book Chapter
Beginning the Search for the H in HRM
Bolton SC & Houlihan M (2007) Beginning the Search for the H in HRM. In: Bolton S & Houlihan M (eds.) Searching for the Human in Human Resource Management: Theory, Practice and Workplace Contexts. First ed. Management, Work and Organisations. Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 1-18.
Book Chapter
Risky Business: Re-thinking the Human in Interactive Service Work
Bolton SC & Houlihan M (2007) Risky Business: Re-thinking the Human in Interactive Service Work. In: Bolton S & Houlihan M (eds.) Searching for the Human in Human Resource Management: Theory, Practice and Workplace Contexts. First ed. Management, Work and Organisations. Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 245-263.
Book Chapter
Gynaecology Nursing: Dirty Work, Women’s Work
Bolton SC (2007) Gynaecology Nursing: Dirty Work, Women’s Work. In: Kirkham M (ed.) Exploring the Dirty Side of Women's Health. First (new edition) ed. Abingdon, UK: Routledge, pp. 195-205.
Article
Human Resource Management: Addressing Both the Moral and Business Case
Bolton SC (2007) Human Resource Management: Addressing Both the Moral and Business Case. Personalfuhrung.
Article
Bolton SC & Way R (2007) Human resource management at the negotiating table: Vocabularies of motive and the NHS hospital service. International Journal of Public Sector Management, 20 (4), pp. 304-313. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513550710750020
Edited Book
Bolton SC (ed.) (2007) Dimensions of Dignity at Work, First ed. Oxford, UK: Butterworth-Heinemann. http://store.elsevier.com/product.jsp?isbn=9780080548449&_requestid=105938
Edited Book
Searching for the Human in Human Resource Management: Theory, Practice and Workplace Contexts
Bolton SC & Houlihan M (eds.) (2007) Searching for the Human in Human Resource Management: Theory, Practice and Workplace Contexts, First ed. Management, Work and Organisations. Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan. http://www.palgrave.com/products/title.aspx?pid=276662
Article
Can't Live with 'Em; Can't Live without 'Em: Gendered Segmentation in the Legal Profession
Bolton SC & Muzio D (2007) Can't Live with 'Em; Can't Live without 'Em: Gendered Segmentation in the Legal Profession. Sociology, 41 (1), pp. 47-64. https://doi.org/10.1177/0038038507072283
Article
Introduciendo una tipología de la emoción en el lugar de trabajo
Bolton SC (2006) Introduciendo una tipología de la emoción en el lugar de trabajo [Introducing a typology of workplace emotion]. Sociologia Del Trabajo, (Nueva Epoca No. 57).
Article
Femminizzazione e Consolidamento Organizzativo: alcune riflessioni sulla professione legale inglese
Muzio D & Bolton SC (2006) Femminizzazione e Consolidamento Organizzativo: alcune riflessioni sulla professione legale inglese [Feminization and organizational consolidation: some reflections on the English legal profession]. Economia e Management, (5). http://economiaemanagement.corriere.it/dynuni/dyn/ricerca/index.jhtml
Article
Feminisation and Paradox: Stratification and Segmentation in Professional Contexts
Muzio D & Bolton SC (2006) Feminisation and Paradox: Stratification and Segmentation in Professional Contexts. Irish Journal of Management, 27 (1), pp. 79-93. http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=3&hid=15&sid=0a104d0d-d332-4979-b68b-b8741473c664%40sessionmgr13&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=buh&AN=25657678
Other
Dignity at work is about more than good people management practices
Bolton SC (2006) Dignity at work is about more than good people management practices. People Management, 12 (12), pp. 46-46. http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.stir.ac.uk/ehost/detail?vid=4&hid=10&sid=2b24df5a-0e35-41d5-925f-f16f637ebd46%40sessionmgr10&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=buh&AN=21372508
Technical Report
A Methodological Review of ‘Best Companies’ Survey
Bolton SC (2006) A Methodological Review of ‘Best Companies’ Survey. GMB Union.
Research Report
The Best and the Rest: Best Practice Management in the North West
Bolton SC (2006) The Best and the Rest: Best Practice Management in the North West. Northern Leadership Academy, Leeds University.
Article
Bolton SC (2006) Working with feeling. Sociology Review, 15 (44), pp. 10-12.
Article
The UK's best could do so much better
Bolton SC (2006) The UK's best could do so much better. Personnel Today, pp. 14-14. http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.stir.ac.uk/ehost/detail?vid=4&hid=10&sid=57bac83b-ba5e-463a-bfb4-22b2c3471e6e%40sessionmgr12&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=buh&AN=20297745
Authored Book
Emotion Management in the Workplace
Bolton SC (2005) Emotion Management in the Workplace. First ed. Management, Work and Organisations. Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan. http://www.palgrave.com/products/title.aspx?pid=265464
Article
The (mis)representation of customer service
Bolton SC & Houlihan M (2005) The (mis)representation of customer service. Work, Employment and Society, 19 (4), pp. 685-703. https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017005058054
Conference Paper (unpublished)
Dimensions and Divisions of Dignity at Work
Bolton SC (2005) Dimensions and Divisions of Dignity at Work. The Knowledge Based Economy Colloquium: Institute Advanced Studies (IAS), Lancaster University. 19-20th October 2005, Lancaster University, 19.10.2005-20.10.2005. http://www.esrc.ac.uk/my-esrc/grants/RES-000-22-1048/outputs/Read/abc363d1-16e5-45aa-b49c-8fc75041f444
Article
'Making up' managers: the case of NHS nurses
Bolton SC (2005) 'Making up' managers: the case of NHS nurses. Work, Employment and Society, 19 (1), pp. 5-23. https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017005051278
Article
Women's Work, Dirty Work: The Gynaecology Nurse as 'Other'
Bolton SC (2005) Women's Work, Dirty Work: The Gynaecology Nurse as 'Other'. Gender, Work and Organization, 12 (2), pp. 169-186. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0432.2005.00268.x
Book Chapter
Conceptual Confusions: Emotion Work as Skilled Work
Bolton SC (2004) Conceptual Confusions: Emotion Work as Skilled Work. In: Warhurst C, Grugulis I & Keep E (eds.) The Skills That Matter. First ed. Critical Perspectives on Work and Organisations. Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 19-37.
Book Chapter
A Bit of a Laugh: Nurses’ Use of Humour as a Mode of Resistance
Bolton SC (2004) A Bit of a Laugh: Nurses’ Use of Humour as a Mode of Resistance. In: Dent M M, Chandler J & Barry J (eds.) Questioning the New Public Management. First ed. Aldershot, UK: Ashgate Publishing, pp. 177-190.
Article
A Simple Matter of Control? NHS Hospital Nurses and New Management
Bolton SC (2004) A Simple Matter of Control? NHS Hospital Nurses and New Management. Journal of Management Studies, 41 (2), pp. 317-333. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6486.2004.00434.x
Article
Multiple roles? Nurses as managers in the NHS
Bolton SC (2003) Multiple roles? Nurses as managers in the NHS. International Journal of Public Sector Management, 16 (2), pp. 122-130. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513550310467975
Article
Trolley Dolly or Skilled Emotion Manager? Moving on from Hochschild's Managed Heart
Bolton SC & Boyd C (2003) Trolley Dolly or Skilled Emotion Manager? Moving on from Hochschild's Managed Heart. Work, Employment and Society, 17 (2), pp. 289-308. https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017003017002004
Article
Ackroyd S & Bolton SC (2002) The Management of Nurses. International Journal of Public Sector Management, 15 (2), pp. 98-106.
Article
Bolton SC (2002) Consumer as king in the NHS. International Journal of Public Sector Management, 15 (2), pp. 129-139. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513550210419591
Article
Changing faces: nurses as emotional jugglers
Bolton SC (2001) Changing faces: nurses as emotional jugglers. Sociology of Health and Illness, 23 (1), pp. 85-100. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9566.00242
Book Chapter
Mixed Feelings: Emotion Management in a Caring Profession
Bolton SC (2000) Mixed Feelings: Emotion Management in a Caring Profession. In: Malin N (ed.) Professionalism, Boundaries and the Workplace. London, UK: Routledge, pp. 213-227.
Article
Who cares? Offering emotion work as a 'gift' in the nursing labour process
Bolton SC (2000) Who cares? Offering emotion work as a 'gift' in the nursing labour process. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 32 (3), pp. 580-586. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2648.2000.01516.x
Article
Nurses as managers: between a professional rock and an HRM hard place?
Bolton SC (2000) Nurses as managers: between a professional rock and an HRM hard place?. Human Resource Development International, 3 (2), pp. 229-234. https://doi.org/10.1080/136788600402681
Article
'Emotion Here, Emotion There, Emotional Organisations Everywhere'
Bolton SC (2000) 'Emotion Here, Emotion There, Emotional Organisations Everywhere'. Critical Perspectives on Accounting, 11 (2), pp. 155-171. https://doi.org/10.1006/cpac.1998.0236
Article
Ackroyd S & Bolton SC (1999) It is not Taylorism: Mechanisms of Work Intensification in the Provision of Gynaecological Services in a NHS Hospital. Work, Employment and Society, 13 (2), pp. 369-387. https://doi.org/10.1177/09500179922117980
Strategic HRM People Management Gender & Management Sustainable Organisations