Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs)
The Business School's excellent working relationship with business is highlighted in its successful use of the UK government's funding for Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs). Academic staff from the School work with companies to design and supervise in-depth projects, building the capabilities and enhancing the profitability of businesses with their specialist knowledge.
A KTP can last up to three years and is based on an agreed project which is planned in advance. A typical project might develop a new marketing capability, assist with strategic planning, set up a human resources system, or work on any other area where the School's expertise can have a positive impact on business performance.
How does it work? After initial discussions, Oxford Brookes applies for government funding which will pay up to 67% of the project cost (and in recent years, all of our applications have been successful). Jointly, the university and the company then recruit a 'KTP Associate' to run the project. The Associate is an ambitious, recent graduate, normally with some commercial experience, who is based in the company, although employed and supervised by the university, and who will drive the project forward.
KTPs benefit organisations of all sizes, from small local companies to multi-national corporations. Public and charitable/voluntary sector organisations are also eligible. For more details of KTPs, see the University's KTP pages.
"The KTP delivered sophisticated market intelligence which is already generating very significant business. It also made us clear about our aims and values, instead of just carrying these around in our heads.".
Simon Biltcliffe
Managing Director, Webmart Ltd
Examples of KTPs at the Business School
InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG)
InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG) is the world's largest Hotel Group by room numbers. IHG owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, more than 4,500 hotels and over 660,000 guest rooms around the world. IHG's portfolio of hotel brands include: InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts and Holiday Inn Express. IHG also manages the world's largest hotel loyalty programme, Priority Club Rewards, which has 53 million members worldwide.
IHG is currently collaborating on two Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) with Oxford Brookes University Business School to connect with expertise and develop and enhance its risk intelligence and resilience to business disruptions and, to jointly develop cutting edge knowledge in the field of enterprise and risk management.
The first KTP (two years in duration) aims to align, further develop and test the Business Continuity / Disaster Recovery plans for IHG's 30 worldwide sites that form their operating system. This KTP will make IHG's operation system more resilient through the development of essential capabilities, enabling the group to survive disruptions of its critical business functions.
The second KTP (three years in duration) aims to develop a methodology that will further develop IHG's existing enterprise-wide approach to managing risk and reward. This methodology provides the group with the tools and processes required to become more proactive and effective in risk and reward appreciation and treatment. It will also embed a risk and reward aware culture at executive level with clear assignment and accountability for risk management. This KTP will allow IHG to not only see the impact of those risks or rewards identified as important at board level but also spot emerging risks and rewards whilst having time to effectively manage them.
Blackwell UK
Blackwell UK, the United Kingdom's largest specialist academic bookseller has 40 permanent shops close to, or on, university campuses across the country. They also have a number of temporary Connect shops open during peak times in the academic year.
The objective of the KTP with our (Publishing Department) was to assist Blackwell UK in defining their future strategy, given the uncertainty of traditional bookselling in the coming years. The KTP Associate aimed to identify and develop a new product range to allow Blackwell UK to respond to opportunities both strategically and competitively.
As a result of the KTP, extensive research into the publishing and higher education sectors was conducted which, led to the identification and development of an innovative product, unique to this sector. Blackwell UK also benefited from the KTP as new production and sales processes were developed, new technology partnerships were formed and online marketing communications processes using social media were introduced.
Thames Travel
Thames Travel is an independent bus company in Oxfordshire, which operates both urban and rural routes between Reading and Oxford. The KTP project was concerned with the future strategy and growth of the company in the context of high levels of car usage and changing government approaches to public transport. Thames Travel identified a need for new approaches to bus operations based on a clearer customer focus and improved knowledge of market requirements. The company gained a better understanding of the perceptions and needs of car users in its area through a market research and strategy exercise, which led to profitable new services and greatly improved marketing communications.
Webmart Ltd
Webmart Ltd is a print management company based in Bicester, Oxfordshire which sources print services and products for businesses large and small. Since 1997, this small company has become a European leader for its distinctive, low-cost print management service to clients. Webmart recognised that it was operating in an extremely competitive market where many competitors were seeing profit margins fall as a result of over-investment in production capacity, and where print demand within certain traditional print sectors was in decline. The project aimed to review Webmart's current business and to identify new areas for development and investment.
The project exceeded its original goals and expectations, providing generous outcomes for all parties involved. The initial analysis of the marketplace provided awareness of new opportunities that Webmart could exploit and led to the development of a series of innovative online systems. The strategic plan, which has been built upon the research findings, is anticipated to increase export sales to £10 million. Webmart has a secure basis now from which the business can grow rapidly. The company has forecast that its new online systems will generate sales of £30 million in the two years following the project's completion.
The KTP with Webmart was awarded the coveted grade of 'Outstanding' for its impact on management skills, business-based training and academic research.
