Dr Scott Foster
Liverpool Business School
Faculty of Business and Law
Email: S.Foster@ljmu.ac.uk
Telephone: 0151 231 3459
Biography:
Dr Scott Foster joined Liverpool John Moores University in May 2013 having previously spent over 20 years working within the private sector (General Manager). Scott has also previously spent seven years at Mercedes Benz as a Financial Controller. This was mainly in the UK, but with extensive experience of working internationally. Scott has also served as an Infantry Soldier, serving in multiple countries including working for the United Nations peace keeping force.
My principal areas of research include ethical leadership, spirituality, mindfulness, and meaningful work. Publications are primarily focused on the promotion of management insights generated through the interconnection of practice and theory, where change, discovery and innovation are driven by applied work-based, collaborative, and experiential approaches. My academic career has prioritised research and teaching that closely relate to practice, with a particular interest in stakeholders who enable positive work cultures and, through wellbeing initiatives, make a critical impact in their communities.
My scholarly-practice research involves the active engagement of stakeholders, especially those who create a more equal partnership between employees and organisations. A strong focus of interest concerns the potential of management research to change employee experiences that are enacted through engagement and a co-creation of innovative ideas and knowledge. In this way, my approach concerns ‘impact’ and collaborative working with user groups. My research approach extends to exploring ways managers develop policies and procedures to enable employee-centred practice, especially in the development of an understanding of diversity within workforce culture,
Scott has supervised in excess of 30 doctoral students to successful completion and has examined over 60 PhD/DBAs as an external and an internal examiner at International, UK and non-UK Higher Education Institutes.
The work Scott has done in doctoral education has been acknolwedge in Aug 2022 by LJMU Professorship and Readership Conferment Panel where it has been conferred upon Scott the title; Reader in Postgraduate Research Culture in recognition of the significant contribution to the development of the subject.
Degrees
John Moores University, United Kingdom, PhD, MRes, MBA, ACA
Academic appointments
Reader in Postgraduate Research Culture, School of Doctoral Management, Liverpool John Moores University, 2022 - present
PhD Programme Leader, Liverpool John Moores University, 2022 - present
Senior Lecturer, Bussiness studies, Liverpool Business School, 2015 - 2022
Senior Lecturer, HRM, Liverpool Business School, 2013 - 2015
Postgraduate training
Horizon 2020, United Kingdom, Liverpool John Moores University, 2014 - 2014
Grant and fund bidding, United Kingdom, Liverpool John Moores University, ? - present
Highlighted publications
Foster S, Sheldon J. 2026. Research Supervision in Transition: International Studies in the Social Science Doctorate Degruyter Brill. Netherland Publisher Url
Foster S, Kukreja J. 2025. Healthy Workplace Communication Strategies for Emotional Well-Being Vernon Press. US Publisher Url
Foster S, Wen B. 2025. A critical evaluation of the relationship development between supervisor and doctoral students. Innovative Approaches to Doctoral Supervision Edward Elgar Publishing Author Url Publisher Url
Foster S, Kukreja J. 2025. Healing from Harm: Reclaiming Mental Well-Being in Abusive Workplaces. Vernon Press. US Author Url Publisher Url
Foster S, Kukreja J. 2025. Healing from Harm: Reclaiming Mental Well-Being in Abusive Workplaces. Vernon Press. US Author Url Publisher Url
Foster S, George B. 2025. Ethnic minority immigrants and their British descendants in the UK labour market: an investigation of Black African and Black Caribbean current employment status in the UK Cogent Business & Management, 12 :1-17 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Foster S. 2025. Equity in Doctoral Education through Partnership and Innovation (EDEPI) Publisher Url
Foster S, Sheldon J, Hannibal C, Bryde-Evens M. 2024. Compendium of Knowledge on Inclusive Learning and Teaching. A person-centred approach to researcher development for Business Management Doctorates Edward Elgar’s. Inclusive Learning and Teaching in Business Schools Publisher Url
Wall T, Ngo N, Foster S, Luong P, Ho T, Hindley A, Stokes P. 2024. The spatialization of decent Work and the role of employability empowerment for minority ethnic young people in emerging economies PLoS One, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Sheldon J, Smith McGloin R, Foster S. 2024. Postgraduate Researcher Competency-Based Admissions Framework. DOI
Foster S, Trang LT, Foster AJ, Thi Hanh Tien H, Knight S. 2023. Digital Wellbeing – A review of the JISC guidance from the UK and Vietnam Higher Education, Skills and Work-based Learning, DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Books (authored)
Foster S, Sheldon J. 2026. Research Supervision in Transition: International Studies in the Social Science Doctorate Degruyter Brill. Netherland Publisher Url
Foster S, Kukreja J. 2025. Healthy Workplace Communication Strategies for Emotional Well-Being Vernon Press. US Publisher Url
Foster S, Kukreja J. 2025. Healing from Harm: Reclaiming Mental Well-Being in Abusive Workplaces. Vernon Press. US Author Url Publisher Url
Foster S, Kukreja J. 2025. Healing from Harm: Reclaiming Mental Well-Being in Abusive Workplaces. Vernon Press. US Author Url Publisher Url
Chapters
Foster S, Wen B. 2025. A critical evaluation of the relationship development between supervisor and doctoral students. Innovative Approaches to Doctoral Supervision Edward Elgar Publishing Author Url Publisher Url
Foster S, Sheldon J, Hannibal C, Bryde-Evens M. 2024. Compendium of Knowledge on Inclusive Learning and Teaching. A person-centred approach to researcher development for Business Management Doctorates Edward Elgar’s. Inclusive Learning and Teaching in Business Schools Publisher Url
Foster S, Wall T, Foster A. 2021. Spiritual Wellbeing in Organizations Brough P, Cooper C. The SAGE Handbook of Organizational Wellbeing Sage 978-1-5297-0486-0 Publisher Url Public Url
Foster S, Wall T. 2020. Organizational Initiatives for Spiritual Well-Being Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals :527-539 Springer International Publishing 9783319956800 DOI Publisher Url
Foster S, Wall T. 2020. Spirituality and Wellbeing in the Workplace Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals :658-668 Springer International Publishing 9783319956800 DOI Publisher Url
Foster S, Wall T. 2018. Spirituality and Wellbeing in the Workplace Good Health and Well-Being. Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals :1-11 Springer 978-3-319-69627-0 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Foster S, Wall T. 2018. Organizational Initiatives for Spiritual Well-Being Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Good Health and Well-Being :1-13 Springer 978-3-319-69627-0 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Journal article
Foster S, George B. 2025. Ethnic minority immigrants and their British descendants in the UK labour market: an investigation of Black African and Black Caribbean current employment status in the UK Cogent Business & Management, 12 :1-17 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Wall T, Ngo N, Foster S, Luong P, Ho T, Hindley A, Stokes P. 2024. The spatialization of decent Work and the role of employability empowerment for minority ethnic young people in emerging economies PLoS One, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Gandy R, Foster S. 2023. Falling parachutes: Are politicians becoming more “local”? Significance, 20 :26-29 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Foster S, Trang LT, Foster AJ, Thi Hanh Tien H, Knight S. 2023. Digital Wellbeing – A review of the JISC guidance from the UK and Vietnam Higher Education, Skills and Work-based Learning, DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Wen B, Foster S, Abbass K. 2023. How do small family businesses enhance workplace learning? From knowledge sharing and hiding perspectives International Journal of HRD Practices , Policy and Research, 7 :2-98 Publisher Url Public Url
Cowley P, Gandy RJ, Foster S. 2023. The Rise of the Local MP Political Insight, 14 :32-35 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Eltweri A, Faccia A, Foster S. 2022. International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) Adoption: An Institutional Perspective Administrative Sciences, 12 :1-19 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Cowley P, Gandy RJ, Foster S. 2022. Increasingly local: the regional roots of British Members of Parliament, 2010-2019 The Journal of Legislative Studies, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Harrison PA, Foster S. 2021. Different Reality? Generations’ and Religious Groups’ Views of Spirituality Policies in the Workplace Journal of Business Ethics, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Foster S, Fillis I, Lehman K, Wickham M. 2020. INVESTIGATING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VISITOR LOCATION AND MOTIVATIONS TO ATTEND A MUSEUM Cultural Trends, 29 :213-233 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Ebtesam E, Foster S. 2019. Implementation of CIPP Model for Quality Evaluation at Zawia University Foster S. International Journal of Applied Linguistics and English Literature, 8 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
El-Adaileh N, Foster S. 2019. Successful business intelligence implementation: a systematic literature review Journal of Work-Applied Management, 11 :121-132 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Foster S, Foster A. 2019. ’The impact of workplace spirituality on work-based learners: individual and organisational level perspectives Journal of Work Applied Management, 11 :63-75 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Otaye-Ebede LE, Shaffakat S, Foster S. 2019. A Multi-Level Model Examining the Relationships between Workplace Spirituality, Ethical Climate and Outcomes: A Social Cognitive Theory Perspective Journal of Business Ethics, 166 :611-626 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Nawaz M, Eltweri A, Abbas K, Al-Karaki W, Edghiem F, Foster S. Public Sector Transformation in Emerging Economies: Factors Affecting Change Adoption in Pakistan Administrative Sciences, DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Foster S, Fillis I, Lehman K, Wickham M. What motivates a visitor to be loyal? A case study analysis of Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery (QVMAG) Environment and Planning A,
Film
Foster S. 2025. Equity in Doctoral Education through Partnership and Innovation (EDEPI) Publisher Url
Report
Foster S, Smith McGloin R. 2024. International Research Culture Conference (IRCC24)conference organisation Developing Inclusive Postgraduate Admissions: Competency-Based Admissions Framework Author Url
Conference publication
Foster S, McGloin R. 2024. Equity in Doctoral Education through Partnership and Innovation (EDEPI) UKCGE Annual Conference Author Url
Foster S, Wilson H. 2024. Faculty of Business and Law Research Day Foster S. DOI Author Url
Foster S, Heyworth-Thomas L. 2023. Without them, there is no business: focusing on business owner wellbeing and humanising business support during and post-disaster The Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE Author Url
Fatokun B, Nawaz M, Kelly P, Foster S. 2022. Positive Responses Enhance Online Purchase Intention: Illuminating the Explanatory Power of Customers’ Emotions in E-Commerce Adoption Faculty of Business and Law Annual Doctoral Conference Publisher Url
Wen B, Foster S, Abbas K. 2022. Exploring Knowledge-Hiding Methods and Reasons in a Small Chinese Family Business Centobelli ROBERTO. Proceedings of the 23rd European Conference on Knowledge Management, 23rd European Conference on Knowledge Management 23 :1375-1383 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Fatokun B, Nawaz M, Kelly P, Foster S. 2021. Investigating the Predictors of E-commerce Adoption: The Mediating Role of Customers’ Affective Responses. Faculty of Business and Law Annual Doctoral Conference Publisher Url
Foster S, Tucker M. 2021. Research Day Foster S. DOI
Otaye-Ebede LE, Shaffakat S, Foster S. 2020. Improving Lives Through Workplace Spirituality: A Social Cognitive Theory Perspective Academy of Management Conference DOI Publisher Url
Hosseini MS, Akwei CA, McClelland B, Foster S. 2017. Spirituality effects on consumption behaviour in the fashion market industry and its importance for the development of successful marketing strategies: A comparative study of female consumers in the UK and Iran BAM 2017 Conference Proceedings, BAM conference 2017 (British Academy of Management) Publisher Url Public Url
Foster S, Simcock P. 2016. Changing Aspects of Spirituality:Finding Common Ground between Employees and Employers Diversity in Organizations Communities and Nations Author Url
Foster S. Spirituality in the workplace. Life Beyond the PhD
O'Connor S, Foster S. UKCGE 5th International Conference on Developments in Doctoral Education & Training Author Url
Wen B, Foster S, Abbas K, Humphreys D. HOW DO SMALL FAMILY FIRMS ENHANCE WORKPLACE LEARNING? FROM KNOWLEDGE SHARING AND HIDING PERSPECTIVES The University Forum for Human Resource Development Annual Conference 2022
Wall T, Hindley A, Foster S, Cronshaw S, Jariwala J. Co-creating ‘Decent Work’ Through Appreciative Inquiry Methodologies and Tools Academy of Management Teaching & Learning Conference Author Url
Wall T, Hindley A, Foster S, Cronshaw S, Jariwala J. Reimagining decent work through engaged scholarship: dynamics and boundaries of inclusive relationality BAM Conference Proceedings, British Academy of Management 2022 Author Url Public Url
Tucker M, Foster S. Faculty Doctoral Research Symposium Foster S. DOI Author Url
Johnson P, Agboma F, Foster S. EXPLORING WELLBEING: A STUDY OF THE SCOTTISH HOSPITALITY SECTOR Publisher Url
Foster S, Menacere K, Simcock P. A study of employees’ perceptions of multi-faith policies and facilities at work. Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion (JMSR), Spirituality and Creativity in management world congress 1
Foster S, Sheldon J. Postgraduate-Researcher-Competency-Based-Admissions-Framework the NEON Widening Participation in Postgraduate Study Working Group Author Url
Foster S, Darabi F. 2025. Fostering vibrant doctoral communities EFMD Doctoral Programmes Conference: Fostering vibrant doctoral communities Author Url
Poster
O'Connor S, Hayes JA, Maxwell C, Foster S. 2024. Exploring the challenges associated with the doctoral journey specific to mental health Institute of Mental Health Research Day 2024 Author Url Public Url
O'Connor S, Hayes JA, Maxwell C, Foster S. 2024. Capturing the Student Experience of the Doctoral Journey Postgraduate Research Festival LJMU Author Url Public Url
O'Connor S, Hayes JA, Maxwell C, Foster S. 2024. LJMU Faculty Health PGR Research Day - Capturing the Student Experience of the Doctoral Journey LJMU Faculty Health PGR Research Day Author Url Public Url
Foster SCOTT. An investigation into organisational commitment to spirituality in the workplace. Public Url
Other
Sheldon J, Smith McGloin R, Foster S. 2024. Postgraduate Researcher Competency-Based Admissions Framework. DOI
Internet publication
Gandy RJ, Foster S. 2023. Red Wall Blues Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Fariba D, Foster S. 2023. Towards Healthy Doctoral systems in Business Schools. Mental Health and well-being of postgraduate researchers and supervisory staff Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Gandy RJ, Cowley P, Foster S. 2022. Trends in Region based localism among MP's 2010-2019 Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Wall T, Hindley A, Foster S, Phuong Luong M, Tien Ho, T, Ngo N. 2022. Graduate outcomes and a spatial approach to decent work Author Url Publisher Url
Thesis/Dissertation
Foster S. 2014. An investigation into organisational commitment to spirituality in the workplace. Menacere K, Lawless A, Mouzughi Y. Liverpool John Moores University
Book review
Lee N, Lings I. 2012. Doing Business Research: A Guide to theory and Practice Foster S. 9 :1-411 DOI Publisher Url
Highlighted activities
Fellowships:
Fellow of Higher Education, FHEA. 2014
CIM, Associate Chartered Institute of Marketing. 2013
Professional activities
Membership of professional bodies:
UKCGE, Recognised Research Supervisor, https://supervision.ukcge.ac.uk/. 2034
The Royal Society of Public Health, Wellbeing and Mental Health Trainer, https://www.rsph.org.uk/. 2025
Royal Society for public health, Making Every Contact Count (MECC) for Mental Health Train the Trainer. 2023
ILM, Institute of Leadership and Management, https://www.i-l-m.com/. 2015
ILM, Fellow of the Institute of Leadership & Management. 2015
External committees:
Northern Advanced Research Training Initiative, Board Member, Training and Development Board, https://narti.org.uk/about/. 2034
NARTI, Committee memeber, Research Leadership Development Consortium, https://narti.org.uk/event/research-leadership-development-online-seminar-series-providing-research-leadership-for-transformative-change/. 2026
European Foundation for Management Development, Board Member, EFMD Global, https://www.efmdglobal.org/. 2022
Editorial boards:
Editorial Advisory Panel, Journal of Work Applied Management, https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/journal/jwam. 2031
Assistant Editor, Journal of Work Applied Management, https://www.emerald.com/insight/publication/issn/2205-2062. 2019
External collaboration:
Thesis Advisory Committee, Indian Institute of Management, Jammu India, https://www.iimj.ac.in/. 2028
Visiting Professor, University of Kurdistan Hewlêr, https://www.ukh.edu.krd/. 2027
Award:
Emerald Publishing, The Outstanding Doctoral Research Awards (ODRAs). Emerald, https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/about/our-awards/outstanding-doctoral-research-awards-odra. 2023
Emerald Publishing LTD, Literati Award - Highly Commended paper. 2020
Emerald Publishing LTD, Literati Award 2020 - Outstanding Reviewer. 2020
Conference presentation:
Workshop, hybrid/Manchester, BAM Annual Conference 2022, Reimagining decent work through engaged scholarship: dynamics and boundaries of inclusive relationality. 2022
Workshop, Hybrid (online/Seattle), Academy of Management 2022, Co-creating ‘Decent Work’ Through Appreciative Inquiry Methodologies and Tools. 2022
Fellowships:
Institute of Leadership & Management, FlstLM, https://www.i-l-m.com/About-ILM/Corporate-information/Contact-us. 2015
Fellow of Higher Education, FHEA. 2014
CIM, Associate Chartered Institute of Marketing. 2013
External PGR examinations performed:
PhD, LJMU. 2014
Teaching qualification:
FHEA. 2013
Media Coverage: