A UNIVERSITY business school is planning to lead the field in converting academic findings into economic benefits.

The University of Teesside last night unveiled three research centres which are expected to give a focus for the studies carried out by the business school.

Dr Alan Lawton, Teesside Business School's professor of organisational ethics and assistant director of research, will contribute to each of the centres.

He said: "The centres are very much in tune with the Government's thinking on the transference of leading-edge research from the academic community to the business community.

"They will be practically-based, offering opportunities for the university's academics and business practitioners to come together and exchange ideas.

"Our research will not only have a regional dimension, but also national and international, building on current research and consultancy activities."

Regional development agency One NorthEast chief executive Alan Clarke said: "These three centres will create a focal point for research and consultancy in key areas recognised by the agency as being crucial to the success of the North-East economy.

"The Centre for Public Service Management is of particular interest to me, given my background in various roles across the North-East with local authorities over the past 26 years.

"I fully recognise the importance of high quality management within the public sector, to drive up the quality of services to meet the needs of the people we serve."

The three centres cover the areas of entrepreneurship and small to medium enterprise (SME) development, led by Ted Fuller, leadership and organisational change, led by Paul Iles and public services management, led by Alan Doig.

Prof Lawton said: "The public sector is a huge employer in the North-East.

We have already delivered a workshop to Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council on team development and team effectiveness, and worked with them on a one-day seminar on local democracy.

"Public service management is a particular strength of Teesside Business School and our MBA (Public Management) is very successful. We are looking to develop research from this programme.

"We are currently seeking to expand, and diversify, the programme to include all areas of the public services including health, police and fire services."

Professor John Wilson, director of Teesside Business School, said: "There is now specialist, internationally-renowned expertise in Teesside Business School.

"The centres will help the school ensure this expertise is promoted and is accessible to organisations."