Serving and Representing Market Research: The Way Ahead
Councils agree on programme to develop optimum organisational structure
Date: 21 September 2004
The governing Councils of The Market Research Society (MRS), the British
Market Research Association (BMRA), and the Association of Users of
Research Agencies (AURA) have agreed to the development of detailed
proposals for the creation of a single structure reflecting the needs
of the whole market research sector.
This latest move follows the agreement of the organisations in February
2004 to enter discussions about how membership services and representation
on behalf of both individuals and organisations could best be delivered
in the future. The structure of the market research associations was
one of the issues examined as part of this work and culminated in the
production of a strategic paper outlining a vision for the sector. This
paper was presented and approved at the recent Council meetings of all
three organisations.
The paper, which was prepared by a working party comprising reprentatives
from each association, identified two main factors as potential drivers
for the future. These are, first, the need to harness resources towards
a common goal and, second, the sector's need to increase its effectiveness
in external representation and marketing of market research and industry
standards.
Under the outline proposals a new single federated structure would
be created. This would reflect the shape, nature and needs of the whole
sector. The core aims of the new structure would be to deliver:
- A more unified voice for market research
- Improved leadership and direction
- Improved focus on external issues
- Equivalent or better services and representation
- Better use of resources
- Better value
The ongoing development of the proposals will involve extensive consultation
with other market research associations and other professional bodies
which have undergone similar processes. The proposals will cover a range
of fundamental issues including structure, budget and the most appropriate
voting / governance system.
Once fully developed and approved by the Councils of the three associations,
it is intended that the proposals would be put to their respective memberships
for a period of consultation before any further decisions are taken.
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