The Contribution of the RICS Cutting Edge Conference to Commercial Real Estate Research

This paper examines the contribution of the RICS Cutting Edge Conference to commercial real estate research. In the 1990s the Cutting Edge developed as the principal forum for disseminating the findings of commercial property research. In this paper we argue that a review of the conference proceedings provides a broad overview of research activity. Indeed as not all contributions are published this review is more inclusive than any examination of published output might be and, as such, the conference contributions provide a useful map of the research terrain. The empirical part of the paper is developed in two strands. First, our analysis of contributors shows that the conference has been inclusive. It has attracted submissions from researchers from academia and practice, from the UK and overseas and across disciplinary specialisms. Second, the papers presented are shown to make an important contribution to the two main European academic outlets for commercial property research. This analysis is complemented by an examination of the contents of papers that demonstrates the changing thematic priorities within the research community. Further in depth analysis illustrates the way that the valuation specialism has developed over time at the conference.