Research Focus

The core research question is simple: how can organisations design and procure footwear that truly fits their personnel, reduces avoidable injuries and supports sustained operational performance, without uncontrolled costs?​
This work explores the links between footwear design, sizing and width options, procurement policies, user behaviour and the occurrence of foot and ankle injuries in demanding professional environments.​

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Doctoral Research Foundation 

Dr. Wing Fa Oliver CHAN’s DBA dissertation (Doctor in Business Administration, Mention Très Honorable, 2025) studied how single-width and other constrained footwear policies create predictable misfit, compensatory sizing behaviours and increased injury risk among professional users, particularly in military contexts.

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The research combined surveys, interviews and field observations to map a causal pathway from policy decisions to fit quality, discomfort, injuries, absenteeism and long-term medical costs. Key findings include:

• Over 95% of respondents had access to only one boot width

• More than 60% reported foot or ankle pain directly linked to fit

• Clear evidence that proper width matching and fitting protocols can significantly reduce preventable injuries and absenteeism

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These insights form the scientific backbone of the short “Tactical Boots Survival” ebook series (published under the author’s personal account). The full dissertation is an academic document; selected insights are shared here in a way that respects intellectual property and ongoing innovation.

Read the first ebook: “Why Does the Back of My Heel Hurt in Duty Boots?” ( Series A5, available on Amazon)

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White Papers and Professional Reports

Oliverland Consulting is progressively transforming research findings into concise, decision‑oriented publications, including:​

• White papers on the relationship between footwear fit, injuries, absenteeism and organisational performance.

• Managerial briefs on multi‑width and other fit‑oriented procurement strategies, including high‑level ROI scenarios.

• Practical guides for health, safety and procurement teams on integrating fit, injury data and user feedback into equipment decisions.

These documents are intended for senior leaders, health and safety teams, procurement departments and policy makers. Access conditions may vary (free download, client‑only access, or available as part of consulting engagements).

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Ebooks and Learning Resources

In parallel, a series of ebooks and learning materials is being developed to support both professionals and organisations.​
These resources translate research insights into accessible modules on topics such as: recognising misfit, understanding width and sizing logic, linking fit problems to recurring injuries, and structuring more robust fitting processes. They can be used independently or integrated into training programmes delivered by Oliverland Consulting.​

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Future Publications and Collaborations

Future work will continue to document the operational and financial impact of footwear fit in different sectors, and to refine tools that help organisations make better equipment and policy decisions.​
Oliverland Consulting welcomes collaborations with institutions, professional schools and organisations interested in co‑developing studies, educational content or pilot projects around occupational footwear fit and injury prevention.​

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If you would like to be informed when new white papers, reports or ebooks are released, or if you are considering a joint research or publication project, please get in touch via the Contact page.

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For legal information regarding intellectual property and usage of this content, please refer to the Terms & Conditions.