By Dr Biwesh Neupane (University of Birmingham) and Hari Gopal Risal (Ph.D. Scholar, University of Strathclyde) Green bonds (GBs) are a powerful green financing tool that supports progress towards accomplishing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). GBs are a recent innovation to finance climate and environmental projects, aiming to hoist capital for environmental projects … Continue reading “Green Bonds and supporting the Sustainable Development Goals”
What lessons can we learn from the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) failure?
By Professor Andy Mullineux Emeritus Professor of Financial Economics Over the weekend of 11 March, the US regulatory authorities took control of Silicon Valley Bank (SV), a Californian ‘regional’ bank, and the separately capitalised SVB UK was bought by HSBC for £1. In both cases uninsured, as well as insured, depositors were protected while bondholders … Continue reading “What lessons can we learn from the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) failure?”
Hunting for Snarks or Boojums? Economic Growth and the March 2023 UK Budget
By Professor John Bryson Department of Strategy and International Business, University of Birmingham Today, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt set out the UK government’s fiscal strategy to encourage economic growth. UK budgets seem to come around rather rapidly and perhaps too rapidly. In an ideal world, a Budget should involve a statement regarding the current state of … Continue reading “Hunting for Snarks or Boojums? Economic Growth and the March 2023 UK Budget”
The Good Friday Agreement: does it still hold up post-Brexit?
By Professor Joanne Murphy Department of Management Twenty-five years ago, I and others watched in dismay as Jeffrey Donaldson and his colleagues walked out of the multi-party talks that were to result in the Good Friday Agreement (GFA). That historic compromise represented a reframing of Northern Ireland’s conflicted past and potential future. It resolved the … Continue reading “The Good Friday Agreement: does it still hold up post-Brexit?”
If Women are the driving force behind consumerism, why is retail designed for men?
By Dr Sarah Montano and Dr Inci Toral Department of Marketing Historically, International Women’s Day celebrates the working women’s suffrage to gain equal rights with men. Is it only the working women who suffered from inequality? As Caroline Perez notes we live in a world for men and designed by men! We ask: Have you … Continue reading “If Women are the driving force behind consumerism, why is retail designed for men?”
Embracing gender equality in academia
By Dr Nur Gundogdu, Research Fellow Centre for Responsible Business Gender equality is a multi-layered and multifaceted issue prevelant in all sectors across the globe, despite national and international regulations and interventions. It is also one of the United Nation’s (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aimed to be achieved by 2030. However, despite prolonged global … Continue reading “Embracing gender equality in academia”
Necessity is the mother of invention – Women as Retail Pioneers and Innovators
By Dr Sarah Montano and Dr Inci Toral Department of Marketing, University of Birmingham Kybele, the mother of Earth, is one of the most ancient goddesses still celebrated in many cultures, although she might have different names and powers. Even today in most cultures, people celebrate the arrival of spring (Kybele’s awakening) as it is … Continue reading “Necessity is the mother of invention – Women as Retail Pioneers and Innovators”
Council tax: what is it and why is it another bill that’s rising?
By Helen Brain Department of Accounting, University of Birmingham Local government finance is in the headlines again, with the County Council Network reporting three quarters of councils will increase council tax by the maximum in April. Here we look at what councils do and why council tax is rising. The focus is on England; arrangements … Continue reading “Council tax: what is it and why is it another bill that’s rising?”
The devil and the detail: the issues behind the UK Levelling Up Fund
By Johannes Read City Region Economic and Development Institute, University of Birmingham Although initially rooted in addressing persistent economic inequality, the phrase ‘levelling up’ and given opportunity to new conversations, such as capital projects and a focus on cycle paths to accommodate more sustainable travel. Whilst creating opportunities is important, the continued patchwork approach to … Continue reading “The devil and the detail: the issues behind the UK Levelling Up Fund”
Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation: Scotland’s long road towards independence
By Professor John Bryson Department of Strategy and International Business, University of Birmingham Nicola Sturgeon has dominated Scottish Politics and the Scottish National Party (SNP) since she became First Minister of Scotland on 20 November 2014. Her role in shaping the SNP’s political agenda dates back to 2004 when she became deputy leader of the … Continue reading “Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation: Scotland’s long road towards independence”