By Dr Roshan Boojihawon & Dr Carole Couper Department of Strategy and International Business SMEs are the backbone of the UK economy, and the same is true for many economies globally. Their operations and supply chain activities contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. The British Business Bank conducted a survey suggesting that 43% – 53% … Continue reading “COP 28: Why understanding how SMEs transition to net zero is pivotal for a faster transition”
How can accountants help to stabilise the climate and drive nature recovery?
By Professor Thomas Cuckston, Professor of Accounting and Ecology – Birmingham Business School Climate change and nature loss are urgent global crises threatening our societies. Humanity must find a way to transition from a global economy that drives climate change and nature loss to one that stabilises the climate and drives nature recovery. International initiatives … Continue reading “How can accountants help to stabilise the climate and drive nature recovery?”
How will the Autumn Statement impact households, businesses and public services?
By Alice Pugh, Policy and Data Analyst – City-REDI On the 22 November the UK Government announced the Autumn Statement, potentially the last Autumn Statement before the next general election. The purpose of the Autumn Statement is to update the Commons on the state of the economy, as forecast by the independent public finance forecaster … Continue reading “How will the Autumn Statement impact households, businesses and public services?”
COP28 and the economics of climate change
By Professor Robert Elliot, Director of Research – Department of Economics The United Nations (UN) annual climate change conference (COP28) is coming at a time when the implications of climate change for the global economy are becoming increasingly evident after a period of floods, wildfires, and other extreme events. COP28 will once again bring together … Continue reading “COP28 and the economics of climate change”
Bublé, Snapper, Kevin and “Christmas Your Way” – it’s Christmas Ads time 2023
By Professor Sarah Montano, Deputy Head of Marketing It’s that time of year, when we anticipate our favourite Christmas ads and wait to see which ones will spark off our emotions! As always John Lewis’ ad is highly anticipated. So, what is the reason that we see such an investment in Christmas ads, what do … Continue reading “Bublé, Snapper, Kevin and “Christmas Your Way” – it’s Christmas Ads time 2023”
King’s Speech – Economic Impact on the West Midlands
By Alice Pugh, Policy and Data Analyst at City-REDI This week the King delivered the first King’s speech since 1951, though the King has previously done the speech when the Queen was unable to attend. However, the speech is not written by the King, it is written by the government of the day. The purpose … Continue reading “King’s Speech – Economic Impact on the West Midlands”
Saluting our Sisters – beyond a month
By Jeannyfar Gelpcke, Senior Executive Advisor to CEO of The E.ON SE Group & Birmingham Business School Advisory Board Member Dear [insert your name here, yes – this is for you], When it comes to things like “Black History Month” I tend to avoid engagement. This is the bitter truth. Although I understand and appreciate … Continue reading “Saluting our Sisters – beyond a month”
Shrinkflation and skimpflation, a permanent loss in what your money can buy
By Alice Pugh, Policy and Data Analyst at City-REDI Shrinkflation is when the size of a product decreases, but the price remains constant. It is a discrete way of increasing the price of a product, without visibly increasing the price of a product that you see on the shelf. Most consumers often don’t realise they … Continue reading “Shrinkflation and skimpflation, a permanent loss in what your money can buy”
London Wins Again – The Debacle of the UK’s High-speed Rail ‘strategy’
By Donald Houston, Professor of Regional Economic Development and Rebecca Riley, Associate Professor Enterprise, Engagement, and Impact HS2 has always suffered from a branding failure. HS2 sounds rather anodyne and the ‘2’ reminds those north of London that they were only playing catch-up on London’s existing HS1 to the south (the Channel Tunnel rail link). … Continue reading “London Wins Again – The Debacle of the UK’s High-speed Rail ‘strategy’ ”
Intergenerational Fairness and the UK State Pension
By Andy Mullineux, Emeritus Professor of Financial Economics, Centre for Responsible Business and CHASM The UK scheme is not generous when compared to international peers, indeed rather the reverse, but it does have a safety net for those most heavily reliant upon it. The UK’s ‘triple lock’ state pension scheme was designed to ensure pension … Continue reading “Intergenerational Fairness and the UK State Pension”