Does power turn people into lockdown rulebreakers?

By Dr Grigorios Lamprinakos Research Fellow, Lloyds Banking Group Centre for Responsible Business The COVID-19 crisis has seen a whole new set of rules put into effect on lockdown, social distancing, face-covering and handwashing, affecting every part of our lives. The assumption underpinning these rules seems to be that the population are rational rule-followers, who … Continue reading “Does power turn people into lockdown rulebreakers?”

Overcoming wicked problems: structural inequality, discrimination and racism

By Professor John Bryson Department of Strategy and International Business, University of Birmingham  Nevertheless, addressing intersectionality is at the core of the call to act on structural inequality. What is the most appropriate reaction to the death of George Floyd on May 25 2020, in Minneapolis, Minnesota? This is perhaps one of the key questions … Continue reading “Overcoming wicked problems: structural inequality, discrimination and racism”

No sign the European Commission wants the UK trade talks to succeed

By Professor John Bryson Department of Strategy and International Business, University of Birmingham There was a time when every second of our media-filled day was saturated with the word Brexit. Brexit dominated everything. Now, we are in the post-Brexit or Covid-19 era. There are many lessons that come from this new era as they relate … Continue reading “No sign the European Commission wants the UK trade talks to succeed”

Maintaining employees’ trust in leaders during lockdown – why it pays to be open in communication

Mark Saunders, Professor of Business Research Methods Margarita Nyfoudi, Lecturer in Human Resource Management & Organisational Behaviour Building and maintaining employees’ trust in the midst of a crisis is essential to the sustainability of an organisation. Trust can not only enhance employees’ willingness to cooperate and collaborate with each other but also increase their performance … Continue reading “Maintaining employees’ trust in leaders during lockdown – why it pays to be open in communication”

Why COVID-19 could boost business efforts on climate change

By Professor Andy Mullineux Lloyds Banking Group Centre for Responsible Business, Department of Finance It’s a widely held belief that economic growth at a rate in excess of the combined rates of inflation and population growth (known as ‘real, per capita economic growth’) is imperative for social cohesion and political stability. Which is why there … Continue reading “Why COVID-19 could boost business efforts on climate change”

Furlough vital for mitigating redundancy and health & safety crises

By Professor Tony Dobbins, Professor of Employment Relations and HR Management President of the British Universities Industrial Relations Association It was always possible that economic interests and profit would override public health concerns too quickly. Furloughing measures restricting workplace presenteeism during COVID-19 are crucial for combatting both mass redundancies and contagion. The Job Retention Scheme (JRS) … Continue reading “Furlough vital for mitigating redundancy and health & safety crises”

How AI is helping banks meet the challenges of COVID-19

By Immaculate Motsi-Omoijiade Research Fellow, Lloyds Banking Group Centre for Responsible Business The coronavirus pandemic has brought to the fore the vital role that technology plays in our day-to-day lives. This role extends beyond keeping us connected and entertained. Technology is also being deployed to address the commercial and public health challenges that have arisen … Continue reading “How AI is helping banks meet the challenges of COVID-19”

Honesty, communication and vulnerability – leading in a time of crisis

Jo Rix, Senior Learning and Performance Consultant at Curium SolutionsMark Saunders, Professor of Business Research Methods The University of Birmingham works with regional, national and international partners to develop academic-industry links and strategic business partnerships. From global corporates to local SMEs, our Business Engagement team can work with you on transformative projects that will shape, … Continue reading “Honesty, communication and vulnerability – leading in a time of crisis”

Industry 4.0 and Regional Transformations

By Professor David Bailey and Professor Lisa De Propris Department of Management Previous industrial revolutions were intricately associated with new technologies. Innovations in technology have often triggered a surge of production, the first example of this was steam power and railways, which then grew to the introduction of electricity and synthetic chemistry, and finally led … Continue reading “Industry 4.0 and Regional Transformations”

Covid-19, Institutional Failure and the British Media

By Professor John Bryson Department of Strategy and International Business, University of Birmingham The British media should acknowledge that they play a key role in shaping the UK’s response to Covid-19 and this shaping often produces perverse outcomes, but with no accountability. The Covid-19 pandemic is still very much with us. I have written many … Continue reading “Covid-19, Institutional Failure and the British Media”