Fact or fake?

By Professor Mark Saunders, Professor of Business Research Methods, Lloyds Banking Group Centre for Responsible Business Associate Department of Management, University of Birmingham Whilst most claims are based on good research, the increase of fake news means that it is important to look carefully rather than accept them at face value. When reading or watching … Continue reading “Fact or fake?”

Where’s Dad?

By Dr Holly Birkett, Lecturer in Organisational Studies, and Dr Sarah Forbes, Lecturer in Marketing, Lloyds Banking Group Centre for Responsible Business Associates Department of Management/Marketing, University of Birmingham  An increase in the uptake of SPL could lead to strengthened family bonds, improved child development and increased workplace involvement for mothers. The arrival of a child … Continue reading “Where’s Dad?”

Mirror mirror on the wall, is responsible leadership the fairest of them all?

By Professor Kiran Trehan, Professor of Leadership and Enterprise Development, Lloyds Banking Group Centre for Responsible Business Associate Department of Management, University of Birmingham Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world – Nelson Mandela The notion of ‘responsible leadership’ as a motto for various policies seems to be ever present … Continue reading “Mirror mirror on the wall, is responsible leadership the fairest of them all?”

Another mall, another high street closure – is there really anything to worry about?

By Professor Isabelle Szmigin, Professor of Marketing Department of Marketing, University of Birmingham While high street retailers will continue to battle their online competition, out-of-town malls, business rates and expensive car parking, they still have their fate in their own hands. We’re already seeing the high street take a big hit in 2018, with Toys R … Continue reading “Another mall, another high street closure – is there really anything to worry about?”

Playing the grey: non-compliance and the National Living Wage

By Professor Monder Ram, Director of the Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship (CREME) Department of Management, University of Birmingham “I don’t know how we’re going to [cope with the annual upratings of the National Living Wage] … We have to negotiate price increases with the supermarkets every year going forward. If we don’t get … Continue reading “Playing the grey: non-compliance and the National Living Wage”

Less is better: guarding your privacy in a world of micro-targeting

By Dr Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay, Reader in Economics Department of Economics, University of Birmingham Given the potential to legally harvest data to use for micro-targeting, as consumers we need to understand how we are vulnerable to being manipulated. The controversy over the way Cambridge Analytica has used data harvested from Facebook has raised concerns around data … Continue reading “Less is better: guarding your privacy in a world of micro-targeting”

Poor people are penalised for borrowing to make ends meet – a new alliance gives them another way

By Karen Rowlingson, Professor of Social Policy Department of Social Policy Sociology & Criminology, University of Birmingham Credit can be a vital lifeline to many people and should not be taken away entirely. But nor should lenders be allowed to take advantage of people in desperate situations. Michael Sheen has just launched the End High … Continue reading “Poor people are penalised for borrowing to make ends meet – a new alliance gives them another way”

The rise and rise of craft business – the craft takeover?

By Dr Scott Taylor, Reader in Leadership & Organization Studies Department of Management, University of Birmingham Image courtesy of Rob Evans/With Love project that’s the future of craft – the people yet to come, who will maintain the making skills, whether the object is called ‘craft’ or not. Craft beer, craft coffee, craft bicycles, craft … Continue reading “The rise and rise of craft business – the craft takeover?”