By Dr Jing Du, Lecturer in Finance Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham. The latest UK Household Finance Index (IHS Markit) shows that households in the UK hold renewed pessimism about their financial outlook over the next 12 months. Due to sharply increased inflation, British residents are experiencing higher prices on their everyday goods and … Continue reading “Surging inflation and you: some ways to win the war”
The new Omicron variant: will the UK response avert another crisis?
By Professor Aditya Goenka The Department of Economics, University of Birmingham There will be a crisis if the fears about the nature of the new variant are realised. The news of rising infections and protests against control in Europe have been overshadowed by the report of the Omicron (B.1.1.526) variant. Despite its inclination for no … Continue reading “The new Omicron variant: will the UK response avert another crisis?”
Climate change and criminality: what’s the link?
By Professor Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay and Professor Francis Pope University of Birmingham The increased frequency of adverse events such as floods or drought associated with climate change may adversely impact economies. Such a negative impact may induce ‘survival crimes’ […] Climate change is widely held to be the greatest challenge facing the world today. Another challenge of … Continue reading “Climate change and criminality: what’s the link?”
Employees’ trust, leadership skills, and recovery in the post-pandemic era
By Dr Jing Du, Lecturer in Finance Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham. business leaders must learn promptly and effectively from the good experiences and methods of successful business recovery from others around the world. The pandemic has brought a huge impact to the global economy, society and people’s lives. Companies have gradually entered a … Continue reading “Employees’ trust, leadership skills, and recovery in the post-pandemic era”
A Christmas to remember: how Christmas 2021 will be like no other
By Dr. Sarah Montano, Senior Lecturer in Marketing Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham So, is Christmas too early and will Christmas be different in 2021? There has been great excitement in the media over the last week as we have seen the launch of Christmas adverts from all the major brands. John Lewis with … Continue reading “A Christmas to remember: how Christmas 2021 will be like no other”
Why are so many people resigning from jobs? (And is there anything a manager or leader can do about it?)
By Dr Scott Taylor Professor in Leadership & Organization Studies, Department of Management In this context, whether people are willing to come back to work in city centre office blocks becomes a detail. Work and workplaces, especially those responsible for managing and leading, face a more significant challenge than that, if there are no people … Continue reading “Why are so many people resigning from jobs? (And is there anything a manager or leader can do about it?)”
Sewage in the seas and broken contracts: what next for England and Wales’ water companies?
By Professor Andy Mullineux Lloyds Banking Group Centre for Responsible Business, Emeritus Professor of Financial Economics One has to question whether substantial private equity ownership of utilities with such important public service duties is appropriate In 1989, ten Regional Water Authorities in England and Wales were finally privatised to become water and sewage companies (WSCs) … Continue reading “Sewage in the seas and broken contracts: what next for England and Wales’ water companies?”
What to expect of COP26 and reduction of fossil fuel usage?
By Professor Aditya Goenka The Department of Economics, University of Birmingham If expenditure on controlling pollution sees sufficient decreases, there is a tendency to increase economic activity and productivity, often meaning the gains in lessening pollution are not permanent. While the COP26 conference has heightened expectations that there will be a plan of action to … Continue reading “What to expect of COP26 and reduction of fossil fuel usage?”
In a world of fast fashion, is sustainable retail possible or even desirable?
By Dr Sarah Montano and Dr Inci Toral Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham. We have passed the threshold of ‘leaving this to governments’, it is now everyone’s responsibility In previous seasons of Love Island, we have seen advertisements for fast fashion giants I Saw It First who sell clothes for as little as £3 … Continue reading “In a world of fast fashion, is sustainable retail possible or even desirable?”
Zero waste: the future of the weekly shop?
By Dr Sarah Montano and Dr Inci Toral Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham. As Tesco launches a zero waste shopping in 10 stores in the East of England, once again we ask ourselves are consumers seeking sustainability and will such zero waste stores encourage customers to swap brands? Zero-sum (waste) Game in Retail Consumption … Continue reading “Zero waste: the future of the weekly shop?”