Chocolate, Fairtrade and Responsible Business

By Nana O Bonsu, Research Fellow Lloyds Banking Group Centre for Responsible Business, University of Birmingham Though that might be good for the consumer, our buying habits could have a negative effect on cocoa farmers across the globe For years in the UK, chocolate has been inexpensive and readily available. Though that might be good for … Continue reading “Chocolate, Fairtrade and Responsible Business”

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A guide to the customs union: the future for the UK

By Professor John Fender, Professor of Macroeconomics Department of Economics, University of Birmingham Even if [the UK] negotiates a free trade deal with the EU, trade will not be entirely frictionless Most economists agree that international trade has significant economic benefits for the countries involved. However, such countries often impose tariffs on imports which impede trade … Continue reading “A guide to the customs union: the future for the UK”

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Heathrow’s third runway – is it worth it?

By Dr Amir Qamar, Research Associate within City-REDI, Department of Strategy and International Business, University of Birmingham Heathrow is operating at 99% capacity. Something has to be done but expansion comes with high costs and risks, as well as hindering the competitive position of other UK airports and regions. With 415 votes to 119, MPs in … Continue reading “Heathrow’s third runway – is it worth it?”

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World No Tobacco Day and why it still matters

By Dr Caroline Moraes, Senior Lecturer in Marketing Department of Marketing, University of Birmingham I hope to see a future where we have all stopped smoking, making World No Tobacco Day and threat-based social marketing become redundant. The need to curb tobacco consumption due to its detrimental health effects is still a topical issue, despite the many … Continue reading “World No Tobacco Day and why it still matters”

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Is M&S stuck in the middle?

By Professor Isabelle Szmigin, Professor of Marketing Department of Marketing, University of Birmingham Marks and Spencer has been in decline for many years. The problem is that it has never really bitten the bullet of change. As Marks and Spencer announce the closure of 22 of their outlets, and up to a hundred in total by 2022, … Continue reading “Is M&S stuck in the middle?”

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Responsible business, Sustainable Development Goals and trading fairly

By Professor Ian Thomson, Professor of Accounting and Sustainability, Lloyds Banking Group Centre for Responsible Business Centre Director Department of Accounting, University of Birmingham We need to recognise that our personal pleasure from an unfairly traded product, such as coffee or chocolate, results in increased poverty for many. The value of trading fairly is often underestimated, the … Continue reading “Responsible business, Sustainable Development Goals and trading fairly”

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How reliant is Britain on EU migrant workers?

By Dr Catherine Harris, City-REDI Senior Research Fellow Department of Strategy and International Business, University of Birmingham As with many other issues related to the referendum, the impact remains uncertain. Europe Day celebrates peace and unity across Europe, whilst Brexit still continues to cause uncertainty in a number of areas, threatening Europe’s sense of unity … Continue reading “How reliant is Britain on EU migrant workers?”

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‘Plumber phobia’ and the Brexit services trade dilemma

By Professor John Bryson, Professor of Enterprise and Economic Geography Department of Strategy and International Business, University of Birmingham But, the question is ‘what role do services play in the European single market?’. Europe Day is upon us again and provides an ideal opportunity to reflect upon European integration in the face of Brexit. In 1985, the … Continue reading “‘Plumber phobia’ and the Brexit services trade dilemma”

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Our impact on the local economy

By Dr Amir Qamar, Research Associate within City-REDI, and Dr Chloe Billing, Research Fellow at City-REDI Department of Strategy and International Business, University of Birmingham UoB is certainly responsible for teaching and generating future leaders, but we should not forget that UoB plays an important part in shaping the economy within the West Midlands. Birmingham was recently ranked … Continue reading “Our impact on the local economy”

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