Challenges and Opportunities in Rapidly Changing Business Support Landscapes

Juliane Schwarz and Fumi Kitagawa discuss the ever-changing landscape of business support, and what role Universities can play. This article was written for the Birmingham Economic Review. The review is produced by City-REDI / WMREDI, the University of Birmingham and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It is an in-depth exploration of the economy of … Continue reading “Challenges and Opportunities in Rapidly Changing Business Support Landscapes”

The Heavy Weight of Covid Loans on the Hospitality Industry

Tracey Stephenson, Managing Director of Staying Cool, discusses how the UK’s hospitality industry suffered disproportionately during the COVID-19 pandemic. This article was written for the Birmingham Economic Review. The review is produced by City-REDI / WMREDI, the University of Birmingham and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It is an in-depth exploration of the economy … Continue reading “The Heavy Weight of Covid Loans on the Hospitality Industry”

Industrial Path Development in the UK Space Sector: Processes of Legitimacy Building in the Establishment of Space 2.0

A new research paper by Dr Chloe Billing, Professor John Bryson, and Dr Tasos Kitsos published in Industry and Innovation examines how legitimacy building enables the emergence of new industries. Through studying the rise of “New Space” in the UK, the authors find that successfully developing cognitive, normative, and regulatory legitimacy across multiple scales through … Continue reading “Industrial Path Development in the UK Space Sector: Processes of Legitimacy Building in the Establishment of Space 2.0”

Companies at Risk of Insolvency in West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA)

Reen Blake-Carr investigates the number of businesses that are in danger of insolvency in the WMCA and discusses some of the factors that might be causing this issue. Much like how the UK is suffering record levels of insolvencies from multiple economic shocks like Covid, the cost-of-living crises and rampant inflation -so has the WMCA. … Continue reading “Companies at Risk of Insolvency in West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA)”

Shrinkflation and Skimpflation – A Permanent Loss in What Your Money can buy

Alice Pugh discusses Shrinkflation and Skimpflation and how these have had an adverse effect on the consumers. This blog was originally published in the Birmingham Business School Blog. What is Shrinkflation?  Shrinkflation is when the size of a product decreases, but the price remains constant. It is a discrete way of increasing the price of … Continue reading “Shrinkflation and Skimpflation – A Permanent Loss in What Your Money can buy”

Innovation Policy: The Role of Universities, Priority Sectors and Micro-enterprises

Juliane Schwarz discusses the potential impacts of prioritising certain sectors over others and how universities can play a role in active industrial policy. Juliane also looks at the role of small and micro businesses in our economy and how they can be better supported. In her letter to the Financial Times, the Vice-Provost of Research … Continue reading “Innovation Policy: The Role of Universities, Priority Sectors and Micro-enterprises”

Podcast: Small Business Support: Can it be Effective, Highly Visible and Respected?

In our latest podcast, Dr Juliane Schwarz talks to Professor Mart Hart, Deputy Director of the Enterprise Research Centre and Professor of Small Business and Entrepreneurship at Aston Business School, about business support in England. This podcast was inspired by the Birmingham Economic Review 2022. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by City-REDI, University … Continue reading “Podcast: Small Business Support: Can it be Effective, Highly Visible and Respected?”

The Creative Sector Vision: What Does It Say and What Might It Mean for the West Midlands?

On Wednesday the UK Government released the Creative Sector Vision a highly anticipated update to creative policy. Dr Matt Lyons provides a summary of the document and some initial reflections on what it could mean for the region. The Creative Sector Vision published yesterday is the much-anticipated latest iteration of the UK Government’s policy for … Continue reading “The Creative Sector Vision: What Does It Say and What Might It Mean for the West Midlands?”

What Makes a Cluster and Who (and Where) Benefits?

Policymakers are once again focused on the potential of clusters to boost regional growth. However, as James Davies and Simon Collinson demonstrate, a cluster’s contribution to growth can cross regional, national or even continental boundaries. Policymakers, consultants and academics have focused on the potential of clusters to contribute to regional economic growth for a long … Continue reading “What Makes a Cluster and Who (and Where) Benefits?”

The Impact of Economic Events on Ethnic Minority-Led Business in Birmingham

Neelam Afzal discusses the importance of ethnic minority-led businesses for the economy of Birmingham and the UK, but how these businesses are often detached from mainstream business support and struggle disproportionally when accessing finance.  This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2022.  The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced … Continue reading “The Impact of Economic Events on Ethnic Minority-Led Business in Birmingham”