Alice Pugh looks at the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on the Christmas season. Whether you view Christmas as a religious or commercial holiday, for most households in the UK it should be a beautiful time of the year filled with joy. However, this year the cost-of-living crisis is the grinch which is stealing Christmas … Continue reading “The Nightmare Before Christmas”
Category: Business
International Trade and Supply Chain Disruptions in the Light of the Russian-Ukraine war
With the Russian invasion of Ukraine, both countries reduced their trade with the world, and supply chains were disrupted. Maryna Ramcharan looks at UK international trade with both countries and the subsequent supply chain disruptions. International trade in the UK has a negative trade balance. Imports from Ukraine accounted for 0.2% of all goods imports. … Continue reading “International Trade and Supply Chain Disruptions in the Light of the Russian-Ukraine war”
An Early Assessment of the Economic Impact of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games
Dr Matt Lyons provides an early assessment of the economic impact of the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. The Commonwealth Games have kicked off in Birmingham and the buzz about the city has been infectious. Spectators have flocked to events to see elite athletes compete and/or to see the supporting art exhibits like the giant mechanical … Continue reading “An Early Assessment of the Economic Impact of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games”
Megatrends in the West Midlands: Business Models and Operations
Alice Pugh examines some of the key trends impacting businesses and their operations in the West Midlands. Many of these trends started before the pandemic, but Covid-19 has accelerated them. This article is part of a larger project looking at Megatrends in the West Midlands. Megatrends are major movements or patterns or trends that are … Continue reading “Megatrends in the West Midlands: Business Models and Operations”
University-Industry Relationships Facilitated: The Case of Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Hub
Our newly released report discusses how business support offered by regional universities is facilitated by a local partner, the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) Growth Hub. The report aims to demonstrate how close links between regional economic development bodies and anchor institutions, such as universities, helps to support businesses in the GBSLEP … Continue reading “University-Industry Relationships Facilitated: The Case of Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Hub”
Major Sporting Events and Local Businesses
Dr Shushu Chen discusses how local businesses can capitalise on major sporting events like the Commonwealth Games. This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2021. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by the University of Birmingham’s City-REDI and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It is an in-depth … Continue reading “Major Sporting Events and Local Businesses”
Comparing Creative Clusters in the West Midlands and South Wales
James Davies and Matt Lyons report on the importance of higher education institutions in the development of regional creative clusters and the questions that remain unanswered. This project, in collaboration with the Creative Industries Policy & Evidence Centre, compares two UK regions with growing creative sectors and asks how can regions optimise their creative clusters. … Continue reading “Comparing Creative Clusters in the West Midlands and South Wales”
Entrepreneurial Behaviour and the COVID-19 Pandemic – A Collapse in Confidence or a Positive Response to Uncertainty?
Mark Hart uses data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Annual Population Surveys to examine the impact COVID-19 has had on entrepreneurship in the UK. This blog highlights the work of a new project “Lifting the Lid on Enterprise Diversity & Growth in the West Midlands“, which will collect and analyse panel data on business … Continue reading “Entrepreneurial Behaviour and the COVID-19 Pandemic – A Collapse in Confidence or a Positive Response to Uncertainty?”
Fewer Firms are Created in UK Regions Outside London and the South-East
Co-authored by Huanjia Ma and Simon Collinson, they have been discussing new firm creation in regions outside London and the South-East in the context of the government’s levelling up policy plans. The UK government’s recent levelling up plans promise large investments in infrastructure, R&D, skills and education, and the relocation of public sector employment, to … Continue reading “Fewer Firms are Created in UK Regions Outside London and the South-East”
Why do Policymakers Need a Panel Study of Entrepreneurial Dynamics (PSED) in the West Midlands?
Meng Song and Mark Hart discuss the need to examine the demographic characteristics and motivation of entrepreneurs to increase our understanding of people who create new businesses and to track them throughout their start-up journey to improve our support for them. This blog highlights the work of a new project “Lifting the Lid on Enterprise … Continue reading “Why do Policymakers Need a Panel Study of Entrepreneurial Dynamics (PSED) in the West Midlands?”