The Birmingham Economic Review is out now! It provides a comprehensive analysis of the city’s economy as we emerge from a period of high inflation and local, regional, and national elections and actionable measures businesses and stakeholders from across the city-region can take to drive economic growth. Read the full Birmingham Economic Review 2024. Birmingham’s … Continue reading “Boosting Health and Productivity: The Role of Birmingham’s Workplaces”
Category: West Midlands
Driving Innovation: How the West Midlands is Powering Business Growth
The Birmingham Economic Review is out now! It provides a comprehensive analysis of the city’s economy as we emerge from a period of high inflation and local, regional, and national elections and actionable measures businesses and stakeholders from across the city-region can take to drive economic growth. Read the full Birmingham Economic Review 2024. Avalon … Continue reading “Driving Innovation: How the West Midlands is Powering Business Growth”
Is Working From Home Bad for Employees’ Productivity?
Dr Darja Reuschke explores how job satisfaction, autonomy, and commute experiences shape employee performance. Whether working from home impacts employees’ productivity and performance is not a new question, but one that has received renewed attention with media coverage of organisations asking their staff to work fully or a minimum number of days in the office. … Continue reading “Is Working From Home Bad for Employees’ Productivity?”
Transforming Policies into Actions: The Role of Governance Structures in Inclusive Economic Development
Governance structures and institutions play a crucial role in converting policies into tangible actions to pursue inclusive economic development. Institutional frameworks can support or hinder progress, making their study essential for ensuring that innovative ideas translate into real outcomes. This blog delves into the key findings, impacts, and recommendations from various research projects, all aimed … Continue reading “Transforming Policies into Actions: The Role of Governance Structures in Inclusive Economic Development”
Digital Skills Shortage : UK Faces £27.6 Billion Loss by 2030 Due to Digital Skills Shortage
Digital Skills shortage could cost the UK economy up to £27.6 billion and more than 380,000 jobs by 2030. As the UK races towards a digital-first economy, the consequences of persistent digital skills shortages are becoming increasingly apparent. Projections indicate that without intervention, these shortages could cost the UK economy up to £27.6 billion by … Continue reading “Digital Skills Shortage : UK Faces £27.6 Billion Loss by 2030 Due to Digital Skills Shortage”
The Role of Innovation Ecosystems in Regional Economic Growth: A Case Study of the West Midlands
Innovation ecosystems are fundamental drivers of regional economic growth, particularly in areas where there is a strong emphasis on research and development (R&D), advanced manufacturing, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) assets. In this blog, we explore the impact of the West Midlands Research and Economic Development Initiative (WMREDI) in fostering these ecosystems, with … Continue reading “The Role of Innovation Ecosystems in Regional Economic Growth: A Case Study of the West Midlands”
The State of Digital Skills and Shortages in the UK: Findings from City-REDI Report on Digital Skills
The UK has seen a dynamic evolution of the demand for digital skills over recent years, with a significant increase in the need for advanced, intermediate, and basic digital competencies across regions and occupations. These changes reflect the rapid digitalisation of workplaces and the growing integration of technologies like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and automation … Continue reading “The State of Digital Skills and Shortages in the UK: Findings from City-REDI Report on Digital Skills”
Economic Geographies of the West Midlands – Current Features and Future Implications
In December 2024 the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) published a study on Economic Geographies of the West Midlands co-authored by SQW, City-REDI and Automatic Knowledge. The purpose of the report was to expand and deepen understanding of the economic geographies of the West Midlands, with a particular focus on the interdependencies and connections between … Continue reading “Economic Geographies of the West Midlands – Current Features and Future Implications”
The Impact of WMREDI : Strengthening Local Labour Markets and Skill Development for Regional Growth
This blog discusses the importance of skills development and local labour market improvements for regional growth, focusing on initiatives in the West Midlands through the WMREDI program. It highlights research and policy efforts to tackle employment barriers, and skills gaps, and enhance workforce capabilities in areas such as digital skills, R&D, and youth employment. Building … Continue reading “The Impact of WMREDI : Strengthening Local Labour Markets and Skill Development for Regional Growth”
The Impact of WMREDI : Shaping Evidence-Based Policy and Business Cases
This blog highlights the work of the West Midlands Economic Development Institute (WMREDI) in developing evidence-based policy, business cases, and evaluation frameworks to support regional growth. It discusses WMREDI’s impact on building analytical capabilities, fostering resilience, and shaping local industrial strategies through innovative tools, research, and collaborations. In the dynamic landscape of regional policy development, … Continue reading “The Impact of WMREDI : Shaping Evidence-Based Policy and Business Cases”