The Birmingham Economic Review 2017 – Inward & Foreign Direct Investment

The Birmingham Economic Review was produced in October 2017 by City-REDI, the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and the West Midlands Growth Company. The review highlights the current strengths and weakness of the Birmingham economy, as well as looking at the opportunities and threats that might impact upon it in the future. This is a commentary on Chapter 11 of … Continue reading “The Birmingham Economic Review 2017 – Inward & Foreign Direct Investment”

Are business schools fit for the future?

The growth of business education over the past 60 years has been phenomenal, with more than 16,000 business schools operating worldwide, according to an AACSB estimate. Yet a growing range of challenges will mean that in 25 years’ time, many of our business schools will not exist, and none will exist in their current form. … Continue reading “Are business schools fit for the future?”

Measuring the qualifications gap: regional analysis and local labour markets

The latest City-REDI Policy Briefing, ‘Measuring the skills gap: A regional analysis of a local labour market’ is a focused analysis of the NVQ (national vocational qualification) qualification ladder levels 1 through 4, in specific geographic regions of the UK. It examines the types of qualifications that employers find missing from candidates applying for jobs, … Continue reading “Measuring the qualifications gap: regional analysis and local labour markets”

An Industrial Strategy Fit for Regional Growth

The UK is facing a number of critical challenges at the present time with Brexit at the top of most agendas. But most fundamental of these challenges are the result of significant regional differences in productivity, economic growth and social well-being across the country. These uneven patterns of inequality and socio-economic opportunity were a key … Continue reading “An Industrial Strategy Fit for Regional Growth”

The Rise of the Highbrow, Eyebrow Economy: Face Theatre as Commodification and Local Economic Development

Our economy and society are a continual state of change or becoming – they never become. Change, transition and transformation are the norm and persistence is unusual and needs to be explained. There are a number of ‘timeless theories and timeless processes’; theories and processes that will continue as long as capitalism survives. These timeless … Continue reading “The Rise of the Highbrow, Eyebrow Economy: Face Theatre as Commodification and Local Economic Development”

Professor Simon Collinson interviewed on Radio 4 regarding the Industrial Strategy

Professor Simon Collinson was interviewed this morning (27/11/17), on Radio 4’s Today Show. The interview was part of a panel commentary on the Industrial Strategy, which was published by the government today. Professor Collinson submitted a series of key points on the Industrial Strategy to the show, some of which was covered briefly in the interview: … Continue reading “Professor Simon Collinson interviewed on Radio 4 regarding the Industrial Strategy”

#Budget2017 – Sailing the ship in troubling times

This year’s autumn statement paints a dramatic statement for growth prospects, with the growth forecast for 2017 downgraded from 2% to 1.5% and GDP falling further to 1.4%, 1.3% and not rising until 2020. Business investment has been revised down and CPI forecasts it to fall later this year. £3bn has been set aside to … Continue reading “#Budget2017 – Sailing the ship in troubling times”

The Autumn Budget 2017: For Whom and for What Purpose or just an exercise in Whistling in the Wind?

This blog was written by Professor John Bryson, City-REDI, Birmingham Business School. I find the political and media worlds in the UK increasingly depressing. I had wondered if this was a new form of illness, perhaps Brexitis. I have been reflecting on my increasing disillusionment with both British politics and the media and I have … Continue reading “The Autumn Budget 2017: For Whom and for What Purpose or just an exercise in Whistling in the Wind?”

The Birmingham Economic Review 2017: Key Sectors

The Birmingham Economic Review was produced in October 2017 by City-REDI, the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and the West Midlands Growth Company. The review highlights the current strengths and weakness of the Birmingham economy, as well as looking at the opportunities and threats that might impact upon it in the future. This is a commentary on Chapter 5 of … Continue reading “The Birmingham Economic Review 2017: Key Sectors”

The Birmingham Economic Review 2017: The Economic Geography

The Birmingham Economic Review was produced in October 2017 by City-REDI, the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and the West Midlands Growth Company. The review highlights the current strengths and weakness of the Birmingham economy, as well as looking at the opportunities and threats that might impact upon it in the future. This is a commentary on Chapter 4 of … Continue reading “The Birmingham Economic Review 2017: The Economic Geography”