The majority of studies which have investigated lean and agile production have explored each of these production concepts in silos, which is a growing trend in the recent literature. Given that a number of studies assert that flexibility is an essential factor for differentiating lean and agile production there is an important need to explore … Continue reading “Flexibility Differences between Lean and Agile Production in the West Midlands Automotive Supply Chain”
Markle Sparkle and the Royal Wedding 2018: Frocks, Rocks and the Local Economic Impacts of Weddings
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Saturday, 19th May 2018, at St George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle raises interesting questions regarding the relationship between weddings and local economic development. There can be no question that weddings are big business and that a Royal Wedding, in particular, is exceptionally big business that … Continue reading “Markle Sparkle and the Royal Wedding 2018: Frocks, Rocks and the Local Economic Impacts of Weddings”
City-REDI mentioned in the House of Commons
Research led by Professor Raquel Ortega-Argiles, City-REDI, University of Birmingham, was referenced in a House of Commons debate on the 26th April 2018. The research suggests that the UK’s cities and regions which voted for Brexit are also the most economically dependent on EU markets for their prosperity and viability. These cities and regions are … Continue reading “City-REDI mentioned in the House of Commons”
‘Plumber phobia’ and the Brexit services trade dilemma
This blog was originally posted on the Birmingham Business School blog. Europe Day is upon us again and provides an ideal opportunity to reflect upon European integration in the face of Brexit. In 1985, the 9th May was designated as Europe Day by the European Union (EU) – then the European Community – to celebrate the … Continue reading “‘Plumber phobia’ and the Brexit services trade dilemma”
Wolverhampton Wanderers Return to the English Premier League: Football, Property and Local Economic Development
Greetings from Singapore. Singapore is perhaps a strange place to reflect on Wolverhampton Wanderers and its return to the English Premier League. But, like Wolverhampton, Singapore is a very special place with an interesting collection of strategic assets. All this is to argue that a place, a city, a town or a ward is defined … Continue reading “Wolverhampton Wanderers Return to the English Premier League: Football, Property and Local Economic Development”
Birmingham Policy Lab: Diversity and minority ethnic entrepreneurship in the West Midlands – 15 May 2018, 12:00 – 16:20
The University of Birmingham would like to invite you to a Birmingham Policy Lab workshop to explore the theme of diversity and minority ethnic entrepreneurship in the West Midlands. The event will be held from 12:00 – 16:20 (including lunch) on Tuesday 15 May 2018 at the Nishkam Civic Association in Handsworth. Overview This Birmingham … Continue reading “Birmingham Policy Lab: Diversity and minority ethnic entrepreneurship in the West Midlands – 15 May 2018, 12:00 – 16:20”
Raising productivity in low-wage sectors and reducing poverty
On 2nd May the Joseph Rowntree Foundation is holding a conference on Using the Industrial Strategy to support higher performance and wages in the retail and hospitality sectors. City-REDI’s Professor Anne Green and Dr Amir Qamar, along with Dr Paul Sissons and Dr Kevin Broughton at Coventry University, were commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation … Continue reading “Raising productivity in low-wage sectors and reducing poverty”
The issues facing workers today: ‘Good Work’, ‘Fulfilling Work’ and the ‘Fair Employment’ Agendas
Headline indicators of the state of the labour market in the UK today highlight employment at record levels. Data from the Labour Force Survey for the three months ending in February 2018 show that were 32.26 million people in work. This is 427,000 more than in the previous year. The employment rate (which measures the … Continue reading “The issues facing workers today: ‘Good Work’, ‘Fulfilling Work’ and the ‘Fair Employment’ Agendas”
Battlegrounds or Labour Consolidation? – What to watch out for in this week’s local elections
This is the first England wide test of electoral opinion since last year’s snap general election. Seats on around 150 councils and according to Britain Elects 4,425 seats will be up for grabs, 40 per cent (1,833) of which are in London. This includes most seats in the city conurbations, such as all 32 London … Continue reading “Battlegrounds or Labour Consolidation? – What to watch out for in this week’s local elections”
Metro-Mayors: Can they address UK Regional Inequality?
Professor Simon Collinson discusses the need to devolve power in the UK to address the economic imbalance between London and the South East and the rest of the UK. Metro Mayors can potentially be a powerful instrument to promote regional growth which is critical to the long-term social and political stability of the country. In … Continue reading “Metro-Mayors: Can they address UK Regional Inequality?”