Worker to Robot or Self-employment and the Gig Economy? Divisions of Labour, Technology and the Transformation of Work 

The 20th century was one of great technological innovation, but the 21st century will be perhaps even more transformational. It is possible to explore the impacts of former technological changes on today’s labour market. Between 1980 and 2012 per capita world output increased, on average, by 1.7% corresponding to a cumulative growth of just over … Continue reading “Worker to Robot or Self-employment and the Gig Economy? Divisions of Labour, Technology and the Transformation of Work “

The new Tigger-like Philip Hammond: a bounce too far?

Along comes March 13 2018, and with Spring comes a new form of commentary by the Chancellor on the state of UK Plc. There was an obvious spring in this statement, driven by the slightly faster growth rate of the UK economy. There are perhaps two points to consider from the Spring statement. The first … Continue reading “The new Tigger-like Philip Hammond: a bounce too far?”

Snow, Snow, Glorious Snow: Funding and Financing Local Infrastructure in the UK

Snow, snow, glorious snow. The UK is currently experiencing the impacts of the ‘beast from the east’ as cold air from Russia and eastern Europe creates the conditions that produce, in many parts of the UK, transport chaos. This type of periodic weather disruption to infrastructure is a reminder of how reliant we are on … Continue reading “Snow, Snow, Glorious Snow: Funding and Financing Local Infrastructure in the UK”

Valentine’s Day and the Commodification of Love or the Economic Impacts of Courtship

Valentine was a 3rd century martyr, or was he? There are two Valentines associated with the 14 February. First, a Roman priest who was martyred supposedly under the rule of Claudius and, second, a bishop of Terni who was martyred in Rome but whose remains were then removed to Terni. The accounts of both these … Continue reading “Valentine’s Day and the Commodification of Love or the Economic Impacts of Courtship”

The end (of the project) is near

It is with both a sense of sadness and satisfaction that I write this blog. Sadness because the Urban Living Birmingham project has now formally completed – although outputs and outcomes will continue to be produced into the New Year. Satisfaction because of all we achieved in such a short time. In only 18 months … Continue reading “The end (of the project) is near”

City-REDI publications series: Professor John Bryson – Repatriation or Reshoring of Manufacturing to the U.S. and UK: Modular Theory-Building, Dynamics and Global Production Networks or From Here to There and Back Again

As part of a new blog series, we will be highlighting the excellent research produced by the City-REDI team since 2015, with the aim of creating an online searchable library. You can view this work by searching the blog with the relevant tag, either using the name of the author or the year of the publication. The … Continue reading “City-REDI publications series: Professor John Bryson – Repatriation or Reshoring of Manufacturing to the U.S. and UK: Modular Theory-Building, Dynamics and Global Production Networks or From Here to There and Back Again”

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”

Twelve Economic Impacts of Christmas 2017

There are many types of Christmas. For some it is a special religious moment, for others, it is a time for families and friends and for many a time for consumption.  For many others, it is a critical time in their business activities – a time in which sales linked to Christmas determine profitability and … Continue reading “Twelve Economic Impacts of Christmas 2017”

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”

From Birmingham with a Smile: Public Art, Streetscapes and the ‘Economic’ Impacts of a Liveable City

Cities should be interesting places to live and work. They should be places for serendipitous encounters with people, buildings and streetscapes – including green infrastructure. The best street environments are spaces for display, entertainment and encounter. Many cities are ugly and yet lovely places and many are too often lonely places; places for the socially … Continue reading “From Birmingham with a Smile: Public Art, Streetscapes and the ‘Economic’ Impacts of a Liveable City”