By Dr Anandadeep Mandal, Associate Professor in Finance Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham The UK’s Bold Move on Encrypted Data In a controversial move, the UK government has issued a “technical capability notice” under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, compelling Apple to create a backdoor to its encrypted iCloud services. The demand requires Apple … Continue reading “The UK’s Encryption Crackdown: What It Means for Investors and Digital Privacy”
It’s a Love Story – just say yes: What are the top retail trends for Valentine’s Day 2025?
By Sarah Montano, Professor of Retail Marketing Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham Valentine’s Day is once again upon us, the day when consumers are expected to show their love for their significant other via the medium of retail! Supermarkets have replaced their Christmas aisles with a sea of red roses and cute bears, whilst … Continue reading “It’s a Love Story – just say yes: What are the top retail trends for Valentine’s Day 2025?”
Rate cut ripple effect: How the Bank of England’s move will shape your finances in 2025
By Dr Anandadeep Mandal, Associate Professor in Finance Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham The Bank of England’s recent decision to cut the base interest rate from 4.75% to 4.5% marks the third reduction in six months on 6th Feb 2025, a move aimed at revitalising the UK’s slowing economy. With inflation easing and economic … Continue reading “Rate cut ripple effect: How the Bank of England’s move will shape your finances in 2025”
Is Working From Home Bad for Employees’ Productivity?
By Dr Darja Reuschke, Associate Professor City-REDI, Birmingham Business School 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. Most recently, members of … Continue reading “Is Working From Home Bad for Employees’ Productivity?”
The DEI Trilemma: Progress, Pushback, or Quiet Compliance?
By Dr Achilleas Boukis, Associate Professor in Marketing Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham Several prominent global organisations, including technology giants such as Meta, Amazon, and Zoom, retailers like Walmart, and automotive companies such as Ford and Harley-Davidson, are scaling back their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. These decisions appear to be largely driven by … Continue reading “The DEI Trilemma: Progress, Pushback, or Quiet Compliance?”
Why is Everyone Talking About DeepSeek? A Game Changer or Just Hype?
By Dr Anandadeep Mandal Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham The artificial intelligence (AI) landscape is evolving rapidly, and DeepSeek has been one of the most talked-about AI models in recent months. Initially hailed as a game-changer for its multi-modal learning capabilities, real-time data processing, and unsupervised learning potential, DeepSeek has faced growing scepticism due … Continue reading “Why is Everyone Talking About DeepSeek? A Game Changer or Just Hype?”
TRUMP coin: A strategic power play in the world of cryptocurrency and politics
By Dr Anandadeep Mandal Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham On 17 January 2025, just days before his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump made an unexpected and strategic move into the world of cryptocurrency with the launch of his TRUMP coin. This new meme coin, designed to capitalize on … Continue reading “TRUMP coin: A strategic power play in the world of cryptocurrency and politics”
The UK’s AI superpower ambition: A bold leap or a complex challenge?
By Dr Anandadeep Mandal Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham The Prime Minister’s recent revelation of the government’s goal to transform the UK into an AI powerhouse sparked global attention. The programme aims to apply artificial intelligence to boost economic development and public service delivery, notably in education and small company operations. The plan has … Continue reading “The UK’s AI superpower ambition: A bold leap or a complex challenge?”
UK Bond Sale Signals Waning Investor Confidence Amid Economic Uncertainty
By Dr Anandadeep Mandal Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham The UK’s most recent bond sale, on January 14, 2025, raises serious concerns about investor confidence in the British economy. With Chancellor Rachel Reeves facing increasing parliamentary pressure for growing government borrowing costs and a volatile pound, the results of this bond issue are critical … Continue reading “UK Bond Sale Signals Waning Investor Confidence Amid Economic Uncertainty”
From Trailblazer to Troll: Elon Musk’s Distortion of UK Politics, Media, and Society
By Dr Hannah Absalom Institute of Local Government Studies (INLOGOV), University of Birmingham Elon Musk is one of the most recognisable figures of the 21st century. As the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and other ventures, his influence extends far beyond technology, shaping public discourse, politics, and culture. Yet, like many of the super-rich, Musk is … Continue reading “From Trailblazer to Troll: Elon Musk’s Distortion of UK Politics, Media, and Society”