Funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, the ERC is the UK’s leading centre of excellence for research into the growth, innovation and productivity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Our research helps shape better policies and practices that enable SMEs to thrive.
Backing Your Business: Small Business Plan, One Year On
ERC research on Late Payment ( SOTA No 70) authored by Rita Nana- Cheraa and Mark Hart was cited in a Government report card released on 15th July: Backing your business: Small Business Plan one year on – GOV.UK. One year on, the Government sets out areas where they are delivering for SMEs across the country – helping businesses boost cashflow,… Read more
Prompt Payment for Small Firms: A Global Partnership.
On Tuesday June 16th we were at University of Warwick – Warwick Business School campus at The Shard co-hosting a workshop with the Office of the Small Business Commissioner and Department for Business and Trade: Prompt Payment for Small Firms: A Global Partnership. The session brought together a great group of experts, researchers and policymakers… Read more
Research Showcase 2026
On Wednesday June 3rd we were at the University of Warwick – Warwick Business School‘s campus at The Shard for our Research Showcase. At these events we bring together colleagues, partners and stakeholders to explore our latest research insights. The presentations explored themes of entrepreneurship, innovation and business growth, highlighting the mix of current research… Read more
Rethinking the Everyday Economy: Why Improving “Average” Firms Matters Most
In 2018, Rachel Reeves described the “everyday economy” as the ‘services, production, consumption and social goods that sustain all our daily lives’ (Reeves 2018). The term ‘everyday economy’ resurfaced in the new small business strategy published by the government last year (HMSO 2025). One chapter of the strategy focused specifically on SMEs as the ‘crucial… Read more
How does digitalisation support firms’ strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation
This working paper co- authored by ERC Director Stephen Roper and Anastasia Ri, Assistant Professor of Research at the ERC published by the Productivity Institute investigates how firms navigate the dual challenges of digitalisation and climate change. The comprehensive approach considers climate change strategies, distinguishing adaptation-only, mitigation -only and ‘dual’ adaptation and mitigation strategies. Drawing… Read more
Adoption, implementation, alignment – maximising the performance benefits of digital investment
Summary of TPI Firms Research Programme 2023-2026 This report co-authored by ERC Director Stephen Roper synthesises five research projects supported by The Productivity Institute (2023–2026) examining how digitalisation influences firms’ productivity, business model innovation, climate strategies, and investment decision-making. Drawing on UK wide surveys, international firm-level datasets, and in-depth qualitative studies, the evidence shows that… Read more
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