One size doesn’t fit all in terms of R&D and innovation

While some of us have been able to work at home during the Covid-19 crisis – and may have actually improved our productivity – this has not been the case for most of those involved in research and development (R&D). Lock-down has meant no access to laboratories or the specialist kit needed, so many R&D… Read more

ERC to be involved in new £32m Productivity Institute

The ERC are pleased to be involved in a major new research institute funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) which will focus on how to make the UK economy more productive. The new £32m Productivity Institute is being hosted by the Alliance Manchester Business School at Manchester University for five years, starting from… Read more

Ground-breaking research collaboration to shine a light on social enterprise

The ERC are pleased to announce a new partnership with the Women’s Organisation to commission new pioneering research highlighting the role that social enterprise can play in economic recovery. The Women’s Organisation a Liverpool-based charity that focuses on developing and delivering business support and training to women across the UK will collaborate with the ERC… Read more

Diversity and Entrepreneurial Activity – changing fortunes?

Official statistics for 2018 – the most recent data available– suggest that business starts in the UK totalled around 380,000; or, just over 1,000 a day. In reality, this is an estimated figure based on VAT and PAYE records. UK Finance’s data – using bank account numbers – suggests an even higher figure. Nevertheless, it… Read more

How small businesses can get one over the big boys in Zoom revolution

Some small companies have adapted in the Zoom revolution with the ability to compete with larger rivals as potential customers , suppliers and partners no longer expect physical meetings.  New article out today by David Wighton in the Times with comment from Mark Hart suggests that the crisis has boosted the efforts of small companies… Read more

Growth and Diversity – an Opportunity?

The events of the last few months have reminded us all of the impact of economic growth – or the lack of it – on our everyday lives. Beyond the tragedy of COVID-19 in terms of the physical and mental health for individuals, families and communities directly impacted, we are all involved in the resulting… Read more

Diversity and Innovation – the new evidence

We have got used to recognising the role of innovation in generating growth and prosperity in all economies.  At first, society heaped praise on individuals who led technological change (for example, Trevithick, Armstrong or Brunel).  In the last 100 years, greater emphasis was given to larger firms and government policy to lead the “white heat… Read more

Unlocking Opportunity

This report by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) draws on research from the Enterprise Research Centre and Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship (CREME) at Aston Business School to provide new insights on the important contribution of, and specific barriers faced by, ethnic minority entrepreneurs in the UK. Drawing on the latest available… Read more

New ERC Research reports on innovation and productivity in Northern Ireland

Three new ERC research reports focusing on innovation and productivity in the Northern Ireland economy have been published. The reports, authored by ERC research associates based at Queens University Belfast and Warwick Business School were funded by the Department for Economy Northern Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland. They focus on the interrelationship between R&D, innovation… Read more