The latest episode of our Exploring Enterprise podcast series in collaboration with Business111.com has been published. ERC Director, Stephen Roper talks to Liz Barclay covering key aspects affecting Innovation in small business today. Innovation isn’t just technology. The innovation myth: Why Britain is overlooking its most creative businesses. Most people think innovation means science, technology and… Read more
If the promise of “good growth in every postcode” is going to mean anything, it has to start with the small and micro businesses. On Monday, Andy Burnham walked through the door of Number 10 as Britain’s new Prime Minister, promising “good growth in every postcode.” It’s exactly the pledge that small and micro businesses… Read more
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
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
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
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
Business networking is often seen as a key pathway to entrepreneurial opportunities. Networking events, mentoring, learning hubs, and programmes all encourage entrepreneurs to build relationships, exchange knowledge, and access resources that support business development and growth. These spaces are often presented as open and inclusive, offering support to diverse entrepreneurs. But evidence from practice suggests… Read more
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
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
Today we relaunch the ERC’s podcast series Exploring enterprise in collaboration with Business111.com . In this episode Professor Mark Hart of the Enterprise Research Centre speaks with Liz Barclay to explain why micro-businesses are far more important to the UK economy than policymakers recognise. Drawing on decades of research, he reveals how these smallest firms… Read more
