Entries by Wendy Ferris

Where Do I Fit In? Why Belonging Shapes Participation in Business Networking

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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

How does digitalisation support firms’ strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation

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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

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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

Exploring Enterprise – Micro-Businesses: The Untold Story

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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

LSBS Small Grant Awards Announced

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The Enterprise Research Centre (ERC), in collaboration with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), has announced the successful recipients of the LSBS Small Grant Funding call. Funded by DBT (£25,000 in total), five projects have been selected following a competitive process to undertake secondary analysis of the Longitudinal Small Business Survey (LSBS). The successful projects… Read more

GEM 2025/2026 Global Report

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New GEM 2025/2026 Global Report Finds Record Startup Activity — But Warns of Growing AI and Survival Gaps The newly released GEM 2025/2026 Global Report, launched at Tecnológico de Monterrey in collaboration with GEM Mexico and the Instituto de Emprendimiento Eugenio Garza Lagüera, finds that entrepreneurial activity remains strong across the globe — but structural weaknesses threaten long-term sustainability. Drawing… Read more

The State of Small Business Britain 2025 Navigating uncertainty

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Last week we published the latest State of Small  Business Britain report.  2025 was another challenging year for the UK’s small businesses and those working to support them. On one hand, there was much to be positive about. The evidence continues to show that the UK has a vibrant entrepreneurial culture, and that digital technology adoption… Read more

To plan or not to plan? 

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“Failure to plan is planning to fail” is the aphorism which might sum up conventional views of business planning. The concept of the professionally-managed firm highlights a standard approach to running a business; however, I know of a DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) student who took a £4m turnover business to over £100m in 12 years… without having a plan. In… Read more