For a long time, the UK has produced many firms that perform poorly yet manage to survive. Various descriptions of these firms have been used. In recent debates about productivity for example they have been referred to as ‘the long tail’ of underperforming businesses. Shortening the long tail has been identified as a policy priority… Read more
Business Support Tools : Oxford Innovation GROWTHmapper® Recovery ERC have supported Oxford Innovation in the creation of the GROWTHmapper® Recovery diagnostic and recovery planning tool. The tool helps SMEs assesses their immediate needs and, in conjunction with an accredited GROWTHmapper® coach or advisor, creates an effective business management and recovery plan for the current Covid19 crisis. A… Read more
Research Fellow- Enterprise Research Centre ( ERC ) Applications are invited for a FT Post-Doctoral Research Fellow based in the Enterprise Research Centre (ERC) at Aston Business School. The person appointed will work under the direct supervision of Professor Mark Hart and Lee Hopley and will be involved in a new project for JP Morgan… Read more
Mark Hart authored a blog for The Aston Angle looking at how businesses will be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Some sectors may benefit financially, while others will suffer huge losses. Those countries with more service-oriented economies, like the UK, will be more negatively affected and will suffer larger negative employment effects. The UK economy was… Read more
Lorry drivers on tight schedules. Pet owners demanding more from their vets. Sales and service staff working from home with little access to office support. Archaeologists staying in hotels as a way of life. Hospitality staff working longer than contracted hours to make ends meet. Short-term contracts restricting access to finance. Ex-Army personnel with PTSD… Read more
On May 12th Mark Hart was an invited speaker on the Re-booting start-up policy in response to the COVID-19 crisis OECD webinar with participation of delegates from the Working Party for SMEs and Entrepreneurship (WPSMEE) and Local Economic and Employment Development (LEED) Committee.
Bouncing back from the Covid-19 crisis: reflections on mental health and resilience Firms that survive adversity often have the abilities, characteristics and actions of their employees to thank. As many reflected during Mental Health Awareness Week last week, it is worth remembering that the current crisis will undoubtedly have impacted upon the mental health of… Read more
A new report funded through the Midlands Engine Mental Health and Productivity Pilot (MHPP) finds that firms impacted by mental health sickness absence suffered a 25% hit to their productivity Bosses surveyed cited remote working and job insecurity as risk factors – but many unsure where to turn for advice on boosting staff wellbeing… Read more
Professor Mark Hart, Deputy director of the ERC whose research shows many self-employed are slipping through the safety net joined the BackinBusiness team for this podcast alongside two self-employed people to discuss the impact of the lockdown on their businesses, Government loans and disappearing customers which are all of concern at this time. Listen to… Read more
The ERC are pleased to announce that they are partners in a new National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE), which is to be launched on 1st September this year, funded by Research England. The new Centre will support enterprise, resilience and innovation among rural firms and aim to unlock the untapped potential of rural… Read more
