When it comes to innovation ecosystems, is bigger better?

Innovation Centres (ICs) are an under-reported and under-defined institution within the innovation ecosystem. Research by the Enterprise Research Centre and Cork University Business School for the Institute of Physics (IOP) aimed to understand the role played by physics-related ICs in supporting physics-based innovation across the UK and Ireland. The IOP’s reach across both countries provides… Read more

The State of Small Business Britain 2022: From Crisis to Crisis

The latest ERC State of Small Business Britain report has been published today. The report is the centre’s annual review of trends affecting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK and discusses the findings from research and analysis carried out and/or published by the ERC in 2022 including the results from our second ‘Business… Read more

ERC Research Showcase 2023

The ERC will be holding a Research Showcase event on 26th January at The Shard where we will discuss new and ongoing research on themes including mental health, innovation, rural enterprise and internationalisation. 26th January, WBS at The Shard 12.00 – 4.00 This is an in-person only event and registration is essential.

Call for proposals- Longitudinal Small Business Survey

Proposals are invited by BEIS for secondary analyses of the Longitudinal Small Business Survey. Five awards of £5,000 are available. Applications for funding should be submitted to Jiao Liu at ERC ([email protected]) by 5pm on 16th December 2022.  Successful bids will be announced by 9 January 2023. Funded activity should be completed by end-April 2023. Full… Read more

Jane Galsworthy appointed as new ERC Steering Group Chair

Jane Galsworthy, Managing Director of Oxford Innovation Advice, has been appointed as the new independent Chair of the Enterprise Research Centre’s Steering Group. Jane replaces Lucy Armstrong, Chief Executive of The Alchemists, who had Chaired the ERC Steering Group since 2013. Over the last 20 years, Jane has been focused on ensuring that SME policy… Read more

Science + Social Science + Investment = Levelling up

Levelling-up seems destined to remain central to the priorities of the Rishi Sunak government. Last week, addressing the Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) conference, ex-Conservative politician Justine Greening, and Charlie Jeffrey (University of York) talked passionately about the convening power of universities in leading strong and impactful local projects. Both also emphasised the… Read more

ERC @ ISBE 2022

Several members of the ERC team took part in the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) conference in York on 27th and 28th October. The conference theme this year was ‘New Approaches to Raising Entrepreneurial Opportunity:  Reshaping Inclusive Enterprise, Policy and Practice Post-Pandemic’. ERC staff presented papers on a range of themes including innovation… Read more

ERC are recruiting

The ERC is recruiting for  a new research fellow to work alongside Professor Stephen Roper, and Dr Kevin Mole on projects related to business innovation, growth and productivity. This position is part of the Enterprise Research Centre’s programme focusing on SMEs, innovation, productivity and business eco-systems. The post requires strong analytical and econometric skills, an… Read more

Supporting line managers during challenging times

Supporting line managers during challenging times Employers are waking up to growing workplace mental health issues since the pandemic, with greater commitment to initiatives and practices to address them. But will they be able to continue that commitment as the cost of doing business spirals? And how can they best support the line managers who… Read more