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

June 2020 Press Coverage

Business News Wales: Lack of support for workers’ mental health “cuts firm productivity by a quarter”  IPSE: IPSE sets out case for more support for self-employed in latest Treasury Committee evidence                      

ERC research used in new business diagnostic and recovery tool

The ERC have partnered with business support organisation Oxford Innovation to create a new GROWTHmapper® Recovery diagnostic and recovery planning tool. The tool helps SMEs assesses their immediate and future needs in the context of the Covid19 crisis, working in conjunction with an accredited GROWTHmapper® coach or advisor. A suite of tools developed by the… Read more

Could Covid-19 give SMEs strategic space to improve productivity?

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

Opportunities with the ERC

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

Covid-19: How can SMEs innovate their way out of the crisis?

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

Can we afford to return to “busy-ness” as usual?

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

Re-booting start-up policy in response to the COVID-19 crisis

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

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