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Business and Management Research

Find out more about our research in innovation management, small business and entrepreneurship, sustainability, and risk and security management

The field of Business and Management is constantly evolving, driven by government policies, new technology, and economic shocks (such as the COVID-19 pandemic). These policies, technology and shocks to the demand and supply sides of the economy can have huge impacts on the way a business operates, despite being external to an organisation.

Changes to factors such as taxation, minimum wage legislation and international trading relationships also alter business needs and objectives. To be competitive, therefore, organisations need to keep their finger on the pulse of developments and pursue effective initiatives. These can include anything from an increased use of social media, to bringing in analysts to make better use of big data and developing new, innovative technologies.

Our researchers investigate pressing issues facing organisations and governments, such as how to encourage the growth of entrepreneurs and small businesses in an uncertain global economy, how to improve sustainability across industries, and how to implement new products and services.

Several leading private sector organisations have partnered with us on our research and we collaborate with academic institutions across the globe, including in the USA, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, Japan and Saudi Arabia.

Our research spans the University's research themes of Future and Emerging Technologies, Sustainability and the Environment, and Health and Wellbeing. The aim of the research in these themes is to enhance society, develop the economy and work towards a sustainable future for our planet.

Explore our Business and Management areas of expertise

Find out more about our research into Business and Management. Learn more about our recent projects, the academic and industrial partners with whom we collaborate, and the major funders who fund our work.

Innovation Management

We're looking into how organisations in low technology and process industries can optimise the management of their product and process development.

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Small Business and Entrepreneurship

We're exploring how entrepreneurial behaviours, capabilities, strategies and public policies impact the wider entrepreneurial ecosystem.

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Sustainability and Business

We're identifying how businesses can embed sustainability practices to contribute to achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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Risk and security management

We're helping organisations and individuals think of alternative ways of identifying, understanding and overcoming risk and security challenges.

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Interested in a PhD in Business & Management?

Browse our postgraduate research degrees – including PhDs and MPhils – at our Business & Management postgraduate research degrees page.