Friday, 11 November 2022
The needs of small businesses in the East Midlands are being investigated in a new study by experts at the University of Nottingham, in collaboration with the East Midlands Chamber.
Leaders of small businesses in the region are invited to help Academics from Nottingham University Business School build an understanding of what they want from business support and how they access it.
Analysis from the project will help to inform the future of business advice and support available in the region.
Dr Robert Wapshott, Associate Professor in Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Nottingham University Business School, said: “Effective systems of advice and support for small businesses can add value to ventures and the region. To achieve this, however, we need to focus on what small businesses really want and how they want to access advice and support."
We are very aware of the current economic climate and issues with international trade, so we are keen to make sure that the support on offer directly addresses and assists with the concerns that business leaders have. The growth of the region relies on this.
Scott Knowles, chief executive of the East Midlands Chamber, said: “External factors, such as the disruption we’ve experienced over the past few years, have meant the needs of businesses have evolved significantly – whether it’s in their supply chains, people or innovation.
“This means the business support ecosystem must respond accordingly to ensure our firms are well-equipped to overcome challenges and take advantage of opportunities as they arise.
“The high quality of the business support services we offer was recently recognised by the British Chambers of Commerce, which named us the UK Chamber of the Year for 2022, but we know we must not stand still as an organisation. This unique research project will provide us with the intelligence required to continue supporting the success of our region’s businesses and communities.”
Interviews with small businesses across the East Midlands will begin in the first quarter of 2023.
Participants will be asked to take part in an online 45-minute interview focused on how they engage with business advice and support services and how the support on offer could be improved to better meet the needs of their business and others in the region.
Leaders of small businesses who are interested in helping to shape knowledge on business advice and support can contact policy@emc-dnl.co.uk to find out more about the project and how to get involved.
Story credits
More information is available from Dr Robert Wapshott at Nottingham University Business School at Robert.Wapshott@nottingham.ac.uk or; Katie Andrews in the Press Office at the University of Nottingham at Katie.Andrews@nottingham.ac.uk or on 0115 9515751.
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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