Research theme: Work in Small Enterprise

About our research

Our team conducts world-leading research on work in small enterprises, including self-employment and entrepreneurship, and workers and people management within small businesses.

We focus on:

small business management and leadership
startups, survival, innovation and growth
business models
productivity
community and social value
diversity and equality linking to policy, support practice and the UN Decent Work and Economic Growth development goal
enterprise education

One of our key strengths is understanding diversity in entrepreneurship and small firms, and we regularly collaborate with researchers from the Sylvia Pankhurst Gender and Diversity Research Centre.

Our researchers lead the Women’s Enterprise Policy Group and the Gender and Enterprise Network.

And our research community includes experienced researchers and early career academics who collaborate with leading policymakers and practitioners in the UK and internationally.

Our expertise

We use an Engaged Scholarship methodology to explore complex problems within policy and practice. Our team has particular expertise in self-employment, people management in small firms, social enterprise and diversity in entrepreneurship and small businesses.

In our small business development projects, we work closely with the Centre for Enterprise to maximise research and knowledge exchange opportunities on a range of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) activities.

Our initiatives explore elements of people management - to inform change, take on new talent or deal with resourcing challenges - with a focus on promoting decent work and equality.

We also established the Good Employment Learning Lab. Thisfully-funded training programmefor line managers across Greater Manchester and Cheshire is designed to understand and tackle a variety of management and productivity challenges.

Growth and productivity

Focusing on business growth and product development, our initiatives have included:

Greater Manchester High Growth Network: supporting SMEs in Greater Manchester to achieve rapid business growth
Cheshire and Warrington Business Growth Programme: supporting entrepreneurs to set up businesses and SMEs who are trading but struggling to grow
SMART Cheshire Innovation Programme: supporting Cheshire-based businesses on product development, processes and services

Sustainability and innovation

Focusing on circular economy and carbon neutrality, initiatives include:

Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre - helping companies in Greater Manchester develop cutting-edge fuel cells, materials and technologies
PrintCity Network - an online programme supporting SMEs across Greater Manchester to boost productivity and growth through additive manufacturing technologies
Eco-I North West - helping businesses create new, low-carbon products, processes and services

Industry 4.0 innovation

Focusing on digital technologies, initiatives include:

Greater Manchester Cyber Foundry - helping businesses to protect their operations and assets while strengthening cyber defences
Greater Manchester AI Foundry - supporting the development of new products and services through artificial intelligence

Selected projects

The Good Employment Learning Lab

Helping managers becoming more effective at people management.
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Women's Enterprise Policy Group

A partnership sharing research and practice evidence to enable women to succeed in business enterprise.
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Greater Manchester Cyber Foundry

A team of cyber security researchers helping businesses to protect, develop and grow their cyber operations.
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