Professional and Financial Services Sector

Research and Development

As a major research institution, the Birmingham Business School undertakes work in a number of significant research niches. Research output contributes to academic debates worldwide, besides informing policy in national, EU and international arenas. Research also informs industrial, commercial and professional practice.

Much research in the School is externally funded by the Research Councils, major trusts, professional institutions, Government departments, industry and commerce. Research is frequently undertaken with institutional partners and academic staff also frequently undertake interdisciplinary research with colleagues in other schools of the University of Birmingham as well as from other universities.

Aston Business School has an outstanding calibre, ensuring high quality research. The School's strengths include applied research, theory generation, and international and comparative research. Its research funding comes from a range of sources including the Research Councils, industry, government and charitable foundations.

Research students are encouraged to take an active part in the academic and research life of the School through involvement in the research groups and participation in research seminars. International peer reviewed journals are also edited at Aston (such as 'Human Relations' and 'Public Management Review') and major research conferences and workshops are held here (such as the British Academy of Management, the International Research Symposium on Public Management Series and the European Operations Management Association).

At Birmingham City University, the teaching and learning experience in the Business School is underpinned by the research and scholarship of its staff. The Business School has developed a reputation for research in the areas of Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, Knowledge-Management, and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs).

Research within Birmingham City University Business School is focused around the Enterprise Research and Development Group. Staff members undertake research studies into a variety of fields involving small and medium-sized enterprises and associated policy initiatives to facilitate entrepreneurial activities.

Birmingham City University Business School established the Management and Enterprise Development Centre (MEDC) to provide a focused support mechanism for businesses and policy-makers addressing new (knowledge) economy issues. It has over twenty five staff committed to working with individuals and organisations to enhance their effectiveness.

The work of MEDC involves many clients and partners. These include larger organisations such as HFC Bank, TNT, Baker Tilley, Central Trains, Fujitsu and Price Waterhouse Coopers.

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