What factors underpin the development of successful clusters for the professional and business services sector, for example the West Midlands cluster, and what are the spillover effects of these clusters on local and regional economies?
Background
DBT is committed to driving a mission-led Industrial Strategy that empowers businesses, including SMEs, to invest, grow and thrive. To do this, we must continually ensure we know which factors support or hinder growth. A sector-specific approach will enable us to apply evidence-based lessons effectively, fostering innovation and scaling-up across priority sectors.
The topics covered in this theme relate to enabling government to seize the most significant opportunities and create the most favourable conditions in the UK to support companies to emerge, grow, and thrive here. We have included questions that pertain to the Industrial Strategy sectors (the IS-8), clear and achievable regulation for safety and success, and productivity and efficiency.
The Industrial Strategy Advisory Council (ISAC) is an independent body responsible for reviewing the Industrial Strategy and making recommendations for improvements based on high quality research and evidence. ISAC plan to publish a list of ARIs in 2026. DBT will continue engaging with ISAC going forward.
It is important to continually ensure we have the best understanding of local and overseas markets and how they contribute to UK economic growth. This includes, but is not limited to, measuring impact of trade agreements, mapping trajectories and predicting evolution of trends and outcomes. For businesses to make the best decisions about investment, across various sectors and demographics, we must understand:
- the steps in decision-making processes
- drivers shaping the market and market dynamism
- enablers and barriers for technology adoption that can impact productivity and growth procurement and its impact
- how regulatory policy can enable the channels that lead to success
Increases in technology adoption and diffusion is central to our work, and we seek evidence on how artificial intelligence (AI), automation and digitisation can accelerate productivity and competitiveness.
The ability to make the UK a great place to do business includes:
- tackling high industrial electricity costs
- promoting fair and free trade
- expanding access to finance
- capitalising on the value of UK data
Next steps
https://submit.forms.service.gov.uk/form/262425/register-your-interest-in-collaborating-with-dbt-as-an-external-researcher/3UvUKFHb
Topics
No topics assigned yet
Research fields
No research fields assigned yet
Related UKRI funded projects
-
Regional Technology Foresight
Over the last decades manufacturing in UK regions has been exposed to intense global competition, particularly as a consequence of trade liberalisation. At the same time, there is an increasing recognition that regions p...
Funded by: ESRC
Lead research organisation: University of Sheffield
Why might this be relevant?
This project specifically focuses on the development of successful clusters in the West Midlands for the professional and business services sector, addressing the factors underpinning their growth and spillover effects on local and regional economies.
-
Manufacturing renaissance in industrial regions? Investigating the potential of advanced manufacturing for sectoral and spatial rebalancing.
The recession from 2008, and the persistent sectoral and spatial imbalances in the recovery, have provoked political calls to 'rebalance' the economy. According to Government representatives, Britain needs to 'reindustri...
Funded by: ESRC
Lead research organisation: University of Southampton
Why might this be relevant?
This project investigates the potential of advanced manufacturing for sectoral and spatial rebalancing, which aligns with the question's focus on successful clusters in the professional and business services sector and their impact on local and regional economies.
-
Enterprise Research Centre - Phase 3
The UK faces significant economic uncertainties. Brexit will bring new challenges and opportunities, alongside the continuing productivity gap and persistent trade deficit. At the same time, global trends related to Indu...
Funded by: ESRC
Lead research organisation: University of Warwick
Why might this be relevant?
While this project focuses on SME finance, innovation, leadership, and productivity, it does not directly address the development of successful clusters in the professional and business services sector in the West Midlands. However, it provides relevant insights that could contribute partially to answering the question.