2.1c What are the barriers preventing (large) firm creation, growth and technology adoption? Which policies can countries adopt to increase the rate of innovation diffusion?

Background

Research supports policy makers to adjust to the changing global economic environment, to deliver sustainable, inclusive growth that is resilient to a variety of shocks. Global changes in technology, trade and climate are re-shaping the pathways open to countries of all income levels to drive structural transformation and employment-rich growth, while increased debt levels are reducing policymakers’ room to manoeuvre.

Research and evidence are also needed to bring a suite of broader economic tools to spur the private sector and increase productivity through increased investment, trade, technological upgrading and improved human capital and infrastructure.

Next steps

Get in touch with [email protected]

Related UKRI funded projects

  • Mapping the production, diffusion and drivers of future technologies

    We propose to map and track the state of technological change in the UK, understand its drivers, impacts and help to improve the UK's productivity record via our collaboration and engagement with industry and policymaker...

    Funded by: SPF

    Lead research organisation: University of Warwick

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project focuses on mapping and tracking technological change, understanding drivers, and improving productivity, which directly addresses barriers to firm creation, growth, and technology adoption.

  • The Diffusion of Innovation in Low Income Countries

    Technological innovation is a key element of industrialisation and catch-up in developing countries. Since innovation is costly, risky and path-dependent, groundbreaking innovation is highly concentrated in a few rich co...

    Funded by: ESRC

    Lead research organisation: University of Oxford

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project specifically addresses barriers to innovation diffusion in low-income countries, providing insights on policies to increase the rate of innovation diffusion.

  • 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?

    The project addresses barriers to firm creation, growth, and technology adoption through research and policy recommendations.

  • Emerging Technologies, Trajectories and Implications of Next Generation Innovation Systems Development in China and Russia

    The advance of "Rising Powers" - including Brazil, China, Russia, and India - promises to be one of the major forces in global economic, political and social development in the 21st Century. Shifts in the distr...

    Funded by: ESRC

    Lead research organisation: University of Manchester

  • Unlocking Innovative Potential: Experimentation Fund

    Innovation offers huge potential to improve health, better connect people, and make our societies more productive and sustainable. At the same time, it can also fuel inequality. The UK has incredible, diverse talent acro...

    Funded by: ESRC

    Lead research organisation: NESTA

  • 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

  • ESRC RCUK Innovation Fellowships

    As outlined in the Government's White Paper on the Industrial Strategy, and its Digital Strategy, the world is becoming increasingly digitalised, and digital connectivity has rapidly become an essential requirement for t...

    Funded by: ESRC

    Lead research organisation: London School of Economics and Political Science

  • Innovation and Productivity Grand Challenge

    The UK is strong in scientific, technological and engineering research. It has a vibrant economy enabling small and large firms to flourish. But it suffers an enduring productivity gap compared with industrial activities...

    Funded by: EPSRC

    Lead research organisation: Imperial College London

  • Knowledge dynamics, Innovation and Learning Network

    The aim of this project is to create a collaborative international network to bring together researchers from two disciplines - economic geography/regional studies and organisational/workplace learning - who have been ex...

    Funded by: ESRC

    Lead research organisation: University College London

  • Supporting the Business Response to COVID-19: Survey on Technology Adoption

    This research project builds the evidence base on technology adoption, and examines how government can best support businesses, in particular small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), in the UK at a time of crisis. Work...

    Funded by: COVID

    Lead research organisation: London School of Economics and Political Science

Similar ARIs from other organisations

Industrial Strategy, Business Regulation and Growth What is the evidence base on how firms with high growth potential can be identified and supported, including insights into the current pipeline of investible businesses, the directional flow of venture capital investment, and for businesses developing dual-use technology? Department for Business and Trade, 2026
Full details