Business, Economic and Social Policy

Business, Economic and Social Policy is one of our six research themes. Our research in this area aims to make a real difference to business, economy and society regionally, nationally and internationally. We will advance and share knowledge in all its forms and impact on public policy.

Why this research matters 

In a world of scarce and diminishing resources, we all need to help find the path to a sustainable future – to better businesses, economies and societies. For businesses, this could mean being efficient, profitable and supporting sustainable growth, in a way that minimises resource depletion and pollution, while being responsive and resilient to turbulences in the environment. For policy-makers, this means supporting ethical, evidence-based policymaking that improves income, access to justice and equal opportunities and the well-being of all members of society. It is shaping a stronger and safer society for all.

Our research is helping to bring about this future. It is supporting economic vibrancy and resilience, social justice and sustainable development – at regional, national and international levels. We focus on supporting both large businesses as well as the field of entrepreneurship, spin-outs, start-ups and SMEs, and influencing the government agenda on enterprises. We also focus on improving social cohesion, recovery, and regeneration.  

Our vision and approach 

Our research has a real-world focus with our aim to make a real difference to business, economy and society regionally, nationally and internationally. All our innovative research is founded on ethical principles and a commitment to advancing and sharing knowledge and impact on public policy.  

We approach business, economic and social policy with an open mind and in an independent way, alongside being conscious of but not constrained by history. Our commitment to identifying the underlying research questions and our unprecedented breadth and depth of expertise means we bring together research from different fields to develop the best, innovative and evidence-based solutions.

Our research

Research into business, economic and social policy spans a wide range of areas and can impact numerous stakeholder groups. Explore some of our case studies below to see how our existing research is making a change in the real-world.

Discover our current research: 

Strategies for a greener economy

With the low-carbon economy critical to UK business growth, researchers from the Derby Business School at the University of Derby have pioneered effective strategies to support more firms to incorporate green practices into their operations.

Find out more about our greener economy researchFind out more about our greener economy research
an abstract design of an economy, in green

Lean logistics research

Innovative research into green-lean and lean logistics is enabling transport, manufacturing and emergency medical service industries worldwide to combine improvements in productivity with a stronger environmental performance.

Find out more about our lean logistics researchFind out more about our lean logistics research
a warehouse sorting deliveries

3D printing research

University of Derby research has delivered metal 3D printing solutions for a range of industrial applications, helping businesses to improve their efficiency and productivity.

Find out more about our 3D printing researchFind out more about our 3D printing research
a 3d printer against a green background

Research theme lead

Professor Qile He
Professor of Strategy and Performance Management

Professor Qile He is a Professor of Strategy and Performance Management within the College of Business, Law and Social Science at the University of Derby.

Research leads and centre heads

Carley Foster delivering a lecture
Professor Carley Foster
Professor of Services Marketing, Head of the Centre for Business Improvement

Carley Foster is a Professor of Services Marketing and Head of the Centre for Business Improvement at the University of Derby. Her work is widely published, has been funded by several organisations and, as an applied researcher, she works with business to create impact.

Professor Jose Arturo Garza-Reyes
Professor Jose Arturo Garza-Reyes
Professor of Operations Management and Head of the Centre for Supply Chain Improvement

Jose Arturo Garza-Reyes is a Professor of Operations Management and Head of the Centre for Supply Chain Improvement at the University of Derby. He is actively involved in industrial projects, combining his knowledge, expertise and industrial experience in operations management to help organisations achieve excellence in their internal functions and supply chains.

Gerhard standing and smiling in front of a bookcase
Professor Gerhard Kemp
Professor of International and Transnational Criminal Justice, FRSA

Gerhard Kemp, FRSA, is a professor of law and specialises in international and transnational criminal justice, comparative criminal law, international humanitarian law, and transitional justice. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts, London, an Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellow, Germany, and a former Senior Research Fellow of the Robert Bosch Stiftung in Berlin, Germany.

A picture of a man speaking
Mark Gilman
Professor of Economics

Mark has a particular interest in the areas of SME performance, growth and human resource management. He enjoys translating his research into tools that can help business leaders understand the dynamics of their organisation, its stakeholders, performance and wider growth.

Silhouette of a woman writing an equation on a whiteboard.

Our research students

Find out about some of our postgraduate research students and the projects they are working on.

Our research student profilesOur research student profiles
A diver among coral

Explore our academic themes

Discover our innovation and research across our five other academic themes.

Explore our academic themesExplore our academic themes