Research for Be the Business on how to help more of Britain's smaller firms adopt the management practices and technologies that drive productivity.
UK productivity growth has stagnated since the 2008 recession, lagging behind many international competitors. Be the Business was set up in 2017 to inspire business-led improvement, based on two insights: that good management and technology practices drive performance, and that the practices of the UK's most productive firms have not spread widely enough.
This research explored what is needed to boost adoption of these practices among firms with 10–250 employees, focusing on the motivations and behaviours of managers. It combined research with more than 30 firms, a national survey of 1,400 firms and interviews with business support experts.
Although many smaller firms see productivity as a priority, only around half measure it, so many cannot benchmark their performance. Around half are not, or only fairly, confident they can identify and make improvements, with confidence lowest among family-run firms, those with flat or falling turnover, and some sectors and regions.
We also identified a distinct group of "purposeful improvers": firms that plan, set targets, measure outcomes and engage their employees and managers. Most firms do not seek advice, but those that do trust advisers and other businesses most. Be the Business has used the research to guide its work with business leaders and the wider business support ecosystem.
Raising UK competitiveness
Be the Business, 2019
Heather Carey and Lesley Giles, Work Advance
Rebecca Florisson, Work Foundation
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