LES has completed a wide range of research to underpin business and enterprise support, with particular expertise in relation to social enterprises. Research undertaken includes:

• strategic assessments of business support;
• baseline studies including social enterprises;
• practical support such as the development of a web based Purchasing Guide to Social Enterprise and Trading VCS organisations;
• undertaking feasibility studies, such as a study examining the potential for local economic growth and workspace demand and supply assessments;
• examining support needs in specific sectors, such as tackling diversity issues.

Track Record

Below are some links to recent examples of our work in this area:

Baseline study of social enterprises in Birmingham and Solihull

Strategic assessment of business start-up support in Birmingham and Solihull

Economic Growth through Franchise Investment - A Feasibility Study

Growth and development of creative industries in Birmingham

BSSEC Purchasing Guide – Data Collection and Website Production