University of Derby Regional Economic Observatory

Business intelligence will capture the dynamics of local business activity including the size distribution of businesses, the dynamics of growth of firms and sectors and barriers to growth including access to finance, skills and working premises etc. We will also consider what spatial markets businesses operate in, their innovative capabilities, linkages and networks of firms, and the nature of the competitive environment they face.

Sustainable futures will capture the dynamics of a healthy environment (including net zero, protecting nature, zero waste), healthy business (including green growth, energy efficiency, new markets, good governance and responsible management) and a healthy society/community (including charitable, voluntary or community projects, social value and social responsibility).

Labour market intelligence will capture the dynamics of flows into and out of the labour market, the distribution of the working population across occupations and sectors, and data on work experience, job skills, training needs, career pathways, skills gaps (and skills provision), working conditions, and the matching of workers to jobs and industry sectors. We will also capture travel-to-work areas and the dynamics of workers' flows into and out of cities and towns.

Population and social attitudes will capture the dynamics of local social attitudes such as priorities for public expenditure, satisfaction with local services and infrastructure, and environmental issues. The public views on issues relating to crime, policing, health, transport, and education will be sought also.

This work benefits from two main research clusters:

• SME Growth and Productivity
• Applied Economics and Enterprise

However, it also takes a multidisciplinary approach drawing on the expertise of other research clusters where required.