Research

Its latest Quarterly Survey of Small Business in Britain shows that 53 percent of businesses surveyed have taken on at least one new member of staff over the last two years.

And while the main reason for recruiting was to replace an employee who had left, almost half (48%) of the businesses were recruiting to cope with increased workload, and others were actively pursuing growth strategies.

Almost half (47%) of the new recruits were employed in core manufacturing or service delivery functions. The next most commonly-reported functions were marketing and customer services, which accounted for one third (33%).

The survey also found that outsourcing jobs is still relatively rare among small and medium-sized business, and the great majority who do outsource use local contractors based in the same city or region.

"Our findings provide some encouraging evidence on recent employment trends amongst small and medium-sized enterprises," said the survey's editor Dr Richard Blundel, senior lecturer in enterprise development in the OU Business School.

However both sales and employment performance are slightly down compared to the first quarter of 2013, he adds. Despite this, the businesses are optimistic about the future.

Sue Hayes, managing director of Barclays Business, commented: "This report shows how important small and medium enterprises are in creating local employment opportunities.

"They are a vital ingredient in the future growth of the UK economy and it is important that we give them the help and support to take on the people they need to flourish over the coming years."

The Quarterly Survey of Small Business in Britain is produced by the Open University Business School and sponsored by ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and Barclays Bank. You can download the latest survey here.
Posted 23 July 2013

Image: Thinkstock

Dr Louisa Preston, post doctoral research associate, was featured in an article published by wired.co.uk. The article describes how AstroGardening, a Kickstarter venture, is looking for funding to research which plants and sustainable food might be cultivated on Mars for future generations. Dr Preston, who was recently appointed to the select band of Fellows on the high-profile TED website, said: “We just want to open everyone’s minds to the idea of gardening on another planet.”

Find out more:

• Discover more about the project and about how you could get involved
• Research at the Open University
• Dr Louisa Preston
• Read Dr Preston's blog

Posted 14 May 2013

The research is investigating whether the brains of people with OCD function differently to those without OCD.

Preliminary findings suggest some systematic and interesting differences between brain activity in people with OCD, and non-OCD controls, even in a relaxed state. However, to obtain a more detailed picture researchers need to find more participants with OCD.

They are looking for people between 18 and 60 years of age, who have been diagnosed with OCD and have no learning disabilities.

If you decide to participate, they will need four hours of your time. The timing of these sessions can be flexible and scheduled according to your convenience.

During this time, your brain activity will be recorded using a safe, non-invasive and painless technique known as Quantitative Electroencephalography, or QEEG. You will also be interviewed and asked to fill in a questionnaire.

The study generally takes place at the OU in Milton Keynes or in Camden in London. Travel costs will be reimbursed. In some cases researchers will be able to come to your town or a town near you to perform the scans and interviews.

By participating in this study, you will be contributing to scientific advancements in OCD research. Additionally, you will gain interesting insights about how your brain may have been affected by OCD.

You can get more information from the QEEG and Brain Research Lab project page. If you wish to take part, or have any enquiries, please contact Loes Koorenhof by calling  01908 659 472, or email loes.koorenhof@open.ac.uk