The Open University

Employers report a values and skills mismatch with younger workers

23 April 2024

Three in four (72%) of employers have seen a shift in young people’s (16-24-year olds) values and priorities in the workplace in the past three years, with over half (51%) attributing this to lack of work experience due to the pandemic, a new survey has found. The survey, from The Open University, revealed that nearly […]

The latest Chocolate Scorecard highlights urgent need for industry change

26 March 2024

The Open University (OU) is proud to be part of the 5th Edition of the Chocolate Scorecard that grades chocolate companies on their sustainability and ethics. The annual initiative is coordinated by Be Slavery Free in collaboration with an international team of non-profit organisations and academics, including Dr. Cristiana Bernardi, Senior Lecturer in Accounting and […]

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OU professor urges organisations to consider more supportive policies for the effects of menopause in the workplace

8 March 2024

On International Women’s Day, Jo Brewis, Professor of People and Organisations at The Open University (OU), speaks to the OU Business School about her latest work and gives insight into the field of menopause in the workplace. At the end of last year Professor Brewis called for the scrutiny of new employment leave policies, highlighting […]

The Open University aims to help transform the fortunes of employers

7 February 2024

In another collaboration with the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) The Open University is contributing its 50 years of experience working with businesses to help employers prosper by assisting them in developing the skills they need. It’s all part of the BCC’s new Future of the UK Economy initiative, chaired by the OU’s Chancellor Baroness […]

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2024 Open Business Creators Fund competition now open

2 February 2024

The Open University (OU) has relaunched the Open Business Creators Fund competition for 2024. The funding competition, in collaboration with Santander and funded by the Higher Education Innovation Fund, offers grants from £1,000 to £10,000 to support OU students and alumni. This year the competition also introduces two separate funding streams – commercial enterprise and […]

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Dr Anna Hopkins completes 16 Days of Activism to shed light on gender-based violence

11 December 2023

Anna Hopkins, Lecturer in Policing Organisation and Practice (POP) at The Open University is again raising awareness of the United Nations’ ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence’ campaign. This year, Anna has organised a powerful and poignant shoe exhibition at the Gregson Centre in Lancaster and has also run over 80km to raise awareness […]

Celebrating two major milestones for the Faculty of Business and Law

7 December 2023

This year marks dual celebrations for The Open University’s Faculty of Business and Law (FBL) as the Business School commemorates its 40th anniversary, and the Law School celebrates 25 years of impactful legal education. The Business School’s 40th Anniversary: Established in 1983, the OU Business School has become part of an elite group of just […]

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The Open University welcomes six Entrepreneurs in Residence to help aspiring business owners

20 November 2023

The Open University (OU) is thrilled to announce the addition of six dynamic Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIRs) who will be working with the university to help aspiring business owners. The six business professionals bring a wealth of experience and expertise to support the OU’s Open Business Creators project, a ground-breaking entrepreneurship initiative that provides support […]

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How smaller businesses can become net-zero influencers and enablers

16 October 2023

Richard K. Blundel, Professor of Enterprise and Organisation and Director of the Centre for Social and Sustainable Enterprise (CSSE) at The Open University writes for The Conversation about how smaller businesses can become net-zero influencers and enablers. What if all of the UK’s 48,000 hairdressing salons and barbershops started sharing water and energy-saving advice with […]

OU research reveals inequalities in employment leave for Early Pregnancy Endings

9 October 2023

At the start of Baby Loss Awareness Week, Open University (OU) researchers are calling for scrutiny of employment leave for early pregnancy endings. They have found that parents facing an early end to pregnancy can be entitled to differing degrees of paid leave depending on where they live. OU researchers also say that workplace policies […]

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Category: Business