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Category: Business and law

‘Alternative’ weddings could become legally binding – report

‘Alternative’ weddings could become legally binding – report

An Open University academic’s research has helped pave the way for the possibility of ‘alternative-style’ weddings becoming legally binding in England and Wales. Celebrants from non-religious belief organisations, such as humanists, already conduct legally binding weddings in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland. If you attended a really personalised wedding-style ceremony this year, it was probably conducted […]

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OU drives forward new skills routes with transport and logistics sector

OU drives forward new skills routes with transport and logistics sector

A new partnership between The Open University and The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in the UK (CILT(UK)) has been announced to develop strategic and leadership skills within the sector. The OU’s Business School already delivers an established MBA (Master of Business Administration) qualification and has a global network of more than 100,000 alumni […]

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Inflation, recession fears and tax cuts: any new UK chancellor faces an unenviable in-tray

Inflation, recession fears and tax cuts: any new UK chancellor faces an unenviable in-tray

Alan Shipman, Senior Lecturer in Economic at The Open University and Phil Tomlinson, Professor of Industrial Strategy at Bath University, talk about the range of ministerial resignations in Boris Johnson’s government and the unenviable job of the new chancellor. The flood of ministerial resignations from UK prime minister Boris Johnson’s government in recent days started […]

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It’s tough going for UK businesses, finds the OU’s 2022 Business Barometer

It’s tough going for UK businesses, finds the OU’s 2022 Business Barometer

According to The Open University’s Business Barometer 2022, published in partnership with the British Chambers of Commerce, UK organisations are experiencing the knock-on effect of ongoing skills shortages and recruitment challenges. The OU’s annual report provides a temperature check on the UK skills landscape and found more than three quarters (78%) are seeing reduced output, […]

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Joyce Fraser

Joy for academic on news of her OBE in Queen’s Jubilee Birthday Honours

An academic from The Open University’s Business School has just learned she is to receive an OBE for her work promoting Black history and heritage. Joyce Fraser (Joyce King to her OU colleagues) founded the Black Heroes Foundation in memory of her late husband ‘Flip’ Fraser, the first editor of The Voice newspaper (a publication […]

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Our daily bread – how craft bakers fared during the pandemic and what happens now

Our daily bread – how craft bakers fared during the pandemic and what happens now

As the cost of living continues to rise researchers at The Open University (OU) are looking into how craft bakers are faring in an uncertain future. Emma Bell, Professor of Organisation Studies at the OU, has launched a survey to see how they are responding to today’s challenging market and what kind of support they […]

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Greenwashing: how ads get you to think brands are greener than they are – and how to avoid falling for it

Greenwashing: how ads get you to think brands are greener than they are – and how to avoid falling for it

Brands have several tricks up their sleeves to convince ad viewers their products are sustainable. Here three academics from The Open University: Morteza Abolhasani, lecturer in marketing,  Gordon Liu, Professor of Marketing Strategy  and Zahra Golrokhi, Lecturer in Engineering, give their views.  Ads are ubiquitous in many people’s lives, whether on billboards across our cities or […]

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BAFTA nominations for two BBC/OU programmes

BAFTA nominations for two BBC/OU programmes

Two BBC and Open University co-productions have earned BAFTA nominations in the current affairs and factual series categories. And on Sunday, 8 May, academics from the Faculties of Business and Law and Arts and Social Sciences, who acted as consultants for the programmes, find out if they’ve won. The BBC billing for Trump takes on […]

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OU academics contribute to new BBC Ideas film: ‘Does it ever pay to represent yourself in court?’

OU academics contribute to new BBC Ideas film: ‘Does it ever pay to represent yourself in court?’

Appearing in court without representation is becoming increasingly common. But is it a sensible strategy? Academics from The Open University’s Open Justice Centre have answered exactly this question in a new BBC Ideas film titled ‘Does it ever pay to represent yourself in court?’. Open Justice Centre Director Francine Ryan, Professor of Law and Social […]

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New report reveals flexible learning and hybrid working are the key to public sector talent retention challenge

New report reveals flexible learning and hybrid working are the key to public sector talent retention challenge

Almost three quarters (73%) of public sector workers would be more likely to stay in a job that allowed hybrid working, according to The Open University’s new report into public sector skills. The Embracing Flexibility report was published in partnership with the Public Sector Executive and highlights a desire for more flexibility and learning-and-development opportunities […]

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