Improvements to the Nottingham-Newark-Lincoln rail service: evidence to support a business case

A review of evidence to support a business case to improve the frequency of the rail service between Nottingham and Lincoln, on behalf of Nottingham-Lincoln Stakeholder Boar

Higher education in Northern Ireland: a review of evidence

The report presents the findings of a review of existing studies and official statistics related to the Higher Education (HE) sector in Northern Ireland. This provides a baseline for exploring the need for additional HE provision in the Derry/Londonderry area

Secondary centres of economic activity in the East Midlands: Summary Report

This summary report outlines the findings of a study of secondary centres of economic activity in the East Midlands. Secondary centres are defined here as urban settlements that are smaller than a principal urban area, but still significant as a centre of economic activity. In this study, secondary centres include a range of settlements, from large industrial towns to small market towns. This research has been undertaken by the Enterprise Research and Development Unit at the University of Lincoln for the East Midlands Development Agency (emda)

Learning from our place in the global economy

A study undertaken for Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership into Greater Lincolnshire's economy and its relationship with similar regions in the UK and worldwide

Developing the NACUE Student Enterprise Framework

This document sets out a review of policy and evaluation studies related to the student enterprise offer provided by universities. The review has been undertaken by the University of Lincoln as part of a broader project to develop a Student Enterprise Framework for the National Association of College and University Entrepreneurs (NACUE)

An output approach to property portfolio performance measurement

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the analysis of portfolios of office properties using measures of business outputs, namely occupation efficiency and staff satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach – Satisfaction is measured using a proprietary online survey instrument that has proved highly reliable and repeatable in three separate trials. The data on 192 buildings are analysed using data envelopment analysis. Findings – Instant and significant differences are revealed between clusters of buildings and individual properties. The approach reveals inefficiencies that are concealed by more conventional cost-based metrics. Practical implications – The study has proven to be of use in gaining organisational commitment to strategic property improvements. Originality/value – The authors are not aware of this approach having been applied elsewhere in either research or application.</p

The (unintended) benefits of green exercise

The purpose of the article is to demonstrate and explain some of the indirect consequences of “green exercise”. Members of the public may participate in green exercise programmes for in order to improve their health and most often to lose weight, but also see additional positive changes in their understanding of the natural world and their appreciation of nature. As Pretty et al. (2005) have argued, the arguments in support of environmental conservation frequently boil down to economic or ethical reasons. The emotional benefits of the environment are rarely mentioned except in the research literature on green exercise, and Pretty et al. are notable contributors to this body of work. However, there is general recognition that, in its simplest form, the natural environment makes most people feel good. There is a link between the quality of neighbourhood environments and wellbeing, for example (Barton et al., 2009). This knowledge is not new, but the direct link is rarely researched

Is E-learning replacing the traditional lecture?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review some of the learning technologies associated with teaching and learning in Higher Education (HE). It looks at E-learning and Information Technology (IT) as tools for replacing the traditional learning experience in HE, i.e. the ‘chalk and talk’ lecture and seminar. HE is on the threshold of being transformed through the application of learning technologies. Are we on the brink of a new way of learning in HE after a tried and tested formula over eight hundred years? Design/methodology/approach – Adopting a case based approach, the fieldwork for this research took place at two UK Higher Education Institutes (HEI’s). A number of units that included IT based learning were identified. All units included a web site that was aimed at supporting students’ learning. The data was collected through unstructured discussion with the lecturer and a questionnaire to students. Findings – This paper considers and highlights the key findings from the sample linking them to the literature with the purpose of testing the aim/title of this paper. Evidence suggested the implications for HEI’s are they cannot assume that presenting new technologies automatically makes their institutions “youth friendly”; this new generation would like to see some concrete benefits of technology. Originality/value – From this small-scale investigation this paper attempts to investigate which direction the threshold may go. There has been eight hundred years of learning in the UK, is this generation wanting a new chapter. Evidence from this research suggests not, it will only play a bit part. They can help free up time in order to engage and support students in new and interesting ways

Lincolnshire economic strategy 2008-2012

An economic strategy for Lincolnshire, developed on behalf of Lincolnshire Enterprise and Lincolnshire Assembl

SME perceptions of and responses to the recession

The UK has recently experienced the worst recession since the 1930s. Despite the severity of this recent recession, there are currently few studies of its effect on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, small business growth and entrepreneurship are recognised as essential drivers for economic recovery (Matlay, 2012; Rae, 2010). Drawing on an online bi-monthly survey of SMEs in Lincolnshire and Rutland, this paper explores owner managers’ perceptions of the UK recession. We examine the views of businesses on various aspects of the recession, and how this has affected business performance, levels of confidence, and growth ambitions. The paper explores the role of business confidence in the economy as a determinant of business growth intentions, and draws a comparison between perceptions and behaviour