The Centre for Enterprise (CfE) has developed an international reputation since it was set up in 2001. We are proud to say we are recognised for producing high-quality theoretical and applied research.

Led by Professor Ossie Jones, who is Editor of the International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research, CfE has a strong team of 15 members, including experienced research fellows and business analysts, and is supported by a dedicated project management team. We are the home of the ESRC - funded Evolution of Business Knowledge in SME's project, and we support 7 PhD students.

Research themes and sectors

Our key research themes include entrepreneurship, knowledge management, leadership and small business research. We have also carried out research in many different sectors, including manufacturing, creative and media, financial and professional services, and biolife sciences. And we have a particular strength working with social enterprises.

Research strengths

Here at the CfE, we have five key research strengths:

1. Business Start Up - our first research strength is Business Start Up, which is an area of expertise as the CfE is home to the hugely successful New Entrepreneur Scholarship (NES) programme in the North West.
2. SME Growth - we have carried out numerous projects on SME growth, particularly in relation to procurement and the supply chain.
3. Knowledge Management in SME's - our third research strength is knowledge management in SME's which has been the focus of five different research projects, representing another area of our expertise.
4. Enterprise and Regeneration - we have also focused much research on this fourth area, exploring the relationship between enterprise and regeneration.
5. Gender and Female Entrepreneurship - and finally, this fifth research strength is the focus of several projects the CfE is currently running.

Research sponsors - national and regional

We have completed research projects for a range of national sponsors around the CfE's main research themes. These sponsors include:

• Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
• European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
• European Social Fund (ESF)
• INTERREG
• The Learning and Skills Council (LSC)

We have also completed projects for numerous sponsors in the North West, reflecting our strong links in the region in terms of knowledge transfer. Key regional sponsors have been:

• Bury Metropolitan Borough Council
• Manchester City Council
• North West Development Agency (NWDA)
• Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council
• Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council
• Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
• Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council

International links

As well as established links with regional organisations, we also have strong international links with a number of universities, including:

• Babson College, USA
• Cameron University, USA
• Dundalk Institute of Technology, Ireland
• University of Karlsruke, Germany
• University of Liege, Belgium
• University of Valencia, Spain

Research expertise

Our research expertise also informs a number of areas on a practical and commercial level. It directly informs enterprise education - for example, on the NES scheme, which is recognised as a leader in the field of enterprise education and training. Our research also informs business, and we enjoy a reciprocal relationship with the local business community, specifically SME's, who take part in and benefit from many of our research projects.

Enquiries

If you are interested in our research programme, would like to talk to us about undertaking a research project, or you are interested in reading for a PhD, then please contact us. We'll be happy to discuss your ideas.

Call: 0161 247 3951 or email: cfe@mmu.ac.uk