Building better business

The world of business is changing – and our research is changing with it. We aim to be at the forefront of the debate of how to build better business: the kind of business that works for everyone.

What we do

Our focus is on key questions surrounding responsible business and its role in wider society.

We pride ourselves on genuine partnership working, constantly scanning the business horizon and embedding our research within organisations to help them improve their products, services and operations. What we can offer is underpinned by creative thinking, strategic vision and rigorous analysis.

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Business, Law and Social Sciences academics ranked among most cited researchers

Our research team are in the top 2% of the most highly-cited researchers in the world. They have been featured in the top 160,000 cited researchers out of seven million researchers worldwide.

Find out how our academics rankedFind out how our academics ranked

What we're working on

Among our many areas of research expertise, we have particular specialisms.

Supply Chain Management

We help organisations to develop sustainable, lean and agile supply chains and internal operations. We focus on technology innovation, system improvement and process re-engineering. 

Find out more about the Centre for Supply Chain Improvement

Applied Economics and Enterprise Evaluation

Our work spans a broad spectrum of enterprise and applied economics issues from the survival and growth of firms in their formative years, the financing of SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) and the rise of self-employment to international finance, monetary policy and financial/corporate reporting.

Find out more about the Applied Economics & Enterprise Evaluation

Accounting, Accountability and Ethics 

Our research explores all areas concerning accounting and its components, such as financial and management accounting, tax management and auditing. We also focus on information disclosure and transparency and the organisational issues associated with this.

Find out more about our Accounting, Accountability and Ethics research cluster

Sustainable Business and Clean Growth Research

We explore how businesses and other organisations can collaborate to accelerate the shift towards a low-carbon economy, including support for SMEs that supply eco-friendly products and services.

Find out more about Sustainable Business and Clean Growth Research

Responsible Customer Engagement

Our research focuses upon ‘responsible’ and sustainable interactions between customers and organisations and explores how long-term, valuable relationships with customers can be developed.

Find out more about Responsible Customer Engagement

Work with us

Interested in building a better business? Contact us to discuss your ideas. We offer a full range of services including commissioned research, consultancy, training and other knowledge transfer initiatives to support your business or organisation. We also welcome interest from prospective doctoral students. Further details of our research activities are provided through the links above.  

For more information, please contact businessgateway@derby.ac.uk

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Our Better Business researchers

Academics within our Better Business area have a range of expertise and industry experience. They use this to inform their teaching.

Find out more about our Better Business researchersFind out more about our Better Business researchers
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Research degrees

Your postgraduate research experience at the University of Derby is designed to help you build fundamental research skills, whether you are a motivated recent graduate or an experienced academic.

Learn more about our research degreesLearn more about our research degrees