Geoeconomics has won a major contract to map the social enterprise sector in Wales
The Welsh Assembly Government awarded this contract to Geoeconomics, together with Sector Projects and The Research Unit, with an aim of improving its understanding of the size, scope and contribution of social enterprises. The work involves developing a mapping methodology, creating a social enterprise database and survey work to determine key trends and how the Assembly Government might more effectively support social enterprises.
|
Latest News
The first issue of Geoeconomics Briefs was launched this December and is now available for downloading from the website.
This technical paper reveals the pitfalls in using ‘league tables’ to assess local economic performance on the basis of earnings indicators. The ‘name and shame’ or ‘winners and losers’ thrust of league tables makes them attractive to the national and local press, but we reveal why they are ‘bad science’ and should carry health warnings. The Briefs are meant for serious-minded UK policy-makers and professionals who favour a robust and transparent approach to carrying out local economic assessments. The second issue out in January 2009 puts the Employment Rate under the microscope.
We have formed a strategic partnership with The Research Unit (TRU), a specialist in business and social surveys.
This link-up follows our successful surveying-mapping projects on social enterprise in Wales and business needs in Berkshire. Up-to-date, targeted and designed for local priorities, primary survey data make up for the obvious gaps and inadequacies of secondary ONS data on the local economy. Combined with our strong GIS and advanced spatial analysis capabilities, Geoeconomics can provide a complete service for economic assessments, policy targeting and monitoring and evaluation.
We are researching the ‘green economy’ as an important future dimension of economic development with specialists from the London School of Economics.
Given major shortcomings in traditional ONS classifications and data sources, we have decided to explore the frontiers of research on the ‘green economy’, as a complex web of economic activities that cut across sector boundaries. The first stage of basic research (policy and market concept mapping) will be followed by pilot work with the London Borough of Bexley.
|
