The RSA Blog

Enhancing the social value of social enterprise

Blog

21 Jun 2013

Matthew Taylor

On Monday I chaired an interesting and lively seminar, sponsored jointly by the Transition Institute (which is currently residing at the RSA) and the Guardian. The focus was social enterprise spin outs from the public sector and how to encourage them.

Do happy people sell?

Blog

11 Jun 2013

Anthony Painter

The latest reality TV show hit our screens last week – The Call Centre. It’s based in the Swansea call centre business, Save Britain Money. The motto of the firm is a simple aphorism – ‘happy people sell’. And in this documentary, which at first appears to be an Office-style comedy show until a creeping realisation hits that it’s actually real, the employees do seem to be pretty happy (that is apart from the ones who seem to be victims of low-level bullying). And they do seem to sell. So is Nev Wilshere, CEO of Save Britain Money, onto something?

Can Etsy point the way towards an ethical business future?

Blog

07 Jun 2013

Rebecca Ford

This is a guest blog by Catrin Jones, Assistant Curator at the V&A and supporter of the RSA Student Design Awards.

The parochialism of politics

Blog

04 Jun 2013

Anthony Painter

All politics is local. So we are told. Over and over again. Like most political clichés, this is highly flawed as a general rule.

Is all this talk of freedom through self-employment damaging jobs growth?

Blog

03 Jun 2013

Benedict Dellot

Self-employment has boomed since the start of the economic downturn. While overall employment figures have grown at a glacial pace, the number of self-employed people has shot up to its highest ever level. Almost 370,000 people became newly self-employed in the 4 years since 2008, and according to the Small Business Research Centre at Kingston University, one-person businesses now account for some 8 per cent of private sector turnover.

Want economic recovery? Support businesses started by the middle-aged

Blog

01 Jun 2013

For a few years now there has been a fashion to offer support for entrepreneurs by focusing on a particular age group.

Social value hybrids: Best of all worlds?

Blog

28 May 2013

Paul Buddery

This is a guest post by Tim Cooper FRSA, senior manager and research fellow at the Accenture Institute for High Performance.

The legitimacy threat to business, politics and welfare

Blog

28 May 2013

Anthony Painter

When thinking about criminal justice and the state a very significant frame is that of legitimacy. Jean-Marc Coicaud defines legitimacy quite simple as the ‘right to govern’. It is about simultaneously justifying political power and obedience for Coicaud. But can we apply legitimacy thinking in other areas where the legitimate use of coercive force may not apply? With some modification, quite possibly. It might well be applicable to business, electoral politics and public services – especially welfare.

Sustainable communities through skill sharing

Blog

29 Apr 2013

Steve Broome

This post is by Jemima Gibbons FRSA.  Follow her at @JemimaG