Brexit, trade and UK advanced manufacturing sectors: a Midlands’ perspective

Bailey, Davi and De Propris, Lisa and de Ruyter, A. and Hearne, David and Ortega-Argilés, Raquel (2023) Brexit, trade and UK advanced manufacturing sectors: a Midlands’ perspective. Contemporary Social Science. ISSN 2158-2041

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Abstract

The paper examines how Brexit has impacted on Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and suppliers in the UK Midlands, and to what extent such firms are reconfiguring their supply chains with the increase in trade barriers with Brexit. To do this, the paper aims to add to macro studies in the area by using a mixed-methods approach that combines descriptive quantitative analysis of secondary data with a complementary qualitative research analysis based on a novel interview dataset. The latter is generated from 14 semi-structured interviews conducted in late 2021 with senior managers and directors in advanced manufacturing firms across the East and West Midlands regions of the UK. A key finding of this paper is that the imposition of new non-tariff barriers through Brexit has proved particularly challenging to smaller firms in manufacturing supply chains. The findings of our research highlight the need for policy support for smaller firms engaging in EU-wide supply chains, particularly around skillsets and access to talent, cost reduction for exports and facilitating trade.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	10.1080/21582041.2023.2192700
Dates:	Date Event 10 March 2023 Accepted 1 April 2023 Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Brexit, Covid-19, manufacturing, supply chains, trade, industrial policy
Subjects:	CAH15 - social sciences > CAH15-01 - sociology, social policy and anthropology > CAH15-01-01 - social sciences (non-specific) CAH15 - social sciences > CAH15-03 - politics > CAH15-03-01 - politics
Divisions:	Research, Innovation, Enterprise > Centre for Brexit Studies
Depositing User:	Gemma Tonks
Date Deposited:	17 Apr 2023 15:06
Last Modified:	17 Apr 2023 15:06
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/14337

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