The World of Business

Latest Episodes:

The Business of Food Waste Sep 28, 2017

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With food waste a huge global problem, can business find new, profitable solutions? Tanya Beckett delves into pizza bins, visits larvae breeders and talks to everyone from bankers to hummus-makers as she investigates why this fast-changing business scene. How can new technology help tackle the problem? And are wasteful food consumers ready for radical change?

Producer: Chris Bowlby; Editor: Penny Murphy

Playing the Market Sep 21, 2017

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From the film Wall Street, to the play Enron, finance workers and bankers tend to be portrayed negatively in works of fiction. Andrew Dickson traces the history of these depictions, asking if they're fair - and if more positive portrayals would enhance the reputation of the City He speaks to playwrights, a bond trader turned thriller writer, a film historian and a veteran of the banking industry. Producer: Penny Murphy.

Crossing the Line Sep 14, 2017

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What red lines need to be crossed before companies retreat from foreign markets? As political turmoil engulfs Turkey, total economic collapse threatens in Venezuela and other global threats emerge, In Business explores the point at which businesses decide that enough is enough. Does it depend on the size of the investment and do companies in different sectors play by different rules? And what reputational risk might companies suffer if they get that calculation wrong? Presenter, Matthew Gwyther, talks to business people who have stayed and those who have left. Did they see the red line clearly or would they make a different call second time around? Producer: Rosamund Jones.

Private Prisons: Who Profits? Aug 19, 2017

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Twenty five years after Britain opened its first privately run prison, Matthew Gwyther explores whether private jails in the UK have delivered on the promise of a cost effective, safe, and reliable service. And he looks to the US, the pioneer of the private prison system. Does incarcerating people for profit work? Or does it lead the sector to cut corners, sacrificing safety and security in the pursuit of profit? Producer: Sarah Shebbeare

(Photo: A prison guard walks through a cell area at HMP Berwyn. Credit: Getty Images)

The Secrets of Germany's Success Aug 11, 2017

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From sick man of Europe to world's richest exporter - how did Germany do it?

At the turn of the century, Germany's economy was weak and its unemployment high. Fast forward to today and the country has overtaken China as the world's richest exporter. To find out how, Caroline Bayley travels to rural South Germany, home to many so called "hidden champions", little-known world market leading companies. But she also hears how for all its economic success, Germany has yet to come up with the next Google. Though plans are afoot to catch up with Silicon Valley.

Producer: Estelle Doyle

(Photo: Historical cars are displayed at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, southern Germany Credit: Getty Images)

Community Enterprise Aug 11, 2017

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What role can the community play in rejuvenating their local economy? Globalisation often results in a big geographical divide between where profits are made and where they are spent. Anu Anand visits two communities trying to reverse that trend and keep investment, jobs and profits close to hand. In Frome, in Somerset, she meets local property developers who are keeping rents low and chain stores at bay in a bid to allow local independent retailers to thrive. And in rural Lancashire she spends time with villagers building their own broadband network and investing in local energy projects. What impact might these initiatives have long-term and could other communities follow suit? Producer: Rosamund Jones.

Fish to Share Aug 05, 2017

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Many British fishermen rejoiced after the UK vote to leave the European Union. They hoped it would mean fewer EU boats fishing in UK waters. Business reporter and sailor Lesley Curwen visits ports and harbours at both ends of Britain to talk to fishermen about their hopes and fears, and hears from a group of European fishermen who argue a hard Brexit would destroy thousands of their jobs. Producer: Smita Patel (Image: Newlyn fish market, Cornwall. Credit: BBC)

Managing a Tower Block Aug 03, 2017

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Tower blocks are under intense scrutiny. So what's the best way to run them? Matthew Gwyther visits Manchester and discovers this is not just about architecture. These blocks are also complex communities of people. So what's the future now for this key sector in our housing and commerce? Producer: Chris Bowlby Editor: Penny Murphy.

Forecasting: How to Map the Future Jul 24, 2017

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Why do so many economic and business forecasts fail to correctly map the future? Adam Shaw asks why so many recessions take us by surprise and why the failure of certain forecasts should be a cause of celebration, not despair. He examines the role of complexity and groupthink and how technological advance can scupper the best laid forecasts. Do we, as consumers, invest too much faith in forecasts? And is there anything forecasters can do to ensure their pronouncements are more reliable? Producer: Rosamund Jones (Image: Adam Shaw at a pool table. Credit: BBC)

India's Cashless Economy May 30, 2017

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Nina Robinson looks at how India’s digital payments industry is mushrooming after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s demonetisation ‘shock doctrine’ tactic to rid the country of 500 and 1,000 rupee bills last November. It had an unimaginably huge impact on India’s digital payment and banking systems. The sector now has to cope with an enormous increase in digital payments using your mobile phone. People are making e-payments for goods using these ‘e-wallets’. New digital payment points have sprung up everywhere and now even small vendors and hawkers are using them. Global Business examines whether a cashless economy in India could really work to bring untold future economic benefits.

(Image: An Indian vendor who now accepts e-payments. Credit: BBC)