The World of Business

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Germany’s New Workforce? Feb 13, 2016

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Over a million migrants have arrived in Germany in the past year. But could this inflow of new potential employees form the basis of a new German workforce? The population of Europe’s largest economy is currently shrinking meaning in some industries there is a growing shortage of workers. Paul Henley investigates whether the new arrivals could be the answer to Germany’s future economic problems? But he also hears from those who believe the new migrants don’t have the right skills to work in a modern high-tech economy.

Global Business: Oil – How low will it go? Jan 30, 2016

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Peter Day chairs a discussion about the current low price of oil. He and his guests explore the reasons for the volatility in energy markets and examine the implications for the global economy.

Producer Caroline Bayley

Norway's European Vision Jan 21, 2016

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Norway isn't a member of the European Union, but does business with the EU. Is it a model for other countries? Jonty Bloom speaks to people working in a range of businesses - including Norway's vital fishing industry - and asks about the advantages and disadvantages of the arrangement.

Produced by Ruth Alexander

Global Business: Making Money Out Of Germany's Migrants Jan 16, 2016

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In the Autumn of 2015 the German city of Munich found itself at the centre of Europe's refugee crisis. Everyday thousands of refugees arrived in the city seeking sanctuary. But what has been the effect on Munich's business community? Paul Henley has been to the city to speak to those companies benefiting from the huge numbers of new arrivals. Paul hears from an air dome company that in three years is expecting it's turnover to have quadrupled, and a translation company who has had take on an extra eight hundred translators to deal with the new demand. So have the migrants been good for German business?

In Business: Truckers: women behind the big wheel Jan 12, 2016

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A global industry is facing a staffing crisis, with tens of thousands of new recruits needed across Europe and the United States - yet many people would never consider the job, or even believe it's a job they could do. Why? Because it's truck-driving - an industry with an image problem, where the work is still very much seen as men-only.

Could the solution to this staffing crisis lie in attracting more women to get behind the wheel? Caroline Bayley hits the road with some of the female drivers already heading up and down roads of the UK. She speaks to Pakistan's first and only female truck driver, and asks why aren't there more of them?

Producer Nina Robinson

Global Business: Investing in Iran Jan 09, 2016

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As the day when sanctions against Iran are lifted draws closer Global Business looks at the business prospects there for those inside, and outside, the country. Presenter, Caroline Bayley talks to Iranian entrepreneurs keen to see Western investment in their country and European companies eager to do business there. They discuss the needs of the country and the potential challenges investors will face when Iran once again, joins the global economy.

In Business: Not so small beer Dec 31, 2015

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Peter Day explores the rise of craft beer and how the big breweries are fighting back by buying up the competition

Producer: Rosamund Jones.

Global Business: The Business of Trust Dec 26, 2015

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The revelation that Volkswagen cheated emissions tests is the latest in a line of scandals that have dented the public's faith in business since 2008's financial crisis.

It was seen as a betrayal of trust. But just what is trust and how important is it in business? And, once it has been lost, can it ever be won back?

The editor of Management Today, Matthew Gwyther, interviews Rupert Stadler, the chairman of Audi - which is part of the VW group.

He also speaks to the chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, Charlie Mayfield, and former chief of Severn Trent Water and Jaguar, Sir John Egan.

The former EMEA head of public relations firm Edelman, Robert Phillips, explores PR's influence on trust and Nobel Prize winning economist and author Professor Robert Shiller gives his thoughts.

Amid all the negativity about business, Rachel Botsman - who is an expert on the collaborative economy - offers some hope.

Producer: Keith Moore

In Business: The Sexy Salaryman Dec 17, 2015

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The white collar worker has become a central figure in TV series and comic books in Japan.

Ruth Alexander travels to Tokyo to explore the rise of the middle manager as cult hero, speaking to best-seller novelists, manga artists and TV directors about why the workplace makes such good drama.

She finds out what the fictional exploits of the 'salaryman’ tell us about doing business in Japan, and hears about the emergence of a new character getting attention in popular culture - the salarywoman.

Presented and Produced by Ruth Alexander.

Global Business: Christmas, Made In China Dec 12, 2015

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Peter Day visits the Chinese city which makes most of the world's Christmas decorations