Media centre Jobs Contact Research Learn Events News & opinion About Search About Research clusters CLUSTER Business, Markets and the State The debate on the role of business, markets and states in development has a long history, marked by divergent and often strongly held perspectives, but also relatively rapid shifts in understanding about what is feasible and desirable. Only two decades ago debates were framed in terms of the state versus the market. Today, questions relates more to the appropriate roles of each. There is general recognition that business, including through its interactions with the state, has a major impact on human development and the natural environment, contributing both to failures and to new market-focused solutions, initiatives and partnerships. Our research generates new evidence and addresses pressing knowledge gaps in this field. We employ diverse theoretical perspectives which include political economy, value chain analysis and market systems approaches, for example, alongside a fine-grained understanding of the ways in which states and businesses engage and influence one another. Our work focuses on six thematic areas that are crucial for economic systems to deliver inclusive development. These are: Work, Enterprise Development, Trade, Finance, Alternative Economies and Food & Nutrition. To understand our unique mix of expertise and how we work with others toward inclusive economies and sustainable development, see our Business, Markets and the State Position Paper Series. Our Business, Markets and the State cluster also manages the IDS Business and Development Centre. Share Key contacts Anabel Marín Research Fellow, Cluster Leader A.Marin@ids.ac.uk +44 1273 915882 Martin Gardner Project Support Officer M.Gardner@ids.ac.uk +44 1273 915791 Projects PROJECT Urbanisation in Africa and China As African countries experience rapid urbanisation, there is a need to ensure that this process is well managed, and underpinned by strong public policy and social governance, to support economic development and social welfare. China has much to share from its experience of rapid... PROJECT Foresight for new collaborative platforms to support LMIC science systems To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) it has become clear that we require systemic change across societies, and that as a consequence we need transformational pathways of development. This in turn requires knowledge that is transformative, both in terms of its focus, and how it... PROJECT Impact of Financial Inclusion in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: a Systematic Review of Reviews Financial inclusion programmes seek to increase access to financial services such as credit, savings, insurance and money transfers and so allow poor and low-income households in low- and middle-income countries to enhance their welfare, grasp opportunities, mitigate shocks, and ultimately... PROJECT Handbook of Financialization Financialization has become the go-to term for scholarship that studies the vastly expanded role of finance in contemporary politics, economy and society. The concept itself has equally expanded and evolved from a niche research theme in critical scholarship to one that informs an... See all Recent work FEATURED PROJECT Linking Participation and Economic Advancement In this project, IDS will draw upon and expand its rich experience at the forefront of thinking about participation in development, and our emerging work at the intersection of participation and markets. We will co-create along with the Economic Advancement Program (EAP) at the Open Society Foundations (OSF), a deeper understanding of participation in economic advancement in general, as well as how EAP can bring participatory approaches into its own practice. FEATURED NEWS Understanding business, markets and states is critical to development globally The relationships between business, markets and states shape economic, environmental, political and social realities for everyone, everywhere. These relationships are constantly evolving. As... UPCOMING EVENT Inclusive trade Untapping development potential of trade along global supply chains This seminar discusses a new multilateral initiative to strengthen the participation of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in Global Value Chains (GVCs), advocating for a new ‘GVCs for LDCs’ scheme. The seminar is first in the IDS seminar series on inclusive trade. Trade flows across complex... 30 November 2021 PAST EVENT Renewable Energy Procurement from Independent Power Producers in Ethiopia Recognising the importance of a robust procurement framework to attract private investment into the infrastructure sector, including energy, in 2017 the Government of Ethiopia introduced the Public–Private Partnerships policy. From 2018, several non-hydro renewable energy projects were... 16 November 2021 WORKING PAPER Chinese-Funded Electricity Generation in Sub-Saharan Africa and Implications for Public Debt and Transition to Renewable Energy IDS Working Paper 557 Drawing on secondary data, combined with deep dive studies of Ethiopia and Uganda, this paper shows that despite significant liberalisation of the power sector in SSA, Chinese investments in the electricity industry continue to follow state-led project contract-based models. Seife Ayele Vianney Mutyaba 10 November 2021 NEWS Engaging with business on climate change and sustainable development For businesses to act on climate change, they need to hear a combination of messages that convey urgency but also an optimism that they can make a difference. This was one of the central arguments made at a roundtable last week on climate change, business and sustainable development hosted by... 10 November 2021 See all Contact Subscribe to our newsletter(s) IDS Bulletin Disclaimer & cookies Privacy statement © 2021 Institute of Development Studies Design and development by Soapbox We use cookies to enable us to see how this website is being used. This helps us to ensure that the website is user-friendly, and that you’re able to access the information you need easily. Our cookies are stored locally on your device. To accept our cookies, continue browsing as normal: alternatively please see our cookie policy for more information. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies