Centre for Evolution of Global Business and Institutions (CEGBI)

About CEGBI

Established in January 2009, CEGBI is a research centre in the School for Business and Society at the University of York. The centre aims to carry out groundbreaking research which will foster a better understanding of how business and institutions succeed in a global economy.  By developing a better understanding of the relationship between past and the present, the aim is to draw lessons that help business and policy makers in more informed decision making and address grand challenges. It draws on an eclectic approach, both in terms of research topics and methodologies used. A distinctive characteristic of the members of the centre is their emphasis on international business, business and economic history, global marketing, ethics and social enterprise.

Highlights and Upcoming Events                                           

CEGBI Workshop:
‘Fragmentation, Inequality, and the Search for Order: Rethinking Business and Society in a Divided World’

1st December 2025 (13:30-15:00) at SBS Boardroom (CL/A/103)

Across the globe, societies are being reshaped by widening inequality, political polarisation, environmental crises, and the return of violent conflict. These interlinked challenges are generating new forms of social, economic, and geopolitical fragmentation that threaten both stability and trust. This interdisciplinary workshop brings together five scholars from the University of York’s School for Business and Society to explore how academic research and teaching can illuminate—though not necessarily resolve—these fractures.

The discussion recognises that meaningful contributions to “grand challenges” often arise not only from direct policy engagement or short-term impact, but also from fundamental research that reframes the questions we ask about power, inequality, and order. Likewise, teaching grounded in rigorous theories and critical concepts can equip students with the intellectual tools to navigate and respond to complex realities.

Drawing on perspectives from economics and management, social policy, political science, and sociology, the workshop examines how structural inequalities, social fragmentation, and geopolitical disorder intersect—and what this means for the role of universities in a turbulent world. By connecting theoretical inquiry with public relevance, it seeks to reimagine how a School rooted in both business and social policy can sustain reflective scholarship while preparing future leaders to act with insight and responsibility.

See full event details

CEGBI Workshop:
'Interdisciplinarity and its Practicalities in SBS'

21^st January 2026 (13:00-14:30) location TBC

The School for Business and Society was launched in 2022 with the aim of implementing the University of York’s strategy on tackling societal challenges through interdisciplinary work. In particular, it looked at fostering collaborations between colleagues from Management and Social Policy and Social Work in a unique combination of expertise to address issues such as the climate emergency, social justice, inequality, and the impact of technology. In this workshop, we aim to reflect on the panel’s experiences of interdisciplinary work (both in research and teaching) within SBS in order to draw lessons for the Early Career Researchers (ECR) network.

See full event details