[UK] PhD Research Studentship 2009 on The relationship between international outsourcing and innovation
Mar 16Closing date: 15 April 2009
In today’s increasingly competitive and globalised corporate landscape, outsourcing and innovation are seen as the tools that give organisations the ability to develop sustainable competitive positions. Although, taken individually, these thematic areas (outsourcing and innovation) have already been subjected to considerable academic scrutiny, the relationship between the two is still relatively under-researched. PhD proposals are invited to examine the linkages between international outsourcing and innovation at both a theoretical and empirical level. More specifically, the focus of the research would be to investigate whether international outsourcing may increase or hinder innovative activity at plant, industry, sector and/or country level.
[UK] PhD Studentship on The diffusion of corporate governance mechanisms from the private to both the public and the NFP sector
Mar 16Closing date: 15 April 2009
In recent years corporate governance mechanisms developed within UK public companies have been widely adopted in both public sector and not-for-profit organisations. Such mechanisms may relate to structure (for example, the establishment of audit committees in universities, NHS Trusts and charities) or process (for example, the adoption of the Turnbull guidance on reporting on internal control and risk management). But how do such mechanisms operate within the different accountability framework of the public and NFP sectors? Is there anything that the private sector could usefully learn from the adaptations that have taken place?
[UK] PhD Research Studentship on Impact of the Current Financial Crisis: Regulation Changes and Market Participants Reactions
Mar 16Closing date: 15 April 2009
The current financial crisis has resulted in a major restructuring of the financial system. Many parties, particularly investment banks, credit rating agencies and regulators, have been blamed for contributing to the financial crisis. Regulators around the world are now proposing measures to stabilise the financial system and introducing new regulations to prevent events from recurring. A range of actions are being considered including stricter capital requirements for banks and regulation of the credit ratings industry. The proposed PhD research could take a number of directions including but not limited to: How effective are the proposed regulatory measures? How do market participants (e.g. investment banks, other financial institutions and credit rating agencies, etc.) perceive these measures? Has the financial crisis influenced the behaviour of market participants, e.g. institutional investors’ use of credit ratings or internal investment guidelines?
[UK] PhD Research Studentship on The Impact of Enterprise Performance Management on Management Control
Mar 16Closing date: 15 April 2009
Enterprise Performance Management (EPM), also known as Business Performance Management (BPM), integrates ideas from Performance Management with Business Intelligence and Information Management. An important aspect of EPM is the – real-time – monitoring of actual performance against targets, based on data from the business processes and their outcomes. When organisations apply EPM, ubiquitous availability of real-time (and accurate) performance data would, in principle, allow for more ‘democratic’ or empowering control approaches to be employed. This would not just free up management time and make organisations more responsive, it would also respond to long-standing calls to curtail the use of formal, centralised management control approaches. Do EPM Systems in practice really change management control towards more democratic methods?
[UK] PhD Research Studentship on Micro-analysis of Coaching as a Process at The School of Business, Oxford Brookes University
Mar 16Closing date: 15 April 2009
Coaching is becoming an important element in the development of individuals in organisations. Various studies show that coaching is delivering the results that are valuable for individuals and organisations. However, the very central question of what coaching actually is and what coaches do in principle and in comparison to other types of practices and interventions remains unexplored. Systematic analysis of this issue could create a significant shift in what is perceived as best practices in coaching. PhD candidates are invited to examine the elements of the coaching process that occur during a coaching session that could be identified as unique and consistent for coaching approaches in various contexts and genres, from performance coaching to developmental coaching. An interest in the analysis of coaching conversations with a focus on behavioural, attitudinal and relational aspects would be expected.
[UK] PhD Studentship on Employment Relations Implications of Public Sector Reform at Oxford Brookes University
Mar 16Closing date: 15 April 2009
The British public sector has been undergoing a profound process of reform in recent decades which has had major consequences for those employed in it. Proposals which focus on the exploration of one or more categories of such consequences are welcomed. Possible topics include the implications that reform has had for worker well-being and commitment, the regulatory role of trade unions, the types of employment patterns and managerial strategies which staff work under, and the work experiences of those employed in private and not-for-profit organisations engaged in the delivery of public services in terms of service quality, job security and terms and conditions of work.
