The project: Research and development (R&D) and innovation are widely recognised as the drivers of economic growth. Although our understanding of the processes underpinning R&D and innovation has improved drastically in the last decades, our understanding of some behaviours of the agents involved in these processes is limited. For instance, decisions made by firm managers (and policy makers) about R&D and innovation, like all decisions, are susceptible to risk and time preferences, cognitive biases and emotions. Depending on the strength of these forces, the amount and/or quality of R&D and innovation may not be optimal. Furthermore, whilst various research methods have been employed in innovation research, rigorous experimental methods have been scarcely used despite their wider use in other social science fields. This call responds to an increasing need for novel evidence in innovation research based on experimental methods through creating and analyzing counterfactual situations.
We welcome any applications linking innovation research and experimental methods. However, we would particularly welcome applications in the following areas: (a) the interplay between risk and time preferences in decisions on R&D and innovation (such as R&D investments), (b) cognitive biases and their negative consequences (such as unrealistic optimism) in R&D and innovation decision making (such as the selection and undertaking of R&D projects), (c) the role of emotions in the R&D/innovation decision-making process (d) the development of new behavioural biases relating to R&D and innovation.
We particularly welcome applications from individuals interested in quantitative data analysis. Knowledge of or willingness to learn and use Stata, R or Python would be desirable. The successful applicant would potentially benefit from short-term placements in innovation policy institutions and/or engagement with policy makers.
The Successful Candidate should:
Fulfil the entrance requirements for a PhD in the School of Management
Start date:
All PhD students must commence registration and PhD training in September 2024 (The applicants without MRes degree will study on Integrated Management programme School of Management PhD structure and content (bath.ac.uk))
Enquiries and Applications:
Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Dr Chris Dimos - [Email Address Removed]
Please make contact with the lead supervisor directly and see if they are happy for you to submit an application in advance.
More information about applying for a PhD at Bath may be found on our website.
Continue with Facebook
