WBS PhD studentship in International Business - Investment and Economic Development

This WBS studentship is an exciting opportunity to conduct research leading to a PhD in Business and Management at WBS. The project is located within the Strategy and International Business group and will be supervised by Professor Nigel Driffield.
The theme of this project is to explore the links between inward investment and economic development. It is aimed at understanding how multinational companies’ investment motivations, entry strategies and subsequent strategic activity translate into economic progress in countries that receive their investment.

The traditional literature takes one of two approaches, either the literature on spillovers from FDI (typically in the west) or the extent to which inward investment can contribute to poverty reduction in developing countries. This project will seek to advance either one or both of these debates, seeking to define a clearer link between what motivates firms to undertake foreign investment, how regions can establish their value proposition to those firms, including understanding the policy trade-offs between attracting inward investment, generating productivity and creating jobs.

Skills Required
A good knowledge of the FDI literature, either from an international economics, or quantitative international business literature would be an advantage. Applicants are expected to have strong quants skills, but also be comfortable working with policy makers.

Scholarship details
4 year scholarship covering Home/EU fees plus a stipend of approximately £15,250 per annum subject to confirmation of RCUK rates. Overseas students will be required to self-fund the difference between the Home/EU fee and the international fee.

Minimum entry requirements
A minimum of an upper second class honours degree from a British university, or an equivalent from an overseas university; plus a relevant Masters degree ideally with a distinction in the dissertation.

Application
Your application must include a supporting research proposal (approximately 2,000 words) about your initial research ideas and how you would approach this research project. Click here for further information on the supporting documentation to accompany your submission.