PhD Study : Towards a greater understanding of sustainability in SMEs

Summary

​The issue of Sustainability has moved up the agenda for all firms and nowadays small-to-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are forced to redesign and rethink their business practices in a more sustainable way.  Indeed, in recent years, the need for businesses to pursue a more holistic view of social and environmental concerns has emerged from the development of the concept of the triple bottom line (1997), through to the adoption of Agenda 2030 and the related list of SDGs (2015). This also links closely to Porter and Kramers’s (2011) work around the concept of Shared Value, the central premise of which is that societal and economic progress must go hand in hand and not at the expense of the other.

To date, most of the research around firm sustainability has focused on larger corporations and there is relatively little consideration of the concept from an SME perspective. Further, the concept of sustainability is subject to competing definitions and its application to small firms is, by no means, agreed on.  Of the relatively limited research that has explored the phenomenon of sustainability in small businesses, much has focused narrowly on environmental strategy and practices only (Cantele and Zardini, 2020).  As such, there has been limited consideration of the wider economic and social dimensions of sustainability (Vallance et al., 2011; Cloquet et al., 2018). Indeed, the ‘social’ dimension has been integrated late into the sustainable development debate, therefore there is still a lack of theoretical and empirical studies regarding social sustainability. The focus for this proposed project is on SMEs as they are not merely “little big firms” (Fitjar, 2011; Tilley, 2000), and they do not behave in the same way as large corporations.

This project would focus on the role of sustainability in SMEs and what drives these organisations towards sustainability. Set in the context detailed above, there is a gap in terms of examining the concept of sustainability in SMEs to consider issues such as: what the concept of sustainability means to SMEs; what drives SMEs to become more sustainable; what opportunities are there for small firms to become sustainable; what are the barriers or limitations to fully implementing sustainability; and what are the benefits of embedding sustainability into a small business’s strategy. While the primary focus is on examining the issue from a small firm perspective, there may be scope to address the topic from a particular management or functional perspective, such as a marketing perspective.

The project will involve garnering perspectives of SMEs – the owner-managers and/or other stakeholders – and may be amenable to qualitative and/or quantitative investigation.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
• Research proposal of 2000 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Masters at 70%

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living