PhD Study : The impact of innovation and digitalisation on the development of regional entrepreneurial ecosystems

Apply and key information  

Summary

A vast amount of research to date has focused on entrepreneurial ecosystems within larger urbanised regions (Wei, 2021; Spiegel and Harrison, 2017) however, less is known on the multi-dimensional, contextual related factors that impact the development of entrepreneurial activity and business growth in less developed, peripheral and rural regions (Bonfiglio et al., 2017; Bosworth and Venhorst, 2019; Xu and Dobson, 2019). Covid-19 has accelerated digital transformation and shown how location may not be as important as it once was. It has reduced the importance of distance and borders for economic interactions and is attracting companies and talent to locate to more rural regions. Therefore, changes in modes of working may present opportunities for smaller regional innovation ecosystems, often located in peripheral and rural regions. These regions have traditionally faced disproportionate challenges due to their less diversified skill bases and accessibility (Haris et al. 2015).

Research suggests that benefits can be accrued from developing rural-urban dependencies (Caffyn and Dahlstrom, 2010; Bosworth et al. 2017) where knowledge spill-overs and value can be accrued for both regions when highly mobile and skilled workers live in rural regions. Furthermore, research has attempted to unravel the key success factors in developing rural innovation ecosystems (e.g. Miles and Morrison, 2020; Xu and Dobson, 2019; Munoz and Kimmitt, 2019). However, much remains unknown on how rural and peripheral regions can overcome perpetuating location, skills and institutional challenges.

This PhD will broadly explore the multi-dimensional and contextual related factors that can stimulate the development of effective entrepreneurial ecosystems within rural and peripheral regions. The prospective PhD candidate can shape the project to suit their particular interests and background, however tentative topics are (but not limited to):

How can smaller towns and cities in more rural and peripheral regions overcome perpetuating challenges associated with their location, what opportunities can leveraging trends in remote and hybrid working bring;

What mechanisms and platforms can aid knowledge flows and spill-overs within peripheral and rural regions to foster business growth and innovation;

How can industrial clusters develop and grow in rural and peripheral regions;

What business support mechanisms are needed to assist firms in peripheral and regional regions scale up, expand and develop;

How can innovation and collaboration be stimulated across peripheral border regions;

The impact of infrastructure and logistical enhancement support regional development.

This PhD is part of a wider body of research connected to the Atlantic Innovation Corridor (AIC) project, a £4m project funded by Shared Island HEA.  The AIC action research project explores cross border co-ordinating capacity and well-being across the North West of Ireland to create opportunities to stimulate economic development, business start-up and scale-up and infrastructure enhancement to include logistics and digitalisation. The supervisors supporting this project are all connected to the AIC project, leading various work packages. It is expected that the project will undertake a qualitative or mixed methods approach, where this project will seek to not only advance theory but to have policy implications relating to how to stimulate economic development in less developed and disadvantaged regions.

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

The Doctoral College at Ulster University

Key dates

Submission deadline
Monday 27 February 2023
04:00PM

Interview Date
week commencing 20 March 2023

Preferred student start date
18 September 2023

Applying

Apply Online  

Contact supervisor

Professor Sandra Moffett

Other supervisors