PhD Study : Developing the role of Value Creation and Value Capture in University Technology Transfer Business Models: A stakeholder ecosystem perspective

Summary

Open innovation models, where organisations exchange knowledge and resource sharing in networks, have emerged as an approach to overcoming the excessive costs, short cycle times and complexity associated with a single organisation bringing a product to market (closed innovation). Existing studies suggest that organisations pursue both open and closed approaches to innovation dependant on the market need for either value creation or value capture in a dynamically changing continuum to achieve and sustain alignment with rapid environment change.

This view challenges the binary conflation of value creation being mainly associated with open innovation and value capture with closed innovation. For example, Youtube has value capture through advertising revenue in a relatively open user-based innovation system. Most studies seeking to recognise these dynamic interchanges have been based on open source organisation contexts (e.g. Cisco) typically involving a focal firm (Linux for example) and the coordinated contributors broadly described as users (e.g. open developers of Linux codes). However, there have been calls for further research in contexts which involve a much wider ecosystem view of multiple mutually influencing stakeholders shaping value creation and value capture in relation to open and closed innovation.

Hence the suggested PhD research study is based on a University Technology Transfer (UTT) ecosystem where multiple stakeholders interact to achieve environmental alignment, value creation and value capture within dynamically changing open and closed innovation environments. It is argued that failure to maintain this dynamic response will lead to lack of sustainably of UTT by either failure of appropriate and timely value creation or value capture thus wasting considerable investment and limiting the potential for economic growth through UTT. In seeking to cognitively and practically represent these dynamics research suggests Business Model Innovation (BMI) has potential explanatory power where UTT hybrid BMs can coexist. These developments has resulted in the emergence of Quadruple Helix (QH) (university, government, industry and users) stakeholder-based ecosystems.

Research indicates there is a need for further research relating to the challenges faced by UTT QH stakeholders in developing representative UTT BMs to explore how the dynamic interactions lead to different representations of value creation, value capture, open and closed innovation which is the key focus of the suggested PhD research programme.

Therefore the aim of this suggested PhD study is to make a contribution to knowledge by exploring how value creation and value capture in UTT are developed through the dynamic interchanges within the quadruple stakeholder ecosystem for both open and closed innovation.  The study will therefore build on the PhD work of Dr Miller and the joint published work of both supervisors and international collaborators. The dynamic interaction of UTT QH stakeholders involving value creation, value capture, open and closed innovation suggest a longitudinal development rather than a static position.

Thus, it is suggested that the PhD  student  will draw upon longitudinal case study evidence  involving three differing bounded contexts of universities and their respective UTT QH ecosystems in an exploratory theory building approach to give sufficient theoretical saturation based on the supervisor’s experience of this type of research (multiple REF UTT related publications as per UIR/PURE and 18 successful PhD completions).

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.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement

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 65%

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