PhD Study : Business Intelligence to enhance Business Process Improvement

Summary

The field of Knowledge Management (KM) calls for organisations to work smarter to gain efficiency savings, competitive advantage and long-term sustainability.  KM literature states that in the current and emerging knowledge era businesses cannot rely on events from the past to ensure future success, therefore many organisations struggle to predict strategic direction, resulting in ‘guestimations’ of what the future may hold.  However, the field of data analytics would question this statement.  By understanding historical perspectives through extensive data analytics, organisations are equipped with patterns and trends on which to base forthcoming decisions. Armed with a wealth of past, present and emerging data key decision makers can shape future direction, influencing market penetration and customer relations.  Employing data analytics can lead to upselling, cross-selling and market diversification.

This project will investigate predictive data analytics in a variety of sectors to ascertain best fit algorithms for business intelligence (BI).  While a ‘one size fits all’ approach is difficult to obtain in the business world due to the discrete and heterogeneous nature of organisations, the creation of a BI toolkit is needed to assist public, private and third sector organisations in preparing for the future.  The concept of ‘big data’, whilst being a branded concept, is not yet understood within many organisations and companies are struggling to implement knowledge management as they lack the data and information tools to do so.  While some are capturing core data, others are not yet on the starting block. For those that have commenced data collection, most are unsure what to do with it, how to identify knowledge nuggets and how to base decisions on what they find.  This project will contribute to literature, practice and impact in the BI field

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