PhD Study : Supporting SMEs in the Circular Economy

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Summary

This scholarship is linked to the Northern Ireland Programme for Government.

The Circular Economy (CE) is based inter alia on sharing, leasing, reuse, repair, refurbishment and recycling, in an (almost) closed loop, which aims to retain the highest utility and value of products, components and materials at all times. The European Commission’s 2015 Action Plan for the Circular Economy maps out a series of actions to improve waste management, and to promote eco-innovation and resource efficiency with targets for waste and landfill reduction, reuse and recycling to be met by 2030. To this end the EC launched their Circular Economy implementation plan and have recently outlined their proposed key deliverables, which, if we are to help drive the transformation, have much relevance at regional economic development level in Northern Ireland.

Based on this topic focus, this research proposal straddles both of the PfG topics:

1) Productivity and policy Interventions (Dept of Economy); and

2) Approaches to enterprise and entrepreneurship and the need for new models (Dept of Economy).

Moving towards a more extensive CE could deliver many environmental and regional economic benefits including reduced pressures on the environment, improved security of supply of raw materials, increased competitiveness, improved regional innovation capacity, productivity, growth and employment. However the shift to a CE also poses challenges for businesses, such as financing, key economic enablers/incentives, skills, and multi level governance.  There is a clear need to conduct an investigation at micro, grass roots level, amongst NI SMEs, to ascertain their awareness and attitudes towards the uptake and impact of CE business models.

The research will also address the extent of and barriers to technological, organisational, and entrepreneurial behaviour innovation. The key industrial sectors of food, agriculture, construction and manufacturing will be the focus of the study, due to the potential opportunities that the transition, adoption and integration of CE principles into the fabric of their business models could provide. Research methods: Baseline quantitative survey and CE sectoral mapping, followed by qualitative interviews.

Indicative contributions from the research - 1) will offer practical recommendations for SMEs on effective CE business model implementation. 2) Will provide policy recommendations such as interventions/support mechanisms to overcome CE challenges for SMEs; identification of relevant internal market mechanisms to better facilitate the CE transition; incentives for producers and recyclers to work together to improve performance within and across relevant value chains; provided technical skills and systemic behaviour change mechanisms. 3) Will serve to foster NI regional innovation capacity based on CE business model principles.

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.

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:

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 19 February 2018
12:00AM

Interview Date
mid March 2018

Preferred student start date
mid September 2018

Applying

Apply Online  

Contact supervisor

Professor Elaine Ramsey

Other supervisors