PhD Study : i to I - impact to Intelligence

Summary

As organisations respond to increasingly rapid environmental change they seek solutions for faster decision making, efficiency, cost savings, operational management and setting strategic direction.  For many, embarking on this process of business improvement leads to the discovery that they lack the resources to future proof the business for moving forward in a sustainable manner.  Going beyond internal capability, support is often sought from external sources, such as through consultancy, recruitment, and University collaborations.

This project focuses on the role of technology and knowledge transfer from University to Business to ascertain the impact for all stakeholders. Knowledge (technology) transfer projects have gained momentum in recent years to encourage businesses to improve business competitveness and productivity through partnerships with academics and researchers, helping businesses to innovate and grow.  In Northern Ireland funding support is provided by sources such as Invest NI and Intertrade Ireland in the form of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) and FUSION grants.

These grants provide financial, administrative help in forming connections to join organisations with suitable academic partners to enable a business to bring new skills and the latest academic research and thinking to deliver a specific, strategic innovation project.  There are currently 738 live KTP projects in the UK, 62 of which are based in Northern Ireland and 251 FUSION projects (North-South collaborations). The success of knowledge transfer projects is well publicised; however little is known on the long-term benefits as companies who have received this support in the past have been known to struggle in the future with some failing to survive.

This PhD project will seek to address this gap and thus focus on the longer term impact of knowledge and technology transfer with input from current and past participant organisations, academics and graduates employed.  Large scale data sets (of Knowledge Transfer Projects) will be analysed with a range of data analytical techniques employed (such as regression analysis, factor analysis, sentiment analysis, performance metrics) to explore the statistical impact of knowledge transfer.  Based on the quantitative results, a number of stakeholders will be selected for qualitative investigation, to gain rich thick explanatory data thus utilising a mixed methods research methodology.

It is anticipated that this PhD research will provide new insight into the longitudinal impact of knowledge (technology) transfer, beyond the funded timeframe.  Statistical information on the impact immediate to project completion, and longer term (over 5 years, 10 years, 20 years and beyond) supported by stakeholder interviews and commentary will enable us to ascertain the key benefits of the knowledge transfer process which are currently underknown and perhaps underestimated.

Both Invest NI and Intertrade Ireland have outlined support for this PhD project and interest in the results from both a policy and practice perspective.  The findings will also appeal to organisations considering knowledge transfer undertaking, those who have previously engaged and those seeking to maximise impact of University collaborations (including academic partners and Graduates). Long-term impact of knowledge (technology) transfer to optimise business intelligence and promote sustainable operations and strategic direction is an area worthy of PhD research.

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
• 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.

• 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