PhD Study : Exploring the value of Social Capital for Innovation within Agri-Food Business Support Networks

Summary

The importance of social capital to the success of small, rural firms has been highlighted in both research and policy. Social capital is considered a valuable organisational asset emerging from social networking and is deemed to be extremely important for knowledge exchange and the development of innovation in rural areas. While informal networks have been deemed to be stronger and more important in rural than urban areas, the development of innovation in rural areas may be constrained due to an over-reliance on local, informal networks and personal relationships at the expense of more formalised knowledge and  knowledge from outside the local region.

It has been argued that business support networks/programmes (via public and private providers) may help to extend small firms’ knowledge capabilities and overcome size-related and locational disadvantages that typically constrain the development of innovation capabilities in rural areas. In the growing body of literature on rural advisory services, to date studies have tended to focus on one-to-one advice between advisers and their clients.  As such, the role of advisers in developing social capital and the exchange of knowledge between small rural businesses, which consequently can enhance innovation capabilities, is not clear.

The sectoral context for this project is the agri-food sector. Business support for agriculture and the rural economy have undergone much change since the 1990s.  Business advice for rural and agricultural clients takes various forms and is now offered via a range of bodies and agencies, with programmes such as LEADER, and specific measures of the Rural Development Programme designed to solve joint problems and grow the social capital of agri-food businesses which in turn can generate knowledge exchange and innovation.  Prior research has found that there are challenges in convincing the agricultural community of the value of external expert knowledge.

The project will examine how social capital is built in business support programmes for agri-food, and identify the resulting impact it has on knowledge exchange, and innovation outputs from such programmes.

The project will provide new insights into the factors promoting and constraining the development of social capital in business support programmes more generally. It will further knowledge on how locational factors may influence innovation activities and identify a framework to enhance the capabilities of rural agri-food firms.  The project will take a qualitative, multiple case study approach including methods such as in-depth interviews with support programme participants and advisers, observations of meetings/events and documentary analysis.

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