PhD Study : Re-framing business models: degrowth for sustainability and economic prosperity

Summary

Covid-19 has disrupted society and economies globally and brought to the forefront a unique opportunity to reset economic and social foundations in order to emerge from the crisis as being a better world (WEF, 2020), thereby reigniting a debate on degrowth as “a conjunction of activist social movement and critical scholarship” (Fletcher et al. 2019, 2). Originating as a thought experiment in the 1970s (Roulet and Bothello, 2020), degrowth reframes the concepts of societal and environmental wellbeing as detached from the perpetual, economic growth paradigm (Latouche 2006).

However, its development has been slow, where advocates have received criticism due to its conceptual ambiguity and negative connotations that it is often incorrectly perceived to be associated with reduced living standards and wealth (D’Aliasa et al. 2014).  Whitehead (2013, 141) identifies the need for a “paradigm shift from the general and unlimited pursuit of economic growth to a concept of ‘right-sizing’ the global and national economies”.

Macro-economic discussions of degrowth include the reorientation of throughputs toward a circular economy (Kallis 2018). However, on a micro-economic level, debates on degrowth have largely been neglected in research and take place predominantly within the activist social movement arena; for examples see the Transition Towns or Slow Food movements. To date it is still unclear how organisations can embed principals of degrowth into their business model in order to balance social and economic value creation (Wells, 2018).

Some researchers highlighted related concepts, such as ‘small giants’ (Burlingham 2016), ‘successful non-growing companies’ (Liesen et al. 2015), ‘sufficiency-driven business models’ (Brocken and Short 2016), ‘ethical entrepreneurship’ (Power et al. 2017) or ‘sustainability entrepreneurship’ (Choi and Gray 2011). However, designing degrowth business models remains challenging, where the existence of multiple and conflicting economic, environmental and social factors can result in paradoxical tensions (Khmara and Kronenberg, 2018).

Paradox Theory offers a suitable theoretical framework (Schad et al. 2019) to chart business managers and/or entrepreneurs’ cognitive framing to align stakeholders’ interests to convincingly develop viable degrowth business models. A paradox lens clarifies business contexts when long-term tensions exist (Carollo and Guerci, 2018), by “explicitly acknowledging tensions between different desirable, yet interdependent and conflicting sustainability objectives” (Hahn et al, 2018, 235).

This PhD seeks to explore the emergent concept of degrowth business models and how managers and/or entrepreneurs can successfully balance and embed degrowth principals all the while reconciling sustainability objectives with economic prosperity. This will require an exploration of different types of business models which embed sustainability principles, the circular economy and a re-imagined consumption-production-nexus; and ultimately posing the question of prosperity and wellbeing for whom, by whom and how? It is suggested that a qualitative, multiple case study approach will be adopted of organisations who have embedded principals of degrowth into their business models. This could incorporate different perspectives of business managers’ or entrepreneurs’ cognitive framing of degrowth principles. Depending on the applicant, this could be explored within a developed or developing country context.

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.

• 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.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Masters at 70%

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