This opportunity is part of the DREAM + PLUS - Co-fund programme. Further information can be found at https://www.dreamplusplan.eu.
Job Overview
This candidate will work in one of the following outlined areas:
Project 1: Integrating digital technologies in the boardroom
This research investigates the integration of emerging digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), Simulation, or Digital Twins into corporate boardrooms to enhance socio-cognitive decision-making and support sustainable strategic transitions. Climate uncertainty and ecosystem degradation are forcing firms to reconsider their strategic approaches and adopt innovative, regenerative practices. However, socio-cognitive challenges, such as entrenched mindsets and resistance to change, could limit the effectiveness of existing tools like roadmapping and scenario planning.
Emerging technologies offer transformative potential to augment current tools and frameworks. AI can analyze complex datasets to identify trends, predict outcomes, and provide actionable insights, allowing managers to make data-driven decisions. VR and immersive simulation can facilitate experiential learning, enabling leaders to visualize the impacts of strategic choices on environmental and social systems. Digital Twins can create real-time, virtual replicas of organizational processes and external systems, offering a sandbox for testing strategies before implementation.
This project aims to build an understanding of the principles for integrating these technologies with established decision-support tools. Collaborating with IfM Engage, this research will involve participating and supporting companies in their journey towards the development of sustainable transitions experiments with organizations to explore the options and evaluate the potential of one of these tools.
Project 2: Bridging across elements under tension in companies' sustainable transitions
This research project aims to address the critical challenge of aligning short-term corporate actions with long-term sustainability objectives. As businesses face increasing pressure to adapt to climate uncertainties and resource constraints, the ability to balance immediate operational needs with transformative, forward-looking strategies becomes essential.
In collaboration with IfM Engage, the project will explore methodologies and tools that enable firms to bridge the gap between decision tensions such as short-term imperatives and long-term sustainable transitions. It will investigate the role of integrated decision-making frameworks such as scenario planning, roadmapping, or other approaches in aligning organizational visions across different time horizons, and for transitioning from incremental to transformational innovation.
Project 3: The role of collaboration in sustainable decisions
This research project examines how collaborative frameworks, particularly through Open Innovation (OI), can be implemented to drive sustainable transitions within organizations. Amidst growing climatic uncertainties, businesses face immense pressure to adopt regenerative and transformative strategies.
Collaboration is essential in addressing these challenges, as no single entity possesses all the resources or expertise required to navigate the complexities of sustainability. Open Innovation, which promotes the sharing of ideas, knowledge, and resources across organizational boundaries, offers significant potential to enable this transition.
This research will explore the dynamics of collaboration in sustainable decision-making, focusing on how OI principles can overcome barriers and lead to meaningful outcomes. In collaboration with IfM Engage, this research will investigate how firms co-create innovative solutions with stakeholders, such as suppliers, customers, and even competitors, to address sustainability challenges.
Qualifications
With, or expected to gain a high 2:1, preferably a 1st class honours degree or master's in Management, Sociology, Economics, Engineering, Neuroscience, Psychology or related areas.
Please note that any offer of funding will be conditional on securing a place as a PhD student. Candidates will need to apply separately for admission through the University's Graduate Admissions application portal; this will be done after applying and being shortlisted for this funding opportunity.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
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