PhD scholarship: Politics and Policies of De-Globalization
This scholarship contributes to the cohort on Multinational corporations in the age of anti-globalization by focusing on the ways in which politics and public policy has been shaped by, and is shaping anti-globalization processes in both Europe and north America. The connections are evident in the election of Donald Trump as US president, the accelerated rise of right-wing populist parties in many European countries and the strains under which the European Union is now being placed. All these developments are tied to shifts in the character of the public policy agenda as different issues, most notably immigration, sovereignty, trade, inequality, industrial decline and the fate of white unskilled workers have been brought to the fore. The growth of populism has sometimes been linked to new forms of governance, which threaten to by-pass established political procedures and institutions.
All of this has important consequences for business and in particular multinational firms which have at times been subject to sustained criticism by populist politicians, parties and advocacy organisations. In the US, there is now a battle for the direction of the political process between pro-business conservatives, the populism that cemented President Trump’s election, and a reinvigorated left. The outcome of this is shaping the character of public policy. In Europe, the many uncertainties that follow in the wake of Brexit have yet to be resolved and there is a large question mark hanging over the future of the EU.
Political and social scientists are addressing these questions employing diverse theoretical perspectives and methodologies. Different questions are being asked. How should the rise of these new political developments be explained? What are the consequences of the political changes that are now being witnessed? How will MNCs and other firms be affected? How can and will corporate strategies change? How will party systems and interest-based political processes shift in character? Is a process of ideational and partisan realignment taking place?
A PhD scholar could address these questions and contribute to the debates that are taking place. Examples of potential projects include:
•The rise of right-wing populist politics has, particularly in the United States, posed challenges to MNCs, promised a changed role for the state, and threatened more ‘managed’ forms of trade. In what ways and to what extent and have lobbying processes and strategies been challenged and changed by the new political landscape?
•The UK has long served as a base for many MNCs within the EU and large numbers of institutional complementarities have taken shape around this. How might these complementarities adapt to, and accommodate, Brexit and what are the implications of this for understandings of path dependence?
•Voting behavior has changed and established party systems in both the US and Europe have come under profound strain as populist forces have emerged and grown. Do these shifts and changes constitute a fundamental realignment of the type described in classical studies of party system and what are the likely consequences for corporate interests and other actors?
•How should the rise of contemporary nationalist and right-wing populist forces in the US and Europe be understood? And, how far have the circumstances shaping their emergence and development given rise to an anti-corporate logic that will, over time, require MNCs and other actors to adapt and change?
The research work may rest on case-studies and / or broader macro-level analyses. It could draw upon frameworks such as historical institutionalism or social movement theory. The PhD student should have a background in the social sciences and its associated theories and methodologies as well as a background in the study of the US or European countries.
This is one of seven positions in a PhD cohort focused on the theme: ‘‘Multinational corporations (MNCs) in the age of anti-globalization”. Compared to the 1980s, where MNCs flourished due to the neo-liberal turn that embraced globalization, and which did bring dynamism, wealth and leadership practices across the globe, the 2010s are characterized by increased skepticism towards globalization. This skepticism arises from increased inequality, but also technological innovation, whereby blue-collar workers are increasingly becoming redundant. It has for instance expressed itself in the populist revolt that underpinned the 2016 US presidential election and Brexit and it seems that the neoliberal order is now being reconfigured, with a greater focus on nationalism and national interests. There is also an increased focus on the behavior and strategies of MNCs. These issues are being addressed by governments, the EU and international organizations (IOs) such as the UN. Thus, the aim of this PhD cohort is on the one hand, to focus on the current global challenges MNCs face, which types of strategies they adopt in response, and in what way they organize their activities, and on the other hand what the responses of IOs and governments are and what these responses imply for the strategies of MNCs. Academic research on this question can generate new insights into the relationship between firm-level decision-making by MNCs, in relation to international organizations, the EU and governments and the increasingly anti-global environment they all operate in.
The Departments involved in the cohort – Strategic Management and Globalization (SMG), Business and Politics (DBP), International Economics and Management (INT) - give priority to applicants with high grades from their universities. This requirement includes the minimum grade of a weighted grade point average of at least 8.2 on the Danish 7-point grading scale or 9 on the 13-point scale for the entire program (i.e. for both the Bachelor's and Master's studies), and at least the grade of 10 for any final thesis or examination project. In addition to the research proposal, the application must include copies of the Bachelor degree certificate and grades as well as Master’s degree certificate and grades or other certificates of a corresponding level, brief curriculum vitae (CV), a list of papers and publications, and one copy of a selected written work (e.g. Master’s thesis).
The program is highly international and you are expected to participate in international research conferences. See the CBS homepage for more information about the PhD program. It is also required that the applicant shows an interest in joining the Department’s research environment,.
CBS PhD graduates are held in high esteem not only in academia and research institutions but also in government and business where their research qualifications are increasingly demanded. One third of CBS PhD graduates go on to employment outside universities and public research institutions.
Copenhagen Business School has a broad commitment to the excellence, distinctiveness and relevance of its teaching and research programs. Candidates who wish to join us should demonstrate enthusiasm for working in organization of this type (highlighting, for example, relevant business, educational and dissemination activities).
For further information please contact: Associate Professor Edward Ashbee, tel.: +45-38153073, email ea.dbp@cbs.dk or Head of Secretariat Bo Bøgeskov, tel. +45 38153583, email bb.dbp@cbs.dk
General information: A PhD scholarship runs for a period of 3 years, and includes teaching obligations equivalent of 1⁄2 year’s work (840 work hours). The scholarships are fully salaried positions, according to the national Danish collective agreement. The scholarship includes the tuition fees, office space, travel grants plus a salary, currently starting with per month app. DKK 23.770 (app. 3,160 euro) up to DKK 28.964 (app. 3,860 euro) depending on seniority, plus a pension contribution totaling 17,1 % of 85 per cent of the base salary.
The salary level and appointment is determined by the Ministry of Finance’s collective agreement with the Central Academic Organization.
The PhD student will be enrolled at PhD School in Organization and Management Studies (OMS). To be considered, the candidate should have a basic training at the Masters level (similar to the 3 + 2 Bologna process). An educational background in political science or sociology is necessary. The applicant must have successfully completed the Master’s degree before commencing a PhD at CBS. The applicants must be fluent in English.
The application (see link below) must include a 5 page project description. This research proposal should contain a presentation of an original research question, a description of the initial theoretical framework and methodology, a presentation of the suggested empirical material as well as a work-plan.
In addition to the research proposal, the application must include copies of a Master’s degree certificate or other certificates of a corresponding level, brief curriculum vitae (CV), a list of papers and publications, and one copy of a selected written work (e.g. Master’s thesis). Applicants must enclose documentation for English language skills if not mother tongue.
Recruitment procedure
The Recruitment Committee will shortlist minimum two applicants; when possible five or more applicants will be shortlisted. The shortlisted applicants will be assessed by the Assessment Committee. All applicants will be notified of their status in the recruitment process shortly after the application deadline.
The applicants selected for assessment will be notified about the composition of the Assessment Committee and later in the process about the result of the assessment.
Once the recruitment process is completed each applicant will be notified of the outcome of their application.
Copenhagen Business School must receive all application material, including all appendices, by the application deadline.
For more information please click "Further Official Information" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://www.cbs.dk/en/about-cbs/jobs-cbs/vacant-positions/phd-scholarship-politics-and-policies-of-globalization