Προκήρυξη:

For the Fall 2020 semester, the University of Nicosia announces the opening of seven (7) positions for admission to the Doctoral Programme (PhD) in Business Administration.

Selection Criteria: Preselection on the basis of evaluation of qualifications, proposal, and possible personal interview
Application Deadline: 30th August 2020
Start Date: October 2020
Language: All aspects of the posts below are to be conducted in English (application submission, proposal, programme study, thesis)

Three (3) posts in Finance:

1. One (1) post in the area of Finance, and specifically one (or a combination) of the following areas:

• Corporate Governance and the Board of Directors
• Blockchain and Governance
• Blockchain and Accounting and Controls
• Decentralized Autonomous Organisations (from a governance point of view)
• Market-based Empirical Research on one of the following topics:
• Market Behaviour of Cryptocurrencies
• Corporate Social Responsibility and Reporting
• Socially Conscious Investing

For this post, the candidate should have a strong background in quantitative methods (Econometrics or Statistics) proven by previous quantitative research or work experience or by having successfully completed advanced courses in Econometrics or Statistics. Moreover, the candidate should have a background in either Finance, or Accounting, or Economics, or Financial Mathematics, or Financial Econometrics or similar discipline (Bachelor or Masters degree).

Research Advisor: Dr Ifigenia Georgiou, georgiou.i@unic.ac.cy

2. One (1) post in Finance, in the area of Applied Finance.

In light of the dynamic nature of local and international financial markets, facing constant challenges, related research combining theory and informed decision-making has become necessary. The PhD candidate will enhance his/her academic rigor, knowledge, critical and analytical skills, as well as implement real-life data analysis techniques in the area of Applied Finance. Specific topics could be related to Investments/Portfolio Analysis, Corporate Finance, Financial Risk Management, Asset Pricing Multi-factor Models, International Finance, Financial Modelling and Forecasting.

Research Advisor: Prof Haritini Tsangari, tsangari.h@unic.ac.cy

3. One (1) post in Finance, in the areas of Fund Management, Investment Management, Asset Pricing Modelling, Financial Markets, Institutions, Applied Econometrics, Financial Management, Corporate Finance and Financial aspects of Digital Currencies.

For this post, the PhD candidate should have a background in finance and a sound knowledge in statistical and quantitative analysis.

Research Advisor: Dr Svetlana Sapuric, sapuric.s@unic.ac.cy

Four (4) posts in Marketing:

4. One (1) post in Marketing, in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility

Increasing population and urbanization motivates the capability of consuming more fashion goods than ever. Recent advancements, including globalization and e-commerce, have made the textile sector one of the top businesses worldwide. Top clothing brands have developed several strategies in an effort to practise more sustainable strategies, including corporate social responsibility in their clothing business throughout their operations, including the supply chain. However, most of the developed nations are consumers of textiles, which are produced and processed by any of the developing and under developing nations. Meanwhile, achieving sustainability in clothing business includes promoting sustainability in the whole chain of suppliers. Pressure from developed nations urges developing nations to promote sustainable practices in their operations.

Against this background the following topics can be explored separately or in combination:

• Several studies discussed the CSR related strategies in textile sectors but failed to explore their critical success factors based on their region. The study can attempt to identify the critical success factors of CSR in textile industries situated in developed or developing nations.
• More than ever, consumers are asking questions about how and where products are made and how sustainable they are. There has also been a rise of green consumerism, ethical consumption and the demand for green products. Consumers have become more environmentally aware but have they really become more environmentally conscious and more importantly have they adopted a more mindful way to shop? The study can focus on revealing whether there has been a cultural change and a behavioural change among consumers towards the consumption of clothes.
• 53 million tones of clothes are produced globally each year, of which a shocking 875 ends up in landfill (Elle Editor, September 2018, UK Edition). Have fashion industry leaders championing the reduce, recycle, reuse mantra? Has it served as the cornerstone for building a sustainability ethos for businesses? The study can attempt to identify (a) whether the sector is trying to become more environmentally responsible and (b) which strategies have been developed and implemented by the textile industry to reduce its impact on the planet.
• Generational (X, Y and Z) and cultural differences towards the consumption of clothes, ethical behaviour, green consumption and consumer activism in the context of a circular economy and from a stakeholder perspective.

Research Advisor: Prof Ioanna Papasolomou, Papasolomou.i@unic.ac.cy

5. One (1) post in Marketing, focusing on COVID-19 pandemic

The following topics can be explored separately or in combination:

• How the fashion industry’s leaders, influencers and editors have been using social media as part of a wider branding strategy to project a socially responsible behaviour and develop a more responsible brand during the COVID-19 pandemic? Are these attempts merely a communication ploy, or do they stem from a genuine concern? Are these ad hoc initiatives or are they a part of a strategic Integrated Marketing Communications Strategy?
• Establish whether large firms either in a specific industry (services or manufacturing) or across different sectors have had a formal and strategic Internal Marketing strategy implemented within organisations prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, explore the impact of COVID-19 on these businesses and subsequently identify how the management have responded in terms of managing their workforce and what has been the impact on the internal marketing practice.
• Do people have an emotional connection with clothes? Does the notion of ‘brand love’ exist in the fashion industry? Is there a conflict between the consumer’s brand love and his/her ethical values such as love for nature? The focus is on consumption of clothing and how it affects the environment and human behaviour.
• The rhetoric and practice of Cause Related Marketing from a stakeholder perspective.

Research Advisor: Prof Ioanna Papasolomou, Papasolomou.i@unic.ac.cy

6. One (1) post in Marketing, in the general area of “Strategic Marketing of Real Estate Development Companies”

Real Estate (R.E.) development is a significant part of the economy and one with unique characteristics, owing to the attributes of the product, the industry structure, the complexity of the process, the size of investments and the fragmentation of the market.

Research proposals, of primarily qualitative nature, are thus invited that aim to investigate subjects such as ‘the nature of the market for R.E.’, ‘(strategic) marketing mix designs versus product/segments’, ‘innovative business models for local and/or international R.E. marketing’, ‘strategic marketing partnerships/collaborations in R.E.’, ‘R.E. business internationalisation’, ‘R.E. industry analysis towards [specific/stated] strategic marketing goals’ etc.

For this post, the candidate should have a strong academic foundation, an excellent command of the English language, apply for a full-time (or mostly so) Ph.D. student position, and aim at a career in academia and/or research. Potential students shall be interviewed.

Research Advisor: Prof Alkis Thrassou, thrassou.a@unic.ac.cy

7. One (1) post in Marketing, in the general area of “Cyprus as the Origin [and/or Stepping Stone] for Professional Services’ Internationalisation – A strategic Marketing Perspective”.

Cyprus, through a combination of its geography, its human resource education and competencies, its history and other factors, offers professional services (P.S.), across the typological spectrum, to many countries in its geographical region and beyond. These services (accounting, finance, consulting etc) are exported through both local companies and international ones using Cyprus as a regional base.

Research proposals, of primarily qualitative nature, are invited to investigate, through a Strategic Marketing perspective, topics such as ‘international strategic market penetration of CY P.S.’, ‘strategic partnerships/collaborations for internationalization of CY P.S.’, ‘an analysis of Cyprus as a stepping stone for P.S. internationalization to and/or from the EU’, ‘comparative P.S. industry internationalization practices and outcomes’ etc.

For this post, the candidate should have a strong academic foundation, an excellent command of the English language, apply for a full-time (or mostly so) Ph.D. student position, and aim at a career in academia and/or research. Potential students shall be interviewed.

Research Advisor: Prof Alkis Thrassou, thrassou.a@unic.ac.cy

Admission Requirements and Procedures

1. An accredited master’s degree.
2. Good academic record.
3. Proof of high English proficiency. This is provided by EITHER a degree from an English-speaking university OR TOEFL (paper-based test 600, computer-based test 250, internet based test 100) OR IELTS 6.5.
4. An initial 2000-word research proposal outlining the research theme with relevant literature in the field of proposed study, aim, objectives, specific research questions, possible gap/s and proposed research methodology.
5. A Personal Statement of 500 – 1000 words outlining applicants’ individual competences and strengths and providing their reflections regarding the expectations and value of the programme as well as to their personal advancement and career development, and a clear commitment and motivation to make a contribution to the field.
6. Letters of Recommendation – Two recommendation letters from individuals who have known the applicant in their educational or professional capacity.