Self funded opportunities at CBiS

We welcome applications from suitably qualified self-funded or sponsored PhD candidates that relate to our current research themes. If you think you have what it takes to study for a PhD with us and have an idea you would like to discuss before you apply, please contact us. The University has three start dates each year, but interested candidates may contact CBiS at any time. For general enquiries please email our PhD Director, Dr Jason Begley or our Operations Manager Jo Bishop. Otherwise please contact the subject specialists listed below.

If your enquiry relates to PhD study within the wider Faculty of Business and Law, please contact the relevant department or Coventry University's Postgraduate Research Support Office.

Cluster aligned self-funded doctorates

Date, Organisations and Society

The Data, Organisations and Society research cluster applications from prospective doctoral students. We are working to lead research on the impact of the digital environment on business and society. Challenges and opportunities related to the use of Big Data, digital and analytics as a driver of innovation, business strategy development and new business models. Issues such as privacy, trust and data protection, related to the creation, use, management and disposal of data in society are also essential.

We welcome PhD application that focus on the following themes:

• Data and strategy: Projects that focus on the use of big data, digital and analytics as a driver of innovation, business strategy development and new business models.
• Data and the digital economy: Projects that consider the uses of personal data in the digital economy and its implications and challenges for organisations. Particular areas of interest include: (1) the use of big data in fields such as marketing (e.g. behaviour change, market segmentation and social marketing), sustainability and strategy; and (2) privacy issues emerging from the routine collection and storage of personal data by businesses.
• Data and society: Projects that address the challenges around data, including privacy and trust, from the perspective of the individual and society. Proposals that highlight the importance of cyber security management are of interest, but these should focus on the managerial and societal impact of data rather than on the technical aspects.

For all enquiries in the first instance, please contact Professor Maureen Meadows, Professor Sally Dibb or Dr Alexeis Garcia-Perez.

In addition to research proposals relating to the themes highlighted above, our cluster also welcomes applications which fit the individual profiles of our staff. Click on the tab below to explore the list of titles proposed by our researchers. If you would like to find out more about these opportunities, please contact the corresponding Director of Studies.

• Data, Organisations and Society Proposed Research Titles

  Title	Description	Director of Studies
  The changing role of consumers in the energy system	With the recent announcement to ban the sale of all petrol and diesel cars by 2035 and further pushes to electrify heat, there will be significant pressure on the electricity system to manage supply and demand. This will require new ways to manage to supply and demand so the grid can cope, which consumers could play a pivotal role in delivering through such measures as vehicle to grid storage. Exploring consumers’ role within a changing energy system would be the focus of this project.	Dr Helen Roby Prof Sally Dibb
  Intergenerational living and community cohesion	As life expectancy increases and the proportion of older people in the population increases, supporting healthy aging becomes key. One way to do this is to develop intergenerational initiatives, where young and old learn from and support each other. These initiatives could include supporting digital inclusion to help with access to health care or benefits, for example. Exploring the role of intergenerational living in supporting healthy aging and/or the efficacy of specific initiatives would be the aim of this project.	Dr Helen Roby Prof Sally Dibb
  The dark side of social media: legitimacy, trust and avoidance behaviours	Consumers are increasingly aware of the negative social impact of social media companies. This project will analyse how social media users understand and frame the role these companies play in societies, with a view to establishing if they are seen as legitimate and trustworthy. Furthermore, the thesis will assess what types of action consumers may take to counter social media companies’ perceived illegitimacy and untrustworthiness.	Dr Carlos Ferreira Prof Maureen Meadows
  Exploring alternative economic and business models	The post-financial crisis austerity context has ignited interest in alternative ways to organise the economy. This thesis will analyse and compare existing alternative economic and business models – such as Cooperatives, Community Shares, B-Corps and Purpose Economy – with a view to compare the principles employed and economic outcomes across spaces and groups of stakeholders.	Dr Carlos Ferreira Dr Lindsey Appleyard
  Impact of AI on tacit knowledge	With the artificial intelligence (AI) entering all aspects of our lives, knowledge management is going through transformation in the knowledge-based economy. Particularly, tacit knowledge sharing between humans as well as tacit-explicit knowledge exchange between humnas and AI robots will be going through even more changes in the future. This thesis is focused on researching these aspects of knowledge mamagement.	Dr Zilia Iskoujina Prof Sally Dibb Dr Alexeis Garcia-Perez
  Collective action and social movements in the digital world	Social movements are largely distributed online/offline, and face various opportunities but also risks because of surveillance and power issues in the online space. This thesis will explore how social movement organisations adapt to the rising surveillance in the digital world? How can individuals protect themselves and their privacy online/offline but also effectively take part in movements worldwide? How can digital platforms be a more secure space for organisation in an era of surveillance capitalism?	Dr Evronia Azer Prof Maureen Meadows
  The use of technology for development and empowerment/disempowerment of marginalised groups	Technology can enhance the lives of different marginalised groups. For example, people with long term health conditions, or women in male-dominated careers (like STEM) may find the use of social media empowering as they can interact and share ideas with each other. How can technology be used to maximise opportunities for various groups? What are the challenges that technology presents to these groups and how can they deal with them?	Dr Evronia Azer Prof Maureen Meadows
  The Impact of Cash-Based Programs and Digital Technologies on the Sustainability of Humanitarian Supply Chains	Cash-based programs and using digital technologies such as blockchain are increasingly becoming widespread practices followed by international humanitarian organizations, where, in the presence of a functioning market, cash or cryptocurrency is given to beneficiaries (people impacted by a crisis) instead of humanitarian products. Firstly, the extent to which these cash-based programs facilitate humanitarian supply chain efficiency is topic of discussion. Second, it is not known what role implementing such programs and technologies play in improving or hindering environmental and social sustainability of humanitarian supply chains.	Dr Hossein Zarei Prof Lyndon Simkin
  Strategic decision-making in a big date era: Monetising intell	Understanding the ways in which data lakes create market insight and lead to new revenue opportunities. Adopting innovative business models and limiting disruption to the status quo; these are today's challenges. What are the implications? What are the required approaches?	Prof Lyndon Simkin Dr Carlos Ferreira Prof Lee Quinn
  Effective business and marketing planning: Avoiding and mitigating the many challenges and blockers	This research involves identification of the barriers to market planning, exploring these blockers, prioritising by understanding their consequences, and the creation of applied remedies.	Prof Lyndon Simkin Prof Sally Dibb
  Who owns social media? Who benefits the most? How and why?	The digital era has revolutionised how consumers find out information, choose brands and inform others about their experiences. So what are the consequences? Who 'owns' opinion leadership and who is the go-to point of reference? With what ramifications?	Prof Lyndon Simkin Dr Harjit Sekhon
  The new era of cause related marketing.	Whether sustainability, healthier eating, wellbeing initiatives, programmes to reduce gambling, smoking or personal debt, so much hinges on identifying the right audiences, messages and modes of delivery. Nothing new here; marketing has always focused on these aspects. But it feels more difficult when it's a cause or wellbeing initiative. Why? What must be done to achieve these goals effectively? Are new models required?	Prof Lyndon Simkin Dr Lindsey Appleyard Prof Sally Dibb
  Entrepreneurial opportunities embedded in 5G-driven technologies	This research will be centered around the exploration of available entrepreneurial opportunities in contexts such as smart homes, transport, health sector, etc. as driven by 5G technology and their possible identification and exploitation by nascent entrepreneurs.	Dr Esin Yoruk Prof Maureen Meadows
  The role of policy in supporting AI and digitalisation for sustainable and inclusive economic growth.	Current advances in widespread digitalisation and implementation of AI pose both opportunities and challenges for policy making. This research will explore what kind of novel policy approaches from both a demand and supply side can be used to ensure further digitalisation provides a sustainable and inclusive economic growth.	Dr Esin Yoruk Prof Maureen Meadows Dr Andrew Jones
  The use of digital, AI and algorithms by marketers	Marketers regard good data as crucial in their efforts to attract and retain customers. In the era of digital, data lakes and AI, the ability to accurately target marketing has dramatically increased. But what other consequences – intended or unintended – could also arise? The PhD will focus on the challenges facing marketers as a result of digital, AI and the use of algorithms and will consider how they can be managed. For example, is more data always a good thing? What tensions do marketers face in using ever larger data lakes? What could be the implications for organisations and society if they get it wrong? How can marketers balance these responsibilities against commercial interest?	Prof Sally Dibb Dr Alexeis Garcia Perez Dr Mujahid Kamal
  How can advanced technology applications increase the economic, social, sustainable impact for businesses?	As advanced applications of technology play an increasingly important role in organisational life, we are seeing the impact of digital transformation on many aspects of business strategy, including competitive strategy, business operations, and the firm’s approach to sustainability. This research will explore performance measurement systems in relation to sustainability strategy, in order to reconceptualise organisational performance in a way that reflects a range of impacts – economic, social, and environmental.	Dr Dongmei Cao Prof Maureen Meadows
  Investigating processes, practices, and effects of digital transformation in healthcare	In an era of digital transformation, healthcare is one of the industry sectors that is likely to be most significantly changed by digitalisation. This thesis will explore the impact of digital transformation on the processes and practices in the healthcare sector, and analyse the impact of digital transformation in this context.	Dr Dongmei Cao Prof Maureen Meadows
  Critically Evaluating the Role of ‘Small Data’: Making Sense of Managerial Decision-Making in a Digitalized World	Paradoxically, big data’s promise of more actionable insight often leads to increased uncertainty. Strategic decision-makers frequently report becoming more hesitant and constrained when pressured to take action on the basis of data-driven outputs or AI-first intentions. This project will examine these concerns in high-level strategy creation contexts. It seeks to make sense of the ways in which the inescapable role of inarticulable insight facilitates strategic notions of accountability and clarity within complex environments.	Prof Lee Quinn Prof Lyndon Simkin
  Algorithmic Transparency and the Notion of Consumer Choice	Machine-learning environments continue to have a profound impact on consumer attitudes and behaviours. However, recent scandals, such as the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica controversy, have exposed darker questions concerning the proliferation and manipulation of personal data for nefarious purposes. This project critically interrogates these issues, beginning with the suggestion that we have merely become conduits for the production of prediction. The research aims to fully expose and question the notion and character of consumer choice in a surveillance society.	Prof Lee Quinn Prof Sally Dibb

Economic Development and Inclusive Economies

The Economic Development and Inclusive Economies research cluster focuses on policies and practices for growth and development, and the economic and social outcomes which follow from these; with a particular emphasis on issues of inclusion. We welcome PhD applications which explore a range of topics relating to growth and inclusion. These include city growth, employment policy, social investment and community finance; and the impact of economic development, such as strategies for local and regional economies, including advanced manufacturing, entrepreneurship and business models.

The cluster also welcomes PhD applications from suitably qualified candidates interested in pursuing historical research in line with our research themes. The expertise of our cluster members covers the following continents: Africa; Australasia; Europe; Latin America; and North America. PhD researchers are a core part of our cluster and benefit from the opportunity to work with scholars at various stages of their career.

For all enquiries in the first instance regarding the Economic Development and Inclusive Economies research cluster, please contact Dr David Jarvis.

In addition to research proposals relating to the themes highlighted above, our cluster also welcomes applications which fit the individual profiles of our staff. Click on the tab below to explore the list of titles proposed by our researchers. If you would like to find out more about these opportunities, please contact the corresponding Director of Studies.

• Economic Development and Inclusive Economies Proposed Research Titles

  Title	Description	Director of Studies
  Devolved local taxation in peripheral regions	The introduction of devolved local taxation schemes, such as the transient visitor levy proposal designed by Edinburgh City Council, have become more popular with a variety of local authorities across the UK. Such interest has generated debate across both academic and policy spheres but there is little emphasis surrounding how peripheral regions could benefit or be impacted by the introduction of a devolved taxation system. This study will assess the benefits, barriers, and potential impact of such schemes for peripheral locales, which will also extend existing work surrounding devolution, and centre-periphery theory.	Dr Andrew Jones Dr Jason Begley
  Raising the profile of the Foundational Economy	This research would explore the importance of the foundational economy in the West Midlands, to consider what role it plays in local economic growth, and its importance for fuelling future economic growth.	Dr Jennifer Ferreira Dr Emma Stringfellow
  The role of VCSE in supporting inclusive growth and the foundational economy in UK cities	The VCSE has a long tradition of delivering and supporting local economies. A plethora of ‘inclusive growth’ and ‘foundation economy’ policies and programmes are currently being developed across cities and town in the UK. How influential are the VCSE in such policies and programmes? What can other stakeholders learn from the VCSE’s input? What impact might the VCSE have in this arena?	Dr Kevin Broughton
  Peripheral regions and economic development	The thesis will focus developing theories of peripheral development and left behind regions in the UK. It will consider a range of theories of development around regions and cities over time, before focussing on more recent developments in the field. The thesis will also develop a case study for empirical purposes to better analyse how theories of development can be demonstrated in practical terms.	Dr Jason Begley Dr Andrew Jones
  Transport and accessibility in rural or remote areas	This research will focus on issues of improving accessibility in territories where under developed transport networks limit opportunities for social and economic growth. In particular it will concern itself with vulnerable communities and the challenges faced by receding public transport systems.	Dr Jason Begley Dr Andrew Jones
  Motorsport Valley moving on? The evolution of a global cluster	The Motorsport Valley has been one of the world’s most successful economic clusters. Looking both backwards and forwards, this multi-method study will trace a story of evolution - and resilience within the motorsport industry, exploring our understanding of the cluster's formation. In particular it will engage with current trends in motorsport to further contribute to our knowledge of how the cluster is still evolving.	Professor Nick Henry Dr David Jarvis
  C for Coventry, D for Diverse, E for economy: economies of the ordinary city	This study will take a diverse economies approach to understand the possibilities of a more inclusive, sustainable and democratic city economy	Professor Nick Henry
  Understanding local low-skills equilibria	The thesis will assess local low-skills equilibria in different types of (urban and rural) areas to understand the factors shaping firm decision making around investment and skills.	Dr Kevin Broughton
  Qualitative research on employment relations	This research will focus on using qualitative approaches to employment relations, to better understand the discursive institutionalist approaches. It will utilise cross-national comparative analysis to better understand how institutions engage with employee/employer negotiations in the development of these employment relationships.	Dr Emma Stringfellow Dr Jennifer Ferreira
  The experience of post-industrial cities and social and economic impacts on longstanding communities.	This research would examine the changing nature and use of space and differential experiences of new and longstanding city communities.	Dr David Jarvis Dr Jason Begley
  Universities and place making. The roles and impacts of UK higher education in contemporary civic society?	This research would examine the idea of new Civic Universities, using international comparisons to interrogate opportunities and challenges for both UK higher education and local communities.	Dr David Jarvis Dr Kevin Broughton
  Zero emissions mobility and the City, implications for space and place.	This research would seek to assess the implications for cities of the drive to zero emissions mobility from the perspective of land use and planning. How will the space demands of new forms of mobility differ from the current ICE regime, and how might this impact on our use and experience of urban spaces.	Dr David Jarvis Prof Nigel Berkeley Dr Andrew Jones
  Electro mobility, environmental challenges and opportunities	This research would interrogate the policy drivers for EVs, seeking to develop a fuller understanding of the costs and benefits of the approach to ‘Global’ society.	Dr David Jarvis Prof Nigel Berkeley Dr Andrew Jones
  The evolving EV landscape, disruptive ‘Hare’ vs. established ‘Tortoise’	This research would interrogate the extent to which the technological approaches and business models of new entrants to the automotive sector have been genuinely disruptive of the established order.	Dr David Jarvis Dr Jason Begley Dr Andrew Jones

The Sector, Economic and Financial Studies

The Sector, Economic and Financial Studies research cluster welcomes PhD applications aiming to develop an understanding of how alternative financial institutions - such as credit unions and community development finance institutions (CDFIs) - are shaping the responsible finance landscape in the UK. We are also interested in proposals that look into the attitudes towards financial services, particularly from a young person’s perspective, in order to increase engagement levels in pensions. Finally, we welcome applications that propose panel data econometric analyses of the impact of intellectual property rights (IPRs) on foreign direct investment (FDI).

Proposals for the following projects are welcome:

• Intellectual property rights protection: the impact on Foreign Direct Investment. An econometric panel data analysis in developed and developing countries (Prof Glauco De Vita).
• Risk adoption in financial services: understanding consumers’ risk adoption in the financial services sector (Dr Harjit Sekhon).
• Advocacy behaviour: its role in financial services and the impact on long-term savings such as pensions (Dr Harjit Sekhon).
• Responsible finance: shaping the alternative economic landscape (Dr Lindsey Appleyard).

For all enquiries in the first instance, please contact Professor Glauco De Vita, Dr Harjit Sekhon, Dr Lindsey Appleyard.

In addition to research proposals relating to the themes highlighted above, our cluster also welcomes applications which fit the individual profiles of our staff. Click on the tab below to explore the list of titles proposed by our researchers. If you would like to find out more about these opportunities, please contact the corresponding Director of Studies.

• Sector, Economic and Financial Studies Proposed Research Titles

  Title	Description	Director of Studies
  Engagement with long-term savings	Pensions both on the UK and globally are at a crisis point. Despite government interventions across a number of countries e.g. UK with Auto-Enrolment, New Zealand with Kiwi Saver etc. there continue to be under-savings. The OECD referred to the savings gap as one of the key challenges facing governments in the next two decades as populations come up to retirement age. One of the reasons cited for the under-saving is a lack of engagement and therefore a PhD candidate is sought to examine the nature of engagement from the viewpoint of long-term savings. From a marketing viewpoint, the Marketing Science Institute refers to engagement as one of the priority areas for research – so your contribution will be to this domain. This project is very likely to use a survey based approach, collecting global data, and so the successful candidate, as aresult of suported training, will become proficient in the use of structural modeling and other data techniques.	Dr Harjit Sekhon Dr Lindsey Appleyard
  Rebuilding Trust: So where are we?	There is little doubt that trust plays an integral part in business and personal relationships. While the models related to building trust are fairly well-rooted they are not without their limitations, such as being contextually developed meaning that they lack transferability. So far there has been some limited research into what happens if there are breaches or betrayals of trust. This PhD project will therefore look at how trust can be re-built to reform relationships, across a number of contexts. Prof Glauco De Vita	Dr Harjit Sekhon Dr Lindsey Appleyard
  Income inequality and rising house prices in China: An empirical study	Income inequality and house prices have risen sharply in China during the past few decades. The proposed PhD study will conceptually interrogate and empirically investigate this relationship, in the context of China. Applications must provide specific details of the model to be tested and the methodological technique to be employed (alongside specifying relevant data sources and measures for the key variables of interest) in addition to reassurances as to the applicant’s competence and experience in executing such techniques using a suitable econometric estimation package (e.g. STATA).	Professor Glauco de Vita Dr Pattanapong Tiwasing
  Human rights, diversity and inclusion in the mega event bidding and hosting process	The aim of this PhD is to investigate a selected aspect of human rights, diversity and inclusion within the sporting mega event bidding and hosting process. Human rights transgressions and ignoring of the rights of various marginalised groups in the name of either getting the event done or profit have become an area of increasing concern over the last decade. This PhD will investigate one of the many areas of concern (e.g. workers’ rights, LBGTQ+ rights, gentrification etc.) with a view to investigating how these issues can be overcome to the benefit of all parties impacted by sporting mega events.	Dr Ian Brittain Dr Andrew Jones
  Paralympic games, legacy and the lived experiences of people with disabilities	This PhD will investigate the legacy claims made by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and host cities regarding the impact of hosting the Paralympic Games on the wider disabled community in the host country. This would be achieved by investigating the actual lived experience of people with disabilities within the host country in order to ascertain whether they notice any changes (positive or negative) regarding the two key areas of accessibility and social attitudes towards people with disabilities that are the foundation of the legacy claims made by IPC and host cities. Dr Andrew Jones	Dr Ian Brittain Dr Rui Biscaia
  The consequences of changing finance and ownership models in professional sport	Over the course of the last decade, foreign ownership across Europe’s ‘big five’ football leagues has increased exponentially. This investment has a range of implications for various actors involved inside and outside of the football industry that require further investigation. For instance, such investment may have economic benefits for a region but at the same time it may increase inequalities across football, leading to economic challenges elsewhere. This PhD will investigate the consequences of foreign ownership (for the club and local economy) and aim to identify the positive and negative consequences of this phenomenon.	Dr Andrew Jones Dr Ian Brittain
  Inclusive credit scoring	The aim of this PhD is to investigate inclusive credit scoring which makes new forms of data available so that individuals can access affordable sources of consumer credit. However, there are concerns over how these alternative data and models may be used by lenders to extend consumer credit markets even though such alternative credit scoring could unwittingly lead to new forms of variegation and exclusion. This PhD will investigate to what extent are inclusive credit scoring practices actually inclusive.	Dr Lindsey Appleyard Dr Harjit Sekhon
  Responsible finance	This PhD seeks to develop an understanding of how alternative financial institutions such as credit unions and community development finance institutions (CDFIs) are shaping the responsible finance landscape in the UK. It will examine how these organisations and their clients construct alternative economic spaces within a neoliberal, financialised economy. The PhD will also explore the challenges and tensions in alternative, responsible finance institutions and how they manage these tensions in response to different community needs.	Dr Lindsey Appleyard Prof Glauco de Vita
  The effective management of the negative events in marketing	This PhD will seek to provide a deeper understanding of the nature and causes of brand transgression, product harm crisis and service failure. As a result of some of the conclusion that are drawn, the PhD will provide organisations with practical recommendations on how to integrate appropriate recovery efforts into their marketing department strategy.	Dr Husni Kharouf Dr Harjit Sekhon
  Governance of transient organisations - sport mega-events organisers	Local organising committees of sport mega-events are ephemeral organisations with a large budget and very strict deadlines. This PhD aims at exploring the specific governance challenges of such organisations and how they are addressed.	Dr Benoit Senaux Dr Ian Brittain
  Governance of esport	Over the last decade, esport has experienced significance growth, professionalization and commercialisation, and increased recognition leading to the inclusion of esport demonstration events at the Asian Games 2018 and Tokyo Olympics 2020. However, esport is facing many challenges in terms of governance. It is also characterised by the absence of a recognised international governing body and the unusual role of game publishers. This PhD aims at investigating the systemic governance of esport and its dynamic.	Dr Benoit Senaux Dr Alessandro Merendino
  The role of betting within sport: Revenue allocation for sport development	Sport funding is made up of multiple revenue streams, most of which come from state or federal funding. However, much of this funding goes towards elite athletes. Therefore, can revenues directly from sport betting be effectively used to fund grassroots sport development? This PhD will investigate the means of effectively utilising sport betting specific revenues on grassroots sport development.	Dr Benoit Senaux Dr Ian Brittain Dr Alessandro Merendino
  Governance of pluralistic organisations - the case of professional sport clubs	Pluralistic organisations are confronted to multiple institutional logics, which make their governance particularly challenging. Professional sport clubs are a very good example of such organisation and therefore present a valuable research context to better understand the governance of pluralistic organisations: how they are not only influenced by but also can draw upon different logics, how elements of logics might be recombined, and how they manage stakeholders embodying different logics	Dr Benoit Senaux Dr Alessandro Merendino

Sustainable Production and Consumption

The Sustainable Production and Consumption research cluster is interested in supervising research that explores sustainable production and consumption. We welcome topics that take a ‘whole supply approach’, examining sustainable activities, attitudes and behaviours at different points in the lifecycle of products, and work around interventions and changing behaviour that go beyond existing approaches to changing consumption patterns and ethical consumption. We are particularly keen in enhancing our research in sustainability and innovation in supply chain operations. For instance, at present we are exploring the innovative use of modern technology in improving supply chain efficiency and green practices in a complex and dynamic business environment to achieve a sustainability agenda and targets.

• Innovative technology in the circular economy: Bridging the gap from the current state to achieve and manage the Circular Economy through innovative technology and process re-engineering (Prof Ming Lim).
• Café culture: Rising café societies? Business diversity, sustainability, consumer cultures and community creation (Dr Jennifer Ferreira).
• Sustainable businesses: Investigating the links between good ethical/environmental practices and productivity in the South African horticultural sector (Dr David Bek).

For all enquiries in the first instance please contact Dr David Bek

In addition to research proposals relating to the themes highlighted above, our cluster also welcomes applications which fit the individual profiles of our staff. Click on the tab >below to explore the list of titles proposed by our researchers. If you would like to find out more about these opportunities, please contact the corresponding Director of Studies.

• Sustainable Production and Consumption Titles

  Title	Description	Director of Studies
  “Trash is cash”: a Reverse Logistics Network Design for Circular Supply Chain.	This research concerns with the design of a reverse logistics network of supply chains based on Circular Economy. The work involves the development of mathematical models combined with investigation into practice to test the potential solutions in terms of economics and environmental impacts.	Dr Mahdi Bashiri Prof Benny Tjahjono
  Towards Healthcare 4.0: Cyber-Physical Systems in Healthcare.	This research investigates the roles of Industry 4.0 technologies and identifies their impacts to the next generation healthcare operations and supply chain by considering the mathematical modelling. It is expected that the adoption of these technologies will improve not only the quality of health operations but also patients safety.	Dr Mahdi Bashiri Prof Benny Tjahjono
  Understanding how sustainability risks are managed within retailer horticultural value-chains	This project focuses upon the challenges of achieving sustainable food production within retailer value chains and will evaluate how retailers seek to manage sustainability risks. Many retailers are encouraging their suppliers to implement more sustainable production practices. The drivers of such retailer strategies and the sustainability outcomes will be key areas of focus in this research.	Dr David Bek Jordon Lazell
  What does a sustainable cut-flower look like?	This project will explore the issue of sustainability within the cut-flower industry. The issue can be examined either through investigations into the rapidly growing small-scale ‘seasonal/local’ cut-flower growing sector in the UK or by evaluating initiatives to improve sustainable practices within international cut-flower value chains.	Dr David Bek Dr Jill Timms
  Understanding the role of Voluntary Sustainability Standards in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals	This thesis focuses on the rise in private regulation and Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSSs), investigating whether they promote sustainable business practice and work towards the SDGs. The development of the United Nations Forum on Sustainability Standards (UNFSS) with be a key part of the research, and it is likely the project will consider one or two industry case studies.	Dr Jill Timms Dr David Bek
  Fostering sustainability of coffee supply chains	This research would explore strategies to enhance the sustainability of coffee supply chains focusing specifically on the specialty coffee industry. This emergent research area will capture important trends and themes that intersect with everyday lives of people active in this developing sector.	Dr Jennifer Ferreira Dr David Bek Jordon Lazell
  Approaches to the circular economy in retail	The circular economy has been heralded as a route to a more sustainable future, this research explores strategies for integrating circular economy practices in the retail sector, and the impact of doing so.	Dr Jennifer Ferreira Dr Dongmei Cao Prof Benny Tjahjono
  Reverse logistics for the recovery of aluminium in the construction sector	This thesis investigates the reverse logistics process of aluminium that allows the construction industry to become fashionable and, at the same time, resource efficient. The work will develop an understanding of the new industrial processes and business models enabling the recovery of increasingly complex aluminium-based building products, e.g. facades, windows and building frames, into other products, components or materials whose values have been retained throughout their life-cycle.	Professor Benny Tjahjono Dr Jiayao Hu
  Towards the new circular bio-plastics economy	This thesis aims to answer a seemingly simple yet important research question: What are the impacts of bio-plastics to the environment, business and society? The answers will transform the way in which plastics are consumed in daily life, provide a strong underpinning to the future development of sustainable bio=plastics, and ultimately address both the upstream (sourcing) and downstream(consumption/end-of-life) supply chain concerns.	Professor Benny Tjahjono Dr Anna Bogush
  Enhancing the resilience of healthcare supply chains: the application of blockchain	This project aims to identify the impact of blockchain on improving transparency, traceability, and trust among stakeholders of healthcare sectors. The work will focus on healthcare supply chains that are complex, multi-tiered, involving many parties (e.g., pharma, hospitals, pharmacy, and patient), and operating in a regulated environment. The project will extend the understanding of how to prepare for unexpected risks and respond and recover quickly to disruptions via blockchain applications that provide a high level of information integration.	Dr Jiayao Hu Prof Ming K. Lim Prof Benny Tjahjono
  Sustainable packaging: a greener and smarter way	This project aims to address the sustainability problem of packaging, especially the plastic packaging, by clarifying the role of supply chain partners, identifying existing impeding factors of systems change, and proposing and testing the new business and supply chain models. The new technology, such as IOT, Block chain, and smart design, will be investigated to boost the efficiency of the new model. The project will extend the understanding of how to modify the current packaging systems to better produce consumer goods, reduce the usage of resources, and enhance sustainable growth for all supply chain partners.	Dr Jiayao Hu Prof Ming K. Lim Prof Benny Tjahjono
  Achieving Sustainability in Supply Chain Operations - Role of Circular Economy and Industry 4.0	Several noticeable researchers and practitioners have recognised the significance and applicability of circular economy and industry 4.0 for supply chain operations and production management at large. However, relatively little is known about the role of circular economy and industry 4.0 in achieving sustainable supply chain operations (e.g. on demand planning, production and manufacturing, logistics, procurement, and inventory). Among the extant research studies published, a few shed light on the link between IoT and SCM and the impact of additive manufacturing on supply chain operations, processes and performances. This project aims to research and respond to questions - what is the role of circular economy and industry 4.0 in developing sustainable supply chain operations.	Dr Muhammad Kamal Prof Ming K. Lim
  Impact and Use of Social Media in Developing Sustainable Logistics and Supply Chain Operations	This project aims to research and respond to a topical question - what is the impact of using social media in developing sustainable logistics and supply chain operations. Within business organisations, social media has transformed the way employees connect, communicate and collaborate in order to exchange information and knowledge across intra- and inter-organisation and across different regions. This social media practice offers new implications for innovating logistics and supply chain operations. The answer to this proposed question will support in redefining how supply chain businesses relate to customers, suppliers and other key stakeholders in not only a single supply chain, but network of supply chains. Research in this area will lead to understanding new collaboration best practices and operational challenges in the supply chain management discipline.	Dr Muhammad Kamal Dr David Bek
  Assessing Sustainability of Business Analytics and Supply Chain Analytics - A Systems Dynamic Approach	Businesses and supply chain organisations, using analytical different methods, assess their past performance to gain insights and drive their business planning for a better future. This project aims to investigate the use of systems dynamic approach to understand how business organisations assess and conceptualise their development over time. The purpose is to also explore ways to identify the risks and help predict the potential risks throughout the supply chain.	Dr Muhammad Kamal Prof Benny Tjahjono

Dr Jason Begley will be happy to discuss your research ideas and proposal which link to one of the themes shown above.

All applications must be made online. Please read the details of the online application.

Read the guidance on Coventry University’s PGR eligibility and application process.