PBS PhD Studentship in Decision Analysis in Modern Corporate Governance

The project aims at investigating a new measurement of value through the application of a decision-making framework that, when combined with modern corporate governance codes, deliver tangible and intangible results with the consequential impact to stakeholders.

The outcome of this investigation will be to ensure that transparency, traceability and accountability are sustained. The project will have a significant effect on different stakeholders. For example, groups such as Non-executive Directors and Trustees, who are subject to liability in respect of the decisions they take, Executive management, who have increasing pressure to prove that their actions were in the interest of shareholders.

The intention is to summarise up to 20 case studies of events that replicate empirical events which fall into the categories of good and bad decisions, and to justify this view. Using advanced methodologies and tools, the case study companies' decisions will be analysed and reported upon. The process will involve the introduction of a standard of decision-making approach to the company using a selected tool. This could be Expert Choice, Decision Lens, Super Decisions, or a combination of more than one.

The model will be used to develop a framework for decision making, and this will include the additional implementation of Corporate Governance policies. The actual outcomes from the selected decisions across the organisation (Finance, Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Outsourcing) will be examined using the predetermined criteria as the benchmark. This study will be used to determine the extent to which the application of sophisticated tools can be relied upon to deliver proper governance to stakeholders. The issue of criticism that there is not the possibility of a control group to measure success is taken onboard, however as these decisions are taken in real time, with real implications, there does not seem to be an alternative. To this end, an element of logic or subjectivity will have to be permitted, both in the research and in the mind of the reader in regard to the interpretation of the outcomes.

The proposal fits well with the strategic directions of Portsmouth Business School as it incorporates the novel applications of Operational Research (OR) techniques in a significant, and topical, area of research - corporate governance, and hence s likely to produce research of high impact.

Enquiries relating to the topic should be directed to: either Prof Labib  (Ashraf.labib@port.ac.uk), Prof Page (Mike.page@port.ac.uk), or Dr. Reed (Debbie.x.reed@port.ac.uk).   This studentship is located in the Portsmouth Business School and potential applicants are advised to examine our Research Degree Pages at http://www.port.ac.uk/departments/faculties/portsmouthbusinessschool/researchdegrees/  prior to applying.

Applicants will have a good first degree (minimum 2.1 or equivalent) and ideally a Masters (or equivalent) in a relevant subject area.

Applications should include:

• a full CV including personal details, qualifications, educational history and, where applicable, any employment or other experience relevant to the application
• contact details for TWO referees able to comment on your academic performance
• a statement of 1,000 (words) outlining your proposed project, identifying the objectives of the research and discussing how the work will build on or challenge existing research in the above field.

Application Deadline: 30 March 2010, Start date 1 October 2010.

The studentships will cover tuition fees and an annual grant equivalent to that offered by the ESRC - currently £13290 per annum for a maximum of three years. UK/EU residence eligibility conditions apply."

Applications should be sent to: Donna Denham, Postgraduate Course Director, University of Portsmouth, Richmond Building, Portland Street, Portsmouth, PO1 3DE (applications can be submitted electronically via: Donna.Denham@port.ac.uk)