Postgraduate Research Opportunity - Corporate Communications and Government Procurement

Project summary: This project will investigate the dynamics between corporate/CEO communications and government contracting decisions.

Start date: 1^st October 2025

Duration: 36

Funding: Funded

Funding towards:

• Home fee
• Stipend -UKRI stipend rate for UK students.

Funding details: Fully-funded scholarship for 3 years covers all university tuition fees (at UK level) and an annual tax-free stipend. International students are also eligible to apply, but they will need to find other funding sources to cover the difference between the home and international tuition fees. Exceptional international candidates may be provided funding for this difference.

Number of places: 1

Number of places extra: There will be a shortlisting and interview process.

RCUK eligibility: No

Eligibility: The applicants should be highly motivated individuals with an excellent academic background. Applicants should have a very strong quantitative background and must hold a BSc in Finance, or Economics, or a related subject or an MSc in Finance, or Economics, or equivalent. The successful applicant must be proficient in at least one of the following programming language/statistical packages: Stata/Python/R.

For detailed information: new-og.is.strath.ac.uk/studywithus/postgraduateresearchphdopportunities/business/accountingfinance/corporatecommunicationsgovernmentprocurement/

Study modes eligibility: Full-time

Fee Status:

• Home
• International

Project Details:

Government procurement is a significant driver of the global economy, with approximately $11 trillion spent annually, representing around 15% of global GDP. In the UK, procurement accounting for almost one-third of the government’s budget. This highlights the critical role of procurement in promoting public welfare and ensuring economic stability. But corporate and CEO communications can shape public perception and procurement eligibility. Hence, understanding the causes and consequences of this large-scale transfer of government funds to businesses is vital for business leaders, policymakers, and society.

We seek a highly motivated PhD candidate to join this project that explores the interaction between corporate communication and government procurement process. You will be working under the guidance of two experienced researchers specializing in politics and finance. This project involves manual collection and processing of large datasets, and utilizes advanced econometric models alongside text analysis techniques. As a PhD candidate, you will benefit from our prestigious seminar series, participate in our annual Responsible Business Workshop and PhD Research Colloquium, and have opportunities to present your work at international conferences. Additionally, you may have the chance to collaborate with industry experts and government agencies in related fields, enhancing your research with practical insights and real-world applications.

Primary Supervisor: Dr. Linxiang Ma.

Additional Supervisor: Professor Dimitris Andriosopoulos

Further information: For informal inquiry, please email Dr. Linxiang Ma (linxiang.ma@strath.ac.uk).

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