The Section of Economics of Technology and Innovation at the faculty of Technology, Policy and Management is opening a 4-year, fully funded Ph.D. position on the topic “Stakeholder networks and standardization”.

In the coming years, technological developments such as cloud computing, internet of things, big data, and artificial intelligence are expected to result in a digital transformation of economies and societies. Because IT gets integrated in various sectors, we see a trend towards increased interconnectivity within and between sectors. IT will become an integral part of many products. To make this happen, generally accepted common standards should become available and used by firms and society so that the technological components of these systems can successfully work together. However, because of the cross-sectoral character more and more types of stakeholders get involved in standardization and coordination is getting more challenging. This may result in a stalemate in the sense that neither a common standard will be achieved nor the intended transformation of economies and societies will be reached.

You, as a successful applicant, will develop state of the art skills in research through studying the influence of the characteristics of the stakeholder network for standardization on the chances that a single standard becomes dominant in the market. Empirical analyses that combine quantitative (network analysis, statistical analysis, regression analysis) and qualitative research techniques will be used. You will present the results of the research in a Ph.D. dissertation, to be completed within four years. A small teaching load is part of the job (maximum 15 % of working time).

The project is carried out in the context of two related projects that are, in part, funded by the national standardization organization (NEN). TU Eindhoven has also a PhD vacancy “Pervasive standards and their impact on the standardization ecosystem and society”. Applicants are encouraged to respond to both vacancies. Submitted applications will be shared with prof.dr. R. Bekkers (TU Eindhoven), unless candidates explicitly state that they do not want this.

Potential PhD candidates are expected to have:

• A (Research) Master’s degree in innovation/technology management or an adjacent field of management, engineering or economics.
• Good quantitative skills and experience with statistical software (SPSS, Stata, or similar programs).
• Excellent study results.
• Strong and explicit interest and motivation for scientific research in the subject matter.
• An excellent command of spoken and written English.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount for health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. Coming to Delft Service organizes diverse events for new international employees and their accompanying partners, like Partner Career Workshops and Dutch Culture Workshops. Located on campus are the International Children’s Centre and an international primary school which are subject to availability as well as several bilingual schools in the nearby surrounding. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment; an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor; and a Doctoral Education Programme aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. Please visit www.tudelft.nl/phd for more information.

Technische Universiteit Delft

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is a multifaceted institution offering education and carrying out research in the technical sciences at an internationally recognised level. Education, research and design are strongly oriented towards applicability. TU Delft develops technologies for future generations, focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality. At TU Delft you will work in an environment where technical sciences and society converge. TU Delft comprises eight faculties, unique laboratories, research institutes and schools.

Faculty Technology, Policy and Management

The Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management (TPM) develops robust models and designs, to solve the complex challenges of today’s networked society. TPM combines insights from the engineering sciences with insights from the humanities and the social sciences.

https://www.tudelft.nl/en/tpm/