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STOCKHOLM SCHOOL
OF ECONOMICS

Peter Popovics

Meet Peter - Assistant Professor of Japanese Business at Copenhagen Business School and PhD in Business Administration alum.

1. Describe your role and what it is that you do overall and on a day-to-day basis.

As an Assistant Professor at CBS, most of my time is dedicated to research - developing new research ideas, reading academic articles, collecting data in the field (which, in my case, involves interviewing business representatives and policymakers), and writing manuscripts.

Beyond research, I teach two courses on the Asian economy and business, with a particular focus on Japan and its relationships with Europe and other Asian countries. Additionally, I actively participate in departmental research clusters and contribute to organizing symposiums and conferences.

 

2. What is the attraction of doing research?

The main attraction lies in academic freedom, which allows me to explore topics that genuinely interest me while contributing to society. As researchers, we wear a "neutral hat," enabling us to approach individuals and organizations that might otherwise be difficult to engage with. This dynamic makes our work both exciting and impactful.

 

3. Why did you choose to do your PhD at SSE?

For me, the decision was straightforward - I was looking for an institution in Europe where I could combine my interests in Japan and innovation. With the European Institute of Japanese Studies and the House of Innovation (Department of Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Technology), SSE was the perfect - and pretty much the only - fit.

 

4. Following the time at SSE, do you have any words of wisdom or advice you would like to share with our current students?

Yes, two key points:

  1. I strongly encourage students to attend courses and seminars (both internal and external) across various topics and disciplines. This helps develop a broad knowledge base and build a professional network. There will be plenty of time to specialize later. Importantly, a Ph.D. might be one of the last opportunities in your career where you have the flexibility to explore diverse interests and domains.

  2. Finding your career path can take time and may not be straightforward even after completing a PhD. A concept that has guided me is 'Ikigai', a Japanese philosophy meaning one’s true calling. It revolves around pursuing something that:

    - You love to do
    - You are good at
    - The world needs
    - You can get paid for

My advice is to focus on the first three—once those align, the fourth will follow.

 

5. What are three words that sum up your time at SSE?

Curiosity, reflection, societal contribution.