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PhD position in business administration, focusing on Market Transformations and Strategic Marketing, Admission 2025

The Department of Marketing and Strategy at the Stockholm School of Economics is pleased to announce a fully funded PhD position. This position is funded by the Center for Market Studies (CMS) and focused on exploring markets in transformation and strategizing within such dynamic contexts. We invite ambitious, talented, and driven individuals to join our vibrant research community, dedicated to producing top-tier research of international standards. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with faculty members, including Professor Hans Kjellberg and Professor Suvi Nenonen, as part of the CMS research team.

Project Scope

The PhD project should address market transformations such as technological advancements, the climate crisis, or other pressing global challenges. We seek candidates who are interested in markets not merely as price mechanisms or 'invisible hands' but as complex, sociotechnical systems that are actively shaped and reshaped by various actors.

Candidates knowledgeable in consumer culture theory, constructivist market studies, market shaping, sustainability and/or systems thinking are especially encouraged to apply. We are looking for projects that analyze the broader implications of market changes, contributing both to theoretical advancements and practical understanding of markets in flux.

Empirical Focus

The PhD project should be empirically focused on one or more markets that have been or currently are undergoing significant transformations. While the specific empirical context is open to the candidate’s interests, examples include sectors such as energy, forestry, healthcare, transportation, retailing or other sectors that are experiencing substantial shifts due to social, technological and/or regulatory changes, environmental challenges, etc.

Methodological Approach

We are particularly interested in candidates with a strong inclination toward qualitative research methods. These may include, but are not limited to, case studies, ethnographic methods, and archival research. Applicants should have or be willing to develop strong skills in qualitative data analysis and the ability to analyze qualitative data from various sources, such as in-depth interviews, participant observations, and secondary materials (e.g., policy documents, news media, and corporate reports).

Ideal Candidate Profile

We are looking for candidates who:

  • Have a strong academic background in areas such as marketing, strategy, sociology, organizational studies, or related fields.
  • Are passionate about understanding markets as dynamic, sociotechnical systems and their transformation in response to global challenges.
  • Have a demonstrated interest in qualitative research.
  • Are motivated to contribute to a collaborative and internationally recognized research environment.

What We Offer

  • A fully funded PhD position.
  • The opportunity to work closely with leading scholars in the field of market studies and market strategy.
  • Access to extensive research resources and a supportive academic community at one of Europe’s top business schools.
  • Opportunities for international collaboration and conference participation.

Application procedure

All applications to the SSE PhD program in Business Administration must be made through the web-based application system: https://www.hhs.se/en/Education/PhD/business-administration/admission/. There you will find complete information about prerequisites as well as required contents of your application. The application deadline is February 1, 2025.

Applicants interested in this position should clearly indicate this in their applications.

For further information about this specific position, please contact Professor Suvi Nenonen (suvi.nenonen@hhs.se) or Associate Professor Kaisa Koskela-Huotari (kaisa.koskela.huotari@hhs.se).