PhD Ownership Dynamics in Joint Ventures: Family vs. Non-Family Partners

PhD Ownership Dynamics in Joint Ventures: Family vs. Non-Family Partners

Job description

FEBRI, the graduate school and research institute of the Faculty of Economics and Business has one PhD position in the field of “Decision Biases in Family Firms Internationalization” available.

Project description
This research project explores the complexities of joint ventures, both domestic and international, with a focus on how the ownership structures of partners influence their formation, evolution, and long-term success. The study will investigate how different types of owners shape the motivations behind joint venture creation and the subsequent progress of these ventures. Understanding how partners' owners impact the establishment of JVs, the strategic decisions made during negotiation, and the initial steps taken can provide important insights regarding their eventual performance.

A key emphasis will be on the role of family ownership in shaping joint ventures, as family businesses are the backbone of the global economy, with a strong focus on preserving and expanding their family capital across generations. The research is open to examining family firms compared to non-family firms or other ownership types, such as state-owned and institutionally-owned enterprises.

Overall, the study intends to provide valuable insights into how different ownership structures influence the motivations and processes related to joint venture formation. By understanding how these structures affect initial negotiations and operational management, the research will contribute to identifying the factors that enhance joint venture performance and achievement of the partners’ strategic goals (innovation, sustainability issues, etc.).

The research will involve collecting primary and secondary data and is open to those interested in both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The specific focus of the study can be tailored to align with the candidate's individual interests and expertise.

Organisation
Since its foundation in 1614, the University of Groningen has enjoyed an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative center of higher education offering high-quality teaching and research. Belonging to the best research universities of Europe and joining forces with prestigious partner universities and networks, the University of Groningen is truly an international place of knowledge.

Faculty of Economics and Business
The Faculty of Economics and Business offers an inspiring study and working environment for students and employees. International accreditation enables the Faculty to assess performance against the highest international standards. It also creates an exciting environment of continuous improvement. FEB's programmes, academic staff and research do well on various excellence ranking lists.

The PhD position is embedded in the research programme Global Economics and Management of FEB’s Research Institute. The project will be supervised by Prof. Rian Drogendijk and Dr Maria Cristina Sestu.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate is ambitious, highly motivated and wishes to make a career in research. You have a thorough training in research skills, speaks and writes English fluently and has obtained excellent results in the Master phase.
The PhD candidate should have a background (MSc, Research Master) in International Business, Strategic Management, Organizational Behaviour or other relevant discipline.

Conditions of employment

We offer you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:

• A gross monthly salary from € 2,901 which increases yearly to a maximum of € 3,707.
• Based on the gross salary an additional 8% holiday allowance each year in May, and an additional 8.3 % end of year bonus in December. PhD candidates contribute 20% of their time to teaching in years 2-4.
• A temporary full-time appointment for a period of four years, under the condition of a positive assessment at the end of the first year.

Starting date: Preferably per September 1, 2025

An assessment may be part of the procedure, consisting of psychological tests and an interview.

The University of Groningen strives to be a university in which students and staff are respected and feel at home, regardless of differences in background, experiences, perspectives, and identities. We believe that working on our core values of inclusion and equality are a joint responsibility and we are constructively working on creating a socially safe environment. Diversity among students and staff members enriches academic debate and contributes to the quality of our teaching and research. We therefore invite applicants from underrepresented groups in particular to apply.

We provide career services for partners of new faculty members moving to Groningen.