"PhD Studentship: Understanding Digital Adoption Through Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Emerging Markets"

Loughborough University - Loughborough Business School

Placed On: 14th January 2026

Closes: 27th February 2026

Reference: LB26-AR/EG/HJ

Project details

Digitalisation is widely promoted as a catalyst for growth and innovation, yet many SMEs and family firms in emerging economies struggle to adopt and benefit from digital technologies. This PhD project investigates how entrepreneurial ecosystems, including their institutional, infrastructural, social, and financial dimensions, shape digitalisation practices and adoption decisions among small firms. Rather than assuming that digital technologies naturally transform ecosystems, the project reverses the lens to examine how local conditions such as regulatory clarity, connectivity, access to finance, support organisations, and informal networks enable or constrain entrepreneurs’ digital trajectories.

Working across selected emerging economy contexts, the research will combine ecosystem mapping, multiple case studies, and a firm-level survey to build a multi-level framework explaining why digitalisation unfolds unevenly across places and sectors. The project will pay particular attention to how firms navigate financial constraints, such as limited credit access, uncertain returns on digital investment, and difficulties evaluating digital business cases, and how these interact with wider ecosystem structures.

The findings will generate actionable insights for policymakers, incubators, development organisations, and SMEs by identifying the ecosystem features that most effectively support inclusive and sustainable digital transformation. This project is ideal for applicants interested in digital entrepreneurship, emerging markets, and the real-world challenges of business transformation.

Supervisors

Primary supervisor: Dr Anna Raffoni

Secondary supervisor(s): Dr Elena Georgiadou and Dr Huma Javaid

Entry requirements

At least a 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent international qualification) with a UK master's degree (with an average programme mark of no less than 65%) or international equivalent.

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website.

Funding

The studentship is for 3 years and provides a tax-free stipend of £20,780 per annum for the duration of the studentship plus university tuition fees.

This project is advertised as a fully funded studentship, subject to final approval by the University.

How to apply

Put together your research proposal (between 2500 to 3000 words including references). Share your research proposal with the identified supervisor(s) and confirm they are willing to be named in support of your application. You are also encouraged to ask for feedback to develop your research proposal.

All applications should be made online via the above 'Apply' button. Under programme name, select ‘Business School'. Please upload with your application a research proposal, copies of your transcripts/certificates, English language certificate and contact details of two academic references, one of which must be from your most recent degree. Please quote the project reference number LB26-AR/EG/HJ.

To avoid delays in processing your application, please ensure that you submit the minimum supporting documents.

The following selection criteria will be used by academic schools to help them take a decision on your application.