ESR12:The role of business innovation in the development of ‘peripheral’ and ‘backward’ regions in East Germany and peripheral Estonia (Leipzig, Germany)

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Host: Leibniz-Institute for Regional Geography (IfL), Leipzig/Germany

1 PhD position, full-time

Duration: September 2014 – August 2017

Up to now, the generation of corporate innovations and the inclusion of firms in global innovation networks and production chains are under-researched when it comes to business activities in peripheral regions. Understanding the role of business innovations in so-called peripheral regions therefore could provide us with a better picture of regional development processes in peripheral regions that would allow for the conceptualizing of new endogenous development approaches. Against this background, this project analyses the role of business innovations in the development of “peripheral” and “backward” regions”. Using Eastern Germany and Estonia outside of the Tallinn agglomeration as examples, it applies a mixed methods approach that involves both quantitative data on businesses in peripheral regions and qualitative methods like expert interviews.

The fellow will take part in the class “East-Central Europe in Transnational Perspective” at the Graduate Centre Social Sciences and Humanities of the University of Leipzig.

Secondments are planned at the University of Tartu and at Geomedia, both established in Tartu/Estonia.

Tasks:

–          Collection and evaluation of quantitative data on businesses in and the economic development of                               peripheral regions

–          Application of qualitative research techniques (e.g., expert interviews or focus group interviews) and                         evaluation of qualitative data

Requirements:

–          Master’s degree in economics, geography or a related discipline corresponding to the topic of the project

–          good knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods

–          fluent in English, preferably good knowledge of German

–          Estonian language skills would be an asset

–          good knowledge of IT-based communication tools

–          readiness to participate in secondments, conferences and workshops

–          excellent communication skills, capacity for teamwork, flexibility and an interest in interdisciplinary                           research

The fellow should contribute to the outreach of the project, especially by:

–          elaboration of a PhD thesis

–          participation in project and WP monographs, joint publications in high ranked journals

–          active participation at scientific conferences, policy workshops etc. at national and EU level

–          participation in media communication, in development of a web-based glossary, in creation of video clips                and podcasts and in spreading project information on EU level using European Commissions’                                      communication tools