PhD Studentship in Implementing Flexible Working Arrangements: the factors influencing outcomes

Applications are invited for a 3-year full-time PhD studentship focused on examining the use and implementation of flexible working arrangements designed to support employee work-life balance and specifically will investigate the factors influencing outcomes for employers and employees, in the context of contemporary changes to work and employment relationships.

Flexible working has been a central discourse in relation to employment over the past decade and has come to the fore during the Covid-19 pandemic. Potential outcomes from flexible working have generated much interest from employers, policy makers and governments at national and regional level. Extant research has shown considerable benefits for both individuals (enhanced work-life balance, well-being, job satisfaction etc.) and organisations (enhanced performance, retention, diversity, employee commitment etc.) from allowing employees some degree of choice over their working arrangements, typically when they work, where they work and how much they work. As organisations recover from the pandemic, many plan to offer greater flexibility to a wider range of staff through hybrid working, as a means of readjusting working arrangements and returning to the workplace.  Extant research, however, suggests that the extent and nature of both individual and organisational benefits is related to the way in which flexible working is implemented (Kelliher & De Menezes, 2019; Kroll et al, 2017). 

Therefore, there is a need to examine the implementation factors which influence the outcomes to further develop understanding of how these relationships work and what facilitates and impedes positive outcomes for individuals and organisations.

Funding

Sponsored by Cranfield School of Management, this fully-funded studentship will provide a stipend of £15,609 (tax-free) plus course fees for three years.

Entry requirements

Applications are invited from graduates with a distinguished record of academic achievement.  We are looking to recruit a highly motivated and talented PhD student who has a strong desire to complete doctoral work on this topic and to achieve the highest standards of academic excellence.

Applicants should have:

• A Master’s degree in a relevant subject such as Human Resource Management/Employment Relations, Organisational Behaviour, Management, or in a related social science. In exceptional circumstances candidates without a Masters, but with a first class or upper second bachelor’s degree may be considered.
• An excellent command of both spoken and written English and good writing skills.
• Evidence of intellectual curiosity, interest in and knowledge of the topic area.
• Some knowledge and experience of research methods and approaches (Research methods training will be provided as part of the programme).

In addition to meeting the entry requirements, as part of the online application, applicants are required to submit a research proposal, outlining the particular research they would like to conduct within the context described above.

The proposal should:

• Formulate and define a proposed research question.
• With reference to relevant, current academic literature, demonstrate how the proposed research relates to existing knowledge in the field, highlighting its originality and significance.
• Provide an outline methodology for the research, justifying its suitability for the proposed research question.
• Discuss how the findings may contribute to the academic literature, policy and practice.

For further information please contact:

Name: Professor Clare Kelliher or Dr Deirdre Anderson
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

If you are eligible to apply for this studentship, please ensure you quote reference number SOM0008 within your application.