Companies are increasingly realising how significant competitive advantages can be found in the distinct skills and knowledge available to the company. However, the generation of new, in-depth knowledge on topics relevant to the company is often neglected due to a lack of time, finances or employees with appropriate skills.

An industrial PhD research project can be an opportunity for companies to prioritise research efforts without having to invest all necessary resources themselves.

In short, an industrial PhD project is a three-year engagement with an academic candidate who will deliver a PhD project in close collaboration with the Copenhagen Business School’s Centre for CSR and the respective company.

Companies’ participation is motivated by having a committed researcher to collaborate with the company on projects they are already committed to do. An industrial PhD scheme offers access to knowledge resources through the in-depth and long-term work of a highly qualified academic candidate. By engaging with cbsCSR in an industrial PhD scheme, the company is also able to tap into the research resources of the Center’s academic staff which offers guidance to the PhD candidate throughout the process.

Recently, more public finances and more flexible rules for industrial PhD schemes were made available by the Danish Government. Starting 1 January 2010, the scheme has become more financially attractive, as public financial support for the industrial PhD scheme has been raised to a current level of DKK 14,500 per month. This means that from now on companies will be able to receive up to DKK 552,000 over a period of three years towards providing salary for an industrial PhD candidate.

Also, it has now become possible for companies to submit applications for financial support to an industrial PhD scheme without a named candidate. This means that companies may now apply for support for a given project description, and subsequently look for a suitable PhD candidate. This allows companies to make coordinated and long-term plans for potential research projects.

Examples of industrial PhD projects could include an investigation of how CSR may contribute to the corporate employer branding strategy, how CSR is best integrated into the corporate communication programme between HQ and international subsidiaries, or how non-financial reporting becomes embedded into the organizational routines. Currently, cbsCSR has industrial researchers on CSR projects in collaboration with TDC, Velux, TrygVesta, Coloplast, Danfoss and COOP.

The website www.ErhvervsPhD.dk offers much information on the industrial PhD scheme and the opportunities for companies to apply for funding. Cases on industrial PhD students and the projects which they are involved in can be found here .

You are also welcome to contact cbsCSR Centre Manager Elisabeth Crone Jensen, ecj.ikl@cbs.dk.