Industrial Digital Platforms for Digital Product Passports: Legitimacy and Governance
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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.
FEBRI, the graduate school and research institute of the Faculty of Economics and Business has available
One PhD position in the field of “Industrial Digital Platforms for Digital Product Passports: Legitimacy and Governance”
Industrial Digital Platforms for Digital Product Passports: Legitimacy and Governance
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What are you going to do?
In light of the EU’s ambitious twin green and digital transition goals, the implementation of digital product passports (DPPs) has become a regulatory priority. These passports are envisioned to revolutionize the way products are tracked and evaluated, providing detailed information about their materials, manufacturing processes, and lifecycle. With DPPs, parties through the supply chain (including consumers) can access reliable information about a product’s raw materials, the environmental impact of production processes, and the ethical standards adhered to during manufacturing. A key factor in DPPs’ success is legitimacy, that is, the extent to which it is perceived as aligned with a society’s values and beliefs. Without requisite legitimation, the political support and resources needed to deploy DPPs will be challenged. Its technical legitimacy depends on the reliability of the global DPP infrastructure: is the data completely, accurately and securely stored and transmitted? The DPP’s social legitimacy revolves around data reliability and its effectiveness: is its information reflective of reality, does it increase transparency in ways that improves environmental sustainability and can organizations safeguard enough proprietary information to maintain their competitive advantage and motivation to innovate?
The objective of this research is to answer the question: What legitimation strategies (at the organizational, industry and governmental level) are effective in promoting the adoption of digital platforms for Digital Product Passports such that sustainable product lifecycles are accomplished?
From this problem, three key research questions emerge, each of which will inform one of the PhD subprojects:
1. Platform Governance:
What governance mechanisms and design principles can enhance the legitimacy of DPP platforms? How can data integrity, transparency, and stakeholder inclusion be ensured to build trust and acceptance?
2. Steel User Business models:
How do DPPs afford new value-creating business models in steel using organizations such that a socially legitimate configuration of private/firm and public/environmental interests is accomplished?
3. Legitimation practices:
What practices of legitimation are effective for the DPPs of steel-using firms to be regarded as reliable by regulators and consumers?
Who are you?
The ideal candidate is ambitious, highly motivated and wishes to make a career in (academic or applied) research. He or she has 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 Management and Organization, Information Systems, Environmental Public Policy, Industrial Economics, or related field. An interest in sustainability and the combination of theory and practical implementation would be beneficial.
If you have applied for this vacancy in the previous round, we request you not to apply again.
What can you expect from us?
- In accordance with the collective labor agreement for Dutch universities, we offer a salary of at least € 3.059 up to a maximum of € 3.881 (Promovendus) gross per month for a full-time employment contract.
- 232 vacation hours per year, based on a 38-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). You can also work more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours. For example, with a 40-hour workweek, you save 96 extra free hours, and with a 36-hour workweek, you lose 96 hours.
- End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 8% holiday allowance.
- Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.
- The full-time appointment is temporary for a period of four years, under the condition of a positive assessment at the end of the first year. PhD candidates contribute 20% of their time to teaching in years 2-4. Starting date: as soon as possible An assessment may be part of the procedure, consisting of psychological tests and an interview.
Where will you be working?
At the University of Groningen (UG), researchers from all fields of academia and technology are working on academic challenges and societal questions. Lecturers prepare their students for meaningful careers within or outside the academic world. Interdisciplinary research and teaching, sharing of knowledge, collaboration with businesses, government institutions, and societal organizations are aspects that are of the utmost importance to this European top university. The UG aims to be an open academic community with an inclusive and safe working climate that invites you to add your value.
The Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) has about 7,000 students and 700 staff, who make up an informal, personal, and inspiring academic community. We offer an ambitious, open, and dynamic working environment that encourages both students and staff to keep innovating. Approximately 25% of our students and 35% of our staff come from abroad, contributing to an international atmosphere. With EQUIS and AACSB accreditations, FEB is among the top 1% of business schools worldwide. At FEB, we believe in connecting for impact: we bring together students, academics, and external stakeholders to collectively make a positive influence on regional, national, and global economic and business issues, both in academia and society. If you would like to learn more about the Faculty of Economics and Business, visit rug.nl/feb.
The PhD position is embedded in the research programme Innovation & Organization of FEB’s Research Institute. The project will be supervised by Prof. Ulrike Schultze, Prof. David Langley, and a daily supervisor.
Application procedure
After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation by email.
The selection committee assesses your application and you will be notified as soon as possible whether you are invited for an interview.
We would like to get to know each other better in a first interview, which can take place either online or on location.
We may schedule a second interview with you. Depending on the position, this interview can be complemented with an assessment or guest lecture.
After a positive interview, we will discuss the terms of employment together. When everything is completed, we are happy to welcome you at the University of Groningen!
Interested?
Does this vacancy appeal to you? If so, click on the button below and apply straightaway.
Please add the following documents to your application:
CV, motivation letter (1A4 max), a scan of your diploma including transcripts, proof of English proficiency, other relevant documents
Do you have any questions or need more information?
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Questions about the content of the job?
David Langley
Full Professor
D.J.Langley@rug.nl -
Questions about your application process?
Rina Koning
Policy Officer
A.C.Koning@rug.nl
Information about applying
When scheduling meetings, we will take your schedule into account as much as possible.
The University of Groningen considers social safety important. We strive to be a university where staff and students feel respected and at home, regardless of differences in background, experiences, perspectives, and identity. For more information, see also our page about our diversity policy.
Acquisition is not appreciated.
Onze selectieprocedure volgt de richtlijnen van de NVP Sollicitatiecode
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