Reconfiguring International Business under Geopolitical Shifts: Governance, Location Strategy, and Connectivity Infrastructure

Professor Sangeeta Khorana

Dr Zheng Chris Cao

Since the 2008 global financial crisis, international business has been increasingly shaped by rising geopolitical tensions and a broader shift towards global fragmentation. For multinational enterprises (MNEs), this environment has brought tighter regulatory scrutiny, greater political and reputational sensitivity, and growing disruption to the cross-border connections that support international expansion. Whilst research has long examined how firms operate across different institutional environments, less is known about how they reconfigure ownership structures, location strategies, and external linkages when cross-border exposure becomes more politically salient and costly.

This PhD project addresses that gap by focusing on firms from India and China investing in the UK and the EU. These two groups offer a valuable comparative lens for understanding how firms respond to geopolitical risk, as their outward investments exhibit distinct institutional imprinting patterns. The project asks three main questions:
RQ1: How does geopolitical risk reshape ownership structures and entry mode choices?
RQ2: Has institutional proximity become a more decisive determinant of location strategy in a fragmented world?
RQ3: To what extent do air connectivity and people flows facilitate cross-border knowledge spillovers and innovation networks that support economic growth?

The project brings together insights from research on governance under uncertainty, location choice, and infrastructure-based perspectives on knowledge diffusion. Empirically, it will draw on large-scale secondary datasets and use advanced microeconometric and spatial analytical methods to examine how patterns of internationalisation are being reconfigured.

The project will contribute to debates on the future of globalisation. It will also generate valuable insights for managers and policymakers seeking to sustain resilient UK–Asia economic ties in an increasingly uncertain world.

International applicants are welcome to apply for this position.

This project covers all tuition fees (fees only bursary).

Please note that the successful candidate will be responsible for living expenses, and any costs relating to moving to Birmingham and/or visiting the Aston campus. International students must meet the financial requirements for the visa, flights, and NHS Surcharge. Applicants should be confident that they can meet these costs before applying.

Further information can be found by viewing our Financial Requirements page.

The successful applicant should hold, or expect to achieve:

A master’s degree in business, management, social sciences, or a related discipline, with an overall distinction, including a dissertation/research element; and
A First or Upper Second-Class Honours degree (or equivalent qualification from an overseas institution).

Desirable / Essential Skills or Experience

Distinction in the MSc or BSc dissertation.
Evidence of research experience (e.g. publications, research assistantships, etc.).
Professional experience relevant to the proposed research.

Required Characteristics

A strong background in International Business, International Economics, or related disciplines.
Prior training in econometrics

Desirable Characteristics

Experience of handling and analysing firm-level data.
Proficiency in statistical software, such as R or Stata.

We can only consider applications that are complete and have all supporting documents. Applications that do not provide all the relevant documents will be automatically rejected. Your application must include:

1. English language copies of the transcripts and certificates for all your higher education degrees, including any Bachelor degrees.
2. A Research Statement detailing your understanding of the research area, how you would approach the project, and a brief review of relevant literature. Be sure to use the title of the research project you are applying for. There is no set format or word count.
3. A personal statement which outlines any further information which you think is relevant to your application, such as your personal suitability for research, career aspirations, possible future research interests, and further description of relevant employment experience.
4. A Curriculum Vitae (Resume) which details your education and work history.
5. Two academic referees who can discuss your suitability for independent research. References must be on headed paper, signed and dated no more than 2 years old. At least one reference should be from your most recent University. You can submit your references at a later date if necessary.
6. Evidence that you meet the English Language requirements. If you do not currently meet the language requirements, you can submit this at a later stage.
7. A copy of your passport. Where relevant, include evidence of settled or pre-settled status.

Please contact Professor Sangeeta Khorana, for more information or for an informal discussion

This position will be based on the Aston Campus in Birmingham, UK. The successful candidate will need to be located within a reasonable distance of the campus, and will be expected to visit in person regularly.

Interviews will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. If you are shortlisted, you will be contacted directly with details of the interview.

Apply for this position

Alternatively, apply here

If you require further information about the application process, please contact the Postgraduate Admissions team.