What is the impact of Intellectual Property Rights protection on Foreign Direct Investment? A panel analysis in developed and developing countries

A panel analysis in developed and developing countries

Self-Funded Studentships

Details of the PhD project

It is generally believed that the strength of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) protection alone may not be sufficient to incentivise firms to invest in a country yet theory suggests that IPRs protection, being an important component of the regulatory system that contributes to creating an enabling (pro-competitive) business environment, may play a significant role in the attraction of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The available empirical evidence does not conclusively establish the relationship between IPRs and FDI, calling for further investigation. Proposals focusing on an econometric analysis of the impact of various measures of IPRs protection (alongside other theory-based country FDI determinants) on the stock and flows of FDI across a large panel of developed and developing countries are welcomed. Applications must provide specific details of the model to be tested and the methodological technique to be employed (alongside relevant data sources and measure specifications for the key variables of interest) in addition to reassurances as to the applicant’s competence in executing such techniques using a suitable econometric estimation package.   

Supervisory team: This project will be supervised by Professor Glauco De Vita (DoS), Dr Yun Luo and Dr Andrew Jones (second supervisors).

Candidate specification

• A taught Master’s degree in economics, involving a dissertation of standard length written in English and involving econometric estimations with a minimum of a merit profile: 60% overall module average and a minimum of a 60% dissertation mark
• the potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within a three-year period of study
• a minimum of English language proficiency (IELTS overall minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component)

Additional items for candidate specification

• knowledge and experience of econometrics, preferably having already completed projects involving regression analysis using panel data.
• familiarity in using econometric estimation packages such as Stata.

About the host Centre/Department

The Centre for Business in Society is the Faculty of Business and Law’s hub for specialist research.  The centre recognises that the behaviour of organisations and policy makers increasingly has significant positive and negative effects on the lives of individuals, groups, communities, organisations, nations and global relations. These effects can be beneficial and enable enhanced social, economic and environmental wellbeing. However, there can also be negative consequences linked to business practices and policy decisions that pay little or no attention to internal and external corporate responsibilities, including their impact on the sustainability of economic, social and environmental relations conducive to well-being. Our research in organised into a number of discreet themes including policies, industries and economic growth.

Contact: glauco.devita@coventry.ac.uk