Speeding up ‘slowbalisation’ and its impacts on corporate carbon management and reporting strategies: Global evidence

About this project

Investigate slow globalisation and its impact on carbon performance and business strategy

If you are passionate about advancing your career in market research and concerned about the economic problems associated with addressing climate change, the University of South Australia – Australia’s University of Enterprise – is offering a hands-on project-based PhD within the Centre for Markets, Values and Inclusion (CMVI). 

Positive changes have been observed in corporate carbon management and reporting practices in response to the accelerating climate crisis. As of 2023, 96% of the world’s leading companies produce sustainability reports and 40% of these companies have publicly committed to being carbon neutral by 2030. This indicates that improving carbon performance is becoming an important business strategy.  

However, we are now seeing a new phase of slow globalisation (‘slowbalisation’), due to the increasing protectionism, diminishing role of global institutions, the US–China trade war, Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic and intense regional conflicts. Slowbalisation has garnered criticism for its adverse effects: shrinking global supply chains, impeding cross-border collaboration and knowledge sharing, and exacerbating regional disparities.  

Many countries and businesses are under greater political and competitive pressures to increase their domestic production while at the same time reducing carbon footprints. These have profound impacts on corporate economic and sustainability strategies when companies seek legitimacy and profitability.  

Our project aims to empirically investigate the impact of slowbalisation on corporate carbon management and reporting strategies. We want to understand the impact of slowbalisation on corporate carbon performance, and how global companies have changed carbon management and reporting strategies in response to the speeding up of slowbalisation. We also want to know how these changes have differed across countries and industries in global supply chains.  

Understanding the effects of slowbalisation on companies’ carbon performance can assist policymakers in designing and developing carbon policies and regulations. For example, the findings of this study will help policymakers assess whether and how additional support should be provided to local companies to adopt low-carbon business models. 

You will be based within the Centre for Markets, Values and Inclusion (CMVI).  This dynamic and collegial environment will provide you with worldclass mentoring and guidance in your studies. You will have access to outstanding facilities and expertise and lay the groundwork for a strong professional and academic network.  

What you’ll do

In this project-based research degree, you will help deliver high quality research publications. This is one of the most significant outcomes of this research. The project is important and timely because it develops much needed new knowledge in understanding the global dynamic of slowbalisation on corporate climate strategies. You will become a much sought after expert in this important field of study.  

During the project you will be guided by world-class researchers with expertise in accounting, environmental and carbon performance management, corporate social responsibility, stakeholder engagements and climate change policies. They will support you during the interdisciplinary approach to developing evidence-based solutions for business environmental sustainability. 

Upon completion of the project, you will have a greater understanding of the global supply chain and considerations required of organisations around corporate carbon management and reporting strategies. You will be uniquely positioned to advance your unstoppable career with skills and knowledge in sustainability accounting and reporting, corporate social responsibility, corporate carbon management and reporting strategies and slowbalisation.

Where you’ll be based

You’ll be based within the CMVI. We combine specialist skills and multidisciplinary perspectives to provide a trans-disciplinary approach to delivering meaningful research, which informs innovative, evidence-based solutions for a more inclusive and sustainable future. 

Operating locally, nationally and internationally, CMVI researchers provide evidence to inform public and private sector choices and policies, resolve global development and governance issues in populations experiencing inequity, and develop incentives for business and not-for-profits to develop, monitor and report on socially responsible enterprises.

Our vision is a world in which social and economic development is sustainable and inclusive of all in society. Our mission is to combine specialist skills and multidisciplinary perspectives to provide innovative and enterprising solutions that support inclusive and sustainable communities locally, nationally and internationally. Financial Support

This project is funded for reasonable research expenses. Additionally, a living allowance scholarship of $32,500 per annum is available to Australian and New Zealand citizens, and permanent residents of Australia, including permanent humanitarian visa holders. Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants will be eligible to receive an increased stipend rate of $46,653 per annum (2023 rates). A fee-offset or waiver for the standard term of the program is also included. For full terms and benefits of the scholarship please refer to our scholarship information. International applicants are not invited to apply at this time.

Eligibility and Selection

This project is open to applications from Australian or New Zealand citizens, and Australian permanent residents or permanent humanitarian visa holders. International applicants are not invited to apply at this time.

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for entrance into a PhD. All applications that meet the eligibility and selection criteria will be considered for this project.

The successful applicant is expected to study full-time and to be based at our City West campus in the north of Adelaide.

Essential Dates

Applicants are expected to start in a timely fashion upon receipt of an offer. Extended deferral periods are not available. Applications close on Wednesday 4 October 2023.