Research subjects in Business and Management

Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Explore how new businesses, products and services are developed in various contexts. This field examines how entrepreneurship takes place in different contexts and how variables such as age, gender, ethnicity, location, and social status may affect this process.

Academics within this field are interested in research that seeks to explore and explain the generation of new ideas and how knowledge is developed, accessed, and combined in the pursuit of new products and services. They also explore the systemic nature of both entrepreneurship and innovation in terms of how individuals may interact with their broader ecosystem to pursue these.

International Business, Strategy, Marketing and Logistics

Explore how businesses operate across borders, enter foreign markets, manage across cultures, develop new strategies, and implement new approaches.

Academics working in these areas are addressing questions around the nature of strategic alliance formation and function, competitiveness and emerging markets, the potential roles of dynamic capabilities, the development and implementation of open strategy, the potential impacts of AI on strategy, and the management and operations of supply chains.

Organisations and Leadership

Explore the function of organisations and the role of leaders and leadership in organisational success. This field examines the interaction of organisation and leadership in terms of the diversity of organisations and their behaviour through leadership processes, organisations and diversity, the effects of gender and disability on employment practices, and the impacts of management training practices on organisational change.

Sustainability in Business

Explore the influence and impact of sustainability on business. Academics within this field are interested in examining the tenets of sustainable tourism, the nexus of biodiversity, conservation and business, sustainable business models, the design and implementation of sustainable transport solutions, and mobility and consumer choice.

Economic Analysis

Explore economic and social phenomena in terms of their drivers, impact, and determinants.

Academics within this field are interested in both macroeconomic and microeconomic analysis. Macroeconomic research examines issues affecting national and global economies, while microeconomic research focuses on the behaviour of individuals, firms, and markets. Researchers are also interested in understanding the performance of economies in areas such as growth, productivity, and innovation, as well as topics including labour economics, consumer behaviour, individual decision-making, and market dynamics.

Accounting and Finance

Explore the form and function of financial markets. Academics within this field are interested in examining how these markets work and the relationship between financial markets and firm behaviours.

They are also particularly interested in research that examines the drivers of commodity prices, workings of financial markets, determinants of and impacts of systemic risk and liquidity, and the impacts of governance and corporate social responsibility on financial performance. In addition, their interests also focus on the accounting practices such as reporting issues, budgeting practices, and earnings management.

Participatory Forestry Management in Ethiopia

Worldwide, forests are under pressure. They are crucial not only for their biodiversity, but also for people's lives and livelihoods. Many are converted to other uses such as agriculture, considered more economically lucrative than maintenance of the forests. In Ethiopia, 75% of its forests have been lost in recent decades.

Dr Matt Snell is part of a project that aims to help combat such loss. The project, which involves the University of Huddersfield working in collaboration with NGOs, government departments, and local businesses, focuses on participatory forest management (PFM), widely recognised as a viable mechanism to help maintain the natural environment and improve livelihoods. PFM devolves responsibility for forest management away from central government and down to the communities that live in and around the forests.

The project has had significant impact. Firstly, through this project the University of Huddersfield and its partners have highlighted that sustainable management of natural resources can be achieved if appropriate PFM, community-based enterprises, policies and economic incentives are in place. Second, in Ethiopia 150,000 ha of degrading forest has been brought under the management of 30,000 village community members and six marketing cooperatives have helped improve the livelihoods of participating communities, generating higher levels of income through sustainable value chain development for wild coffee and forest friendly honey. Ultimately, the aim is to demonstrate the economic viability of good forest conservation and how this can generate both social and economic value for local stakeholders.

The project has also contributed to theory building in this area by generating academic publications in high-quality journals on managing technological innovation for social good and the governance of young cooperatives.

Omorinsola George, 2026 Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Graduate  

Research title: Assessment of Gender Based Income Inequality: Exploring the Employment Gender Divide in the Outsourcing Service Sector in Nigeria.  

I chose to study in the UK because I had previously completed my MSc here, which gave me a strong understanding of the British education system and the opportunities available through postgraduate study.  

When researching universities, the University of Huddersfield stood out because of its clear commitment to student success. The wealth of support available to students was evident from the information provided on the University website, and I was attracted by the welcoming and supportive environment. I also appreciated the campus itself, which offers a calm and peaceful setting that fosters ease of learning. The Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) was particularly appealing because it provides valuable opportunities for professional development and supports my ambition to progress into senior industry roles.  

As an international student, my experience has been academically enriching and eye-opening. I have benefited from conferences, postgraduate researcher training opportunities, and a range of internal and external development activities that have enhanced my research skills and broadened my perspective.  

My advice to other international students coming to Huddersfield is not to be afraid to reach out for support. If you're facing a challenge, share it with someone you trust - there are people ready to help, whether that's members of staff or fellow students. You are never alone, and there is a strong support network available to help you succeed.