Προκήρυξη:
Το Πανεπιστήμιο Λευκωσίας ανακοινώνει την προκήρυξη τριών (3) θέσεων για την εισδοχή στο Πρόγραμμα Διδακτορικών Σπουδών στη Διοίκηση Επιχειρήσεων για το εαρινό εξάμηνο 2026.
Προθεσμία υποβολής αιτήσεων: 19 Ιανουαρίου 2026
Δείτε παρακάτω την αναλυτική προκήρυξη στα αγγλικά:
Call for Applications for the Doctoral Programme in Business Administration
For the Spring 2026 semester, the University of Nicosia announces the opening of three (3) positions for admission to the Doctoral Programme (PhD) in Business Administration.
School: School of Business
Duration: 3 years
Number of Positions: Three
Selection Criteria: Preselection on the basis of evaluation of qualifications, proposal, and possible personal interview
Application Deadline: 19 January 2026
Start Date: February 2026
Language: All aspects of the posts below are to be conducted in English (application submission, proposal, programme study, thesis).
Note: Applicants should indicate in their application documents the specific PhD position of interest and/or the name of the corresponding Research Supervisor, where applicable.
ONE (1) Post in Blockchain and CBDC adoption
The global move toward Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) represents a pivotal shift in the architecture of money, yet the path to widespread adoption remains deeply uncertain. While significant institutional effort has focused on technical viability and monetary policy impacts, this research asserts that the success of CBDCs hinges on securing public acceptance. This PhD will, therefore, conduct a rigorous investigation into the critical barriers and enablers of CBDC adoption, moving beyond financial models to deeply analyze socio-economic factors, user requirements, and other factors. The objective is to develop a comprehensive, multi-faceted framework that policymakers can use to design a CBDC that is not only technologically sound but also socially trusted and successfully integrated into the public's daily financial lives.
Research Supervisor: Prof. Marinos Themistocleous.
ONE (1) Post in Marketing Management, in any of the following topics:
1. New Developments in Luxury Branding: E.g. Artificial Intelligence, New Technologies, Sustainability, and Influencers
The luxury brands sector is undergoing a fundamental transformation driven by technological innovation and shifting consumer values. This research area investigates how elite brands can integrate disruptive forces such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), immersive technologies (AR/VR), and new influencer marketing paradigms while upholding core principles of exclusivity, heritage, and brand equity. Another area which is worth exploring is the relationship between sustainability, luxury brands, and customer engagement. It would be interesting to explore for example: How luxury firms can authentically communicate sustainability without diluting brand prestige. The effectiveness of AI-driven personalization in luxury brand communication and customer engagement. The role of virtual influencers in shaping brand perceptions, or consumer responses to sustainability messaging from high-end brands.
The research study could focus on exploring the intersection between some of the following concepts: digital marketing, brand management, sustainability, and consumer psychology within the luxury sector.
2. Internal Marketing, AI Transformation, Service Quality, Customer Satisfaction
The integration of Artificial Intelligence into service operations is reshaping employee roles and customer interactions. This research topic focuses on the critical internal dynamics of this transformation. It proposes to investigate how internal marketing strategies can be leveraged to facilitate employee adoption of AI, manage organizational change, and foster a culture that supports human-AI collaboration. The central aim is to establish a clear link between these internal factors, the resulting service quality, and ultimate customer satisfaction.
Potential research streams include analyzing the impact of AI-powered tools on employee empowerment and job satisfaction, developing frameworks for effective internal communication during digital transformation, or measuring how the employee experience (EX) in an AI-augmented environment influences the customer experience (CX) and customer satisfaction.
This topic is designed for candidates interested in service marketing, organizational behavior, and human-computer interaction.
3. Luxury Brands, Sustainability, and Gen Z:
Luxury brands are at a crossroads, navigating the need to appeal to Generation Z, a demographic that places a high value on sustainability, transparency, and ethical production. This research area examines the inherent tensions and potential synergies between the traditions of luxury consumption and the values of this new generation of consumers. The PhD study could explore how luxury firms can credibly embed sustainability into their brand identity and business models to engage Gen Z without alienating their established client base. Specific research questions could address Gen Z's perception of authenticity in luxury sustainability claims, the role of the circular economy (e.g., resale, rental) in shaping their relationship with luxury goods, or how traditional signifiers of status are being redefined by this cohort. This topic is ideal for applicants with a strong interest in brand strategy, consumer behavior, and sustainability, particularly as it relates to generational shifts in the market.
4. The New Loyalty Equation: Consumer Engagement, Trust, and Earned Media with Gen Z
In an era of information saturation, Generation Z exhibits a marked preference for authenticity, increasingly turning to earned media (such as peer reviews, user-generated content, and independent creator commentary) over traditional brand messaging. This research theme investigates the intricate dynamics between consumer engagement, trust, and brand loyalty within the digital ecosystems frequented by Gen Z. It focuses on how earned media functions as a primary vehicle for building brand trust, which is a critical precursor to loyalty for this skeptical demographic. This project invites research into the triggers for authentic consumer engagement that lead to the creation of positive earned media. It also seeks to explore the mechanisms through which this engagement translates into durable trust, moving beyond simple metrics to analyze the deeper psychological drivers of loyalty in a fragmented media landscape.
This topic is ideal for candidates interested in digital marketing, media effects, and consumer psychology, with a focus on developing new models of brand relationship management for the digital-native consumer.
Research Supervisor: Prof. Ioanna Papasolomou
One (1) Post in Blockchain-Enabled Finance and Digital Assets
The proposed PhD project focuses on the transformation of financial systems through blockchain technologies and emerging models of digital assets. The research will explore key areas such as Decentralised Finance (DeFi), Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), and tokenisation, examining their technological foundations, economic implications, and regulatory challenges. This PhD topic is well-suited for candidates interested in distributed ledger technologies, financial innovation, and digital asset policy. Applicants with backgrounds in economics, finance, fintech, computer science, or related fields are encouraged to apply. Strong analytical skills, research motivation, and a keen interest in the evolving landscape of digital finance will be considered valuable assets.
Research Supervisor: Faculty, Department of Digital Innovation
How to apply:
Applicants should indicate in their application documents the specific PhD position of interest and/or the name of the corresponding Research Supervisor, where applicable.
The application must be submitted only via the online procedure available at: https://www.unic.ac.cy/apply