Digital State Capitalism in International Business: Geopolitics, Digital Sovereignty and Techno-Nationalism

Digital State Capitalism in International Business: Geopolitics, Digital Sovereignty and Techno-Nationalism. Closing date: 2 February 2027

How does digitalisation change states’ abilities to achieve their objectives, and what are the consequences of different states and global businesses pursuing competing priorities?

This PhD explores how dynamic geopolitical rivalry expressed through digitalisation strategies and techno-nationalism changes the relationship between states and international businesses. It examines how governments seek technological independence and how businesses respond to new opportunities, restrictions and pressures.

You will compare countries with different political-economic systems to investigate emerging forms of ‘digital state capitalism’, or how states shape digital markets to pursue economic, security and political goals. Your findings will help businesses and policymakers understand the consequences of digitalisation strategies for international trade, innovation and business decision-making.

Through comparative case studies, policy analysis and business and media data, you will develop skills in research design, critical analysis and communicating complex findings. You will draw on university databases and digital resources, supported by supervisors specialising in international business and state–business relations.

At Manchester Metropolitan University, you will join an inclusive doctoral community with opportunities for research training, interdisciplinary collaboration, and professional development.

We welcome intellectually curious, motivated applicants from diverse backgrounds who are interested in technology, business and politics, and eager to develop their research skills.

The project investigates how geopolitical rivalries, digitalisation strategies, and techno-nationalism are reshaping state intervention in international business and are contributing to the emergence of ‘digital state capitalism’. The study asks:

The qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience applicants should have for this project, in addition to our standard entry requirements .

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with excellent research and communication skills, as well as intellectual curiosity, diligence, and perseverance. They should possess good academic writing and analytical skills, with the ability to think critically about complex political-economic issues. They should be able to engage critically with theories and concepts, and be able to investigate complex real-world data.

Desirable:

This studentship is open to home and international applicants. Home and international tuition fees will be covered for the duration of the 3-year award.

The student will receive a standard stipend payment for the duration of the award. These payments are set at a level determined by the UKRI, currently £21,805 for the academic year 2026/27.

If you have any questions, please contact the proposed Principal Supervisor, Dr Sergey Sosnovskikh ( [email protected] ).

To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full-time PhD in International Business. Please note that you are not required to submit a research proposal through the online application portal.

Please complete the Doctoral Project Applicant Form , and include your CV and a covering letter to demonstrate how your skills and experience map to the aims and objectives of the project, the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest.

Please upload these documents in the supporting documents section of the University’s Admissions Portal or email the requested documents to [email protected] .

Applications closing date: 2 February 2027.

Expected start date:October 2027.

Please quote the reference: FoBL-SS-2027-28-Digital State Capitalism

This PhD project is one of six independent projects open for applications, with only four funded studentships available. All applications will go through an initial review stage conducted by the project supervisors. Candidates selected from this stage will be invited to a second-round interview, where final funding decisions will be made based on performance across all projects.

• How are geopolitical rivalries transforming how states use digital technologies to influence international business?
• How do states use regulatory, financial, infrastructural and organisational mechanisms to pursue different digitalisation strategies that seek to increase their technological autonomy?
• How do these mechanisms and resulting forms of digital state capitalism vary across different political-economic systems?
• How do MNEs respond to these interventions, and what are the consequences of their internationalisation strategies?
• What are the consequences and outcomes for international trade, investment, and innovation?
• Experience with qualitative and/or quantitative research methods is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with international political economy, digital governance, or related fields would be an advantage.
• Proficiency in a second language is also desirable, particularly for engaging with international case studies and non-English source material.

Research areas