The principle aim of Behaviour, Choices and Markets is to create a platform for a comprehensive investigation of behaviour and choice within markets and society. This is set within an all-embracing framework interpreted through the perspectives of economic and social science principles. Incentives and choice lie at the heart of human behaviour and through societal interactions can result in multitudinous market outcomes (national and international) often with far reaching consequences. Inherent within the project is an inter-disciplinary approach drawing upon fundamental social science methodologies. The outcomes of the project will generate knowledge and intellectual curiosity about the impact of behavioural interactions on the welfare of society.
Available studentships
The available studentships are:
- Two PhD studentships exploring Energy Markets (one starting 2010, one starting 2011);
- Two PHD studentships in Experimental Economics utilising the Scottish Experimental Economics Laboratory (one starting 2010, one starting 2011);
- Two PhD awards within Labour Market Economics (one starting 2010, one starting 2011);
- A one year Masters in Research (starting 2010) with a view to a PhD (starting 2011) investigating International Property Investment;
- Two further MRes (starting 2011 and 2012) in Management Studies.
These studentships may cover Home/EU or Overseas tuition fees. In addition, the committee awarding studentships for the project will be able to allocate some funds towards maintenance.
Possible Research Titles and Topics
Principal Investigator: Dr. John Skåtun
Applicants are strongly advised to contact the principal investigator or a member of the supervisory team before submitting their application form and research proposal.
While these are not exhaustive of the thesis topics the project may consider supporting, they do give a fairly clear idea of the types of projects which the supervisory team would be keen to see investigated.
Energy Markets
Exploring energy markets, where important areas include:
- the design of royalty / taxation / profit sharing terms;
- the impact of licensing and taxation arrangements on economic recovery;
- the security of oil and gas supplies;
- the impact of regulatory and economic factors on decommisioning;
- the economics of environmental and natural resources.
Experimental Economics
Utilising the experimental laboratory at Aberdeen (SEEL) to investigate strategic interactions and behaviour in mainly non-cooperative games. The use of laboratory methods facilitates the study of aspects of human behaviour that are difficult to observe directly in naturally occurring economic contexts but which nevertheless contribute to a range of isuues affecting organisations and markets, such as:
- the provision of public goods;
- bargaining behaviour;
- coordination activities;
- learning;
- effects of different organisational rules on market outcomes.
International Property Investment
Investigating structural and institutional dimensions of intermational property investment in the New York office market, including the literature claims that:
- international ownership and occupation change the character and risk of a property market, tying it more directly into the international financial system;
- information asymmetries faced by international property investors lead them to underperform their domestic counterparts.
Labour Market Studies
Topics relating to either one or more of the following:
- The effects of education on labour market outcomes.
- Occupational and spatial mobility and the impact of immigration on economic variables.
- Labour market flexibility and the level of earnings inequality, low pay, unemployment and labour market discrimination.
- Labour in the National Health Service.
- Health and safety in the work place.
- Work and well-being.
- Wage structures and their effect on economic performance.
For more information, including contact details for the project team and a list of suggested research topics, please visit http://www.abdn.ac.uk/cass/graduate/funding/research/behaviour
Code: RPAS2009NOV01
Please ensure that you quote this code on your application form under 'Intended Source of Funding' if you wish to be considered for funding under this research theme.
