Developing a New Metaverse Business Model in eSports and Entertainment Industries

This is a full-time, funded PhD opportunity in the Faculty of Business and Law. It is open to both Home and Overseas students. Please note that only Home fees will be covered – eligible overseas students will need to make up the difference in tuition fee funding.

This opportunity provides an annual stipend of the research council minimum rate (set by UKRI) of £19,237 for 2024/25.

PROJECT CONTACT

Professor Timothy Jung (t.jung@mmu.ac.uk) and Dr Mandy Claudia tom Dieck (c.tom-dieck@mmu.ac.uk)

PROJECT ADVERT

The latest advancements in extended reality (XR) and artificial intelligence (AI) are creating fresh opportunities for both businesses and consumers.

Anticipated innovations in the metaverse promise exciting new use cases. However, there is a limited understanding of suitable business models and the integration of blockchains and NFTs.

This study is set within the context of the rapidly growing global eSports and entertainment industry. Given the substantial potential to disrupt current processes and content consumption methods through the metaverse, exploring new business models is crucial.

This PhD research aims to fill the gap in existing literature by employing mixed methods to understand various stakeholders and by proposing and validating a novel metaverse business model for the eSports and entertainment sectors.

This project supports the wider research vision of the faculty and university which aims to transform lives, business and communities through world-class research and impactful international collaborations with industrial stakeholders.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The project aims to explore, propose and validate a new metaverse business model within the eSports and entertainment context.

This PhD project aims to address the following research objectives:

1. To explore the concept of metaverse and existing digital business models within the entertainment and eSport context.

2. To investigate the use of blockchain technology and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

3. To construct and validate a new metaverse business model for the eSports and entertainment context.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROJECT

The successful candidate should have a passion for the subject area of metaverse and its impact on societies and particularly eSports and entertainment. 

The successful candidate will be expected to actively engage in the department’s research community through dissemination of findings and engagement in research activities.

A previous degree or research experience in this subject related area would be beneficial.

The successful candidate should have a good understanding of research methodologies and be willing to engage with new methods.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants should contact Professor Timothy Jung (t.jung@mmu.ac.uk) or Dr Mandy Claudia tom Dieck (c.tom-dieck@mmu.ac.uk) for an informal discussion.

To apply, you must:

• Complete the online application form for a full-time PhD in Operations and Technology (or download the PGR application form).
• Complete the PGR thesis proposal form addressing the project’s aims and objectives, demonstrating how your skills relate to the area of research and why you see this area as important and interesting.
• Applicants should ensure their submitted CV clearly demonstrates any experience and work in ML and AI

If applying online, you must upload your statement in the supporting documents section or email the application form and statement to PGRAdmissions@mmu.ac.uk. The closing date is 4 July 2024. The expected start date is October 2024.

Please quote the reference: BusLaw-TJ-2024-Metaverse-Business-Model