UNDIP, Semarang (20/6) – Exciting news has emerged from the academic community of the Faculty of Economics and Business at Universitas Diponegoro (FEB UNDIP). Aktsar Hamdi Tsalits, a lecturer in the Department of Management at FEB UNDIP, completed his doctoral studies at National Chengchi University (NCCU) in Taiwan in 2025. While completing his dissertation, he secured a prestigious dissertation-writing grant, recognized as one of Taiwan’s most competitive doctoral funding programs.
Known as Hamdi, he was awarded the 2024 Dissertation Writing Grant in Humanities and Social Sciences by Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). The grant is among the country’s most prestigious doctoral research funding schemes. In that year, only 87 doctoral candidates from universities across Taiwan were selected to receive the grant, with each recipient awarded NTD 480,000.
“The selection process was highly competitive, involving doctoral candidates from various universities throughout Taiwan. I am grateful to have been chosen as one of the grant recipients,” said Hamdi.
The grant supported his dissertation proposal entitled “Understanding the Mechanism of Signals and Political Connections in Influencing Firm Internationalization: Insights from Emerging Market Firms (EMFs).” The research seeks to explain how companies from emerging economies overcome various barriers when expanding into international markets.
“Companies from emerging markets often face challenges related to limited legitimacy and resources when entering global markets. Therefore, I wanted to understand the factors that can help them overcome these limitations and increase their chances of success abroad,” Hamdi explained.
In his research, Hamdi identified two key mechanisms that can support the internationalization of firms from developing countries. The first involves using corporate signals, such as international certifications and foreign technologies, which can enhance overseas business partners’ confidence. The second mechanism focuses on political connections, which can provide companies with access to resources and government support.
In addition to examining these mechanisms, Hamdi’s study also investigates the role of internal company factors—including international experience, research and development (R&D) activities, and industry characteristics—in influencing the effectiveness of internationalization strategies.
“I also wanted to understand whether internal company factors can strengthen or, conversely, reduce the effectiveness of corporate signals and political connections in driving international expansion,” he added.
Before receiving the NSTC grant, part of his research findings had been presented at the Academy of International Business (AIB) Annual Conference 2023 in Warsaw, Poland. The conference is widely recognized as the most prestigious academic forum in international business and is attended by leading scholars from around the world, including Professor Peter Buckley.
“The opportunity to present my research at the AIB Annual Conference was incredibly valuable. I received extensive feedback from international academics, which significantly strengthened the development of my dissertation,” Hamdi said.
Portions of the research proposal were also presented at the College of Commerce Doctoral Research and Publication Camp 2023, organized by National Chengchi University. The event provides a platform for doctoral students within the College of Commerce to present and discuss their research ideas. During the competition, Hamdi was honored with the Best Presenter Award.
Hamdi hopes that his research will contribute to the advancement of international business literature, particularly in understanding the challenges and strategies of internationalization among firms from emerging economies. He also hopes that his academic experience in Taiwan will help expand opportunities for international research collaboration within the FEB UNDIP academic community. (Public Communication / UNDIP / FEB)