For Afonso Almeida Acosta, pursuing a PhD at INSEAD represented the perfect intersection of his background in economics and his passion for competitive strategy. Coming from Portugal with academic roots deeply embedded in his family, Afonso recognised early on the unique opportunities academia presented for freedom, influence, and meaningful impact.
Initially trained in economics at both undergraduate and master’s levels, Afonso briefly ventured into investment banking. Yet, it was academia that truly resonated with his aspirations. “Looking at my colleagues and their career paths, I saw myself more clearly as an academic,” Afonso reflects. This realisation was bolstered by witnessing the intellectual freedom and influence enjoyed by family members in academia.
INSEAD became a natural choice due to its strong reputation for impactful research and its close ties with the business world. "The practical relevance and impact of research at INSEAD truly stood out to me," he emphasises.
Afonso’s research centers on two critical elements within the strategy discipline: internal capital allocation and competitive strategy. His dissertation explores how resource allocation within firms directly influences their ability to create and capture market value. “Connecting resource management to competitive market dynamics is essential,” he explains, “because it directly shapes how firms execute their strategies and succeed.”
Afonso recalls a particularly influential moment during his fourth year, when he was auditing a competitive strategy course taught by a member of his dissertation committee. The professor brought up Afonso’s research, illustrating its practical application in real-world business scenarios. “This gave me a renewed sense of purpose,” Afonso recalls. “Seeing my theoretical work have tangible implications for management practice was incredibly motivating.”
Reflecting on his own journey, Afonso advises prospective PhD students to have a clear research focus and genuine passion for academia. "If your primary goal isn't to become a researcher, sustaining motivation through a rigorous PhD can be challenging," he cautions. He emphasises the importance of resilience, entrepreneurial spirit, and willingness to take intellectual risks—qualities critical for thriving in an academic career.
Afonso Almeida Acosta’s path underscores INSEAD’s distinctive blend of theoretical rigor and practical relevance, preparing students not just to engage with academic theory, but to influence real-world strategic decision-making profoundly.