PhD in management

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PhD (Doctor Of Philosophy) in management is one of the highest academic degrees awarded in the study of management science. The degree was designed for those seeking academic research and teaching careers as faculty or professors in the study of management at business schools worldwide. [1]

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Ph.D. in management degree

Business doctoral programs

A PhD degree is a doctor of philosophy which can be obtained in many areas of study, while a PhD in management is specific to the study of research questions with potential relevance to the business world. Areas of specialization for the PhD in business often include, but are not limited to the following:

A PhD in management or business is often required for those interested in pursuing an academic career as a professor at a business school. [2] Business schools often require faculty to hold a Ph.D. and to engage in research. [3] Business school rankings are often heavily influenced by the proportion of faculty with Ph.D. degrees or doctorates. [4] Research is fundamental to the integrity of a graduate educational institution. Through research, professors gain the expertise required to teach advanced courses and to ensure that they remain current in his or her chosen field.

Brief history

In the 1950s and 1960s, leading business schools made a transition from vocational training to scientific research, rooted in social sciences, such as economics, psychology, sociology, anthropology, systems engineering, and mathematics. Since then, Ph.D. programs in business prepare candidates to conduct scholarly research based on rigorous methods and applied to business. For example, such research might aim to develop new theory and empirical knowledge about business and management problems by combining methods from economics, psychology and mathematical decision theory. By combining methods from multiple social sciences, business research has developed its own subfields of research, published in business application oriented journals as well as in social sciences journals. [5]

Business research

Research with regard to the study of business encompasses a wide range of activities. There are many research methodologies or "tools" one must learn before being able to conduct research. A Ph.D. program in business will teach one of these various methods. [6] [7] [8]

Research methodologies

Common research methodologies used in studying business are Modeling, Econometrics, Experiments, descriptive and Field Studies.

Program structure

Typically, the PhD in management takes 4–5 years to complete. [9] The structure is usually 2 years of intensive coursework (core courses and seminars) followed by a comprehensive examination. [10] The dissertation phase is typically 2–3 years. [10]

Careers

Becoming a professor of business means investing years of study before obtaining the desired degree, but academia offers many benefits, including attractive salaries, the combination of varied activities in one career, intellectual stimulation as well as professional autonomy. [11] However, following through with a PhD degree can be challenging not only because of the academic rigour but also due to the pressure and stress that comes from conducting research and defending a dissertation. Moreover, once a person obtains a Ph.D., there is no guarantee that even with an offer from a business school, that the Ph.D. student will go on to publish his or her research in a top journal, will be able to teach effectively, or will receive a tenured faculty position.

Still, for those who have the motivation, drive, and stamina to be successful in this field, there are many benefits. The life of a business professor is markedly different from a corporate career. An academic has more time to explore his or her own interests, pursues research, and rarely has a 'nine to five' type of career. Being a professor is much like being an entrepreneur. [12] Success is based on the individual, and faculty are often their own bosses. Beyond being intellectually bright and able to conduct research, professors in business also need to be able to perform in the classroom. Teaching is a fundamental component of being a professor, though most faculty may only teach around 100 hours per year, the classroom setting can be challenging and often involve debate. [13]

Not everyone can be a professor, but for those that have the skills required, it provides an excellent standard of living, with salaries comparable to the corporate world. [12] Consulting, book publishing and speaking engagements can also further add to overall compensation. [12] Academic institutions are often less vulnerable than corporations to forces like global economic downturns. Academia offers much in the way of financial stability. [12]

PhD versus DBA

The PhD in Management is similar to the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA). [14] The PhD is a research doctorate while the DBA is most often considered a professional doctorate or an applied research doctorate for managers. As such, both PhD and DBA programs require students to develop original research leading to a dissertation defense. [15] Furthermore, both doctorates enable holders to become faculty members at academic institutions.

In some cases, as in that of Harvard University, the distinction is solely administrative (Harvard Business School is not authorized to issue PhDs; only the Faculty of Arts and Sciences may do so). [16] In most cases, however, the distinction is one of orientation and intended outcomes. The Ph.D. is highly focused on developing theoretical knowledge, while the DBA emphasizes applied research leading to the practical application of theoretical knowledge. [15] Upon completion, graduates of PhD programs generally migrate to academia, while those of DBA programs reemerge in industry as executives in leading organizations often teaching part-time in undergraduate and graduate programs.

PhD versus Doctor of Management

The Doctor of Management (D.M., D.Mgt.) is a research intensive degree - including coursework, a comprehensive examination, and a research dissertation - which additionally, is "focused on developing the talents, skills and abilities of management-level staff." [17] It is sometimes positioned as "an applied research degree within the study of management," [18] and its coursework thus connects theoretical knowledge and practice, through cognitive, professional, and peer learning. [17] Similar to both the Ph.D. and DBA, a D.M. enables holders to become faculty members at academic institutions." [18] The D.M. was introduced at Case Western Reserve in 1995.

Doctor of Project Management

The Doctor of Project Management (DPM) is a research-oriented professional doctoral degree previously offered by some Australian universities, such as RMIT University in Melbourne. [19] That program was subsumed into the RMIT PhD program around 2012. The DPM had a coursework and thesis components with the coursework being advanced project management topics to prepare candidates for their thesis work. The thesis (monograph) expectation was consistent with that expected of the PhD. Thus, the DPM is of the same academic level as traditional PhD with a research focus on industry practice rather than theoretical framework.

See also

Related Research Articles

A Master of Business Administration is a postgraduate degree focused on business administration. The core courses in an MBA program cover various areas of business administration such as accounting, applied statistics, human resources, business communication, business ethics, business law, strategic management, business strategy, finance, managerial economics, management, entrepreneurship, marketing, supply-chain management, and operations management in a manner most relevant to management analysis and strategy. It originated in the United States in the early 20th century when the country industrialized and companies sought scientific management.

Business administration, also known as business management, is the administration of a commercial enterprise. It includes all aspects of overseeing and supervising the business operations of an organization. From the point of view of management and leadership, it also covers fields that include office building administration, accounting, finance, designing, development, quality assurance, data analysis, sales, project management, information-technology management, research and development, marketing and communication studies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Postgraduate education</span> Phase of higher education

Postgraduate education, graduate education, or grad school, refers to academic or professional degrees, certificates, diplomas, or other qualifications pursued by post-secondary students who have earned an undergraduate (bachelor's) degree.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doctorate</span> Academic or professional degree

A doctorate or doctoral degree is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities and some other educational institutions, derived from the ancient formalism licentia docendi.

The Doctor of Education is a research or professional doctoral degree that focuses on the field of education. It prepares the holder for academic, research, administrative, clinical, or professional positions in educational, civil, private organizations, or public institutions. Considerable differences exist in structure, content and aims between regions. In the US, for instance, the EdD usually is a professional doctorate for working or learning professionals and has a large taught component with a smaller thesis, comparable to for example a DSW or DPH, whereas in the UK and Canada, the Ed.D is a full research doctorate with research and profession related courses but ultimately awarded for the thesis resulting from original research, that way aligning more with a Ph.D.

A Doctor of Science is an academic research doctorate awarded in a number of countries throughout the world. In some countries, a Doctor of Science is the degree used for the standard doctorate in the sciences; elsewhere a Doctor of Science is a "higher doctorate" awarded in recognition of a substantial and sustained contribution to scientific knowledge beyond that required for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) or (DrBA) is a terminal degree in business administration. It is classified as a research doctorate or professional doctorate depending on the granting university. It is awarded based on advanced study, examinations, project work, and research in the field of business administration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doctor of Theology</span> Doctoral degree

Doctor of Theology is a terminal degree in the academic discipline of theology. The ThD, like the ecclesiastical Doctor of Sacred Theology, is an advanced research degree equivalent to the Doctor of Philosophy.

Sasin School of Management (Sasin) is a graduate business school located in Bangkok, Thailand and is affiliated with Chulalongkorn University. Sasin is AACSB accredited and was the first business school in Thailand to achieve this recognition in 2010. The school is also EQUIS accredited and achieved this status in 2011. Sasin was founded in 1982 through a collaboration among Chulalongkorn University, the Kellogg School of Management and the Wharton Business School. It was previously known as the Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration of Chulalongkorn University.

A Master of Philosophy is a postgraduate degree. An MPhil may be awarded to postgraduate students after completing taught coursework and one to two years of original research, which may also serve as a provisional enrolment for a PhD programme.

The Doctor of Public Administration (D.P.A.) is a terminal applied-research doctoral degree in the field of public administration (a part of public service). The D.P.A. requires significant coursework beyond the masters level and a dissertation that contributes to theory or practice. Upon successful completion, the title of "Doctor" is awarded and the post-nominal letters of D.P.A. or DPA can be used.

A terminal degree is the highest-level college degree that can be achieved and awarded in an academic discipline or professional field. In other cases, it is a degree that is awarded because a doctoral-level degree is not available nor appropriate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lee Kong Chian School of Business</span>

The Lee Kong Chian School of Business is the business school of the Singapore Management University (SMU). Established in 2000, the school was the first to be established under the Singapore Management University's charter. It is a research-driven school, with a blend of education that focuses on academic research and industrial relevance. Faculty are hired on the basis of research or on perceived expertise in their field of study or practice. The current dean is Professor Bert De Reyck.

The Doctor of Engineering is a professional degree awarded in engineering and applied science. An EngD is a terminal degree similar to a PhD in engineering but applicable more in industry rather than in academia. The degree is usually aimed toward working professionals.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a professional degree in nursing. In the United States, the DNP is one of three doctorate degrees in nursing, the others being the research degrees PhD and the Doctor of Nursing Science. The DNP program may often include additional clinical/residency hours, some as many as 500, as well as a DNP Capstone/Final project which is usually a clinical practice research project that is often implemented through direct clinical nursing care in an effort to improve healthcare outcomes. The DNP Capstone/Final project reflects the scope of the student’s doctoral level work, with a short goal program of demonstrating mastery of study the often student’s online newly acquired skills and knowledge.

The Doctor of Health Administration (D.H.A.) is a doctoral degree focused with the development of theoretical knowledge in health administration and on the applied application of the said knowledge in the field of health administration. The D.H.A. requires significant coursework beyond the master's level and often requires a dissertation or capstone project that contributes to knowledge or practice.

The Doctor of Management is an applied research doctorate with a degree focus in management, leadership, and organizational topics."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doctor of Philosophy</span> Postgraduate academic degree awarded by most universities worldwide

A Doctor of Philosophy is the most common degree at the highest academic level, awarded following a course of study and research. PhDs are awarded for programs across the whole breadth of academic fields. Because it is an earned research degree, those studying for a PhD are required to produce original research that expands the boundaries of knowledge, normally in the form of a dissertation, and defend their work before a panel of other experts in the field. The completion of a PhD is typically required for employment as a university professor, researcher, or scientist in many fields. Individuals who have earned the Doctor of Philosophy degree use the title Doctor, although the etiquette associated with this usage may be subject to the professional ethics of the particular scholarly field, culture, or society. Those who teach at universities or work in academic, educational, or research fields are usually addressed by this title "professionally and socially in a salutation or conversation." Alternatively, holders may use post-nominal letters such as "Ph.D.", "PhD", or "DPhil", depending on the awarding institution. It is, however, considered incorrect to use both the title and post-nominals together.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Western Australia Business School</span>

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doctor of Law</span> Doctoral degree in law

A Doctor of Law is a degree in law. The application of the term varies from country to country and includes degrees such as the Doctor of Juridical Science, Juris Doctor (J.D.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), and Legum Doctor (LL.D.).

References

  1. ↑ Becoming a Business Professor "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-07-11. Retrieved 2016-01-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. ↑ AACSB "Becoming a Business Professor" article "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-07-11. Retrieved 2016-01-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ↑ AACSB "Becoming a Business Professor" "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-07-11. Retrieved 2016-01-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ↑ 2009 FT rankings table and criteria list http://rankings.ft.com/exportranking/global-mba-rankings/pdf
  5. ↑ Ph.D. Project http://www.phdproject.org/downloads/What_is_a_PhD.pdf Archived 2014-06-11 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ↑ Stanford http://www.gsb.stanford.edu/phd/overview/
  7. ↑ INSEAD http://www.insead.edu/phd/program/program_structure.cfm
  8. ↑ Columbia http://www4.gsb.columbia.edu/phd/whycolumbia/
  9. ↑ AACSB article about a PhD in Business and Becoming a Business Professor "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-07-11. Retrieved 2016-01-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. 1 2 "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-07-11. Retrieved 2016-01-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. ↑ PhD Project "The PhD Project: Currently in the PhD Project". Archived from the original on 2014-12-19. Retrieved 2016-01-05.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "Doctoral - Harvard Business School".
  13. ↑ "Doctoral - Harvard Business School".
  14. ↑ http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/doctorate.doc [ bare URL DOX/DOCX file ]
  15. 1 2 FAQs AACSB "Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) | Best Business Schools". Archived from the original on 2015-10-09. Retrieved 2015-11-16.
  16. ↑ Admissions FAQs Harvard http://www.hbs.edu/doctoral/faqs/Pages/default.aspx
  17. 1 2 Darrell Norman Burrell (n.d.) A Degree of Difference: A Doctorate in Management, AASA
  18. 1 2 Which Doctorate Degree Should I Pursue? Ph.D. vs. D.M., Colorado Technical University
  19. ↑ Walker, D. H. T. (2008). "Reflections on developing a project management doctorate." International Journal of Project Management. 26 (3): 316-325. This paper is written by the person who was director of the DPM.
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