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Doctor of Philosophy (Business)

Offered by:

School of Management, Marketing and International Business

• 3 years full time, 6 years part time (maximum)
• Commencement at any time subject to coursework and supervisory requirements
• CRICOS 008855K
• Research-based program - 100,000 word thesis and preparatory coursework.

International Equivalents for Consideration of Admission
 

Overview

The PhD is the pinnacle of academic study.  Entry to the ANU PhD in Business is only open to students who are able to demonstrate superior achievement in their prior studies.  The program includes some preparatory coursework, however the essential element of the degree is a 100,000 word thesis on an approved topic.

The PhD Program in Business draws on the expertise of international researchers and instructors located in the Australian National University.

Admission

1. Applicants are required to hold a Bachelors degree with honour of at least 2A level (75-79%) in a relevant field.
2. Applicants who do not satisfy the minimum standard may enter through satisfactory completion of a preparatory program such as the Master of Philosophy.
3. Applicants are also strongly recommended to discuss their proposed program of study and topic for their research with a staff member before submitting an application.
4. Admission is not automatic and is at the discretion of the Dean.
5. English language requirements must be met.

 

Program Structure

Year 1 - Coursework and Thesis proposal

• Candidates develop a detailed thesis proposal in consultation with their supervisory committee.
   
• Candidates undertake coursework (if required)

Candidates may be required to undertake up to six semester length courses as coursework preparation for the research thesis.  Whether coursework is required is determined individually based on an assessment of candidates preparedness for their research.  Coursework requirements are evaluated on a case by case basis and discussed with the candidate prior to their enrolment.

Typical coursework include MGMT8006 Management Research Methods, MGMT8192 Special Research Topics, and other courses related to the field of PhD study.

• International Business
• Management and Organisational behaviour
• Marketing
• Method and Statistics (Multivariate Analysis, Regression Modelling, Research Method, Statistical Inference)

• To progress to the thesis component, the coursework must be completed at a satisfactory level (average mark of 70%).

Years 2 and 3 - Thesis

• PhD Thesis of up to 100,000 words of original research.  Students are assigned a supervisory committee.  Advisers may also be appointed.  Students are expected to consult widely with their supervisory committee, particularly the chair.  The role of the committee is to provide students with regular access to a panel who can assist, advise and provide support for a timely and successful completion.
   
• Report:  Students must submit an annual report on their progress.
     
• Mid-Term Review:  Midway through the program, students are required to present a mid-term review comprising a seminar presentation and written paper.

 

Seminar Series

Students are expected to attend and participate in the seminar programs conducted within the Graduate Program of Business and more generally in the School. PhD students are expected to present at least one seminar on their thesis topic.

Research Areas

Staff in the School of Management, Marketing, and International Business have diverse research interests and are capable of providing supervision across a range of topics:

·        Application of commercial marketing techniques to non-traditional areas of business,

·        Business ethics

·        Business history

·        Business in East Asia

·        CEO remuneration;

·        Chinese management

·        Corporate governance, especially in Australia and Sub-Saharan Africa

·        Corporate sustainability

·        Cross-cultural management

·        Development of capability for innovation in firms in both developing and advanced economies

·        Dimensions of learning in evolution of innovation systems

·        Economic growth and productivity change, particularly in East Asia

·        Employee relations in professional organisations

·        Enterprise bargaining; 

·        Entrepreneurship

·        Evolution of firms, sectors, clusters and technologies, and focuses on the role of innovation (in products, processes, organisation, business models, etc)

·        Evolution of innovation systems (ie a firm, sector, economy) toward sustainability (ie lower energy and materials intensity of activity, etc);

·        Evolution of innovation systems toward an increasing service intensity of production and consumption

·        Exporting strategies and performance

·        Foreign direct investment 

·        Foreign direct investment in China

·        Formation and evolution of new innovation-based ventures

·        Higher education management & corporate universities

·        Human resource management in cross-cultural context

·        Human resource management;

·        Industrial relations

·        Innovation

·        Interactions between MNCs and indigenous firms

·        International business strategies

·        International joint venture

·        International market entry modes

·        International marketing strategies

·        Internationalization of Chinese firms

·        Job insecurity

·        Job stress and burnou 

·        Knowledge management

·        Leadership

·        Leadership development.

·        Leadership practices in professional organisations

·        Managing major shifts in the knowledge base or organisation of innovation systems (firms to economies)

·        Marketing theory and metacriticism of marketing

·        Multinational corporations

·        Not-for-profit marketing

·        Organisation development and change

·        Organisational behaviour

·        Organisational commitment

·        Organisational justice

·        Organisational Learning

·        Performance management

·        Performance measurement and management

·        Political and social marketing

·        Psychological contract

·        Servant leadership

·        Services cape and online services marketing

·        Social responsibility

·        Teamwork and collaboration

·        Traditional, tribal, and Aboriginal wisdom adapted to the West

·        Use of marketing theory in education delivery

·        Work motivation and retention of professional employees

·        Work-family conflict

 

Staff

Senior staff who provide supervision in the program are active scholars whose research output is published in major international peer-reviewed journals in international business, management, marketing, and related fields.

Visitors

The Graduate Program in Business has an active international visitor program. International visitors are typically at the ANU for periods of up to twelve months and interact strongly with graduate students. Visitors sometimes provide short courses in specialist areas, act as short-term advisers and enable students to network and establish links outside the ANU.