Research Degree
Why MGT PhD?
The Department offers exceptional research opportunities in the areas of organisational behaviour, entrepreneurship, human resources management, innovation and new product development, international business, strategic management, and related areas. Our research students conduct research in motivation, job attitudes, business ethics, e-business, performance management, learning and development, strategic and managerial issues in developing new products and new businesses, organisation culture, organizational justice, and Japanese management practices, among others.
Research is strongly supported by the University, which provides excellent computer and library facilities as well as generous research funding. The Department also facilitates research by organizing international conferences, hosting visits by world-renowned scholars, and publishing a working paper series. Over the years, our departmental staff members have published in a number of leading international journals, such as the Academy of Management Journal, Administrative Science Quarterly, Human Relations, IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, Journal of Applied Psychology, and Journal of Product Innovation Management, among others. Every effort is made to actively involve research students in activities of this nature, both to enhance the quality of their training and to improve their placement prospects upon graduation.
Our research degree students come from different parts of the world and have varying backgrounds such as business, international business studies, linguistics, and psychology. Our research degree programme helps students acquire advanced knowledge and research skills in specialised areas and our graduates enjoy excellent career prospects. Some of our graduates have pursued further studies in reputable universities overseas, while others have taken teaching and academic research positions in tertiary institutions.
M.Phil applicants are expected to have a relevant Bachelor's degree with first or second class honours from a recognised university; or a taught Master's degree from a recognised university; or an equivalent qualification. In addition, the university requires proficiency in English.
Ph.D. applicants should register as a M.Phil student first and then seek transfer to Ph.D. candidature; or hold a higher degree by research from a recognised university, or an equivalent qualification. In addition, the university requires proficiency in English.
Program Objectives
- Contribute to the advancement of knowledge through independent and original research;
- Demonstrate specialist subject knowledge and a high level of transferable skills, including analytical, communication and leadership skills;
- Enhance economic, social and cultural development.
The College of Business is ranked 38th worldwide and 4th in the Asia-Pacific region amount top business schools, based on publications in the most prestigious business academic journals in UTD Business School Research Ranking. We aim to sustain our outstanding performance and competitiveness through delivering innovative research that impact positively on business and society, and offering of high quality programmes.
Research foci/expertise in the Department of Management include:
(1) Human Resources Management:
Chinese Human Resource Management; Recruitment & Selection; Training & Development; Selection and Assessment;
(2) Organizational Behaviour:
Organization Theory; Organizational Change; Sociology of Work; Organizational Justice; Coaching; Conflict Resolution and negotiation, Leadership; Risk & Uncertainty; Social Constructionism; Business Ethics; job attitudes; virtual teams;
(3) Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management:
New Product Management; New Product Forecasting; Innovation & Creativity; entrepreneurship;
(4) International Business:
International Management; International Organizational Behaviour; MNC Control and Staffing; international alliances; Intercultural Communication; Comparative Management; Japanese management practices; Culture and cognition, Psychology of biculturals, Cross-Cultural Research Methods;
(5) Strategic Management:
Strategic Management; Strategic Management of Financial Resources; Competitive & Cooperative Strategy; Decision-making; Strategy and Policy; Corporate Governance and Political Strategy in Transitional Economies (China); Mergers and acquisitions (M&A);
(6) Corporate Social Responsibility:
Business Ethics; Stakeholder Management; Corporate Social Responsibility.
Curriculum
Programmes of Study
What is unique about the research degree education at the College of Business? "We want to give students a broader base of graduate business education through a set of tailor-made courses, which should help expand their horizons. The fact that some courses are shared by MPhil and PhD programmes provides invaluable opportunities for students to mingle with and learn from one another. Through these initiatives, the quality of research degree programmes would be enhanced and a stronger research culture should emerge,"said Prof Y V Hui, former Associate Dean (Research) of the College.
MPhil Programme
Candidates enrolled in the MPhil programme are required to take four courses and complete other relevant coursework, if any, as prescribed by the Qualifying Panels, and write a thesis in Year 2. These four courses are College and University core courses, which are also taken by PhD candidates.
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | SG8001 | Teaching Students: First Steps | 1 (Semester A or B) |
| FB8912 | Business Research Methods | 3 (Semester A) | |
| FB8905 | Project | 6 (Summer) | |
| Year 2 | FB8913 | Multi-Disciplinary Research Workshop | 3 (Semesters A and B) |
The above schedule of courses is catered for full-time candidates. For those pursuing parttime studies and admitted in mid-year, the schedule will need to be adjusted in consultation with their Qualifying Panels. In exceptional circumstances where candidates can demonstrate their scholarly attributes to the satisfaction of their Qualifying Panels, they can be exempted from part or all of the courses subject to approval by the College Graduate Studies Committee.
Business Research Methods provides a broad overview of business research methods, enables students to understand the fundamental principles of knowledge creation in business research and builds basic research competence.
During the summer preceding Year 2, candidates are required to do a Project which helps them gather momentum in writing the thesis.
The Multi-Disciplinary Research Workshop in Year 2 is designed for students to understand, appreciate and resolve research issues in conducting contemporary business research. It aims to expose students to a broad range of research across different business disciplines.
Each candidate is required to submit a Qualifying Report within a specified period. Subject to satisfactory performance of the candidate in coursework and in Qualifying Report as assessed by the Qualifying Panel established for the candidate, the candidature will be confirmed. Once having been confirmed the MPhil candidature, the candidate will proceed to write the thesis.
PhD Programme
PhD candidates will take the same College and University core courses as MPhil candidates.
In addition, they have to take an extra course listed below:
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 3 | FB8914 | Doctoral Seminar | 3 (Semester B) |
Similarly, the above course schedule is catered for full-time candidates. For those pursuing part-time studies and admitted in mid-year, the schedule will need to be adjusted in consultation with their Qualifying Panels. In addition to the five core courses, PhD candidates also need to complete other relevant coursework, if any, as prescribed by the Qualifying Panels. In exceptional circumstances where candidates can demonstrate their scholarly attributes to the satisfaction of their Qualifying Panels, they can be exempted from part or all of the courses, subject to approval by the College Graduate Studies Committee.
Doctoral Seminar is concerned with general and cross-disciplinary business research and is a research seminar for all doctoral students particularly in their 3rd year of study. Students joining this seminar are presumed to have completed significant amount of research at the doctoral level since in each week they will need to present their research to the class for indepth discussion. A primary objective is to broaden students’ perspectives in contemporary business research. It also provides opportunities for students to develop research critique and communication skills in presenting and defending their research in a rigorous and constructive manner to a multi-disciplinary audience.
Full-time students have to sit for a Comprehensive Examination normally in the summer of Year 2, while part-timers have it later. Its objective is to test students’ knowledge of major subject areas of their research disciplines and their ability to integrate the theories and concepts learned from the taught courses, as well as in analysing cases and solving problems. The minimum duration of the Examination is 6 hours, which takes the form of two 3-hour lots. One of them must be written examination while the other can either be a take-home or oral examination.
Courses Offered
| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
| MGT5313 | International Organizational Behaviour |
| MGT5510 | International Business & The Global Business Enterprises |
| MGT5516 | Managing innovation and Technology Globally |
| MGT6202 | Leadership Managing in Adverse Situations |
| MGT6314 | Global Human Resource Management |
| MGT6503 | Comparative Management: Asian Perspectives |
| MGT6511 | Emerging Issues in Multinational Strategic Management |
| MGT8904 | Advanced Topics in Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management |
| MGT8905 | Directed Studies in Organization and Strategy |
| MGT8906 | Advanced Topics in Organization and Strategy |
| MGT8907 | Directed Studies in Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management |
Study Period
| Normal | Maximum | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| MPhil | Full-time | 24 months | 36 months |
| Part-time | 36 months | 54 months | |
| PhD | Full-time | 36 months | 72 months |
| Part-time | 48 months | 96 months |
Guidelines on Monitoring Study Progress of Students in Taught Courses
To monitor the study progress of research degree students in their taught courses, the following guidelines will be adopted as appropriate:
| Cumulative GPA | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| (a) above 3.5 | Students are eligible for consideration of research tuition scholarship |
| (b) below 2.8 | Warning letter will be issued to the student concerned |
| (c) below 2.5 | Suspension of studentship for a specified period (applicable to full-time students only) |
Report Submission
1. Qualifying Report
Students are required to submit a qualifying report (in English) within the specified qualifying periods as follows:
- Full-time students: within 6 - 12 months from commencement of study
- Part-time students: within 9 - 18 months from commencement of study
The qualifying report should include a survey of the relevant literature, an identification of a specific research topic, the research methodology and a discussion on the possible outcomes.
2. Annual Report
Students who have been permitted to continue their studies or transfer to PhD (for MPhil students) after the qualifying period are required to submit a progress report (in English) on an annual basis until they have submitted their theses for assessment.
Medium of Instruction and Thesis Presentation
The normal medium of instruction and assessment at the University is English. For thesis presentation, the normal medium is also English.
Research students are required to write their theses in English, unless they provide very strong reasons for justifying their use of another language.
MPhil / PhD Awards
To earn the MPhil or PhD award, candidates should successfully complete the prescribed coursework and for PhD candidates, they must pass the Comprehensive Examination. The results of research will need to be presented in a thesis which gives evidence of a sound understanding of the area of study, its content and applicability. The MPhil thesis should make a contribution to knowledge while a substantial original contribution to knowledge in the subject area concerned is required of PhD thesis.
Both MPhil and PhD candidates must satisfy the examiners in respect of the thesis submitted, in an oral examination on the thesis and area of study concerned.
Those who have satisfied all requirements for the degree for which they are registered shall be recommended by the Panel of Examiners for the award of the degree.
Research Output
The College strongly encourages research degree students to provide evidence of scholarly work through publications which have been accepted or published by good quality journals during their candidature.