PhD Program

Course Credit: 3

The first part of the module is designed to provide insight into the management research process. By the end of the first part, with particular reference to the student‟s research, students should be conversant with the identification of library and online resources and how to use them, training in bibliographic sources and methods, techniques for preparing literature reviews and keeping up to date regarding the literature. Further, students will be given training in web-based research techniques (general web searching, and specific training in using web-based social science indices) as well as in plagiarism and research ethics.In the second part of the module, students will be introduced to the fundamental philosophical assumptions required for a doctoral-level of study within the management discipline. The course will look at the nature of knowledge, the logic of the argument, and the process by which new scientific knowledge is created. A range of social theories will be presented, but participation, application, and criticism are vital. Lectures will be combined with debates, the discussion around cases of knowledge building, and individual application to doctoral students' research. On completion of this module, students should be able to recognise and challenge assumptions in one's world view, and those of others; recognise and respond to assumptions inherent in alternative research methods/designs; gain appreciation of a range of alternative paradigms and disciplines; locate their own research within the philosophy of social sciences and management research.

Course Credit: 3

This course is intended to provide an overview of fundamental qualitative research methodology. At the end of this course, students are expected to be able to understand and use different approaches to qualitative research to explore the critical insights of real-world problems. The contents of this course include basic understandings of various philosophical and theoretical issues related to qualitative research methods; qualitative research design; theoretical sampling; theoretical generalisation; theoretical model building; data coding and analysis; data triangulation; different interviewing techniques (structured, semi-structured or unstructured), case studies; focus group discussion; participant observation; qualitative analytics, ethical considerations in qualitative inquiry. Key concepts related to qualitative methodologies will be introduced in this course, as a primer for an advanced level course in qualitative research methods.

Course Credit: 3

This course is intended to provide an understanding of quantitative techniques for business research. Topics will include fundamentals of probability, sampling, statistical estimation, tests of hypotheses, analysis of variance, chi- square analysis, univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses, regression analysis and factor analysis. As part of this course, students are also expected to utilize computer-aided data analysis software such as SPSS. At the end of this course, students are expected to demonstrate their understanding of general theories and techniques related to quantitative analyses.

Course Credit: 3

The module is designed to develop the necessary research skills students will need to conduct a thorough literature review. After completing this course, students will be able to design and conduct a structured literature review for critically exploring the works of others and developing and defending one‟s own arguments about the research problem being investigated. Besides, this course will help students to gain the knowledge required for finding out the research gap in the respective research area, and accordingly setting the research questions more succinctly

Course Credit: 3

This module will build upon the quantitative and qualitative theoretical principles and approaches introduced in the earlier courses. The primary objective of this course is to provide in-depth knowledge to doctoral students regarding how a doctoral research study can be planned and executed independently. On completion of this module, students should be able to develop and implement a research design strategy building upon the analytical and conceptual tools appropriate to their field. Students should be able to describe and apply the philosophical and theoretical issues inherent in a qualitative and/ or quantitative research design; determine which specific methodology or combination of methodologies are appropriate for a particular research problem; build research skills that can be applied to both quantitative and qualitative research methods; understand and incorporate their research into the appropriate research ethics framework. At the end of the module, students will have a good understanding of the difference between methods and methodology. They will learn to appreciate the role of philosophical underpinning to the chosen research methods, including the use of qualitative or quantitative methods, or a mixture of both.

Course Credit: 1.5

This module will build upon the quantitative and qualitative theoretical principles and approaches introduced in the earlier courses. The primary objective of this course is to provide in-depth knowledge to doctoral students regarding how a doctoral research study can be planned and executed independently. On completion of this module, students should be able to develop and implement a research design strategy building upon the analytical and conceptual tools appropriate to their field. Students should be able to describe and apply the philosophical and theoretical issues inherent in a qualitative and/ or quantitative research design; determine which specific methodology or combination of methodologies are appropriate for a particular research problem; build research skills that can be applied to both quantitative and qualitative research methods; understand and incorporate their research into the appropriate research ethics framework. At the end of the module, students will have a good understanding of the difference between methods and methodology. They will learn to appreciate the role of philosophical underpinning to the chosen research methods, including the use of qualitative or quantitative methods, or a mixture of both.

Course Credit: 1.5

The highest prestige in publishing research articles is to get them accepted into peer-reviewed journals. Navigating the journal publishing system can prove to be difficult. This course will help students in preparing the manuscript for publication in a peer-reviewed journal in the most effective way. Students will get insider insights from experts who have expertise in academic writing for many years. Students will be taught the writing style required for their dissertation as well as for a high standard journal article in detail. Furthermore, students will be groomed to crafting research papers that can contribute to the policymaking process and improve the current industry practices. Throughout the course, students will be shown how to communicate with different stakeholders to get their research work the maximum reach.

Course Credit: 3

This course is designed to enable students to gain advanced level knowledge in qualitative research methods. At the end of this course, students are expected to develop an in-depth understanding of the critical concepts of qualitative research and their applicability in a wide range of social science studies. The contents of this course will include a rigorous theoretical understating of qualitative research approaches and strategies; ethnographic case study; grounded theory; phenomenological research; biographical research; appraisal of critical issues like validity, reliability and ethics in the qualitative research study; and training on computer-aided data analysis software such as NVivo.

Course Credit: 3

This course is designed to enable students to gain advanced level knowledge in quantitative research techniques in the business. At the end of this course, students are expected to demonstrate their capability in selecting and applying various theories and techniques related to quantitative research design and modelling. The topics include causal and ecological inference, discrete choice, randomized experiments, panel data analysis and cross-sectional time series analysis etc. The course will also provide students with a functional understanding of path analysis, structural equation modelling and multilevel modelling. As a part of this course, students are also expected to utilize computer-aided data analysis software such as STATA or R for applying contemporary techniques.

Course Credit: 3

In this course, students can choose a relevant course from a range of academic disciplines such as Finance, Marketing, Management, Operations, Human Resource Management etc. Directed studies in the chosen discipline involve a reading course in which the research supervisor will direct non-classroom independent study that has to be taken up by the students. Readings will be in areas not offered in the lecture or seminar courses, and it is anticipated 6 that they will deal with trending or upcoming issues in the particular academic discipline. The responsible supervisor and student will together decide the topics of the course and direction of the studies undertaken. The supervisor will meet regularly with students to assess their progress.

Course Credit: 3

This course focuses on managerial issues that affect the organisation as a whole - issues that have long-term implications and deal with organisation-environment relationships. The course gives particular emphasis on the characteristics and determinants of goal formation, industrial analysis, the forms of competitive warfare and various types of generic business and corporate strategies as kinds of problems, which affect the success of an entire organisation. This course will help students expand their strategic mindsets, acquire the skills needed to gain stakeholder buy-in, and translate strategy into value-driven decisions. Adopting a practical approach, it introduces relevant concepts, analytical tools, and their application to real-world problems in a variety of industries and contexts. After completing this course, students will be better equipped to tackle strategic initiatives, transform operating models, and drive change and innovation in their workplace.

Course Credit: 3

The economic environment consists of all the external elements in the immediate marketplace and the broader economy. These factors can influence a business, i.e., how it operates and how successful it might become. Businesses cannot control their economic environment. However, they can evaluate conditions in the marketplace before deciding whether to proceed with a plan or project. This course will equip students with the analytical mindset required to assess the environment business is/planning to operate in. After the successful completion of the course, students will be able to evaluate critically environmental, business and social issues from an economics perspective and decide the profitability of a venture in a particular market.

Course Credit: 3

Students are required to take up independent studies on the specific sector on which their dissertation is based on. The students will select the sector after consulting with their research supervisor. This can be based on their professional expertise and working experience. Example of sectors includes information technology, pharmaceutical, cement, food, banking etc. Readings must be in areas not covered in lecture or seminar courses and are expected to deal with trending or upcoming issues in the particular sector.