Programs by Campus
Bloomington
Business
Kelley School of Business
Departmental E-mail: ksbdoc [at] indiana [dot] edu
Departmental URL: http://www.kelley.iu.edu/doctoral/
(Please note that when conferring University Graduate School degrees, minors, certificates, and sub-plans, The University Graduate School’s staff use those requirements contained only in The University Graduate School Bulletin.)
Curriculum
Degrees Offered
Doctor of Philosophy. In addition, the Kelley School of Business offers the Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Information Systems, Master of Science in Accounting, and other graduate degrees. For details, see the Kelley School of Business Bulletin, Graduate Programs.
Special School Requirements
(See also general University Graduate School requirements.)
Kelley School of Business doctoral candidates must defend their final dissertation defense within four years of successfully passing their qualifying exam.
Admission
To apply for admission to the doctoral programs in business, the applicant must do the following:
- For domestic and international applications: apply online here.
- Arrange for at least three letters of recommendation to be sent from persons qualified to judge the academic potential of the applicant.
- Arrange to take (or have already taken within five years of the date of application) either the Graduate Management Admission Test or the Graduate Record Examination General Test. These tests are prepared by the Educational Testing Service and are administered at numerous locations throughout the United States approximately four times each year and, at less frequent intervals, in many foreign countries.
- For domestic applications: submit official transcripts of all college work taken and other support material directly to the Chairperson of the Doctoral Programs, Kelley School of Business, 1309 E. Tenth Street, 7th Floor, HH 7302, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405-1701.
- For international applications: submit official transcripts of all college work taken and other support material directly to the Office of International Admissions, Indiana University, 400 E. Seventh Street, Poplars 221, Bloomington, IN 47405.
Detailed information on admission and financial aid as well as additional program data may be obtained from the doctoral programs office.
The application deadline for August admission is the preceding December 15th. This is the priority consideration date, and early applications are urged. Late applications will be honored only if space is available.
Early applications are urged since all spaces in particular departments may be filled before the deadline. Late applications will be honored only if space is available.
Admission to the doctoral program in business is based on an individual’s qualifications as evidenced by the application, official transcripts, scores on the Graduate Management Admission Test or the Graduate Record Examination, and, if possible, a personal interview. Prospective students’ applications for admission and supporting credentials are reviewed by the doctoral program’s administrative committee and by the faculty in the proposed major department.
While it is unusual, highly qualified students with career objectives clearly in mind may enter the doctoral programs in business directly from a baccalaureate program with the intention of working toward a doctoral degree. Most, however, will begin work toward the doctorate after obtaining the master’s degree.
Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Business
Program Requirements
The requirements for the Ph.D. program in business are fulfilled in three basic phases of study. Although these phases may overlap, the program requires a logical sequence of course work, qualifying examinations, and dissertation research.
Phase I
The Phase I requirements entail no minimum number of credit hours but focus instead on proficiency in business operations and the basic disciplines. The credit hours required for proficiency may be met either by exemption (through the acceptance of previous course work) or by taking courses or independent study after entering the program. Individual departments determine the appropriate requirements for their majors.
Phase II
The Phase II program of study is the central part of the student’s doctoral-level course work. It is therefore critical that the courses be selected to achieve the student’s educational objectives while emphasizing high levels of research and scholarship.
Major Field
The program of study for the major is planned in consultation with the student’s major-field advisor and consists of a minimum of 18 credit hours of advanced graduate work. Major fields include: Accounting, Business Economics and Public Policy, Decision Sciences, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Management Information Systems, Marketing, Operations and Supply Chain Management, Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management, Strategic Management and Organizational Theory. An overall GPA of at least 3.5 in the major courses is required. Students who have not attained this standard must have an additional course to meet the requirement in this area.
Minor Field
Each student selects one minor field, which requires a minimum of 9-12 credit hours. Minors are available in each of the major business fields, Accounting, Business Economics & Public Policy, Decision Sciences, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing, Organizational Behavior and Operations Management. Minors may also be obtained in the following fields (though not limited to these): international business, economics, political science, history, mathematics, psychology, sociology, and law. The doctoral business minor provides the opportunity for the integration of other disciplines into the major area(s) of students majoring in the Kelley School of Business; it requires a minimum of 9-12 credit hours from a field outside the student’s major field. The minor requirements for fields outside the Kelley School of Business are determined by the department in which the minor is offered. For a minor in one of the business fields, an overall GPA of at least 3.4 in the minor courses is required.
Methodology and Analysis (M & A) Requirement
All doctoral candidates must demonstrate competency in the areas of research methodology and statistical analysis. The minimum standard for M&A requirements is 9 credit hours with a 3.3 grade point average or higher, with no grade less than B-. Students who have not attained this standard must have a fourth M&A course to meet the requirement in this area. This course work will help provide the foundation and special proficiency in research design and analysis necessary for candidates to conduct their research programs.
Teaching Development Program
In the belief that all students in the Doctoral Program will need to effectively communicate the results of their research, the Kelley School of Business has a required teaching development component in the Doctoral Program, X630, which is a 1.5 credit hour course. This course is required before the student may assume their Associate Instructor duties and provides grounding in learning and teaching styles and methods.
Double Concentration Option
Rather than follow the major, minor, and M&A sequence, a doctoral student may elect to have two concentrations. The double concentration candidate has the option of (1) two concentrations, each with 18 credit hours, or (2) a first concentration with 21 credit hours plus a second concentration of at least 15 credit hours. There are two issues that a student electing a double concentration should consider. First, all double concentration students must pass the qualifying examination in both concentrations. Second, a double concentration is unlikely to be approved unless the student can demonstrate that a portion of the overall course work provides competency in M&A. Doctoral students may not unilaterally elect to have a double concentration; the student’s petition for a double concentration must be approved by both departments as well as by the chairperson of doctoral programs.
Grades
Course grades below C+ (2.3) are not counted toward degree requirements but will be included in the computation of the student’s grade point average. An overall GPA of at least 3.5 in the major courses is required. At least a 3.4 grade point average with no grade below B– (2.7) is required in those courses taken as part of the minor field. Students must achieve an overall grade point average of at least 3.3 and earn no less than a B– (2.7) in those courses taken as part of the methodology area.
Examinations
Evidence of the student’s competence in a major field must be demonstrated by examination. Examinations may also be required in some minor fields. The examinations are designed as exercises in creative and critical thinking, not merely in recollecting facts and familiar analyses.
Admission to Candidacy
Upon successful completion of all Phase II requirements (including all qualifying examinations), the student will be nominated to candidacy.
Awarding of the Masters in Business Degree
Upon successful completion of all qualifying exams, students become eligible for the Masters in Business degree from the Kelley School of Business. The student’s declared major field will determine the major field for the Masters in Business.
Dissertation Proposal
Examination on the dissertation proposal is expected within two years after successful completion of all qualifying exams. An examination committee is appointed, in addition to the dissertation committee, to supervise each candidate’s proposal examination. A formal oral examination, to which other doctoral students and faculty members are invited, is held on the proposal. Upon passing the examination, the candidate moves into the third phase of the program.
Phase III
Dissertation
An important early part of the dissertation experience is integrated with the advanced course work through the research seminars. A minimum of 24 credit hours of dissertation credit is required, but 3 hours of credit in research seminars within the major area may count toward this requirement. Since the dissertation represents a major research project, a year or more of full-time work in close cooperation with the candidate’s committee is normally required to complete Phase III. For this reason, candidates in the Indiana University doctoral programs in business are strongly urged to remain in residence until all degree requirements have been met.
Defense of the Dissertation
Phase III concludes with the defense of the dissertation. The objective of the defense is to provide students with a forum for formal presentation of the results of their dissertation research. The purpose of the presentation, questioning, and discussion is to enable students to demonstrate that they have successfully completed what they set out to do, as stated at the time of the proposal defense. The dissertation defense gives the research committee a final opportunity to bring the candidate’s research methods, findings, and conclusions under critical review. The candidate is expected to be able to defend all aspects of the inquiry satisfactorily.
Ph.D. in Business with an emphasis in Accounting
For each doctoral student in this academic program, a faculty advisory committee individually prescribes a minimum of 18 credits of courses which the student must complete in the Accounting major. For students with an emphasis in Accounting, this prescribed coursework covers research that addresses research questions in financial accounting, auditing, managerial accounting, and tax accounting. The accounting curriculum offers tracks based primarily on archival or experimental research methods. Accounting doctoral students pursuing the archival track normally establish a minor in finance, and students pursuing the experimental track normally establish a minor in psychology. The faculty advisory committee helps the student select appropriate coursework for a minor area and a research methods area. The prescribed course plan is selected to prepare the student to design and conduct research and prepare a dissertation yielding advancements in the field of Accounting.
Ph.D. in Business with an emphasis in Business Economics and Public Policy
For each doctoral student in this academic program, a faculty advisory committee individually prescribes a minimum of 18 credits of courses which the student must complete in the Business Economics and Public Policy major. For students with an emphasis in Business Economics and Public Policy, this prescribed coursework is focused on economic modeling, game theory, agency theory, information economics, and econometrics. In addition, the faculty advisory committee helps the student select appropriate coursework for a minor area and a research methods area. The prescribed course plan is selected to prepare the student to design and conduct research and prepare a dissertation yielding advancements in the field of Business Economics and Public Policy.
Ph.D. in Business with an emphasis in Decision Sciences
For each doctoral student in this academic program, a faculty advisory committee individually prescribes a minimum of 18 credits of courses which the student must complete in the Decision Sciences major. For students with an emphasis in Decision Sciences, this prescribed coursework is focused on preparing students for research careers in management science and/or operations management. Emphasizing the use of mathematical models and analytical reasoning, students analyze problems in such areas as operations management, information technology, marketing, finance, management, and economics. The mathematical problem-solving techniques used include mathematical (linear, integer, nonlinear) programming, computer simulation, decision analysis, statistics, applied probability, game theory and artificial intelligence. In addition, the faculty advisory committee helps the student select appropriate coursework for a minor area and a research methods area. The prescribed course plan is selected to prepare the student to design and conduct research and prepare a dissertation yielding advancements in the field of Decision Sciences.
Ph.D. in Business with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship
For each doctoral student in this academic program, a faculty advisory committee individually prescribes a minimum of 18 credits of courses which the student must complete in the Entrepreneurship major. For students with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship, this prescribed coursework is focused on the discovery and recognition of opportunities to bring into existence future products and services. In addition, the faculty advisory committee helps the student select appropriate coursework for a minor area and a research methods area. The prescribed course plan is selected to prepare the student to design and conduct research and prepare a dissertation yielding advancements in the field of Entrepreneurship.
Ph.D. in Business with an emphasis in Finance
For each doctoral student in this academic program, a faculty advisory committee individually prescribes a minimum of 18 credits of courses which the student must complete in the Finance major. For students with an emphasis in Finance, this prescribed coursework is focused on fundamental research in major areas of finance and analytical methodologies. In addition, the faculty advisory committee helps the student select appropriate coursework for a minor area and a research methods area. The prescribed course plan is selected to prepare the student to design and conduct research and prepare a dissertation yielding advancements in the field of Finance.
Ph.D. in Business with an emphasis in Management Information Systems
For each doctoral student in this academic program, a faculty advisory committee individually prescribes a minimum of 18 credits of courses which the student must complete in the Management Information Systems major. For students with an emphasis in Management Information Systems, this prescribed coursework is focused on topics that include: Foundations of IS, Team Collaboration, IS Theory Building, and Systems Analysis and Design. These courses are augmented with tools courses such as Statistics and Structural Equation Modeling. In addition, the faculty advisory committee helps the student select appropriate coursework for a minor area and a research methods area. The prescribed course plan is selected to prepare the student to design and conduct research and prepare a dissertation yielding advancements in the field of Management Information Systems.
Ph.D. in Business with an emphasis in Marketing
For each doctoral student in this academic program, a faculty advisory committee individually prescribes a minimum of 18 credits of courses which the student must complete in the Marketing major. Additionally, students are required to take a minimum of 9-12 credit hours in an approved minor/supporting field. And finally, each student must have a minimum of 9 credit hours of Methodology and Analysis courses. For students with an emphasis in Marketing, this prescribed coursework is focused around the three central domains within the marketing field: consumer behavior, marketing strategy, and marketing models. In addition, the faculty advisory committee helps the student select appropriate coursework for a minor area and a research methods area. The prescribed course plan is selected to prepare the student to design and conduct research and prepare a dissertation yielding advancements in the field of Marketing.
Ph.D. in Business with an emphasis in Operations and Supply Chain Management
For each doctoral student in this academic program, a faculty advisory committee individually prescribes a minimum of 18 credits of courses which the student must complete in the Operations and Supply Chain Management major. For students with an emphasis in Operations and Supply Chain Management, this prescribed coursework is focused on ways to address the strategic and tactical problems faced by practicing managers overseeing the systems that transform resources (labor, capital, energy, and materials) into goods and services, from originating locations to their destination in the marketplace. Good operations and supply chain management improves the use of resources through the development and implementation of effective operating systems to aid in the design, planning, and control of productive activities for both goods and services (such as Healthcare). In addition, the faculty advisory committee helps the student select appropriate coursework for a minor area and a research methods area. The prescribed course plan is selected to prepare the student to design and conduct research and prepare a dissertation yielding advancements in the field of Operations and Supply Chain Management.
Ph.D. in Business with an emphasis in Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management
For each doctoral student in this academic program, a faculty advisory committee individually prescribes a minimum of 18 credits of courses which the student must complete in the Organizational Behavior major. For students with an emphasis in Organizational Behavior, this prescribed coursework is focused on human behavior in work settings, human capital acquisition, development, and deployment with an emphasis on explaining, predicting and influencing behavior in organizations. In addition, the faculty advisory committee helps the student select appropriate coursework for a minor area and a research methods area. The prescribed course plan is selected to prepare the student to design and conduct research and prepare a dissertation yielding advancements in the field of Organizational Behavior.
Ph.D. in Business with an emphasis in Strategic Management and Organization Theory
For each doctoral student in this academic program, a faculty advisory committee individually prescribes a minimum of 18 credits of courses which the student must complete in the Strategic Management major. For students with an emphasis in Strategic Management, this prescribed coursework is focused on the management of the total enterprise at the strategic level, alignment of its unique characteristcs and competencies with its external environment, and contextual variables that influence an organization's choice of structure. In addition, the faculty advisory committee helps the student select appropriate coursework for a minor area and a research methods area. The prescribed course plan is selected to prepare the student to design and conduct research and prepare a dissertation yielding advancements in the field of Strategic Management.
Minor in Accounting
Doctoral students who wish to minor in Accounting will need an appropriate background in Accounting and will be required to take a minimum of 9 credit hours of coursework from the courses listed below. The objective of the Accounting minor course plan is to support and add to the student’s major field of study.
Prerequisites
Phase I requirements and an appropriate background in Accounting.
Coursework
A601A / A601B – Capital Markets-Based Research in Financial Accounting – 3 credit hours each
Introduction to archival research in accounting. Both seminars focus on research that examines the role of accounting information in capital markets. Specific topics include the assessment of the information content of accounting earnings, earnings components, and non-earnings disclosures; voluntary disclosure; information processing by analysts and investors; and financial reporting policy.
A602A / A602B – Experimental Research in Accounting – 3 credit hours each
Introduction to experimental research in accounting. A602A focuses on financial accounting issues, while A602B focuses on managerial accounting issues.
A603A / A603B – Special Research Topics in Accounting– 3 credit hours each
These seminars cover special topics in accounting research. A603A focuses primarily on tax accounting issues, while A603B covers a variety of accounting topics.
Qualifying Exams
The qualifying exam is waived for students who achieve a minimum GPA of 3.4 in minor coursework, with no grade below B-. Students who fail to meet the grade requirement are required to include an examination of the minor as the qualifying exam.
Minor in Business Economics and Public Policy
The Department of Business Economics and Public Policy trains doctoral students in the anticipation of microeconomic and econometric analysis to business strategy and economic and public policy issues.
Prerequisites
The objective of the Business Economics and Public Policy minor is typically to support and complement the candidate’s major field of study. Accordingly, students pursuing a minor in Business Economics and Public Policy should first consult with their major advisor and the Business Economics minor advisor.
Coursework
Doctoral students who minor in Business Economics and Public Policy are required to complete a minimum of 9 credit hours of coursework. These 9 credit hours are to be selected in consultation with the student’s major advisor and the Business Economics minor advisor. Students select from G651, G652, G750, G751 and G753.
G651 – Econometric Methods in Business I – 3 credit hours
Multiple regression models, generalized least squares, and distributed lag models. Discusses various models, estimations, and inference problems. Use of a computer and application to economics and business problems.
G652 – Economic Methods in Business II – 3 credit hours
The goal of this course is to teach students how to process, critique, communicate and execute econometric methods in the context of economic applications with causal implications. Throughout the term, students will read, assess, and discuss a wide range of leading empirical papers in the industrial organization (IO) literature, spanning across major IO subgroups. In addition, students will execute data analyses that are comparable to some of the highlighted papers, and provide a full critique of one paper. The econometric methods we will emphasize include: OLS, 2SLS, GMM, ML, RD, Diff-in-diff, and matching. We will conclude with a brief discussion placing these methods in context of other analytical methods, including Bayesian statistics and machine learning.
G750 – Economic Modeling – 3 credit hours
This course introduces researchers in business-related disciplines to the basic toolkit and modeling techniques of modern economics. We begin with an introduction to optimization methods followed by the economic theory of the consumer and the competitive firm. We then cover imperfectly competitive markets. Appropriate game-theoretic concepts are developed as needed.
G751 – Game Theory – 1.5 credit hours
Game Theory is the study of multi-person decision problems in which players consider that their actions affect each other. This course provides an introduction to graduate level game theory. Throughout the course we use applications from different business fields.
G752 - Information Economics – 1.5 credit hours
Asymmetric information is a fundamental problem in almost all business transactions, from uncertainty over the quality of a product or the value of a firm, to doubts over the intentions or capabilities of a business partner. This course uses game theory to analyze how individuals and firms credibly convey information.
G753 – Agency Theory – 1.5 credit hours
Agency issues are important in many business settings and the principal-agent model is central in accounting, economics, finance, management, and marketing. In this course, we provide a focused introduction to the basic moral hazard and adverse selection/screening agency models and then use them to study aspects of managerial compensation and insurance and financial markets, as well as marketing strategies such as price discrimination, price/quality market segmentation, and supply chain management. As time permits, we may also cover topics in repeated bilateral contracting and/or incomplete contracts and institutional design.
G754 – Structural Econometrics – 1.5 credit hours
Structural Econometrics fuses economic theory and statistical methods in order to derive unknown underlying primitives of economic models. After developing the general framework, we apply the methodology to topics including market power models, differentiated product competition, search, auctions, production functions, and principle-agent models.
Qualifying Exams
The qualifying exam is waived for students who achieve a minimum GPA of 3.4 in minor coursework, with no grade below B-. Students who fail to meet the grade requirement are required to include an examination of the minor as the qualifying exam.
Minor in Decision Science
Business students who minor in Decision Science (DS) are required to complete 9 credit hours of coursework with the approval of the DS Department advisor. The objective of the minor area course plan in DS is to supplement the student’s major course plan. The needs and goals of the student are a major consideration when designing the minor area coursework. As a result, the typical course load for the DS minor consists of courses which fit into a single area or which show some logical correlation.
Prerequisites
All entering Decision Sciences doctoral students are expected to have an acceptable background in mathematics. If they are lacking this knowledge, they will be required to take the appropriate course(s) from the Mathematics Department.
Coursework
K601 – Linear Optimization – 1.5 credit hours
This course covers linear optimization. In particular, it focuses on theory, solution methods, and formulations for linear optimization problems. Topics include linear programming, including the simplex and interior point methods, duality, and network flow problems.
K602 – Integer and Nonlinear Optimization – 1.5 credit hours
This course covers integer and nonlinear optimization. It focuses on theory, solution methods, and formulations for these problems. Topics include integer programming, non-linear programming (unconstrained and constrained), and stochastic programming.
K603 – Probability Models for Operations Research – 1.5 credit hours
The course focuses on establishing a solid understanding on probability and on how to use it to build applied models. Topics include an introduction to probability theory, random variables, conditional probability, conditional expectation, and stochastic order relationship.
K604 – Stochastic Process for Operations Research – 1.5 credit hours
The course introduces the fundamental knowledge in stochastic processes. Topics include the Poisson process, renewal theory, discrete-time Markov chains, continuous-time Markov chains, and queuing theory.
K605 – Dynamic Programming – 1.5 credit hours
This course provides an introduction to the formulation and analysis of dynamic optimization problems. Topics include, convexity and concavity, K-convexity, stochastic dominance, dimensionality reduction in dynamic programs, and Lippman’s transformation.
K635 – Special Topics in Decision Science – 1.5 credit hours
The topics included in this course varies at the time of the offering. Usually, a sub-field such as applications of decision sciences to humanitarian logistics, health care OM, contracts in supply chain management, sustainable operations and so forth, is explored in depth.
Qualifying Exams
The qualifying exam is waived for students who achieve a minimum GPA of 3.4 in minor coursework, with no grade below B-. Students who fail to meet the grade requirement are required to include an examination of the minor as the qualifying exam.
Minor in Entrepreneurship
Doctoral students who wish to minor in Entrepreneurship are required to take 9 credit hours of coursework. Required courses are W610 and J602. The additional 3 credit hours may be fulfilled by taking D620, J601, W601, Z601 or Z798. Usually no authorization is needed to register for doctoral seminars, although you may wish to contact the professor in advance to learn more about the course and obtain a copy of the syllabus. The objective of the Entrepreneurship minor course plan is to support and add to the student’s major field of study.
Prerequisites
See Phase I requirements. This requirement is usually met by graduating from an AACSB-accredited MBA program. Students entering without an MBA, exposure to Economics, Finance, and General Management or in cases where the faculty advisor and the student jointly identify a Phase I-type deficiency, a course of action to remedy it will be agreed to between the faculty advisor and the student.
Coursework
W610 – Theoretical Foundations of Entrepreneurship – 3 credit hours
Topics covered include: introduction to entrepreneurship; models of organization formation; firm growth; individual and group factors in entrepreneurship research; ecology of entrepreneurship; entrepreneurial strategy; corporate entrepreneurship; economics of entrepreneurship; entrepreneurial finance; resources acquisition and venture capital; international entrepreneurship research; entrepreneurship research methods; and trends and directions in entrepreneurship research.
J602 – Seminar in Strategic Management – 3 credit hours
Current research in strategic management. Major research streams are identified. Topics and research methods covered in this seminar include but are not limited to those covered in J601.
D620 – Doctoral Seminar in International Business – 3 credit hours
Reviews the current state of the field in IB and allied areas; considers the main research issues that specialists are working on; examines standard IB research methods; and encourages students to come up with innovative research ideas, some of which may become thesis topics.
J601 - Foundations of Strategic Management – 3 credit hours
Seminal works in the field of strategic management and their impact on current research. Topics include but are not limited to environmental and industry analysis, formulation of corporate and business-level strategy, and strategy implementation. Treatment of research using archival data sources and laboratory research.
W601 – Theoretical and Historical Foundations of Organization Theory - 3 credit hours
Historical development and critical appraisal of current concepts of organization theory and design including problems, methods, consequences, and implications for the discipline of management. Emphasis on interaction of managers, organizations, and environments, and the processes involved in governing complex organizations with multiple goals and programs in varied environments. Also included is a treatment of research using survey techniques and field observation.
Z601 – Doctoral Seminar in Organizational Behavior – 3 credit hours
This seminar examines current paradigms of theory and research in the field of organizational behavior and organizational psychology. The materials we shall examine provide a sort of "operational definition" of the field; in other words, what one reads in the journals and hears at the professional meetings in recent years. Focus is on the kinds of problems posed, issues addressed, conflicts joined, prototypical research strategies and tactics employed (although here we do not emphasize "methods" and analytic techniques as such), and the individuals who are being read and listened to. Major topics include: The historical roots of OB, models of satisfaction and performance, modes of attachment of individuals to organizations, comparative effects of dispositions and work environments, leadership, and the role of culture in shaping behavior in organizations.
Z798 – Research Methods – 3 credit hours
The primary purpose of this seminar is to prepare doctoral candidates to conduct research in the organizational and behavioral sciences. The emphasis of this course is on exploring: (a) the logic of research designs, (b) different types of research methodologies, and (c) the advantages and disadvantages of using different research methods. Special attention will be paid to the topics of construct development and validation, how to control for method biases, and the identification of the necessary conditions for establishing causal relationships. Although the discussion of various analytical procedures will be unavoidable, the major focus of the seminar will be on methodological (as opposed) to analytical issues.
Qualifying Exams
The qualifying exam is waived for students who achieve a minimum GPA of 3.4 in minor coursework, with no grade below B-. Students who fail to meet the grade requirement are required to include an examination of the minor as the qualifying exam.
Minor in Finance
Doctoral students who minor in Finance will need to fulfill certain pre-requisites and a minimum of 9 credit hours of coursework. The objective of the coursework for the Finance minor is to provide the student with a basic understanding of financial theory.
Prerequisites
G651, G604 and M413 or an equivalent background in probability/statistics, microeconomics and mathematics.
Coursework
Students who minor in Finance are required to complete a minimum of 9 credit hours of coursework with the approval of the Finance Department advisor. All Finance minors must take F600. The Finance minor coursework may be completed by taking any two of the four remaining doctoral-level seminars offered by the Finance Department (i.e., F605, F625, F635, and F644, if offered).
F600 – Asset Pricing Theory – 3 credit hours
This course will build the foundation for all of the finance courses to follow. Specifically, there are four goals for each student to obtain: develop a fundamental knowledge of asset pricing theory under perfect capital markets, develop key analytic tools and modeling skills, develop basic academic writing skills, and gain exposure to state-of-the-art research.
F605 – Corporate Finance – 3 credit hours
Recent developments in the financial markets literature. Participants will be involved in the intensive study of existing theory and extension or tests of that theory.
F625 – Empirical Finance – 3 credit hours
To test the theoretical models presented in F600 and F605 and to prepare the student to do empirical research in financial economics. Some focus on the technical aspects of empirical papers from several areas.
F635 – Market Microstructure – 3 credit hours
Introduction to multi-period models of financial decision making. Consumption/savings and portfolio problems of individual investors. Models of the behavior of financial and real asset prices. Theoretical, as opposed to empirical, models in both discrete and continuous time frameworks stressed.
F644 – Special Topics – 1.5 to 3 credit hours
Topics in Finance - This course covers various special topics that are of topic interest. Possible topics include: 1. Empirical corporate finance. 2. Mutual funds, Hedge Funds, and Delegated Portfolio Management. 3. Theoretical and empirical issues related to financial intermediation. Class sessions for each topic will be a combination of lecture presentations and student presentations of selected papers. Students will conduct and present an original research project. Typical Sub-Topics in Empirical Corporate Finance: Capital structure, Bankruptcy and reorganization, Payment policy, Capital acquisition, and Corporate control. Typical Sub-topics in Mutual Funds: Performance of mutual funds, Persistence of performance, Fund flows, Market timing, Industrial organization of funds industry, and Hedge funds. Typical Sub-Topics in Financial Intermediation: Theory of financial intermediation and bank uniqueness, Bank regulation, contracting in public versus private markets, Credit rationing, Universal banking, and Credit channel of monetary policy.
Qualifying Exams
The qualifying exam is waived for students who achieve a minimum GPA of 3.4 in minor coursework, with no grade below B-. Students who fail to meet the grade requirement are required to include an examination of the minor as the qualifying exam.
Minor in International Business
Doctoral students who wish to minor in International Business are required to take 9 credit hours of coursework. A required course is D620. The additional 6 credit hours may be fulfilled by taking J601, J602, D669, W601, W610, Z601, Z615 or Z798. Usually no authorization is needed to register for doctoral seminars, although you may wish to contact the professor in advance to learn more about the course and obtain a copy of the syllabus. The objective of the International Business minor course plan is to support and add to the student’s major field of study.
Prerequisites
Phase I requirements for Strategic Management & Organization Theory majors.
Coursework
D620 – Doctoral Seminar in International Business – 3 credit hours
Reviews the current state of the field in IB and allied areas; considers the main research issues that specialists are working on; examines standard IB research methods; and encourages students to come up with innovative research ideas, some of which may become thesis topics.
J601 - Foundations of Strategic Management – 3 credit hours
Seminal works in the field of strategic management and their impact on current research. Topics include but are not limited to environmental and industry analysis, formulation of corporate and business-level strategy, and strategy implementation. Treatment of research using archival data sources and laboratory research.
J602 – Seminar in Strategic Management – 3 credit hours
Current research in strategic management. Major research streams are identified. Topics and research methods covered in this seminar include but are not limited to those covered in J601.
D669 – Economic Development, Globalization and Entrepreneurship - 3 credit hours
The seminar examines the link between globalization, entrepreneurship, and regional economic development. It utilizes state-of-the art methodologies and theories to focus advanced graduate students on research topics in economic development policies.
W601 – Theoretical and Historical Foundations of Organization Theory - 3 credit hours
Historical development and critical appraisal of current concepts of organization theory and design including problems, methods, consequences, and implications for the discipline of management. Emphasis on interaction of managers, organizations, and environments, and the processes involved in governing complex organizations with multiple goals and programs in varied environments. Also included is a treatment of research using survey techniques and field observation.
W610 – Theoretical Foundations of Entrepreneurship – 3 credit hours
Topics covered include: introduction to entrepreneurship; models of organization formation; firm growth; individual and group factors in entrepreneurship research; ecology of entrepreneurship; entrepreneurial strategy; corporate entrepreneurship; economics of entrepreneurship; entrepreneurial finance; resources acquisition and venture capital; international entrepreneurship research; entrepreneurship research methods; and trends and directions in entrepreneurship research.
Z601 – Doctoral Seminar in Organizational Behavior – 3 credit hours
This seminar examines current paradigms of theory and research in the field of organizational behavior and organizational psychology. The materials we shall examine provide a sort of "operational definition" of the field; in other words, what one reads in the journals and hears at the professional meetings in recent years. Focus is on the kinds of problems posed, issues addressed, conflicts joined, prototypical research strategies and tactics employed (although here we do not emphasize "methods" and analytic techniques as such), and the individuals who are being read and listened to. Major topics include: The historical roots of OB, models of satisfaction and performance, modes of attachment of individuals to organizations, comparative effects of dispositions and work environments, leadership, and the role of culture in shaping behavior in organizations.
Z615 - Seminar in Human Resource (HR) Management – 3 credit hours
This seminar addresses the research domains associated with both Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) and Functional Human Resource Management (FHRM). SHRM is concerned with the emerging literature on aligning business and HR strategy, while FHRM is more about the traditional functions of HR (staffing, reward, and development systems). Special attention will be paid to the similarities and distinctions between SHRM and FHRM and the field of Organizational Behavior. The focus will be on reviewing (describing and critiquing) representative research studies as published in top academic journals and generating new research ideas in the form of original research proposals.
Z798 – Research Methods – 3 credit hours
The primary purpose of this seminar is to prepare doctoral candidates to conduct research in the organizational and behavioral sciences. The emphasis of this course is on exploring: (a) the logic of research designs, (b) different types of research methodologies, and (c) the advantages and disadvantages of using different research methods. Special attention will be paid to the topics of construct development and validation, how to control for method biases, and the identification of the necessary conditions for establishing causal relationships. Although the discussion of various analytical procedures will be unavoidable, the major focus of the seminar will be on methodological (as opposed) to analytical issues.
Qualifying Exams
The qualifying exam is waived for students who achieve a minimum GPA of 3.4 in minor coursework, with no grade below B-. Students who fail to meet the grade requirement are required to include an examination of the minor as the qualifying exam.
Minor in Management Information Systems
Doctoral students who minor in Information Systems (IS) are required to complete a minimum of 9 credit hours of course work. The program requires that the student take S6xx courses or alternate courses approved by the IS doctoral student advisor. The minor field in IS is intended to provide students majoring in other fields with some research experience in the IS field as well as to provide the student with a background sufficient to allow the student to teach introductory IS courses.
Prerequisites
S500 or an equivalent background in MIS.
Coursework
S601 – Technical Issues in Information Systems – 1.5 credit hours
The science of design is fundamental to analysis, design, and development of blueprints and creation of information systems artifacts. This seminar examines current research issues in information systems analysis and design as well as those in design science.
S602 – Individual Issues in Information Systems Research – 1.5 credit hours
The goal of this course is to provide an introduction to the individual-level research in information systems. This seminar covers different research streams, such as roles of individuals in systems development and implementation, technology adoption and use, impacts of technology on individual outcomes, and emerging topics related to individual issues.
S605 – Collaboration Technology Research – 1.5 credit hours
Collaboration technologies enable groups to work together and collaborate more effectively, whether they work in the same room at the same time or in different places at different times. This course will examine our current state of knowledge of collaboration tools and research on the effects of their use.
S606 – Information Systems Strategy and Management Research – 1.5 credit hours
The focus of this course is organizational-level research in information systems with a particular emphasis on strategic and management issues related to the role of information technology (IT) in organizations. Topics include IT strategy; business value of IT; inter-organizational systems and processes; IT adoption, assimilation and impacts; IT service management and governance; and emerging issues in organizational use of IT.
S635 – Special Topics in Information Systems – 1.5 credit hours
The topics included in this course varies at the time of the offering. Usually, a topic of interest, such as social media data mining, personalization, and advanced methodological/analytical issues, is explored in depth.
S798 – Theory Development – 1.5 credit hours
Theory development is the essence of research. Students will bring a research idea to the course and will develop the idea into a research proposal or the front end of an empirical paper as they go through the course.
Qualifying Exams
The qualifying exam is waived for students who achieve a minimum GPA of 3.4 in minor coursework, with no grade below B-. Students who fail to meet the grade requirement are required to include an examination of the minor as the qualifying exam.
Minor in Marketing
Doctoral student who wish to minor in Marketing are required to complete 9 credit hours of coursework with the approval of the Marketing Department advisor. The objective of the Marketing minor area course plan is to strengthen and support the student’s major area of study as well as to provide the background needed to enable the student to teach in the marketing area.
Prerequisites
All students must have at least an elementary understanding of the business enterprise as viewed by senior management (especially in the areas of accounting, finance, and marketing management), and basic statistics. Since all accredited MBA programs provide this training, students entering the doctoral program with an MBA degree from an accredited program are assumed to have satisfied all Phase I requirements. Students entering without an MBA degree may be required to take coursework in these areas as part of their Phase I program. The academic records of these students will be reviewed by program advisors to determine which, if any, Phase I courses are required to provide the fundamental understanding of the business enterprise and basic statistics required by Phase II of the program.
Coursework
Of the 9 required credit hours, six of these credit hours must consist of two of the three Marketing research seminars: M650, M651, and M653. The last three credit hours can be another of the above research seminars, M652, M798, an X680 readings course focusing on some aspect of Marketing, or possibly a 500 level Marketing course which appears particularly relevant to the candidate’s program (for all 500 level Marketing courses, it is required that the doctoral candidate do work beyond that normally expected of MBAs for the course to count toward his or her minor).
M650 – Research Methods in Marketing – 3 credit hours
The general objective of this course is to provide a basic understanding of the research process and the tools needed to design and execute scientific research on behavioral and organizational issues in business. A major focus will be on understanding the basic principles of latent variable structural equation modeling.
M651 – Consumer Behavior – 3 credit hours
The course purpose is to provide a strong foundation for critical thinking in the area of consumer behavior and decision making using concepts from cognitive and social psychology, behavioral theory and sociology. Students will develop skills allowing them to critically evaluate various perspectives, theories, and methodologies that form the field.
M653 – Managerial Research in Marketing – 3 credit hours
The purpose of this course is to provide a survey of the various areas of marketing strategy research, concentrating on theories, concepts, models and paradigms that collectively form the foundation of marketing strategy research - from classic articles to current literature.
M652 – Marketing Models – 3 credit hours
This course examines useful quantitative models and methods applied in marketing areas. Topics include measurement of multi-attribute preference structures, choice models, dynamic structural models, consideration set, brand and customer equity, hierarchical Bayesian models, market structuring and new product diffusion.
M798 – Special Topics in Marketing - 3 credit hours
This course focuses on current topics of relevance to research in the field of marketing. Typically, the emphasis is on covering a narrow topic area in depth, rather than on surveying a broad area. Topics will vary from year to year.
X680 – Supervised Readings in Business – variable 1-6 credit hours
Qualifying Exams
The qualifying exam is waived for students who achieve a minimum GPA of 3.4 in minor coursework, with no grade below B-. Students who fail to meet the grade requirement are required to include an examination of the minor as the qualifying exam.
Minor in Operations/Supply Chain Management
Doctoral students who minor in Operations/Supply Chain Management are required to complete a minimum of 9 credit hours of course work. These nine hours consist of P601, P602, P603, P604, and other P- and K-courses at the doctoral level (600-level) chosen by the student with the approval of the Departmental Advisor. The objective of the Operations Management minor program is to broaden student’s research background as well as to provide the background to enable the student to teach in the Operations and Supply Chain Management field.
Prerequisites
All entering Operations/Supply Chain Management doctoral students are expected to have an acceptable background in business and its operations. If they are lacking this knowledge, they will be required to take appropriate course(s) recommended by the departmental advisor.
Coursework
601 – Supply Chain Management and Distribution– 1.5 credit hours
This course provides a survey of key research themes in the area of supply chain management and distribution. Topics include multi-echelon inventory (stochastic and guaranteed service level models), risk pooling, postponement, transshipments, supply chain disruption, yield uncertainty, process flexibility, the bullwhip effect, and supply chain contracts.
P602 – Inventory Theory – 1.5 credit hours
This course provides an overview of quantitative models and techniques of inventory management that support the management of production and distribution. Topics include forecasting, the EOQ model and its variations (quantity discounts, power-of-two policies, planned backorders), the Wagner-Within algorithm, and stochastic inventory models (continuous review (r,Q) policies, periodic review base-stock policies, and (s,S) policies).
P603 – Operations, Planning and Scheduling – 1.5 credit hours
This course provides a survey of operations planning & scheduling topics drawn from the current literature.
P604 - Service Operations and Process Design – 1.5 credit hours
This course focuses on service management and process design, emphasizing operations management issues and decision making methods. Topics include service management frameworks, service design and process selection, service quality, service operations and the behavioral sciences, labor scheduling and flexibility, capacity planning, and revenue management.
P635 - Special Topic in Operations Management – 1.5 credit hour
The topics included in this course varies at the time of the offering. Usually, a sub-field such as humanitarian logistics, health care OM, contracts in supply chain management, sustainable operations, and so forth, is explored in depth.
K601 – Linear Optimization – 1.5 credit hours
This course covers linear optimization. In particular, it focuses on theory, solution methods, and formulations for linear optimization problems. Topics include linear programming, including the simplex and interior point methods, duality, and network flow problems.
K602 – Integer and Nonlinear Optimization – 1.5 credit hours
This course covers integer and nonlinear optimization. It focuses on theory, solution methods, and formulations for these problems. Topics include integer programming, non-linear programming (unconstrained and constrained), and stochastic programming.
K603 – Probability Models for Operations Research – 1.5 credit hours
The course focuses on establishing a solid understanding on probability and on how to use it to build applied models. Topics include an introduction to probability theory, random variables, conditional probability, conditional expectation, and stochastic order relationship.
K604 – Stochastic Process for Operations Research – 1.5 credit hours
The course introduces the fundamental knowledge in stochastic processes. Topics include the Poisson process, renewal theory, discrete-time Markov chains, continuous-time Markov chains, and queuing theory.
K605 – Dynamic Programming – 1.5 credit hours
This course provides an introduction to the formulation and analysis of dynamic optimization problems. Topics include, convexity and concavity, K-convexity, stochastic dominance, dimensionality reduction in dynamic programs, and Lippman’s transformation.
K635 – Special Topic in Decision Science – 1.5 credit hours
The topics included in this course varies at the time of the offering. Usually, a sub-field such as applications of decision sciences to humanitarian logistics, health care OM, contracts in supply chain management, sustainable operations, and so forth, is explored in depth.
Qualifying Exams
The qualifying exam is waived for students who achieve a minimum GPA of 3.4 in minor coursework, with no grade below B-. Students who fail to meet the grade requirement are required to include an examination of the minor as the qualifying exam.
Minor in Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management
Doctoral students who minor in Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management are required to take 9 credit hours of coursework. Z601 and Z615 are required courses. The additional 3 credit hours may be fulfilled by taking D620, J601, J602, W601, or Z798. Usually no authorization is needed to register for doctoral seminars, although you may wish to contact the professor in advance to learn more about the course and obtain a copy of the syllabus. The objective of the Organizational Behavior & Human Resources Management minor course plan is to support and add to the student’s major field of study.
Prerequisites
See Phase I requirements. This requirement is usually met by graduating from an AACSB-accredited MBA program. For students entering without an MBA, exposure to Economics and General Management, or in cases where the faculty advisor and the student jointly identify a Phase I-type deficiency, a course of action to remedy it will be agreed to between the faculty advisor and the student.
Coursework
Z601 – Seminar in Organizational Behavior- 3 credit hours
This seminar examines current paradigms of theory and research in the field of organizational behavior and organizational psychology. The materials we shall examine provide a sort of "operational definition" of the field; in other words, what one reads in the journals and hears at the professional meetings in recent years. Focus is on the kinds of problems posed, issues addressed, conflicts joined, prototypical research strategies and tactics employed (although here we do not emphasize "methods" and analytic techniques as such), and the individuals who are being read and listened to. Major topics include: The historical roots of OB, models of satisfaction and performance, modes of attachment of individuals to organizations, comparative effects of dispositions and work environments, leadership, and the role of culture in shaping behavior in organizations.
Z615 – Seminar in Human Resource Management – 3 credit hours
This seminar addresses the research domains associated with both Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) and Functional Human Resource Management (FHRM). SHRM is concerned with the emerging literature on aligning business and HR strategy, while FHRM is more about the traditional functions of HR (staffing, reward, and development systems). Special attention will be paid to the similarities and distinctions between SHRM and FHRM and the field of Organizational Behavior. The focus will be on reviewing (describing and critiquing) representative research studies as published in top academic journals and generating new research ideas in the form of original research proposals.
D620 – Doctoral Seminar in International Business – 3 credit hours
Reviews the current state of the field in IB and allied areas; considers the main research issues that specialists are working on; examines standard IB research methods; and encourages students to come up with innovative research ideas, some of which may become thesis topics.
J601 – Foundations of Strategic Management – 3 credit hours
Seminal works in the field of strategic management and their impact on current research. Topics include but are not limited to environmental and industry analysis, formulation of corporate and business-level strategy, and strategy implementation. Treatment of research using archival data sources and laboratory research.
J602 – Seminar in Strategic Management – 3 credit hours
Current research in strategic management. Major research streams are identified. Topics and research methods covered in this seminar include but are not limited to those covered in J601.
W601 – Theoretical and historical Foundations of Organization Theory – 3 credit hours
Historical development and critical appraisal of current concepts of organization theory and design including problems, methods, consequences, and implications for the discipline of management. Emphasis on interaction of managers, organizations, and environments, and the processes involved in governing complex organizations with multiple goals and programs in varied environments. Also included is a treatment of research using survey techniques and field observation.
Z798 – Research Methods – 3 credit hours
The primary purpose of this seminar is to prepare doctoral candidates to conduct research in the organizational and behavioral sciences. The emphasis of this course is on exploring: (a) the logic of research designs, (b) different types of research methodologies, and (c) the advantages and disadvantages of using different research methods. Special attention will be paid to the topics of construct development and validation, how to control for method biases, and the identification of the necessary conditions for establishing causal relationships. Although the discussion of various analytical procedures will be unavoidable, the major focus of the seminar will be on methodological (as opposed) to analytical issues.
Qualifying Exams
The qualifying exam is waived for students who achieve a minimum GPA of 3.4 in minor coursework, with no grade below B-. Students who fail to meet the grade requirement are required to include an examination of the minor as the qualifying exam.
Minor in Strategic Management and Organization Theory (Management)
Doctoral students who minor in Strategic Management and Organization Theory are required to take 9 credit hours of coursework. J601 and J602 are required courses. The additional 3 credit hours may be fulfilled by taking D620, W601, or W610. Usually no authorization is needed to register for doctoral seminars, although you may wish to contact the professor in advance to learn more about the course and obtain a copy of the syllabus. The objective of the Strategic Management and Organization Theory minor course plan is to support and add to the student’s major field of study.
Prerequisites
See Phase I requirements. This requirement is usually met by graduating from an AACSB-accredited MBA program. For students entering without an MBA, exposure to Economics, Finance, and General Management or in cases where the faculty advisor and the student jointly identify a Phase I-type deficiency, a course of action to remedy it will be agreed to between the faculty advisor and the student.
Coursework
J601 – Seminar in Strategic Management I – 3 credit hours
This course is designed as a broad survey of major and foundational topics in the field of strategic management. Its objectives are (1) to familiarize students with some of the primary theoretical underpinnings and core concepts of the strategic management field, (2) to review decision areas and challenges involving research methods within the domain of strategic management, and (3) to provide a forum in which students can further develop the writing skills they will need as strategic management scholars. Topics covered in the course include: an historical and theoretical overview of strategic management, core concepts in strategic management, selected theoretical lenses of strategic management, the drivers and consequences of firm performance, corporate governance and general management, strategy content, strategic processes, industry and environmental considerations in strategic management, and organizational considerations in strategic management. Class sessions are devoted to (1) reviewing and critiquing readings associated with the aforementioned topics, (2) developing, refining, and presenting research ideas, and (3) explaining the research and publication processes.
J602 – Theoretical Foundations of Strategy II – 3 credit hours
This course is designed as a survey of recent topics in the field of strategic management. Its objective is to familiarize the students with some of the primary theoretical underpinnings of the field as well as some of the common and/or promising methodological approaches to the study of strategy phenomena. Topics covered in the course include: the resource-based view of strategy, perspectives on firm growth, the knowledge and attentions based views of the firm, the role of the environment in strategic decisions, new venture and entry strategies, dynamic capabilities, slack, network and strategy at the population level of analysis. Class sessions will be devoted to reviewing and critiquing the readings associated with each of the aforementioned topics and generating research opportunities.
D620 – Seminar in International Business – 3 credit hours
Not only for specialists in International Business. Its orientation is basically to review both the classic literature in the field of international business especially the theory of multinational enterprises (MNEs) and business networks, as well as some of the more recent problems and issues that are at the forefront of academic research in the IB area. A “multiple perspectives” approach is followed, using insights from relevant functional fields and cognate disciplines, to throw light on the management issues affecting MNE and networks. Required critical readings and detailed seminar paper.
W601 – Organization Theory – 3 credit hours
Not only for specialists in International Business. Its orientation is basically to review both the classic literature in the field of international business especially the theory of multinational enterprises (MNEs) and business networks, as well as some of the more recent problems and issues that are at the forefront of academic research in the IB area. A “multiple perspectives” approach is followed, using insights from relevant functional fields and cognate disciplines, to throw light on the management issues affecting MNE and networks. Required critical readings and detailed seminar paper.
W610 – Theoretical Foundations of Entrepreneurship – 3 credit hours
This course is designed as a broad survey of major topics in the field of entrepreneurship. Its objective is to familiarize the students with some of the primary theoretical underpinnings of the field as well as some of the common and/or promising methodological approaches to the study of entrepreneurial phenomena. Topics covered in the course include: a theoretical overview of entrepreneurship and research agendas, entrepreneurship motivation and opportunity, entrepreneurial attention and information processing, learning and knowledge related to opportunity, entrepreneurial decision making and biases, entrepreneurs’ human and social capital, strategic orientation and corporate entrepreneurship, new ventures (strategy, growth and performance), entrepreneurial failure, and international entrepreneurship. Indirectly the course will also cover a dissertation in entrepreneurship, the journal review process, research methods, and presenting research papers. Class sessions will be devoted to reviewing and critiquing the readings associated with each of the aforementioned topics and generating research opportunities.
Qualifying Exams
The qualifying exam is waived for students who achieve a minimum GPA of 3.4 in minor coursework, with no grade below B-. Students who fail to meet the grade requirement are required to include an examination of the minor as the qualifying exam.