Classical academic research track

EBS doctoral programme in Management aims to broaden our understanding of the world by giving deep knowledge of organisational theories and society while developing critical and analytical thinking and research skills. Upon the successful competition of the programme, one has developed the ability to make continuous and logical arguments and synthesise new ideas. PhD degree in Management offers challenges and career opportunities in the academia as well as raises one’s value on the labour market. 

Programme Organisation

EBS PhD programme focuses on the research of business, public and civil society organisations. It is the only doctoral programme in Management in Estonia and offers a comprehensive perspective on management and organisation studies. The programme is taught in English and has an international student body. On-going development activities and quality assurance of the programme is managed by the EBS Research and Development Council. 

 

The total volume of the programme is 240 ECTS, of which the core studies give 60 ECTS and research activity 180 ECTS. Studies consist of compulsory and elective courses, doctoral seminars and teaching internship. The curriculum serves as a guideline for doctoral students, but each student has the right and the obligation to put together an individual study plan. Research of the doctoral student is carried out according to an individual study plan under the guidance of a supervisor. The progress of a doctoral student is evaluated yearly by the evaluation committee formed by the EBS R&D Council.

 

All doctoral students have an opportunity to go on an exchange with the goal to pass part of their studies or conduct research in a foreign university. This opportunity is highly encouraged.

 

The doctoral dissertation presented to apply for the Doctoral degree may be in the form of an independent thesis, a series of publications provided with the summarising review article, or a published monograph.

 

Compulsory courses Research Design and Writing - Management Theories - Institutional Economics - Philosophy and Methodology of Science - Qualitative Research Methods - Quantitative Research Methods - Organization Theories: Meta-theoretical Perspectives of Traditional Theories and Alternative Views to Organizational Reality - Contemporary Paradigms of Social Science Foundations of Teaching - Developing Teaching Skills
Elective courses Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis - Research in Strategy and Innovation - Logic - Knowledge Management and Intellectual Capital - Theories of Management of Organisational Changes - Ethics and Responsibility in Management - Cultural Psychology - Cost-Benefit Analysis - Systems Science - Multicriteria Decision Making Methods - Structural Equation Modeling - Values in Theory and Practice   
Teaching internship Passing the teaching internship under the supervision of a professor is compulsory for all doctoral students and it takes place at EBS. Aim of this internship is to give the doctoral students the necessary skills and experience of teaching at the university level. The volume and period of internship are set in the individual study plan.
Exchange studies Every doctoral student at EBS has the opportunity to visit a foreign university or research institution with a goal to take courses and carry out research. Hosting institution is chosen by the doctoral student himself or with the guidance of the supervisor, and then coordinated with the home university. The goal of the exchange is to increase the circulation of knowledge and establish academic contacts. Length of the exchange can vary from one to five months.
Doctoral thesis

There are three different options for building up your doctoral thesis: 

  • Series of publications (minimum 3) with a conclusive article that is published by EBS as a dissertation.  
  • Monograph published by EBS as a dissertation. Monograph must be peer-reviewed by at least two internationally recognised and independent scholars. 
  • High-level peer-reviewed monograph published by a well-known international publisher

Doctoral studies regulations

Principles of doctoral studies and the defense of doctoral theses

Formatting of Doctoral Theses in EBS
Evaluation Procedure of Doctoral students

Defended Doctoral Theses