Structure of the PhD programme in Strategy and Management
The first year of the programme is dedicated to taking taught courses. The taught element of the PhD programme consists of courses in research methods and theoretical courses. Aminimum of seven courses must be completed with satisfactory results. The theoretical courses offer the students insight into the research frontier on a wide range of specialised subjects. Students are expected to complete all required courses within the first year of the programme. The programme has a strong emphasis on empirical research, and it is expected that the PhD students conduct empirical research as part of their doctoral dissertations.
The course portfolio in the PhD programme in Strategy and Management consists of both mandatory and elective courses. The following table offers an overview of courses that are offered on a regular basis. More specialised courses that are offered on an ad hoc basis are not listed. Click on the course name for more detailed course descriptions.
| Course number | Course title |
| MET501 | Research Designs and Methodological Choices |
| MET502 | Testing casual models |
| MET504 | Theory and Research Evaluation |
| MET512 | Qualitative Methods |
| MET514 | Network analysis |
| ORG503 | Corporate Strategy |
| ORG504 | Inter-organisational Relations |
| ORG505 | IT-support of strategic decision processes |
| ORG508 | Organisation Theory |
| ORG515 | Enterprise Systems and Performance Management |
| ORG 516 | Strategic Change and Change Management |
| MAR505 | Marketing Topics: Marketing Theories |
| FIN 509 | Capital Structure and Credit Risk |
| MAR506 | Marketing Topics: Brand Management |
| MAR507 | Marketing Topics: Consumer Psychology |
| MAR508 | Marketing Topics: Marketing Communication |
Students can in addition to these courses choose among courses offered by other departments at NHH, as well as courses offered by other institutions.
The second and third years of the programme are dedicated to work on the student's PhD dissertation. Students are expected to start this work under the guidance of an advisor after they have fulfilled the minimum course requirements.
| Degree Requirements |
| Years 1 |
| Coursework |
| Research activities |
| Formulation of research topic for thesis |
| Year 2 and 3 |
| Research activities |
| Focused work on PhD dissertation |
| End of programme |
| Dissertation with oral examination |
Students are moreover expected to attend the Department of Strategy and Management's weekly seminars where PhD students and faculty members present and discuss their research, facilitating early feedback. Students are also encouraged to present papers at international conferences and to stay one or two semesters at universities abroad.
