PhD in Business

Doctoral degree

The PhD degree in Business is a research education that leads to the degree Philosophiae Doctor (Ph.D.). The education is standardized at 3 years and consists of a course work and a doctoral dissertation. The courses included in the course work shall provide the candidates with training in theory and methods that provide academic depth and breadth in their own subject, at the same time as the subject is placed in a larger framework.

A PhD in Business from Nord University Business School qualifies for varied assignments that require high competence and very good analytical skills. Many continue in academia with teaching and research, while others choose positions in public or private business.

As a doctoral student at Nord University Business School you work closely with leading professors within an interesting and dynamic research environment. We encourage our students to take part of their studies abroad both by participating in international conferences and research stays.

Programme description

Admission requirements

The admission requirements are described in the Regulations for the doctor of philosophy degree (PhD) at Nord University with supplementary provisions for the PhD in Business at Nord University Business School (HHN).

Admission to PhD studies at the Business School normally requires five years of tertiary education within the field of business (Master of Science), or equivalent education in which at least 2 years (120 ECTS) are at a Master degree level. At least 90 ECTS must be in a subject area that is relevant for the PhD project. Normally, the 2 year Master degree must include a Master thesis with a grade point average of B (or the equivalent) for the thesis and the entire Master degree.

An experience-based master's degree of 90 or 120 ECTS credits is in principle not intended to qualify for admission to the PhD program. If HHN wishes to admit an applicant from such programs, the following conditions must be met: the bachelor's education is relevant, qualification for admission is done with the addition of credits at master's level, and the master's thesis is equated with the thesis of master's studies that normally qualifies for admission. Satisfactory results are required on language tests (TOEFL or IELTS). Exceptions are granted for candidates with a master's degree from a Nordic institution. Test results should be available when applying for a PhD position and before starting work on a project description (proposal).

Learning outcomes

Knowledge

Upon completion, the candidate should:

have an academic specialisation within the field of business
be able to locate this field within a larger framework
have specialised insight into the scientific methods used in, and knowledge of, their field of study
be able to contribute to development of the field in the form of new theories, methods, interpretations and the like.

Skills

Upon completion, the candidate should be able to:

formulate and solve problems at an advanced scientific level
utilise relevant scientific theories and methods in their field
critically evaluate and form an opinion about the use of relevant theories and methods in the field
conduct indpendent research work at an advanced scientific level.

General competence

Upon completion, the candidate should:

be able to indentify, carry out and disseminate research and development tasks with academic integrity, in accordance with founding principles of the institution of academia.
be able to reflect upon and form an opinion about integral ethical challenges in relation to research and development task
be able to utilise their research and development expertise within all areas that require insight into business-related scientific methods and results
be able to communicate problem, analyses and results to their peers, as well as to the general public, including participating in debates at conferences and in the public arena.

Job opportunities

A doctoral degree in business from Nord University Business School qualifies successful candidiates for demanding academic and research activities in higher education, or in business and industry. We aim to provide a first class PhD programme, which prepares candidates for careers within education and research at leading insitutions, as well as for careers that demand expertise and analytical skills.

Further education

PhD is the highest form of academic education offered, and signifies the conclusion of studies.

Study abroad

The Business School encourages students to participate in mobility programmes. Based on the chosen research project, fieldwork, residencies and/or visits to insitutions nationally and internationally may all be an option.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge
Upon completion, the candidate should:

have an academic specialization within the field of business
be able to locate this field within a larger framework
have specialized insight into the scientific methods used in, and knowledge of, their field of study
be able to contribute to development of the field in the form of new theories, methods, interpretations and the like.

Skills
Upon completion, the candidate should be able to:

formulate and solve problems at an advanced scientific level
utilize relevant scientific theories and methods in their field
critically evaluate and form an opinion about the use of relevant theories and methods in the field
conduct independent research work at an advanced scientific level.

General competence
Upon completion, the candidate should:

be able to identify, carry out and disseminate research and development tasks with academic integrity, in accordance with founding principles of the institution of academia.
be able to reflect upon and form an opinion about integral ethical challenges in relation to research and development task
be able to utilize their research and development expertise within all areas that require insight into business-related scientific methods and results
be able to communicate problem, analyses and results to their peers, as well as to the general public, including participating in debates at conferences and in the public arena.

Programme evaluation

Dialogue meetings are conducted between students and the programme director every year.

Training component

The coursework component shall contain doctoral courses corresponding to at least 40 credits and shall include training in scientific theory / ethics, scientific methods, academic writing and perspectives in the business economics subject area. These courses are offered regularly as a compulsory course package. In addition to this, the candidate chooses courses offered at HHN or other universities and business schools.

Mandatory courses:

Coursecode	Course name	ECTS credits
ECO9002	Theoretical Foundations and Current Topics in Business Research	2,5
MET9000	Research Design and Scientific Methods in Business Research	7,5
VT409E	Philosophy of Science and Research Ethics	7,5
MET9011	Advanced Academic Writing	7,5
	SUM	25

How to apply

Nord University Business School admits new highly qualified doctoral students every year.

Announced PhD positions can be found under in the vacancy section of the university. If you want to apply and have already obtained funding outside the Business School please follow the application instructions below.

A successful PhD application should include the following:

A completed and signed application form
Certified evidence of prior degrees including academic transcripts.
For admission to the PhD programme at Nord University Business School the applicant must generally have successfully completed five year’s education at university level in business subjects (Master of Science), or the equivalent education, in which at least 2 years (120 ECTS study points) have been taken at master level, and in which at least 90 ECTS study points must have been taken in business subjects. Normally this means a two-year master degree including a master thesis. The minimum average grade of B is normally required both for the master thesis and the master degree in its entirety. The copies of transcripts and diplomas must be stamped and signed by a licensed copying agency or a public office.
Certified evidence of other relevant qualification
Copies of other relevant qualification must also be stamped and signed by a licensed copying agency or a public office.
Research proposal
In your research proposal for a PhD, you need to outline how your research is likely to be original and how it will contribute to your field of study. There are certain guidelines (link) for the proposal.
CV
A list of all publications and/or other documented relevant activities
Evidence of funding for the research programme.
The financing plan in the application and the project description must show how the project can be carried out. Confirmation or documentation of financing must be attached to the application. Private financing (one’s own means or the family’s means or similar conditions) is not normally accepted as corresponding financing for admission to the organized researcher study programme at the Business School. For more information: see funding
Evidence of your capacity in the English language, where appropriate
Any additional information that may help assess suitability

Please send the completed application along with the relevant documentation to the following address:

PhD coordinator

Nord University Business School

N-8049 Bodø

Norway

For further questions or information regarding your application please contact Grete.Knudsen@nord.no

Funding

In order to be admitted to our PhD program you must have sources of funding. Your PhD can either be funded by the Business School (research fellow position), or entirely funded by external sources. According to the regulations we do not accept private funding (funding must be through a research fellow position, scholarship or governmental/business funding).

Funded by a research fellow position at Nord University Business School

PhD research fellow positions are generally fully funded for three or four years. The duration depends on the commitment of the doctoral student to work as teaching or research assistant of the faculty as part of their PhD programme. The Business School announces through the website of Nord University when we have available research fellow positions. When you have been appointed to a research fellow position you have three months to finish your research proposal and apply for admission to our PhD programme. You will be appointed a supervisor to supervise the process.

A candidate appointed to a research fellowship at Nord University Business School will not automatically lead to admittance to the Ph.D. programme. Appointment to the position and admission to the programme are two paralell processes which involves separate applications.

We do not offer other scholarships.

PhD-courses

More information about the courses will be published soon

MET9010 Introduction to Academic Writing
20.01.23-20.03.23

DR430E Foundations and Future Perspectives in Entrepreneurship Research
Digital seminars: April 11, April 13-14, April 26-28. Physical seminar in Bodø Campus: April 18-20, 2023

DR437E Governance in the High North: implications for Arctic private and public sector
28.02.23 (digital), 21.03.23 (digital), 19.04.-20.04.23 (Bodø), 14.09.-15.09.23 (Oslo) (tenative dates)

MET9003 Literature review for academic writing in business and innovation management
23.05.2023-24.05.2023 (digital), 31.05.2023-02.06.2023 (Bodø)

ECO9001 Contemporary streams of institutional theory and their application to management and accounting
7-9 March 2023 (Valencia, Spain), 7-8 August 2023 (Bodø, Norway)

ECO9002 Theoretical Foundations and Current Topics in Business research
27.3-29.3.23, Bodø

ECO9005 Circular Economy Business Models
September 2, 2023 (digital), September 9, 2023 (digital), September 20-22, 2023 (Steinkjer), October 10, 2023 (digital)

LED9001 Perspectives on Crisis Management
March 27-28, 2023 and April 12-14, 2023

VT409E Philosophy of Science and Research Ethics
November 21-23, 2022 and February 6-8, 2023

MET9011 Advanced Academic Writing
Module 1 (Bodø): November 2-4, 2022
Module 2 (Bodø): March 15 – 17, 2023
Module 3 (Hotel near Bodø - tbd): August 9 – 11, 2023

MET9000 Research Design and Scientific Methods in Business Research
31. oktober – 1. nov, 2022, og 30-31 januar 2023.

>> Previous courses

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