Organizer: Michael C. Nippa, Free U. Bozen, Bolzano
Organizer: Schon Beechler, INSEAD
Organizer: Kristiina Mäkelä, Aalto U.
Organizer: Kyle J. Mayer, U. of Southern California
Organizer: Anne-valerie Ohlsson, Singapore Management U.
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| PhD programs and doctoral education should belong to the flagships of higher education at business schools worldwide. Top universities compete for the best graduates and successfully completing a dissertation at a reputed business school almost guarantees job offers in academia, worldwide. Using an analogy from the Star Wars fantasy, given their relevance for the future of business schools, PhD students should be Padawans, who are trained in the Jedi Order to one day become a Jedi. However, they often seem to end up as Class One Droids, as many PhD programs do not live up to expectations. Given their importance, one would assume that issues concerning developing and advancing doctoral education are well-researched in our discipline. Surprisingly, however, they are significantly under-researched and rarely discussed outside small circles and/or accreditation institutions such as the AACSB. Hence, there are many open questions and future research opportunities that call for exploration and cross- institutional and inter-divisional debates. The PDW/symposium we propose aims to bring together senior and junior faculty, as well as PhD students, interested in discussing (a) the status quo of doctoral education on an international level, (b) future needs and developments of doctoral programs, (c) research opportunities, and (d) the possibility of building a network of interested scholars. It is our objective to provide a vibrant learning platform, particularly for those responsible for and/or teaching in PhD programs, interested in exchanging ideas and building networks across divisions. |