PhD in
Management
The PhD programme in Management established and provided by the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano and University of Trento is inspired by the principles of responsible management education and research.
Course description
Our programme aims at the development of theoretical and applied research in business and management sciences through the acquisition of specialized competencies. The main research themes focus on behaviors and decision-making in organisations, entrepreneurship, family business and innovation, organization design and human resource management, strategy and knowledge management, accounting, and accountability. The programme proposes and stimulates the adoption and application of advanced theoretical and methodological approaches.
This 4-year full-time PhD programme combines methodical and theoretical lectures with additional individualized training with a supervisor depending on the specific research interests and objectives of the PhD student. Topic-specific individual tutoring and mentoring, as well as funding for research stays abroad are features that set our programme apart from similar ones.
PhD students will be introduced to specific research areas of both Faculties and will have the opportunity to be engaged in innovative research projects. Our international academic staff provides a variety of research opportunities, examples are outlined in the attached research fields.
At a glance
Duration of the programme: 4 years
Courses will be taught in English
Places available: 4 with scholarship + 1 without scholarship
Campus: Bozen-Bolzano and Trient-Trento
Tuition fees: € 180 per year
Stay abroad: 4 to 6 months stays at international universities
Programme structure
The first year of the programme is devoted to imparting basic knowledge of methods and theories in the field of management to develop a common skillset among our PhD students regardless of their background. Students are encouraged to explore different research approaches and questions before specialising.
By the end of the second year, the programme provides students with necessary skills, competencies, and tools to successfully conduct theory-based empirical research in different fields and with opportunities to build their own scientific network through attending international conferences and summer schools and visiting other universities.
Although we encourage PhD students to start writing scientific papers from the beginning, the second half of the programme is primarily dedicated to completing a dissertation through writing high quality research papers targeted for publication in renowned peer-reviewed journals.
The dissertation is expected to be of a cumulative nature, i.e., a collection of scientific papers with a comprehensive introduction and conclusion that highlight the research objectives and the findings. Monographs are not accepted.
International Research Collaborations
Our faculty members have close networks within their specific research area of the scientific community, which cannot be exhaustively listed here. We are proud to have the following internationally renowned colleagues in our PhD committee:
- Massimo Contrafatto, University of Sussex, Great Britain
- Fabrizio Ferraro, IESE, Spain
- Claudia Gabbionetta, University of York, Great Britain
- Prof. Christoph Grimpe, Copenhagen Business School, Denmark
- Giuseppe Grossi, Nord University, Norway
- Prof. Nadine Kammerlander, WHU Otto Beisheim School of Management, Germany
- Prof. Tanja Rabl, TU Kaiserslautern, Germany
- Prof. Martin Schnitzer, Universität Innsbruck, Austria
Among others, our faculty members have established partnerships with colleagues, research groups, and institutes for instance from:
- Chair of International Business, Faculty of Business, Economics and Statistics University of Vienna, Austria
- Chatham University, USA
- Lee Kong Chian School of Business – Singapore Management University, Singapore
- NYU – New York University Stern;
- Baruch College, USA
- Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
These and many more contacts will provide our PhD students with many opportunities to pursue their research interests, to develop and maintain important networks, and experience the life of a young scholar on a truly international level. Last but not least, it will help them tremendously with starting a successful academic career.
People
PhD Programme Coordinator: Prof. Michael Nippa (photo)
Student Representative in the Lecturer's Committee: Katarina Keckic
Text
Studying at unibz
Living in South Tyrol, Housing, Scholarships and more
Coming to unibz from Abroad
Application procedure, Visa, Residence permit and more
Application and Admission
You can find key information to apply and gain admission to this PhD Programme. For detailed information browse the general and specific calls below.
We not only seek highly talented, international applicants with an outstanding performance record, but personalities in every respect, who are motivated, self-disciplined, and who possess a high degree of social skills and a sense of responsibility. Among others you will have to demonstrate competence in the English language with a recognized language certificate and be successful in a public competition.
You will be required to take part in a public recruitment competition (see call in due time). Admissible applicants should possess or need to complete their master, a second cycle degree, or an equivalent foreign title with honours preferably in Economics and/or Business Administration or related fields.
Successful applicants will be expected to reside in South Tyrol during the 4-year period of the PhD scholarship and to contribute actively to our international research environment.
You will also have to demonstrate competence in the English language at the C1 level with a recognized language certificate and be successful in a public competition.
1st Call
Application deadline: by 15 June 2023, 12:00 midday (GTM +2:00)
Admission interviews: 5 July 2023 (only via MS Teams)
Publication of ranking lists: online within 14 July 2023
Confirmation of the PhD position
Applicants with grant: starting from 14 July 2023 until 27 July 2023;
Applicants without grant: starting from 27 July 2023 until 04 August 2023.
Enrolment: Starting from 27 July 2023 until 31 October 2023, 12:00 midday (CEST)
3rd Call
Application deadline: by 11 September 2023, 12:00 midday (CEST)
Admission interviews: to be defined (only via MS Teams)
Publication of ranking lists: by 28 September 2023
Confirmation of the PhD position
Applicants with grant: starting from 28 September 2023 until 16 October 2023;
Enrolment: Starting from 17 October 2023 until 31 October 2023, 12:00 midday (CEST)
- An Italian "Laurea Magistrale" (Master's degree) or degree issued in accordance with the regulations in force prior to Ministerial Decree no. 509 of 3 November 1999, amended by Ministerial Decree no. 270 of 22 October 2004, in the indicated degree classes (LM-18, LM-31, LM-47, LM-49, LM-50, LM-51, LM52, LM-55, LM-59, LM-63, LM-66, LM-69, LM-75, LM-76, LM-77, LM-91, LMG-01) with a minimum final grade of 95/110 or
- An equivalent qualification (Master's degree) obtained abroad at an officially recognized academic higher education institution. The degree must be equivalent to the Italian "Laurea Magistrale" (Master's degree), in terms of duration, level and subject area, and must allow the access to an academic course equivalent to the PhD in the country/higher education system of provenance with a final mark of at least ECTS "C" or GPA 3.0 out of 5.0.
In justified individual cases where the quality criteria mentioned in 1) or 2) do not apply, the selection committee will use the ministerially approved evaluation formula for the conversion of foreign grades that you can find in the specific call below.
In the case of candidates not yet in possession of the master’s degree a grade point average of at least 26/30 on the Italian scale is required for the examinations taken as part of the master's degree or equivalent qualification.
Applicants who have only a satisfactory degree (<95/110) but have published a scientific article in a reputable peer-reviewed journal in the last four years or who have a proven record of being in the review process of such a journal may be admitted to the selection process if the selection committee approves it unanimously.
Applicants whose mother tongue is not English must document their language skills by presenting a language certificate (minimum level C1), such as TOEFL, IELTS or the First Certificate in English (grade "A") - recognised by the Language Centre of the Free University of Bozen/Bolzano. Knowledge of English may also be demonstrated by qualifications (secondary school/bachelor/master) related to a program held entirely in English. In this case, Italian and EU candidates must declare this on the pre-enrolment portal.
Non-EU citizens must upload a copy of their diploma and any additional documentation indicating the language of instruction related to the foreign qualification. Candidates demonstrate their language proficiency in the application portal (in the section “upload language certificates” and/or “enroll for language exams”) after they have created an application in the section “create/manage applications”.
Applications to the selection procedure can be submitted from the date of the announcement of the public competition.
Each application is subject to a payment for administrative expenses (30 €). This registration fee cannot be reimbursed under any circumstances.
In order to apply, you need to follow these steps:
- Create an account at Application Portal and upload in electronic format a passport-size colour photo and a valid ID (passport or identity card, front/back);
- In the application portal, select the PhD programme and pay the registration fee of 30 € (see instructions in the portal);
- Fill in the online form in the same portal and upload the additional required documents (see the specific attachments to the call for each PhD programme).
Completing the application online is the only way to submit the application. Applications will not be considered if:
- incomplete or without compulsory entry qualifications/requirements;
- sent by e-mail.
It is necessary to upload the required documentation for each PhD programme chosen in the portal. A traffic light system indicates complete/incomplete documentation (missing documents will be marked in red).
Only documents uploaded by the deadline will be evaluated. It is advisable to apply online well in advance and to check the portal regularly to take note of any notes concerning missing and/or incorrect documents.
After the deadline, it will no longer be possible to complete/correct incomplete applications.
The University is not liable if the portal is overcharged, due to the net or to the software itself.
Applicants must enclose the following documents with their application, otherwise they will be excluded from the evaluation and selection process:
- Master degree certificate/exam transcript with grade point average: in the case of a master's degree awarded at an Italian university, certificates need to be replaced by a self-declaration or diploma supplement.
- Language certificate for English: if certificates were issued by Italian public institutions, a self-declaration must be uploaded in the portal. If certificates were issued by foreign public institutions, a scanned copy of the original certificate must be uploaded in the portal.
- Curriculum vitae
- Two recent letters of reference from current or former professors, supervisors of theses or co-authors of articles published in peer-reviewed management journals, which have been specifically prepared for the application to this PhD programme.
- A research statement in English (pdf-format, max. 1,200 words plus bibliography, tables, graphs, if applicable), which is scientifically rigorous and highlights the applicant's particular research interest and possible research questions as well as conceptual and methodological approaches. The research interests expressed in the research statement must be related to the research priorities of the faculty and consider the availability of supervisors in the proposed research area. Should the formal criteria, especially the volume limit, not be respected, the applicant will be excluded from the procedure.
- payment of the registration fee for the selection procedure.
All documents must be submitted in English (including copies of official certificates if they are in languages other than English, German, or Italian), otherwise the applicant will be excluded from the evaluation and selection process without further consultation.
Other documents/qualifications (recommended, if applicable)
Publication list if relevant; preferably with respective links to the full text, certificates of special courses or awards and special achievements of relevance with regard to the PhD programme, or any other document that provides evidence of the qualifications necessary to successfully participate in our joint PhD programme.
The selection procedure takes place in two stages:
Stage 1: Evaluation of the candidates' scientific qualification and suitability on the basis of written documents (qualifications) (max. 70 points).
The selection committee examines and evaluates the following elements:
- The Master's final grade or the grade point average of examinations taken in the Master programme (in the case of candidates not yet in possession of the master’s degree) in combination with the quality of the issuing universities or faculty/business schools by using recognized international ranking systems (total max. 20 points).
- Content proximity/affinity of previous education and qualifications to the subject content of the PhD programme in Management, i.e., scientific proximity (total max. 25 points).
- Quantity and quality of scientific publications and/or research-related work experience (only those that match the subject content of the PhD programme in Management will be considered), if this represents added value for the PhD programme and the targeted research area (total max. 2.5 points).
- Comprehensive evaluation of the curriculum vitae and letters of reference. If the candidate has a very good GMAT or GRE test (not older than five years) it will be credited here (total max. 7.5 points).
Candidates who do not reach the threshold of 35 points (out of 55 points) regarding the evaluation of criteria a) to d) are declared ineligible at this stage and their research statement is not evaluated. - Evaluation of the research statement by designated or potential supervisors and/or other experts in the research field (max. 15 points)
Candidates who reach at least 45 out of max. 70 points in the assessment of criteria, including at least 10 points for the assessment of the research statement under, will be admitted and invited to the personal interview.
Stage 2: Personal interview (max 30 points)
The further assessment of applicants' qualifications and their aptitude as researcher is based on an interview (oral examination) (max 30 points).
During the interview, the selection committee will assess the following elements in particular:
- The applicant's preparation, education, and specific suitability for academic research in the field of Management at the Faculty of Economics and Management.
- The ability of the candidate to present his/her research interest and ambition and corresponding competencies and skills in a convincing manner in English.
Fees amount to € 180
In order to confirm your study place, you need to log on to the application portal and pay the tuition fees (€ 180) which includes the provincial tax for the right to study of € 164 and a revenue stamp of € 16. by one of the methods indicated on the portal by the deadline indicated above.
If you do not respect this deadline, you will automatically lose your study place. If, by paying the instalment you have confirmed the study place, there will be no refund of the tuition fees unless you are a non-EU applicant resident abroad and you do not receive the necessary documents from the Italian authorities in your country.
1st Call
Application deadline: by 15 June 2023, 12:00 midday (CEST)
CALL GENERAL PART (PDF): EN – IT – DE
CALL SPECIFIC PART (PDF): EN – IT – DE
3rd Call
Application deadline: by 11 September 2023, 12:00 midday (CEST)
CALL GENERAL PART (PDF): EN – IT – DE
CALL SPECIFIC PART (PDF): EN – IT – DE
With any further question please contact us by phone at +39 0471 012800 or send us an e-mail: phd@unibz.it.
Application
Visiting PhD students and sabbatical stay
The Faculty of Economics and Management may accept PhD students from other universities who would like to visit unibz to undertake a short period of research (i.e., up to four months). We ask for your understanding as we are not able to accept all students who make an application to visit the Faculty and therefore need to be selective based upon qualifications and mutual fit of the research interests.
To facilitate your application and ensure we can manage our limited resources effectively, prospective visiting PhD researchers need to find and contact a faculty member, who is working in the same research area and willing to host the applicant. The host will forward the complete application (CV; purpose and research objective of the stay; topic of a research seminar to be provided at the beginning of the visit) together with a recommendation for approval to the PhD programme committee.
In preparation for your visit with us, the Faculty of Economics and Management is unable to provide access to Italy or any other secure data to visitors or visiting students. If you require this service, please contact your home institute, as they will be required to provide such access. The Faculty also recommends you to bring your own laptop with the software you need.