Doctoral credits: 2.4 Year of study: first Teaching period: March 2027 Total hours: 15 Language: English Assessment method: graded
The course examines the key elements involved in designing a research project or developing a research agenda, from the epistemological foundations of different research approaches to the components of research design. Participants are expected to complete the assigned readings in advance and be prepared to present and discuss them. In addition to attending classes regularly, participants are required to complete a mock peer review of a manuscript submitted to an international academic journal, based on material provided by the lecturer and the guidance given during the course.
Doctoral credits: 2.4 Year of study: first Teaching period: from November to December 2026 Total hours: 15 Language: English Assessment method: graded
The course combines lectures with practical sessions covering descriptive, exploratory and inferential approaches. Participants are expected to take an active part in every session. Reading assignments and practical exercises are set throughout the course. Topics include descriptive statistics (frequency distributions, measures of central tendency and dispersion), exploratory data analysis, introductory probability theory, statistical inference and hypothesis testing, relationships between variables, and an introduction to regression analysis.
Doctoral credits: 2.4 Year of study: first Teaching period: December 2026 Total hours: 15 Language: English Assessment method: graded
The course aims to provide an understanding of the main theories that have contributed directly and indirectly to the debate on business strategy and strategic management. Before each lesson, students are expected to prepare a summary of the assigned readings for discussion.
Doctoral credits: 2.4 Year of study: first Teaching period: from January to March 2027 Total hours: 15 Language: English Assessment method: graded
The course covers the quantitative data analysis techniques most commonly used in management research, ranging from factor analysis and regression models to univariate and multivariate analysis of variance, as well as moderation and mediation analysis. By the end of the course, students will understand the statistical principles underpinning these methods, be able to analyse data using SPSS, and interpret the results of their statistical analyses.
Doctoral credits: 2.4 Year of study: first Teaching period: from February to March 2027 Total hours: 15 Language: English Assessment method: graded
The course examines the main theoretical perspectives on the identification, evaluation and exploitation of entrepreneurial opportunities, as well as the creation of new businesses. The course introduces students to the main theoretical perspectives, methodological approaches and current debates in entrepreneurship research. It equips participants with the conceptual and methodological tools needed to identify gaps in the existing literature, make connections across different research areas, and develop original research questions and projects.
Doctoral credits: 2.4 Year of study: first Teaching period: from March to April 2027 Total hours: 15 Language: English Assessment method: graded
The course explores the main theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of innovation management and the economics of innovation. The course is designed to help participants understand the factors underlying strategic decision-making and differences in organisational performance in technology-intensive industries. It also enables them to formulate research questions, identify key gaps in the literature, and consider how their research can contribute to both the theory and practice of innovation management and the economics of innovation.
Doctoral credits: 2.4 Year of study: first Teaching period: from February to March 2027 Total hours: 15 Language: English Assessment method: graded
The course explores the use of unstructured data (text, images, audio and video) to study consumer behaviour, consumer purchasing interactions, and the language used by consumers and businesses. Throughout the course, students discuss recent research in marketing and consumer behaviour while analysing unstructured data, with a particular focus on textual data.
Doctoral credits: 2.4 Year of study: first Teaching period: April 2027 Total hours: 15 Language: English
The course examines the classical and contemporary theories, together with the empirical studies that have shaped the development of organisation theory. Particular emphasis is placed on developing a broad understanding of micro-organisational processes. Before each lesson, participants are required to submit a short commentary to the lecturer, including observations or questions arising from the assigned readings, which are then discussed during the session. Assessment method: graded
Doctoral credits: 2.4 Year of study: first Teaching period: from May to June 2027 Total hours: 15 Language: English Assessment method: graded
The course examines the epistemological and methodological foundations of qualitative research and introduces the main methods and techniques used to collect, transcribe and analyse qualitative data. It introduces the main qualitative methods used in social science research, with a particular focus on observation, interviews, case studies and multimodal research. It also examines coding techniques used to transform field data into notes, written ethnographic accounts, theoretical models and research papers.
Doctoral credits: 4.8 Year of study: first Teaching period: from March to May 2027 Total hours: 30 Language: English Assessment method: graded
The course explores a range of research topics in corporate finance, including behavioural finance, family business governance, investor sentiment evaluation, payout policy, social and environmental finance, board diversity and current trends in corporate borrowing. The course is structured as follows: in the first part, students will focus primarily on understanding and discussing the main developments in the literature. Building on these readings and discussions, they will then be asked to present the main theoretical and methodological aspects, contributions and limitations of a selection of publications provided by the lecturer.
Doctoral credits: 4.8 Year of study: first Teaching period: from April to June 2027 Total hours: 30 Language: English Assessment method: graded
The course examines recent developments in banking research and practice. It combines the study of key theories and research methods with discussion of issues of direct relevance to practitioners and policymakers. Topics include banking theory, banking operations and performance, banking regulation and policy, the macroeconomic dimensions of banking, and comparisons between banking systems and market structures across different countries.
Doctoral credits: 4.8 Year of study: first Teaching period: from April to June 2027 Total hours: 30 Language: English Assessment method: graded
The course examines the main research and empirical developments in financial accounting. Its primary aim is to explore the role of financial reporting in shaping organisational and market outcomes. Through critical reading and discussion of the academic literature, participants develop an understanding of the theoretical foundations and main research methods used in financial accounting research. In doing so, participants will be able to identify promising research opportunities with the potential to make meaningful theoretical and practical contributions.
Doctoral credits: 2.4 Year of study: first Teaching period: from January to March 2027 Total hours: 15 Language: English Assessment method: graded
The course examines the epistemological and methodological foundations of qualitative research and introduces the main methods and techniques used to collect, transcribe and analyse qualitative data. It introduces the main qualitative methods used in social science research, with a particular focus on observation, interviews, case studies and multimodal research. It also examines coding techniques used to transform field data into notes, written ethnographic accounts, theoretical models and research papers.
Second year
Shared courses (mandatory for all students)
Tracks: Management; Accounting, Banking, and Finance
Doctoral credits: 1.2 Year of study: second Teaching period: from May to June 2028 Total hours: 15 Language: English Assessment method: pass or fail
This seminar series explores how the concepts and tools of positive organisational psychology can help PhD students develop the behaviours and strategies needed to make the most of their doctoral studies and subsequent academic careers. Topics include job crafting, relationship-building and work–life balance, with the aim of helping participants build a rewarding and sustainable academic career while maintaining a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives.
The art and craft of managing the peer review process
Doctoral credits: 0.48 Year of study: second Teaching period: from May to June 2028 Total hours: 6 Language: English Assessment method: pass or fail
The seminar series provides practical guidance on navigating an academic career, from the PhD programme to the job market. Topics include how to interact with other researchers on research projects, evaluating postdoctoral career opportunities, and managing the submission, review and publication of academic papers.
Doctoral credits: 3.36 Year of study: second Teaching period: from November to December 2027 Total hours: 21 Language: English Assessment method: graded
The course examines current research in entrepreneurship, exploring the field from a range of theoretical perspectives and across different contexts. Topics include scientific and academic entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship and public policy, social entrepreneurship, minority entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurship in the creative and cultural sectors
Doctoral credits: 3.84 Year of study: second Teaching period: from March to April 2028 Total hours: 24 Language: English Assessment method: graded
The course examines classical and contemporary theories, current debates and selected empirical studies that have significantly advanced the field of organisational behaviour. Organisational behaviour draws on a range of disciplines and encompasses concepts across different levels of analysis (micro, meso and macro). The course provides participants with a framework to guide them in the study of organisational behaviour at all its levels.
Doctoral credits: 2.88 Year of study: second Teaching period: from January to February 2028 Total hours: 18 Language: English Assessment method: graded
The course explores three major areas of research concerned with the factors that shape firms’ boundaries, activities and performance. The first examines the relationships firms establish within their markets and their participation in broader business networks and ecosystems. The second focuses on firm growth across different geographical and institutional contexts. The third examines diversity management initiatives and the ways in which organisations seek to strengthen their wider social role.
Doctoral credits: 2.4 Year of study: second Teaching period: from September to October 2027 Total hours: 15 Language: English Assessment method: graded
The course has three main objectives: to familiarise students with the theories, psychological, behavioural and attitudinal factors, and research methods underpinning the study of consumer behaviour; to develop students’ research skills in marketing modelling and data analysis; and to strengthen their ability to conceptualise and develop original research ideas. The course combines theoretical, practical and methodological perspectives.
Doctoral credits: 3.36 Year of study: second Teaching period: from January to March 2028 Total hours: 24 Language: English Assessment method: graded
The course introduces students to advanced research topics in innovation management and the economics of innovation, combining theoretical, practical and methodological perspectives. It is organised into the following modules: intellectual property organisation and management; research commercialisation and the financial aspects of innovation management; advanced technologies and artificial intelligence applied to innovation; open innovation models, action research and design thinking as approaches to innovation.
Doctoral credits: 2.4 Year of study: first Teaching period: from January to March 2027 Total hours: 15 Language: English Assessment method: graded
The course covers the quantitative data analysis techniques most commonly used in management research, ranging from factor analysis and regression models to univariate and multivariate analysis of variance, as well as moderation and mediation analysis. By the end of the course, students will understand the statistical principles underpinning these methods, be able to analyse data using SPSS, and interpret the results of their statistical analyses.
Doctoral credits: 2.4 Year of study: second Teaching period: from September to October 2027 Total hours: 15 Language: English Assessment method: graded
The course examines the main areas of public management research that have emerged over recent decades. The first half of the course focuses on traditional models of public administration, New Public Management, Public Governance and other alternative approaches, particularly those related to digital transformation and sustainability in the public sector. The second half explores cross-cutting research themes of particular relevance to public management, including social innovation, equity and social inclusion, sustainable development, public services marketing and public financial sustainability.
Doctoral credits: 2.4 Year of study: second Teaching period: from September to October 2027 Total hours: 15 Language: English Assessment method: graded
The course examines qualitative research methods used in accounting, banking, and finance research.