Management (doctoral)

Doctoral Programme in Management is organized by ISM University of Management and Economics in partnership with BI Norwegian Business School, Norway, Aarhus University, Denmark, and University of Tartu, Estonia.

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Doctoral Programme in Management is organized by ISM University of Management and Economics in partnership with BI Norwegian Business School, Norway, Aarhus University, Denmark, and University of Tartu, Estonia.

The purpose of doctoral studies is to develop researchers who are able to perform research aimed at solving relevant social and business problems and contribute to existing knowledge.

Doctoral students are taught and supervised by prominent scholars who perform relevant research, publish in high-level international journals, act as experts, and participate in research networks and projects, thus ensuring high quality of studies.

Part-time doctoral studies provide an opportunity to combine a professional career with a doctorate. The knowledge and research skills acquired in doctoral studies enable you to apply research-based solutions in professional activities.

Doctoral program

Learn more about the program

English language
Full time: 4 years; Part time studies: 6 years; Externally: up to 1 year.
Doctor of Social Sciences (Management)
Briefly

Program values

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International studies
At ISM you’ll find world-class networks, experience and mindset
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Contribution to knowledge
That makes an impact
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Personal development
Advanced research and data analysis methods can be applied in any field
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Integration of research with professional career
Research based problem solving
I wanted to independently explore a topic of my choice and ISM appeared to be the best university in Lithuania to pursue my interest in consumer behaviour.
Dr. Martin Aubel
Graduate of ISM Doctoral program in Management

Courses

Social Research Development and Methodology

The aim of the course is to disclose the nature of social research development and the main requirements for research and doctoral dissertation in social sciences. It also intends to discuss the scientific approach and the stages of the research process.

Course syllabus

Philosophy of Science

The aim of the course is to help the participants to acquire an intellectual identity through an understanding of the main problems and positions in the theory and philosophy of the human and social sciences as this are reflected in the  discussions of these issues in the last half-century and give the participants an  understanding of the relation to the history of this science.

Course syllabus

Qualitative Research Methods

The course provides an overview of qualitative methodology and allows learning and practicing qualitative
methodology as it is used in organizational studies.

Course syllabus

Quantitative Research Methods

This course aims to provide students with the statistical knowledge to interpret quantitative research. The most common analysis techniques will be demonstrated with actual research data. Students will learn to identify the  appropriate tests for a given research question and dataset and they will learn how to carry out these techniques in SPSS.

Course syllabus

Introduction to Scholarship

This Doctoral Course aims to develop doctoral students’ teaching and research competencies enabling them to pursue an academic career at a University or outside.
The Course consists of Seminars and an Academic Internship. Academic Internship shall be composed of teaching and research activities.

The seminars are aimed to provide knowledge and skills necessary for scholarship proficiency. The seminars cover teaching, research ethics, academic writing and publishing, academic presentation, research projects’ development and management as well as specialized scholarly software mastery issues.

Each student should attend at least one seminar on each of the above-listed topics (in total minimum of 20 academic hours).

The Academic Internship aims to develop the academic skills of doctoral students. A doctoral student may be involved in the academic activities listed in the appendices of ISM Faculty Workload Regulations.

Course syllabus

Course at a University abroad

A doctoral student of ISM University of Management and Economics (hereinafter – ISM) have to complete and pass the examination (if applicable) of the selected study course or courses at a foreign university during the first half of the studies according to the approved programme of research and doctoral studies.

ISM may offer up to 725 EUR (seven hundred twenty-five Euros) to cover up the expenses for studying doctoral course at a foreign university (universities). These costs may include study fee, travel and accommodation expenses. If the doctoral student fails the examination, ISM will not cover the expenses related to re-examination of the course.A doctoral student shall study doctoral course and take the examination of the course (if applicable) at a foreign university according to the following procedure:

  • Selected doctoral course have to comply with the topic of the doctoral student’s research i.e. must be a subject of his specialisation;
  • The total scope of the selected doctoral course or courses (if a doctoral student attends several courses) must beat least 6 ECTS credits.

Publications of Doctoral Students

Admission

Qualification requirements

  • Master’s degree or equivalent higher education
  • Scientific experience, participation in scientific activities
  • English language knowledge

Online application

Applicants must submit an online application: https://apply.ism.lt

Documents for application

  • Completed application form (according to the form  in English)
  • Master’s degree diploma and its supplement (submit copies and show original).
  • Applicants who have earned their degrees abroad must submit original notarised translations (into English) of the Master’s degree diploma and its supplement (Recognition of foreign qualifications).
  • Enveloped and sealed recommendations from two scholars (according to the form  in English)
  • Curriculum vitae (CV) (in English).
  • Motivation letter explaining the reasons of applying to doctoral studies (in English).
  • Research proposal (according to the form  ) to be submitted in both hard and electronic (Word format, e-mail:phd@ism.lt) copies). phd@ism.lt) versijos).
  • Proved English language skills (for non-native speakers), which should meet the requirements of Upper Intermediate level or higher. Valid results of TOEFL, IELTS are accepted of the last 2 years. Minimum test scores are: TOEFL – a score of 70 points; IELTS academic – a score of 6.0. If none of these tests has been taken, a test will be organised at ISM.
  • Digital photo (3×4 cm).
  • Copy of passport or ID card (copy of the page of passport with the photo and personal data) (submit copies and show original
  • Applicants whose documents presented for admission are issued under different surnames must submit a copy of the document confirming the change (submit copies and show original).
  • Bank statement confirming the payment of the application and English language test (if applicable) fee.

Admission deadlines

  • Applicants who have earned their degrees abroad must submit original Master’s degree diploma and diploma supplement: till 2024 06 01
  • Submission of applications: 2024 06 01 – 2024 08 30
  • English language test (if required): 2024 09 04
  • Individual motivation interviews at Admission Committee: 2024 09 10
  • Informing applicants about the results of the competition: 2024 09 13

Admission rules and regulations

Admission fee

  • The admission fee is €150. The admission fee is paid via the ISM Admission portal.

Tuition fee

  • 5794,5 EUR (full-time studies, 4 years);
  • 3863 EUR (part-time studies, up to 6 years).

*Per semester

Scholarships, thesis defense and doctoral committee

State scholarships for full time studies (4 years)*

The scholarships will be offered to full-time doctoral students in Management and Economics. A scholarship covers the tuition fee and provides a student grant (for first-year doctoral students – 1045 EUR/month; for second, third, and fourth year doctoral students – 1210 EUR/month). Candidates to the state doctoral study scholarships are selected by means of competition according to the results of the competitive entry score.

Tuition fees discounts

Doctoral students who are graduates of an ISM Bachelor’s, International Master’s, or Master’s degree in Management are granted an ISM graduate discount. The amount of the discount is 30% of the tuition fee paid for the entire study period. The discount is also given to doctoral students who have received a high competitive score.

Dissertation defence

Doctoral candidates may present their dissertation for defense when they:

 

  • Pass all the examinations provided in the doctoral study program
  • Present their most significant research results in at least 2 articles published (or accepted for publication) in scientific peer-reviewed journals, or scientific monography
  • Present their research results during at least 2 international scientific gatherings (conferences, seminars)

Regulations of the Doctoral Studies in the Field of Management (who joined until 2017)
Regulations of the Doctoral Studies in the Field of Management (who joined since 2017)
Regulations of the Doctoral Studies in the Field of Management (who joined since 2020)
Regulations of the Doctoral Studies in the Field of Management (who joined since 2021)

Doctoral Committee

Doctoral Committee of Economics programme

Doctoral Committee: evaluates research topics of doctoral students, approves individual study programs, considers doctoral supervision issues, monitors doctoral student research progress, and assesses the quality of doctoral dissertations.

The Doctoral Committee is composed of researchers from all participating partner universities, co-ordinates, and assures the quality of doctoral studies and scientific research.

Doctoral Committee of Economics:

  • Prof. dr. Ilona Bučiūnienė – ISM University of Management and Economics / Chairperson
  • Prof. dr. Viltė Auruškevičienė – ISM University of Management and Economics
  • Prof. dr. Valdonė Darškuvienė – ISM University of Management and Economics
  • Prof. dr. Mogens Dilling-Hansen – Aarhus University (Denmark)
  • Prof. dr. Rūta Kazlauskaitė – ISM University of Management and Economics
  • Prof. dr. Ralf Müller – BI Norwegian Business School (Norway)
  • Prof. dr. Rutger van Oest – BI Norwegian Business School (Norway)
  • Prof. dr. Maaja Vadi – University of Tartu (Estonia)
  • Prof. dr. Bernadeta Goštautaitė – ISM University of Management and Economics
  • Assoc. prof. dr. Birte Asmuß – Aarhus University (Denmark)
Consultation

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Contacts
Prof. dr. Ilona Bučiūnienė
Dean of Doctoral School
+370 5 212 3960 ilona.buciuniene@ism.lt
Ugnė Gervickaitė
Doctoral Studies Officer
+370 612 59672 ugne.gervickaite@ism.lt