Programme structure
The three-year full-time programme combines core lectures in relevant organisational and management theories, in quantitative and qualitative methods, and in research strategies with additional individual training. Your research foci, theoretical perspectives, methodological approaches, conferences and target journals are discussed and decided in close engagement with your two supervisors.
This topic-specific individual support and mentoring, the promotion of interdisciplinary approaches and critical thinking, as well as financial support for extended research stays at renowned universities and research institutions outside the two alma maters, generous scholarships, and individual research funds are features that set our programme apart from comparable programmes.
- Year 1: Foundation and Proposal Development
At the start of the programme, students are matched with a dual-tutorship team, one from the University of Trento and the other from the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano. Tutorship ensures a smooth integration into the joint research environment, facilitating the building of a strong foundation for the candidate's research journey.
The first six months are devoted to intensive training modules that provide foundational knowledge of management theories and methodologies, ensuring all doctoral students develop a common skill set regardless of their background. Depending on your research interests, specialist training opportunities will be provided. By the end of the first year, you should ideally complete a working paper. Over the summer, you will develop a research proposal in close consultation with your supervisors and present it to the Lecturers' Committee in early September. A positive review is a prerequisite for approval to continue the doctoral programme.
- Year 2: Development and Dissemination
The second year is used to further develop your specific research topic, present initial results at conferences, expand your methodological and conceptual knowledge, and ideally develop a second working paper. You may spend part of an external research stay at partner institutions abroad. The academic year ends with a second progress review/exam, which determines whether you can continue in the doctoral programme.
- Year 3: Completion and Submission
The third year is devoted to completing or refining publishable research and submitting it to academic conferences and journals. The dissertation, consisting of at least three published or publishable articles, is submitted in early summer and defended at year's end after external review. Successful doctoral candidates receive a doctorate from both participating universities.
Classes will be held in both Trento and Bolzano.
Lectures will start in early November. Attendance is mandatory.
The schedule will be available on this webpage in due time.