Program Overview

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PhD Business and Enterprise

Overview

LSBU Business School offers full-time, part-time, and distance-learning research degree programmes. During this PhD course, students work with research supervisors to develop research projects to shape theory, policy and practice in the fields of business and enterprise studies. Under the direction of two research supervisors, students conduct empirical or theoretical research that will lead to new knowledge in a chosen field and are required to write a series of journal articles or thesis of 80,000 words. Previous PhD research topics have included:

• Internationalisation of SMEs
• Marketing strategies of multinational companies
• Sustainability and project management
• Managing risk in multinational corporations
• Social media as innovation laboratory
• Work-life balance and work-family conflict

Industry, public and 3rd Sector Collaborations

Our academics have made an impact and collaborate with a range of private, public and 3rd sector organisations as expert advisors, in contract research and consulting. Such collaborations include the European Commission's Asylum Support Office (EASO), the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing Science in Australia, the Swiss Olympics - Federal Ministry of the Interior in Switzerland, the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) in the UK, the British Council in the UK, the society for Intercultural Education, Training and Research (SIETAR, UK) and Erasmus+, the European Commission's Programme.

Enterprise through research

Enterprise as a core research narrative invites researchers to contribute work notable for academic quality and impact and all sorts of areas could fall within this theme including, but not limited to, SMEs, local economy, organisational analysis, social enterprise and society. It offers opportunities to work collaboratively on research and publications, share data, complementary methodologies and connect with enterprise activities.

Engaging with business and society

The School is also committed to ‘civic engagement’ with a mission to share practical research outcomes to improve the society around us and this is reflected in many of the impact case studies which are being generated. Our local business community is essential to the success of London and we are keen to engage in research which supports that community through systematic capture of the structure, economic impact or business lifecycle.

We therefore would like our research to be academically strong and capable of generating impact locally, nationally or internationally. We are happy to consider a broad range of research proposals within the business domain so long as they can be seen to offer the potential for rigour, originality, reach and impact.

A PhD, by definition, is an original contribution to knowledge. A research degree is different from a taught course. Research students are expected to self-direct their learning with support from a supervisory team.

Mode and Duration

• Full-time: 3 years
• Part-time: 5 years
• Distance learning: 6 years

Start Date

• January
• April
• September

Application Code

• Full-time: 9005
• Part-time: 9025
• Distance learning: 9057

Application Method

• Direct to LSBU

Entry Requirements

Applicants for a Research Degree programme at LSBU are usually expected to have a good honours degree (2:2 and above) and a relevant postgraduate qualification, preferably a merit at Master's level. Please also supply two academic references as part of your application. You will also be required to show proof of all of your qualifications. If English is not your first language you will be required to prove your competency in English, showing an IELTS score of at least 7.0 at postgraduate level. You will be invited to an interview with your potential supervisor, in person or by telephone, prior to an offer being made.

Fees

• UK: £5010 (full-time), £3006 (part-time), £5010 (distance learning)
• International: £17600 (full-time), £10560 (part-time), £5010 (distance learning)

Course Content

PhD students at LSBU Business School attend weekly research seminars and Key Skills Development Programme organised by the university, but they are not required to attend any taught modules or to complete coursework. Students are encouraged to present their work at research seminars to gain feedback from doctoral students and researchers in the business and enterprise disciplines. The library offers a range of research-related courses such as how to use SPSS or NVIVO, or how to use a reference management software. In addition, doctoral students may audit selected Masters- level modules relevant to their research project.

Careers

A research degree will equip you with many transferable skills. The self-discipline, the demand for clear analytical thinking, and the ability to turn criticism of others work into something constructive of your own, all constitute a unique training for almost any kind of career. The excitement and satisfaction of finding new facts, a new idea, or a new way of looking at something can be highly rewarding.

Teaching and Assessment

All research students are supported in their work by a staff supervisory team. In the first instance students are supervised by their Director of Studies, with whom they are expected to maintain close contact, whilst further guidance may also be given by co-supervisors.

The first efforts of the supervisory team will be to enable research students to prepare their registration. This normally takes place after an initial probationary period of six months (full-time) or nine months (part-time). The School offers opportunities for students to present their work in progress to a School audience that is both supportive and critical, through open staff/student seminars.

Where relevant to their research field, students are able and encouraged to take units from the wide range of taught masters programmes within the School.

Research Skills Development

All research students are required to participate in a Key Skills Development programme aimed at developing transferable skills in addition to those employed in carrying out research. Training in research methods is available through frequent research seminars.

When necessary the research student can follow, in part, relevant Masters courses available within the School and in particular units on research methodology. In some cases, research students are encouraged to follow other courses available within the University or externally aimed at improving their general expertise in their chosen areas.

In addition, they may be encouraged to follow language courses aimed at improving their oral and written skills - both essential in their future careers.

Transferable Skills

A research degree will equip you with many transferable skills. The self-discipline, the demand for clear analytical thinking, and the ability to turn criticism of others work into something constructive of your own, all constitute a unique training for almost any kind of career. The excitement and satisfaction of finding new facts, a new idea, or a new way of looking at something can be highly rewarding.

Attending Conferences

Research students are often sponsored to attend national and international conferences and to meet leading scientists in their fields and to present their research findings. The progress of all research students is formally monitored by the University's Research Degree Committee.

Links with External Funding Bodies

Links with external funding bodies for research have been developed and particular attention has been given to increasing the quantum of external funding for research activity.

External funding has been obtained from sources that include the European Union, UK Research Councils, major charitable research foundations and the U.K. Government’s Department of Trade and Industry.

Particular attention has been given towards the development of postgraduate research degrees and increasing the levels of external funding for research activity.

Memberships

LSBU Business School is an esteemed member institution of the Business Graduates Association (BGA), an international membership and quality assurance body of world-leading and high-potential Business Schools who share a commitment for responsible management practices and lifelong learning, and are looking to provide positive impact on their students, communities, and the economy as a whole. BGA is the sister brand to the Association of MBAs (AMBA), the world's impartial authority on postgraduate management education.

As a BGA member institution, students of LSBU Business School are able to access BGA's individual membership, which offers a range of tools and resources designed to support the professional and personal development of business students and graduates, free of charge. This includes CV building services, a job search function, skill assessments, thought-leadership, partner discounts and much more.