Ph.D. in Strategic Management

Students in KU's doctoral program in strategic management explore how organizations achieve and sustain competitive advantage in an ever-changing global landscape, developing the expertise to publish in top journals and contribute to scholarship that shapes the way firms and organizations compete and thrive.

What sets KU apart

  • Preparation for academic careers: KU's program is designed to launch you into a successful academic career at a leading research university.
  • Close faculty mentorship: Collaborate with experienced scholars to develop expertise in research and teaching.
  • Access to premier resources: Connect with a wide range of research databases and resources to support your scholarly work.
  • Flexible timeline: Complete your doctorate in four to five years, tailored to your research and career goals.

Advancing knowledge in the field

Strategic management research tackles big questions about firm performance and decision-making, blending insights from economics, sociology, and psychology to firm strategy and strategic decision-making.

Important sub-fields within the discipline include:

  • Developing firm resources
  • Competitive interactions
  • Relational governance
  • Strategic decision-making
  • Innovation
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Organizational learning

The field increasingly focuses on research issues within the context of globalization and international business.

 

View a list of published faculty research

Admissions

List

  • Research

    Doctoral students work closely with faculty to gain research expertise in the various functions and activities carried out as part of SM with a focus on developing firm resources, competitive interactions, relational governance, strategic decision-making, innovation, entrepreneurship, and organizational learning.

List

  • Teaching

    Part of our mission is to develop effective teachers. To that end, all doctoral students are required to teach at least two sections as independent instructors. The school and university prepare and reward doctoral students for excellence in teaching through various programs and awards.

What to expect in the program

  • Year 1: Coursework and research
  • Year 2: Coursework and research
  • Year 3: Comprehensive exams and research
  • Year 4: Dissertation and job market
  • Year 5 (if necessary): Dissertation and job market

Program faculty

Strategic management doctoral students

Questions?

Contact Charly Edmonds, doctoral program director.