Doctoral programmes

ICN Business School supports doctoral candidates throughout their academic journey with programmes designed to combine intellectual rigour, research excellence and professional impact. Through the DBA and PhD, participants benefit from tailored guidance, expert supervision and an environment that fosters critical thinking and meaningful contribution to knowledge.

ICN Doctoral Programmes

The School offers two doctoral opportunities: a PhD in Management and a DBA in Sustainable Innovation Management (online programme). ICN’s doctoral programmes aim to foster an innovative research agenda with and for management and business. Our students are trained to be genuinely explorative and ground-breaking, with the ambition to transform management practices and generate a clear corporate or societal impact.

The programmes are both individualised and collegial. Students work closely with our international faculty and join a community of enthusiastic scholars who share a passion for research and inquiry. Our faculty are internationally recognised experts in their fields. They are academic leaders who provide innovative solutions to the corporate sector and share their expertise and skills with our PhD students.

ICN has an established reputation for excellence in research into sustainability in business and management, as well as corporate social responsibility. Our researchers place great emphasis on equipping future leaders with the skills and tools they need to achieve sustainable outcomes across all areas of business and management.

PhD in Management

Are you interested in undertaking original research and contributing to the development of contemporary, creative and innovative knowledge relevant to business and management?

The ICN PhD in Management programme offers training to produce innovative and rigorous research addressing today’s most pressing challenges in business and management. Upon completion of the PhD, graduates possess the skills and competences to join a prestigious business school or university and pursue a career in research and teaching, embark on a career in internationally operating companies, or become a management consultant.

DBA in Sustainable Innovation Management

Do you want to enhance your professional expertise and learn how to apply the latest research findings to solve complex current and future challenges in business and management?

Are you aspiring to become a creative business leader capable of driving change towards sustainability? The ICN DBA in Sustainable Innovation Management equips participants to challenge current management practices and improve managerial decision-making through robust research and analysis.

The programme is designed to meet the needs of management in a constantly evolving business environment and is aimed at senior executives, managers, consultants and management educators with at least five years of management experience, holding a Master’s degree or MBA (or equivalent).

The programme is delivered jointly with the Business Science Institute (BSI), Luxembourg, and in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU). It is delivered online, enabling participants to continue working while undertaking the programme.

FAQ : Doctoral Programmes

What is the difference between the PhD and the DBA? Hide answer Show answer

While both the PhD and the DBA are research programmes leading to a doctoral degree, they are distinct in their focus and scope. They offer doctoral opportunities to different candidate profiles and prepare graduates for different career paths.

PhD candidates are expected to make a significant contribution to knowledge. The aim of the PhD is to generate new insights for the academic community and to publish research findings in recognised academic journals.

By contrast, the DBA programme equips professionals to apply existing knowledge to real-world business challenges and prepares them for careers as business leaders and executives with a deeper understanding of management practices. Research conducted by DBA participants is geared towards generating an immediate impact on professional practice and primarily addresses the community of management practitioners. DBA candidates are encouraged to publish their findings in academic journals with an applied focus or in professional outlets.